New to A/O EDC, I have a pocket carry question!

C

Cackmandu

Joined
Aug 24, 2015
Messages
196
Gentleman,

I am sure you have seen this question many times, but as I am new to the forum I thought I would ask experienced EDC users their opinion on carrying your A/O loose in your pocket vs. using the clip. I don't feel comfortable carrying with the clip and or part of the knife in plain view at my workplace. My question is, have you ever had an accidental opening of an A/O while riding loose in your pocket or is it just something you should never do! I currently am carrying a Kershaw Leek and I feel fairly comfortable with it loose in pocket with the safety on, but I am also looking at a few other knives to add to a collection that don't have a safety and was just wanting experienced opinions. All of the knives I am looking at are all from respected manufacturers i.e. Kershaw, CRKT and Benchmade, if that makes any difference. Also, I live in SC, so I presume the laws are good for loose pocket carry.

Any help, suggestions or alternate model recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks, CAD
 
I have never had an assisted opening knife deploy in my pocket when carried loose. (I have had an unassisted flipper do so)
 
Thanks hh, when you say unassisted flipper, could you give me an example, or are you just talking any flipper?
 
I have never had an AO open in my pocket, clipped or otherwise. If it concerns you, get one with a lock on it, like a BM Barrage or Kershaw Leek for example.
 
Get a slip case for it. You can find some nice ones at Knives Ship Free for starters. It can't open in one.
 
My first assisted knife was a Kershaw Leek, and to this day retains the title of the knife that has given me the worst knife injury I've sustained, due to the assisted opening deploying the blade in my pocket at work. It should be noted I was using the Leek's clip when it deployed (rear right pocket). Since then I've used other assisted opening knives in the same fashion and carry placement, but I will never carry another assisted open flipper in that way.

I don't know what CRKT you are looking at, but I carried a CRKT Heiho (an A/O, William's design) fairly often if I know I will need to pierce very thick cardboard, as was commonplace in my previous job. It's a cheap little workhorse of a knife that has never failed me despite the very heavy cutting tasks I've subjected it to. Needless to say it has never deployed when I didn't intend it to, and I think even a cursory glance at its design would lead you to that conclusion. All that said, it is a heavier and thicker knife for its size, and uses AUS8 steel. Make of that what you will. Those aspects have never bothered me, so I continue to stick up for this particular CRKT because it has served me very well through a lot of abuse.
 
Cackmandu said:
Thanks hh, when you say unassisted flipper, could you give me an example, or are you just talking any flipper?
Click to expand...

You were specifically asking about assisted opening knives...there are flippers with/without assisted opening. The only knife I ever had open by itself in a pocket was a ZT0560 when I carried it loose (meaning not clipped).
 
Ok, I think I've got it figured out, but I'm going to bump it one time to see if I get a few last opinions. Thanks
 
I have 2......both Benchmade......477-1 & 581. Always carried in front pocket unclipped while playing pool......and I play LOTS of pool!! Neither has ever opened.
 
In case you haven't acquired a blade yet I'd like to bring out a few things to consider. The purpose for flippers and such is quick and convenient deployment. You're concerned about it's appearence in the workplace so want to carry it down in your pocket. That kind of takes away the quick and convenient part. I'm carrying a decent one hand opener myself clipped to my pocket. after some experimenting I find if I don't use the pocket clip, may as well just get a traditional style slipjoint. I do also carry a SAK. So what you may want to consider is instead of a quick opener carried way down at the bottom of your pocket, get a simple SAK or trapper and such. They don't look threatening and are handy. Consider if your fellow employees feel intimidated by the appearance of a knife clipped to your pocket how they might feel when you actually put it to use. A Victorinox is probably the least intimidating looking knife around, and when you open a bottle of high end root beer for someone they'll think you're cool. Can't do that with a single blade knife.
When I get back to work my Buck Spitfire will probably be left at home, but the SAK goes where I go.
 
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