Low rider pocket clip comparison: test subject Dragonfly Nishijin

[jlomein]

I picked up a titanium low rider clip to try and have my Dragonfly Nishijin carry deeper. I thought about getting a more expensive custom STR clip, but this one I found happened to be $7. It will work on many different Spydercos and other knives that use a standard three screw clip.

I don't know if I can post links, but you can find it by googling "titanium low rider clip".

Haven't carried it yet, but here are some immediate impressions (specific to Dragonfly Nishijin):

Pros
-deep carry, although still not fully concealed
-thin, shows off more of the Nishijin scales
-cheap, $7

Cons
-has some lateral flex
-quite flexible, not much tension for gripping pocket
-sits ~0.5cm further away from the scale than original clip (also affects grip on pocket)
-fold over point sticks out past end of Dragonfly handle
-blocks ~40% of the lanyard hole

Not sure if I like it yet, a lot depends on actual use. I imagine it will work well for jeans or other thicker pockets, but may have terrible grip on thin summer shorts.

 

[SAKsRCool]

Thanks for that review. I was thinking about getting that clip for an upcoming titanium Delica but now will cross it off my list due to the flex you mentioned. They also make a wider clip which might be stiffer and STR's clip is wider as well.

 

[jlomein]

i think the flexing will be an inherent problem with all clips that are thin in the fold over area. It could also be due to the titanium being more flexible than steel?

I bought the wider clip as well from the website and it flexes the same. The extra width may help in gripping a pocket though.

Note this flexing is solely in comparison to the original Dragonfly Nishijin clip, which is very stiff. My Chaparral wire clip and Benchmade Mini-Grip clip are both almost as flexible as this titanium low rider clip.

 

[SAKsRCool]

Hmm, I wonder if the STR clip is more rigid or if the fold over design just has that inherent flex. Thanks for the comparison to the mini-grip and chaparral clips as I have both and don't find them overly flexible.

 

[freewheeling]

Actually, I've come full circle and am trying to replace some of my stock low rider clips with standards.

 

[VictorLouis]

Funny, I was just comparing clips this morning on a pair of Stretch models. The OEM, and an STR. I definitely appreciated that the STR allows NO part to show, but the light gray Ti sure jumps out on my black slacks. Whereas the OEM is black, albeit interrupted by all of the SS screwheads visible. There's a bit more flex in the STR, but I don't know that it bothers me or gets in the way of a good grip. Just need to blacken it somehow.

 

[Alnamvet68]

Call me crazy, but I do prefer the standard Spydie clips over the wire clips that come on my Dragonfly's.

 

[jlomein]

Call me crazy, but I do prefer the standard Spydie clips over the wire clips that come on my Dragonfly's.

I like the standard Spydie clips as well, they are more stiff and secure. However, on the Nishijin Dragonfly there's too much handle sticking out for use in a jeans watch/coin pocket (hits my belt awkwardly).

Also, on such a beautiful knife handle the standard clip just covers way too much. I would much prefer a wire clip, but this Ti low rider will have to do.

 

[jlomein]

Carried it for a few days now with thin, lightweight summer shorts. It stayed secure for the most part, until I would try to remove my wallet or keys from the same pocket. At that point it almost gets knocked out if I'm not careful.

Also noticed it's not as thin on my side, since the clip material is twice as thick, and the clip stands off from the handle scale at twice the distance.

Overall I'm sticking with it for now as it's a decent clip and I like the low ride height.

 

[SAKsRCool]

The other thing I like about these clips is that the end is flat instead of turned up. The turned up clips seem to dig me in my palm. I've ordered 2 of the wider pattern clips for my titanium delica. Hope they work out.