Slip or no slip?

I haven't really had enough experience with slips to form an opinion honestly. I'd be willing to give them a shot but most of the time I just like being able to toss a knife right into my pocket for easy access. Having them turn sideways is a bit annoying at times, but the safety pin trick posted earlier seems like a genius solution!
 
I abhor extra bulk in the pockets, and have shied away from most slips for that reason, but I recently purchased a Thiers Issard Navette, a wonderfully traditionally crafted pen knife which came complete with a small, thin leather slip. I have carried the knife with the slip on about half of the dozen or so times that I have carried the Navette, and did not find the slip to be much of an issue with carry. I did not, however, find that the slip helped the knife to stay vertical in the pocket. What I tend to do is stick the knife (usually a fairly small pen knife, as is my preference) next to my wallet, and put the two down in the pocket together. The wallet holds the knife vertical against the front edge of the pocket, and usually prevents the knife from slipping out of my pocket while seated on the couch...usually...
J6OUBYr.jpg
 
No knife purse for me.

Right front pocket with keys, change, and lint. I keep a knife on me for the convenience of having it when I need it - making it difficult to get out or replace defeats the purpose.

Of course, I don’t have any expensive knives with fancy handle materials to worry about.
 
Really depends on what I'm carrying and where it's riding. Right front pocket carry, I always use a slip to keep the knife upright and prevent it from falling out. 5th pocket carry I never use a slip.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JM2
I like seeing everyone's preferences. Me, I pretty much always carry in a slip, unless it's in my watch pocket. I prefer the thin leather, but thick is fine too.

I have a lot of horn handles which scratch quite a bit more easily than bone or wood. I find the slip doesn't really add all that much bulk, especially since I scaled down to a credit card style wallet several years back. Also, it adds a small amount of extra enjoyment to pull the knife out. I generally have a backpack or lunchbox nearby that I carry extra knives in with me for the day and the slips protect them in different environments.

PXL_20220818_014806395~2.jpg

Just flip the top down to pinch the top of the knife
PXL_20220818_014833077~2.jpg

Right front pocket carry
PXL_20220818_015106656~2.jpg
 
I've been going back and forth on this. I used to clip my keys to my belt, leaving my right pocket empty for a traditional without a slip, and a Victorinox Rambler in the coin pocket. Now I just throw it all my right pocket with the traditional in a slip. I'm not yet sure which setup I prefer as I dislike removing the knife from the slip but I also dislike my keys jingling when clipped to my belt.
 
To slip or not to slip?😁
For me it really depends on the knife and size .
I mostly carry with a slip but I love my knives were one isn’t needed it makes access so much simpler even if it’s only a pinch away and a slide out of the slip.
But What I like about a slip is it keeps all the dust bunnies out and I like the way it rides in my pocket not flipping around .
I feel bad sometimes using a slip though when I remember hearing our beloved and Gone but not forgotten Tony Bose say knives shouldn’t be in a purse :)
 
I do not carry my work knives in slips . I carry every one of my Stags in a Slip . I always carry a White Bone or Light Colored knife with Brass Liners or Brass Pins in a slip . I carry many of my GECs in a Slip . I carry most of my other knives that I want to protect from scratches in a slip . They are a Bother but they do serve a purpose . It would not cost much to try one just to see how you would like them . I have found that other people appear to be less threatened in public if I pull a knife out of a Slip . Never leave any knife in a Leather Slip over night .

Harry
 
I only carry one knife in a slip. It is the Viper wharncliffe from, I think, 2020. It is one of the drab, undistinguished ones, not one of the dramatic or interesting ones. Frankly, it is too ugly to see the light of day, so I keep in covered up on the rare occasions when I carry it, and even in storage. BTW, this is the first time I have mentioned how disappointing this knife was. It is also the last.
 
It depends on the knife for me, I have a few nicer knives so I have a slip for it to prevent dust bunnies and dings. There is something about a slip that makes me feel the knife is a little more special when it comes with one. Now I have a nylon sheath with a Velcro flap ( can I call it a slip, maybe not) I use for my LF pocket carry, just keeps it from sliding out and into the pocket to get dinged. I have been looking at Horsewright’s buckaroo sheaths for my user knives.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top