Modern Pocket-Friendly Knives With No Clip

Ribbonz said:
Most of the time when I'm out running errands in the Summer I am wearing basketball shorts and I need a knife I can carry easily in my pocket. I don't know if you've ever tried to clip a knife to basketball shorts, but it is not a pleasant experience. I've been looking at a bunch of traditional pocket knives like Case and that will work, but I don't see many modern style knives that are pocket-friendly or ones that don't have clips. (I hate clips unless I'm wearing some rugged clothing). So what options are there to throw in some basketball shorts? Blade must be under 3" according to my county's law.
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The Zero Tolerance 0230 is a great option for a lightweight pocket knife without a clip

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What about shorts that have a pocket inside the pocket combined with something small and light weight? Seems like a cheaper alternative.
 
No pocket knife is pocket-friendly without a clip. The pocket clip is a great invention for securely carrying folding knives; it also makes carrying more comfortable than without.
 
Any modern knives can be run without a clip. Just unscrew the clip and fill the holes with it screws back. Or if you really want one without a clip, most WH knives doesn’t have a clip if at all. Alternatively, CRK can run without a clip albeit you will need a filler tab.
 
I too rarely use a clip but when I wear shorts without pockets or trunks I’ll clip a small knife to the inside of my waistband.
 
Ribbonz said:
Most of the time when I'm out running errands in the Summer I am wearing basketball shorts and I need a knife I can carry easily in my pocket. I don't know if you've ever tried to clip a knife to basketball shorts, but it is not a pleasant experience. I've been looking at a bunch of traditional pocket knives like Case and that will work, but I don't see many modern style knives that are pocket-friendly or ones that don't have clips. (I hate clips unless I'm wearing some rugged clothing). So what options are there to throw in some basketball shorts? Blade must be under 3" according to my county's law.
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If a knife is light enough, I can't notice it clipped in cotton athletic shorts at all really. Something like the titanium CRKT Eros weighs all of an ounce or two and gets you a 3" blade (for the larger version). The Benchmade Bugout rides clipped through all sporting activities with no issues as well.

Then again, I carry a gun in athletic shorts. I played tennis with a pocket gun last week, no issues (cotton Fila brand shorts, deep pockets, loose but not too loose).

Why a gun at a friendly tennis match?

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I lost 6 - 4, 6 - 3, incidentally. Not because I was carrying a 12oz gun and a 1oz knife, though. I'm changing my middle name to "unforced errors" . . .
 
I'll throw out a different suggestion that everyone else, look at the Fallkniven U2 or if you want a slipjoint the Fallkniven LTC, for modern non pocket clip knives.
 
Ribbonz said:
Most of the time when I'm out running errands in the Summer I am wearing basketball shorts and I need a knife I can carry easily in my pocket. I don't know if you've ever tried to clip a knife to basketball shorts, but it is not a pleasant experience. I've been looking at a bunch of traditional pocket knives like Case and that will work, but I don't see many modern style knives that are pocket-friendly or ones that don't have clips. (I hate clips unless I'm wearing some rugged clothing). So what options are there to throw in some basketball shorts? Blade must be under 3" according to my county's law.
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I know what you mean. Since the pandemic, slacks and jeans have fallen off the menu. I wear cargo pants when I go into town with a full EDC complement but that's only a few times per week. Now that the heat of summer is dying down, I'm usually wearing flannel or lounge pants. Effectively, I've joined the world of "pajama carry". :eek:

An important question is what else you like in a knife. What opening method do you prefer? Do you have a range of steel preferences? What do you do with your knife?
 
Buck Bantam 284. This knife is easy to forget about. Made in USA. 420hC with the Paul Bos heat treat. Drop point blade is 2,75”. 3 1/2” closed. There are some other sizes and colors, and maybe a version with a clip, but the plain-jane black 284 Bantam is 16 or 17 bucks at the hardware store. Everything you need for EDC, nothing you don’t.

A clip gives a false sense of security. It is too easy to snag a clip on a chair, or have a clipped knife work its way out of a big watch pocket. I have lost a lot of knives, but the only ones I ever lost out of a pocket were clipped to it.
 
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Inside the waiste band with a clip sounds interesting, but I would worry my fat rolls.....(saving up for winter kind of thing).....would be poked by it sitting there. I like leather pocket slips. Have one with a clip that fits my Case Sodbuster Jr or Alox Pioneer. I also have a KSF pocket sheath without a clip, of course. Debate for me is which is more convenient and safe to carry. Sometimes the KSF is a little bulky with two items to carry, usually a small fixed and a folder. If there are belt loops on your shorts (not basketball shorts) I have seen where a lanyard loops around the belt loop and is attached to a slip with the knife, and it just goes in the pocket. Just pull the lanyard and out comes the slip to take the knife out. No clip, and holds it securely.
 
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I was wondering if anyone knows a nice Damascus blade 2.5" or slightly less not a William Henry? Not super fancy or super expensive. Of course not some Chinese or Pakistani junk either. I am thinking probably Boker must have something? I mean actual Boker though. I would prefer a Liner or Frame lock. Also I really do not want it to weigh more than 2OZ. That is not a huge deal though. I would get a William Henry if I had enough money. I have a very old one when they did not cost much but it is a safe queen. It is okay if nothing exists which I think is the case. I just asked here because of course this does not have a clip :) I did not mean to Hijack the thread. Thank you folks.
 
Most of the knives recommended seem a little heavy for pocket carry in basket ball shorts. I would recommend something light like a Gerber LST.

Second I would recommend running your errands in big boy shorts! Ones with real pockets and a belt. I wear basketball shorts around the house but change clothes to run errands.
 
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