Made my own Deep carry pocket clip for my Skyline

I went back to the wire clip design. Decided to make my own wire pocket clip. I found that the Spyderco one I was using from the Pingo didn't mimic the same design aesthetics of the Skyline. This one is much more angular than the rigid square design of the Spyderco clip.

The strength is a little bit stronger on mine and there are no notch marks from the bending process. It’s made of stainless steel as well.

Here's an update:
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That looks really good! I already emailed you back, but I have two suggestions for ya. The first one I already wrote you about flattening the part where the clip attaches to the handle instead of making a groove in the handle. The second would be to have the clip come up a bit higher before bending down so it will ride lower in the pocket. Keep up the great work!

*edit*. I just thought of another way to have it attach to the knife. Instead of having the metal go straight down under the screws and hang off one side of each, why not have it loop back under the screw in a crescent shape? Sorta like how a washer goes under a screw, but doesn't go all the way around...
 
Thanks Chris! I got your email :) Your idea to have it loop around is great! I'll try that tonight if I have time :)
 
I am glad you like the idea! If you want an easy way to form the loops, start off with extra length for each one first , grab the spot you want to start the loop with some round nose pliers and pull the end around the pliers. Figure about where on your pliers the diameter of the screw is and do both sides with that spot to save some work. Cut the extra material off where the half circle is made and voila! It's how we form heavy tinned wired before we attach them to posts at my work. Where are you getting your wire?
 
Out of curiosity...what are you using to get suck nice precise bends...especially for the deep carry portion? Are you using a jig? They look great!
 
I took Chris's advice and wrapped the ends so the mounting screws had more purchase.

The wire I use is stainless steel DT Swiss butted spokes. I used to build wheelsets for race bikes. This is high quality steel too! I know I have some Ti spokes somewhere. Gotta check storage :)

This is what I quickly came up with. I'll cut down the ends so they terminate closer to the screws.

Once I get this just right, I'll be acid etching and stonewashing the clips for a nicer worn look. Maybe I'll try them in black as well :)

I'll be updating this thread with my progress until I'm happy with it.

Cheers!

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Oh @Rival1314 all I am using is a pair of pliers, a torch and a bench vise. I just measure and bend slowly & carefully.
 
What is the thickness of the wire that is used for pocket clips? Does the bending process require heat to work or just lots of strength? Looking good!

*Edit* Too slow asking the question! Definitely looks good.
 
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Looks fantastic! If I had known that you built stuff like that for a living I wouldn't have bothered posting that bit about how to bend it lol! I would love one in black and one in stone washed!
 
Gmrpnk21 said:
Looks fantastic! If I had known that you built stuff like that for a living I wouldn't have bothered posting that bit about how to bend it lol! I would love one in black and one in stone washed!
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Haha! Thanks :) No worries dude, I've actually never done anything like this before. I work as a graphic designer and pre-vis artist. The wheelbuilding was something I did on the side when I was in university.

Hopefully this weekend I can get on the black and stonewashed too. I'll send you sample! :)

@annasoH323, the wire thickness is 1.8mm
 
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Some more recent shots. Here's from start to finish of the non routered design. This is a direct bolt-on:
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And a shot of it installed and in the sun at the docks :)
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That is some snazzy looking stuff. Very impressive! I can't wait to see the finished work, and I can tell some folks will be very interested in having one of those.
 
What would have happened if you quenched the original rather than annealing it as you did? I'd try just heating it with a torch and tossing it in water. Should make it brittle (spring like). Who knows how tough? Might be worth a try as it looks quite nice. The heating might give it an interesting look as well.
 
Mal2 said:
What would have happened if you quenched the original rather than annealing it as you did? I'd try just heating it with a torch and tossing it in water. Should make it brittle (spring like). Who knows how tough? Might be worth a try as it looks quite nice. The heating might give it an interesting look as well.
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Not sure what annealing is. I just mark the areas where I will be bending, heat it with a torch and then bend it with pliers to the shape I want. Should I heat the whole thing and then dip into cold water? Any advice would be greatly appreciated :)

We just got some landscaping done in front of my studio and asked the landscaper if he had more stones that I could have. Gave me a bucket! Looks like I'll be stonewashing on Sunday! Any advice on the best way to stonewash? From what I've read so far I'll just be tumbling them in a Tupperware container taped shut and wrapped in a towel in the dryer for about 20-30 minutes. Or I can throw it in my backpack and go for a 10K run ;)
 
moroland said:
I took Chris's advice and wrapped the ends so the mounting screws had more purchase.

The wire I use is stainless steel DT Swiss butted spokes. I used to build wheelsets for race bikes. This is high quality steel too! I know I have some Ti spokes somewhere. Gotta check storage :)
Click to expand...

It never occurred to me to use bicycle spokes. I have a bunch of spares somewhere for my Rholoff Speedhub wheel. Great idea!
 
Here are the results after 20 minutes of stonewashing. I didn't use the PCB etchant like I thought I would. This way, the blade and clip match better. If I do etch it, I would etch the blade and stonewash it as well. But alas, no time these days :(

Pardon the photos as they are taken with my phone. The stonewash is actually much more pronounced. It closely matched the stonewash blade of the red Skyline :)

I have left the non stonewashed clip on the red Skyline for comparison:

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Liked how it turned out so much, I did one for my MiniGrip. I had to reverse the way the mounting points orient. Made them curl out instead ;)
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Yes I am missing a screw there. It fell out some time ago and I never had a chance to replace it.
 
Well I've been using this clip for awhile now, and I gotta say it's awesome! It makes an already great knife even better! It sits nice and deep in my pocket, and I think it adds some grip to it for sure. It came to me stonewashed but I gave it a quick polishing along with the rest of the hardware and it looks incredible. Thanks again Morrow!
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