Large Pocket Knives

M

Mr.Bojangles

Joined
Nov 11, 2008
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How many of you guys pocket carry larger slipjoints on a regular basis? I ask because I got a trapper the other day (4 1/8'') and I find myself contemplating whether or not to keep it or get something a little smaller? I can pretty confidently say I would like it to be ~1/4" smaller, but not by much. The size is pretty good for me...it's just a tad heavy, and a tad long, but nice and thin. Case sells sheaths for it though, which is kinda saying something. It seems there is a general preference towards smaller slipjoints, as a lot of people carry them as their "sheeple friendly, use in public" alternative to their bigger locking folders. I do like how my little texas jack fits in my watch pocket, and I've never really found it to be too small. I really like this knife, and I got a good deal on it. I just don't want to end up deciding it's too big to carry all the time. As blasphemous as it might be, I'm kinda debating getting a trapperlock and having a clip put on it, or making a pocket sheath of some kind. This knife might "shrink" a little if I could manage to keep it upright in my pocket. So...how many of you guys carry larger pocket knives? Do you make any "special accommodations" for them? Ever find yourself wanting something smaller? Keep the trapper or get a mini? Thanks.
 
80% of the time I have an 8OT in my pocket. It settles down at the bottom of my jeans pocket and rides pretty comfortably across the thigh. It's 3-7/8" so it isn't far off from your trapper. So far so good, although I will admit that it can and has had a tendency to wear the denim thin across the bolsters.

Chuck
 
The smallest slipjoint I usually carry would be trapper-sized. It's not uncommon for me to carry a sunfish or jumbo trapper.

I make leather pouch sheaths I can either drop into my ruler pocket, or dangle into a larger pocket.
 
Blues, that's a pretty interesting place holder you guys have devised. I've always carried my knives in my front right pocket, keys in my left. I'm a righty so it just seems natural to plunge my hand in the front right pocket when I need my knife. I also feel better that I won't lose it as easily as if it were in a back pocket.

Chuck
 
aggiebuilder2003 said:
Blues, that's a pretty interesting place holder you guys have devised. I've always carried my knives in my front right pocket, keys in my left. I'm a righty so it just seems natural to plunge my hand in the front right pocket when I need my knife. I also feel better that I won't lose it as easily as if it were in a back pocket.

Chuck
Click to expand...

Using it with a stockman in my right front pocket today. (Buck 301)
 
I have sewn a line in my right front pocket of my most worn pants to insert whatever knife I'm carrying that day. It works out very well and I don't need to have a sheath on my belt. I find a large Case or Buck Stockman fits okay and is easily accessible.
 
Those leather knife wallets by Ron Ryder look like a good idea to me. Until today, I didn't know I had a problem, but I have had little insinuations in many posts that my knives are too big, etc. I have been throwing two or three in my front pockets every day for about a half century, some of them 5.25 inch hunters, and some of them those little 4 1/8 inch girlie trappers.:D When I want to carry a purdy one somewhere to show off, I slip it into a piece of soft cuddly bathrobe belt tube or somesuch "sock," to protect it. Much ado about nothing, I'm thinkin', but here I am jawing about it, aren't I?:confused:
 
For a long time my limit was a 3 5/8 stockman. I wanted a small trapper, ended up with a big one. Tough it out for a week. You'll get used to it. Now I carry it daily. Depending on my jeans some pockets it lays at an angle. Some straight across. It's like wearing a watch to me. If I don't have it on me I have to turn around and get it,5 mile rule.
 
I had a similar pocket for my right front pocket that would hold even large folders. Can't remember who made it.

I nearly always carry my GEC Northfield 54 whittler in my pocket. Thoguh I do occasionaly trade off with another couple. I prefer a larger pocket knife.
 
Heres my device. Made out of pouch, mono line, super glue and shrink tube. Keeps it over under the hem line on the side.
300Bucks
knifepouch1-1.jpg

knifepouch-2.jpg
 
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When I was in school I used to EDC a 11 cm Laguiole. Think 4 1/4" toothpick. I had no problem carrying it in my front pocket. It didn't move around very much since it lay right next to my wallet.

I think it all depends on the clothes you wear. I stopped carrying the Laguiole because it did seem a bit long when I was wearing slacks. But if you wear jeans all the time, I don't think you'll have any problems carrying bigger knives.
 
After straying away from slip joints for a while, I got use to having knives in pocket retained by pocket clips...

The whole process seemed so easy. Slip the knife into the pocket watch pocket, to be retained by said clip. Deployment was always easy as well...

However after moving those styles of knives out to pasture, it was time to relearn carrying a slip joint again. At first it seemed odd having the knife loose in pocket to move around and find the position that the knife preferred .

It didn't take long at all to be back to carrying them in pocket and not thinking about it. A pocket holder would be nice for some knives, especially very nice knives YMMV
 
300,

That's a pretty good idea. There are custom sheath makers who do those kind of sheath. They are called Buckaroo sheath, I believe.

God Bless
 
Kid,

Yes it is Ron Ryders idea, my adjustments. See Blues link above to Rons site.
300
 
Mr.Bojangles said:
I got a trapper the other day (4 1/8'') and I find myself contemplating whether or not to keep it or get something a little smaller? I can pretty confidently say I would like it to be ~1/4" smaller, but not by much. The size is pretty good for me...it's just a tad heavy, and a tad long, but nice and thin.
Click to expand...

How long have you been toting it? I'd say give it at least 3 or 4 weeks before making a final decision. Then, if you haven't come to like it, consider a mini-trapper. Or, find an old U.S.-made Schrade 94OT Old Timer trapper. They're 3-7/8" closed.
 
mnblade said:
How long have you been toting it? I'd say give it at least 3 or 4 weeks before making a final decision. Then, if you haven't come to like it, consider a mini-trapper. Or, find an old U.S.-made Schrade 94OT Old Timer trapper. They're 3-7/8" closed.
Click to expand...

I second that notion.
 
I sometimes carry a Queen Mountain Man or a GEC Tidioute Pioneer #23.

Both are 4-1/2" closed but very slim.
 
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