Large Pocket Knives

Mr.Bojangles said:
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.
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aggiebuilder2003 said:
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
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I have several 3 7/8" and 4" stockman knives. I also have one that is 4 1/4". I find the difference to be significant. But I also carry them all.
 
I carry every size from a 2 5/8" up through 4 1/4". Most of the slippies I carry are from 3 1/2" up through 4 1/4". I sometimes carry the 3 1/2 or 3 3/4" models in my watch pocket but most of the time they and the large models ride in the bottom of my left pocket. It just takes some getting use too. I can remember when my Old Timer 340T use to make my left leg feel numb! Now, even my 4 1/4" stockman doesn't bother me!
 
Thanks for all the great responses guys. I'm fairly used to carrying slipjoints. I'm not very old, but my dad's not into knives as much as I am, so I was still carrying clipless knives up until ~3 or 4 years ago. As Knarfeng said, a 1/4" difference in OAL seems to contribute more to the knife's size than one would think. The biggest slipjoint I've carried on a regular basis has been about 3 3/4", and I've occasionally toted a 110 in pocket (was a bit much for me, usually used a sheath, although not too bad in back pocket). However, this trapper isn't really all too big, being 4 1/8" and weighing 4 oz. - there are certainly bigger knives. The key, I think, is keeping it upright. The extra 3/8" keeps it from completely going to the bottom of my pocket (when completely horizontal, which isn't too often), which is why I think it feels kinda funny. It's certainly pocketable though. I didn't want to take it back, the knife has really grown on me. Right now I'm carrying it in my pack pocket, next to my wallet, and it's working out quite well. I'm going to have to get myself one of those "knife purses";). Thanks for your ideas and input everyone.
 
Mr. Bojangles,

I like to keep a small knife in a watch pocket, and then a larger knife in my right front pocket like you are trying to do. my solution, which i realize will not work for everyone is to keep my cell phone right beside in my front pocket and it always keeps a longer knife vertical for me. Although I think I want one of those pocket sheaths that blues was showing you too. try that out.

b. durbin
 
If you are a tight jean sort of fella, one of the back pocket wallet carriers (at same place Blues linked) works better for 4 inch knives than the hanging sheath.(up to 110 size) If you wear loose jeans and slacks then the hanging sheath is great. However you do it just do something you feel good with so you will carry good knives. No junk in my pocket, life is too short to carry a junk slippie.

300Bucks
 
338375 said:
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
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Yup, I guess it's all relative - Lately, I've been carrying a Slimline Trapper (single blade) instead of the med/large pocket clip knives that I'd grown accustomed to. Even when wearing jeans or cargo shorts I was always aware of the size/weight of whatever was clipped to my pocket. By comparison, the trapper seems downright tiny ;) and sometimes I almost forget that it's even rattling around loose in my pocket. :)
 
Well, I went to a smaller knife, but for less need of a big blade than carry issues, so I'll weigh in here from my time with trappers and moose.

I'm in the back pocket category for bigger knives, 3-3/4" and up.. In slacks i find 4.5" and up or a multitool(which i still back pocket carry) too heavy, but it jeans-90% of the time for me- I never know they're there till I need them. 5" folding hunters can be a bit of a pain though, if they're thicker handled. Its great if you carry a wallet back pocket, the knife stands up next to it, blends in and you never notice it.


The only problem I've found is that since i quite carrying a wallet for back/hip problems, there is nothing to hold the knife vertical at the side of the pocket... and reaching it laying horriz. in the bottom can be a problem, especially while sitting.

I once worried about loosing a nice damascus trapper I carried that way, but after flipping a snowmobile while carrying there and not loosing it, I don't worry anymore.

I too say keep the big trapper for at least 3 or 4 weeks to make sure how it works for you, by then, even if the size is too big, you will know if you still generally like the pattern; Have a look at one of Cases smaller trappers, or there are some by Queen and others that are about 3.5"


G.
 
For me, it's not so much the length of a knife but the weight that's decisive in carry. A Muskrat is a good deal longer than a Gunstock but being single spring is much lighter on /in the pocket.

Whatever knife I carry I keep keys,coins etc in another pocket,can't stand all that scratching!
 
I carry larger and heavier knives in a leather belt pouch.
The leather belt pouches are quite nice in black or tan, and are less than $5.

They are as noticable as carrying a cell phone in a belt pouch
 
I have found carrying a 4 1/4 slip joint (mostly stockman) and a Kershaw (etc.) pocket clip in the same pocket works best for me all the time, in or out of town.

It is the Keys in the other pocket which are more of a problem from the Bulk, Weight, wear tear on the pants pocket and leg.

I can and do pocket carry a Buck 110 with less trouble than carrying my EDC Keys.

I don't worry about scratches on EDC work knives. The Pretty ones stay home to stay that way.
 
I like big slipjoints! Recently I got a "Jumbo" sowbelly Stockman from Jeff Claiborne and I have it in the pocket every day. It is 4 1/2 and extremly strong and well made. I will try to show some pics.
 
Heres a pic of a backpocket carrier, your suppose to be able to slip a wallet in beside the knife. This one made by forum member Rudderjt. I would guess the rough-out leather would help hold in your wallet. 110 is the knife pictured. FYI for you big knife guys.

300Bucks

Backpocket.jpg
 
I used to carry a Buck 110 in my pocket at work sometimes. Now I like big and solid knives but that size and weight was just maybe a little bit overkill for opening packaging tape and boxes of copying paper. :D

More often I had a SAK or my Laguiole, now those made for easier carrying. As I'm now getting more and more interested in the traditional knives instead of tactical, I have to keep reminding myself that smaller size and ease of carry do matter.
 
Interesting thread. I used to be pretty anal about getting/carrying slippies that were med. in size. For me, something around 3.5" seemed ideal.

However, some things changed, for me & I now realize it's more the shape of the knife (Compactness & weight) than just the size.

For example, I recently got a Rick Menefee Back Pocket Shadow. It's 4 1/8" long, but pretty slender & light for its size. It carries very well & packs a superb 3 3/8" ATS-34 Clip blade with swedge & a slightly recurve. The other knife, although I haven't really carried/used it yet, is a Queen #9 Stockman. At 4", I didn't think I'd like it. However, it's not bulky, nor heavy for its size. It carries well, but I haven't used it yet, so I can't comment on that...yet.

Before these 2, I had a full Trapper (4 1/8") & a GEC Trapper (Forget the #, but it's the 3.75" one). They were too bulky & heavy for my tastes to pocket carry.

Admittedly, that's just me, but I understand what you mean.
 
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