pocket clips, which do you prefer.

deep or shallow carry?

  • Deep (less than 5MM out of the pocket)

    Votes: 39 39.4%

  • shallow (5MM or more sticking out)

    Votes: 18 18.2%

  • fine with both

    Votes: 32 32.3%

  • nether (clips are for suckers)

    Votes: 10 10.1%
  • Total voters
    99
B

basmca

Joined
Aug 1, 2017
Messages
430
some like deep carry, some like shallow, which are you?
let's say anything over 5MM (1/5th of an inch) sticking out is shallow.

personally i like shallow so it's easy to grap the knife. at work i use my knife a lot to open a box, put it back, open box, put it back in my pocket, repeat. so shallow carry for me.
 
I was okay with shallow until recently. I am from Germany and my favorite EDC has been an Extrema Ratio F9 - a beefed up version of the BF2 with two hand opening, M390 and - sadly - a not so deep carry pocket clip similar to the clip on the BF2-V. It's still pretty deep carry (less than half an inch, about 1 cm sticking out) but I recently lost my F9 when I had it in my dress pants. Since back then I carry a Lionsteel Big Daghetta, which has an ultra deep carry clip again.
 
It's uncommon for me to note or care about the design of a pocket clip. A pocket clip that keeps all but 1/2" (~13mm) of the knife below the line of my pocket is all I really want as far as depth goes. Just as important, however, is the design and placement of the clip - for example, the Kershaw Junkyard dog not only has nearly 3/4 of an inch sticking out when pocketed, but also commits the cardinal sins of being being ridiculous and strictly tip-down.

img-kershaw-junkyard-dog-ii-01.jpg


As a counter-example, Spyderco's deep-carry wire clip is nearly perfect. Inconspicuous, light, and unobtrusive in the hand. It gives most knives the overall in-pocket appearance of a paper clip.

27514562046_67ec490957_k.jpg
 
I like clips that don' ruin the ergonomics of the handle. Otherwise I'm fine with both. My favorite is Spyderco's deep wire clip.
 
Shallow, but nothing too ridiculous. It's easier and quicker to get out of my pocket that way. I also like to make it obvious that I'm carrying a knife. Call me an activist if you will. ;)
 
I think a lot of it depends on the knife itself. As an example, the very first thing I did after getting a mini grip was get ahold of Benchmade for a deep carry clip. After it arrived I stuck it on and for a little while I liked how deep it carried, but it just didn't have the retention of the standard clip, as well as throwing off the ergonomics of the knife(for me at least).

I'm sure that could be the case for other knives as well, that's just one that immediately popped into my head. I think I do prefer my knives to ride deeper, but of course there are exceptions.
 
I lean towards deep carry but I'm fine with standard clips as long as they don't leave to much knife sticking out of the pocket.

Also, agree with the Spyderco Deep Carry Wire clip. They are pretty much the perfect clip. Just deep enough and very "under the radar". And they just work really well.
 
Deep carry. It’s never prevented or obstructed me from using my knife frequently. It looks better and I feel better knowing it’s more fully in my pocket. The Benchmade Bugout is by far my favorite pocket clip ever. Deep carry but also short so less footprint and less chance of scraping it when I’m leaning over my truck bed or what have you
 
You should do one of these on carved Ti clips, or bent metal clips. I hate carved Ti clips, but would be interested to see if others like them.
 
GatorMedic said:
Deep carry. It’s never prevented or obstructed me from using my knife frequently. It looks better and I feel better knowing it’s more fully in my pocket. The Benchmade Bugout is by far my favorite pocket clip ever. Deep carry but also short so less footprint and less chance of scraping it when I’m leaning over my truck bed or what have you
Click to expand...
Yeah, it's a well-designed clip. I called Benchmade last week to order a Bugout clip. I was told that they are so far behind in production of the Bugout, they are not offering the clips yet.
 
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It depends on the knife. Every time I thought I'd resolved something about my clip preferences (deep-carry only, tip-up only, etc.), along came a knife that proved to be the exception to my "rule."

If it feels right on the knife -- and, more importantly, right in my hand -- and gets the job done without being garish, I'm good with it.
 
I love clips at the opposite ends of the spectrum, regarding aesthetics.

Spyderco Wire clip and the G&G Hawk clip.
 
I hate carrying knives without clips while i can deal with either deep or shallow carry, i prefer deep carry on most knives.
 
For me, it really depends. For normal EDC use I prefer deep carry, I enjoy the discretion. However, if I'm outdoors/camping/really cold out(will be wearing gloves)/working I prefer the shallow pocket clip, the ZT 0301 clip or hinderer pocket works better. In general deep carry pocket clips require more dexterity to take out of pocket than shallow pocket clips.
 
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