Pocket sheath -to clip or not to clip! That is the question

linuxology

linuxology

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Dec 31, 2010
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Have a small fixed blade and getting a pocket sheath made for it. The sheath maker has asked whether I want clip installed or no clip on the pocket sheath. What are your thoughts and experiences?
 
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I prefer mine with a clip because it keeps the knife handy at the top of the pocket and keeps the knife oriented vertically.
 
I like a clip too. Keeps the blade right where you want it and makes for a nice draw.
Proper clip placement is important. Can't have too much or too little handle sticking out. A lanyard is a welcome addition.

My brother likes to carry his small fixed blades in clipless KSF pocket sheath that has an extra slot for a penlight. It carries and draws great. I think the extra width that the additional slot adds makes it sit nicely in the pocket. Without it, it might flop around a bit. (Pure conjecture)

Here's an example of leather and kydex with clips that sit right at the sweet spot. The kydex was a jerry rigged with the clip from an old pistol holster. Went well with the slim Scrapivore.

(Please excuse the poor photo of the DLC Pocket Fixed blade that I just snapped. It does not do Drew and his father's work justice.)


 
Absolutely the clip. As Ken says allows different options.

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Inside the waist band is probably my favorite way of using this type of sheath.

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Yes, also Paul (Sheathmaker) has some fancy ones he sells. I get those from Weaver but Tandy has similar if not the same.
 
These are the clips I use and keep on hand for my friends in the leather craft community. They are ideal for pocket clip carry and I have used them on some boot sheaths as well. High quality, heat treated stainless steel. I prefer them to the larger spring steel versions.

Paul
 

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Paul and Dave ,
Could you describe how you attach your pocket clips to the sheath ?
I'm working on an idea I've had , but attaching the clip is causing me design issues
How do you guys do it on your work and are their different options that you use ?

Ken
 
Ken, I fully line EVERYTHING I make, so I just slot the exterior piece and install the clip and then use a dot of JB Weld
( an Epoxy) in the hole on my clips and when it's cured I install the lining. Fast and secure, never had one come loose. No rivet, no bump, no nothing, and no metal, rivet, clip or otherwise, inside the sheath.

If you have access to a splitter you could split say 7/8 oz. and up in half, install the clip as above and then cement the splits back together.

If I was going unlined, I'd probably stitch a little "sleeve" on the back and install the clip in that, so as to keep all metal outside the sheath.

Paul
 
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sheathmaker said:
Ken, I fully line EVERYTHING I make, so I just slot the exterior piece and install the clip and then use a dot of JB Weld
( an Epoxy) in the hole on my clips and when it's cured I install the lining. Fast and secure, never had one come loose. No rivet, no bump, no nothing, and no metal, rivet clip or otherwise, inside the sheath.

If you have access to a splitter you could split say 7/8 oz. and up in half, install the clip as above and then cement the splits back together.

If I was going unlined, I'd probably stitch a little "sleeve" on the back and install the clip in that, so as to keep all metal outside the sheath.

Paul
Click to expand...

Your a Champion :thumbup:

I've pondered this issue for so long it's embarrassing , I didn't want to use any rivets etc which would compromise the design and it was doing my brain in .
If it's worked for you , then that's good enough for me .
I should of asked sooner , thank you .

Ken
 
Ken I have two different ways that I use depending on the project. Both are rather pedestrian compared to Paul's method which is a really cool way of doing it. Both use a rivet. If the project is lined I rivet the clip into place and if not I make a sleeve which is sewn into place but the clip is riveted to the sleeve. This does leave a little bump from the rivet as Paul mentioned. However I take pains to mimmimize it by making sure that rivet has had a smack down administered. There is a relatively new clip out called the Ulticlip and we've used it on some holsters. It has a roll in the steel at the bottom that allows it to come through a slot in the sleeve. The idea is that you can move the clip from project to project. I havn't experimented with that yet and have riveted these clips on the few I've used but it is worth a thought. The Ulticlip is expensive, ($10 to $12 each) but is the strongest holding clip out there that I've seen. It has a camming action that closes the clip tight. Works exceptionally well if you are clipping just to the top of the jeans and not to a belt.

Here is a pic of one of those clips. At the bottom of the sleeve above the rivet you can see the roll that I was talking about. The idea is that roll will hold the clip in place, rivet not needed.

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I found out about these clips here on Sheaths and Such. For this application where ya sure wouldn't want the holster to come out with the gun, if ever needed, they are superb. Due to the camming action of the clip they really hold on there. One video I watched estimated their holding power at about 70 lbs.
 
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Cool clip and of course , cool Roughout .
I can see those clips being very useful for holster and other larger type applications .
At the moment I'm working on something at the other end of the size scale and trying to keep everything as compact as possible .
I will experiment with Pauls idea of using a blob of Epoxy to anchor the clip , I'm chasing as simple and slimline as is possible .

Ken
 
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