shirt pocket carry?

A

Alba

Joined
Feb 18, 2005
Messages
21
I live in New York City, and would like a knife for everyday and emergency use. I know well enough to give up my wallet and run when faced with a gun or a more desperate and experienced fighter, so I don't expect to use the knife in combat. I mean that I'd like a knife handy to use, for slicing apples or opening letters, but also for urban survival in case we get a disaster here. I do carry a Victorinox Super Tinker in my knapsack, but that's not always with me.

My keychain and pants pockets are already full of other items, so I'm looking for knife I could carry in my shirt pocket, to complement the SwissCard and pen I have there. This knife should be light and slim, with a clip, and should definitely stay closed until I need it, and stay open until I release the lock. This would be the only knife I would carry, and I want it to last for years with light use. I'd hesitate to spend $100, and would prefer to spend closer to $50, but I'm willing to hear about knives that cost more so I can learn more.

Maybe this is the sort of knife that is called a gentleman's knife, but let's not limit discussion to that type. Any recommendations please?
 
Aloha Alba!

I'd say the SS Cricket, but then I dunno how that'd work slicing apples! LOL! Therefore, being somewhat experienced at shirt carry, I'd say a Calypso Jr. FRN or a Delica. These fit well in pocket, very light, yet extremely durable. ALL of the aforementioned knives are less than 50$ at NGK.

For "urban survival", I'd go with a multitool. Maybe a re-arrangement is in order regarding pocket usage? :confused: This way, you could carry a larger folder in pants pocket, and some multitools have clips now, so that could go IWB. Pack a good LED light and i'd say you're good to go!

God bless :cool:
 
IMHO, you are talking about the Mnandi by Chris Reeve Knives. It's a lot more expensive ($300.00+ for new) than what your current parameters indicate you are willing to pay but it will address your stated needs and will perform flawlessly for many, many years to come. If I were you I'd visit the CRK sub-form here on BFC and check out other folk’s comments and experiences with the Mnandi. ;)
 
IMHO, the William Henry T10CF Lancet cannot be beat for this role. Price is about twice what you were looking to spend, though.
 
Spyderco Delica or similar Spyderco. Lightweight, slim, excellent steel, and $50 or less. Calypso Jr (smaller) or Endura (bigger) are different options.
 
Welcome to Bladeforums! :)

I call them "shirt pocket knives" myself, and usually carry a stainless steel Cricket or a Mnandi. If you can find the discontinued Kershaw Wild Wild Turkey or Benchmade Big Spender, they might do.

Victorinox has a money clip knife in red, black, or silver, with pen blade, nailcleaner, and scissors, and a pocket clip, in your price range.
 
I second the William Henry T10 series. The lancets are a great little knife. Go with the carbon fiber one and you won't feel it. Oh and you will also have to fork over almost 200 bucks. If money is a little tight i would go with the CRKT kiss or peck series. light weight and slim. you could even not carry a wallet and use it as a money clip. wrap your ID in the money and boom bam you just saved a lot of room.
 
I have a Kbar Dozier Thorn for that purpose. 3" D2 blade, aluminum handle and costs about $100. Excellent quality IMHO.
 
I'd recommend Spyderco's Delica. I've carried mine in a pants pocket, a shirt pocket, an inside coat pocket, and even clipped inside the cuff on long-sleeved shirts. I have a carbon-fiber handled Delica but I imagine that the FRN handles are about as slim. I don't go anywhere w/o it anymore, even if I carry another knife for other uses.
 
You want something thin and lightweight in a shirt pocket. I would suggest a Spyderco Calypso Junior Lightweight. The grey model with VG-10 alloy has been discontinued, but you can still find them at New Graham Knives. If you can wait till the summer they are coming out with a new version with a new wonder steel. That one will have a burgundy colored handle which may or may not suit your tastes. The grey version may be one of the less conspicuous.
 
trane fan said:
IMHO, you are talking about the Mnandi by Chris Reeve Knives. It's a lot more expensive ($300.00+ for new) than what your current parameters indicate you are willing to pay but it will address your stated needs and will perform flawlessly for many, many years to come. If I were you I'd visit the CRK sub-form here on BFC and check out other folk’s comments and experiences with the Mnandi. ;)
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Ditto what trane fan said.
 
My first thought was a Delica.

Not sure what you have in mind for urban survival use,but no folder would be my pick for forcing doors,locks,breaching walls,digging out of rubble etc.Ok maybe Strider. I would take a big screwdriver over any folder I could carry in my shirt pocket.( but then I could not carry that in a shirt pocket ;) )

Your almost asking for 2 differant knives as one which you can carry in a shirt pocket for slicing apples etc.would be a poor urban survival knife imho.

I would go with a light duty shirt pocket knife and load up my backpack with a multi-tool and small pry bar.

I understand your limited in what you can have on you.But if your idea of urban survival is that of a subway crash,highrise fire,a building coming down and so on then any knife in your shirt pocket will be of limited use.Kepp the bag close. :)
 
I carry a KaBar/Dozier folding hunter with thumb hole clipped to my shirt pocket daily here in the office at work in the Village. It's tip-up carry, so no steel shows when I'm wearing it. The few times someone asked what I had clipped to my pocket, I told them it was a money clip. :)
 
Nathan S said:
Ditto what trane fan said.
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What Nathan said. :D I would save for it. The Mnandi has the best designed clip of any knife I have seen. In your shirt pocket it will look like a pen and is a classy and very tough small knife.
 
Welcome,

The one I like to carry in shirt pocket is a SOG Mini AutoClip, it's light, flat, lock back with opening hole, the back spring keeps it closed, the clip is adjustable, not expensive.

Mine is like this one but with a drop point blade:

http://www.sogknives.com/miniaclip.htm

Luis
 
I was thinking Benchmade 770. It is light, right around the money you want to spend, and has a good lock and blade steel (154CM).
 
Welcome to the forum, specially a fellow NYCer. Id second the Delica. Its in you price range and great for the type of carry and use you want.
If you have an office job, and that the reason your looking for a shirt pocket carry, consider a necker as well. You can keep a button under under the tie to access it.
Just a personal thing, I wouldnt recommend keeping the knife clipped and showing since NYC isnt very knife friendly (specially the Peoples Republic of the Upper Westside where I live). Maybe Im just paranoid, but I dont like other to know that Im carrying a blade.
 
Nathan S said:
Ditto what trane fan said.
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Double ditto. I wear my Mnandi in my shirt pocket and until I take it out, people think it's a pen. I also have a few customs from maker Bob Lum that I wear in the same manner.
 
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