So how do you carry your nicer knives? And what do you consider nice?

knarfeng

knarfeng

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I was reading the thread on pocket sheaths and it got me to thinking.

I grew up using slipjoints, but they were always pure working knives with plastic scales and no fancy bolsters. No worries about scratching them. They went into my pocket with keys et al and I never gave it a second thought. Now I've gone and bought a Canal Street trapper (caramel bone scales and some pretty nickel silver bolsters). And I'm not sure how to carry it.

I saw the thread on knife pocket sheaths. How many of you use them? And how fancy would you think a knife would be before it's worth the bother of a pocket sheath?
 
I have been known to carry anything from a sodbuster, yellar handled peanut or trapper to a Bose.

I just relegate a pocket to the knife unless it is pearl, then I'll use a purse.
 
all of my knives are bought with the intention that they will be used as a tool, however attractive.

i was gifted a large stockman in bonestag recently and it went straight into my pocket after a sharpening. some people would consider it higher end, and some people would consider too pretty to use. i use it regularly.

when i get the dollar together and buy a custom slipjoint with fine jigged bone scales and stainless bolster and liners, it will go straight into my pocket.

if i kept a knife in a leather sheath of some kind it would lose its accessibility and convenience for me, so i would probably carry a second knife that would go in my pocket and get used more often...so i prefer to carry a knife in my pocket where it belongs for me.
 
Some people might decide how nice a knife is by the price and some by the intrensic(?) value of the knife. I would suspect somewhere above $100 would make me think about a pouch. Or maybe a pristene old Case or other well made knife would be deserving of a pocket sheath. If you feel the knife is deserving of having extra protection from scratches and the like, by all means put it in something. Using a pouch or purse should be up to the person carrying the knife.
Just my 2 cents.
 
I do not carry anything in my pocket apart from a bandana, and most times my knife is in a small belt pouch.
But, any knife that is being used will loose its pristine nature.
And that is what it is meant to be, a user.
 
I make my leather pocket sheaths a bit loose , its sole purpose it to keep the knife vertical in my pocket , so when I sit down it aint sideways.Drawing it from the pocket without drawing the sheath is easier (for me ) if i make the back of the sheath ruff side out.

I have pocket sheaths for everything from a Case SeaHorse whittler to a Erickson to a Strider PT. For me , they work best , and saves wear and tear on the pockets of the dress pants at work.
 
Much obliged. Those answers put me back on track.
 
I enjoy my knives, use them, and I am proud of them, whether it's a Case serpentine from the hardware store, a GEC #73 with file work and mammoth covers, or my latest, a 4" jack from Ken Coats.

I keep them sharp and I keep them clean, so how much trouble is it to take one out of a nice leather slip case for less than $5 ? A good workman takes care of his tools in both function and appearance.

But I don't work in an office, so sometimes have sawdust or bent nails in my pockets.

Fran
 
If I am wearing jeans then the knife will ride in my watch pocket or back pocket depending on the size. I don't place my keys or change in the same pocket cause I don't want the knife getting all nicked up and banged around more then it has to be. At work it's casual business attire, my slacks and khakis don't have a watch pocket and I don't like back pocket carry in these types of pants. For work I've been carrying my slip joints in one of the case suede pouches with the hook and loop fastener flap that secures the knife inside.

If you decide on trying a pocket sheath take a look at some of the backroom leather offerings. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=567955
 
I maintain edges, and keep them cleaned out, and joints clean. Like any tool, they are maintained, but as a tool, I don't baby them either.

I'm in the 'not office work' crowd too, and as he said it, "bent nails, sawdust", and wrenches, sockets, and other tools find their way into my pockets depending on the days work.

I used a buckaroo pouch with a couple knives not to protect the knife, but to keep it upright and above other things in the bottom of my pocket; Mainly for convenience of access with out digging for it. But otherwise I consider any scratches or pocket wear as just that; honest wear, like on anything; tools, cars, whatever.


As to $price; doesn't change it for me, all mine are users, either $5, or $500(although I have never topped $100 for a folder..yet). With sentimental value, I am careful about what pocket, so as to not drop it in certain chairs, or while crawling under a car etc at work, but otherwise, I don't worry about wear in carry or use.

I've never seen scratches to bolsters from keys or change, or even other tools, that won't polish out either as simple as some flitz and a cloth, or some 'deeper' ones with a little green chrome compound and a buffer(small wheel in a dremel works good).

G.
 
I like the pocket worn look of old slipjoints, so I am trying to emulate that with my own knives. The old ones were likely carried with keys and change, so I do the same. I take the slipjoint of the day and just drop it in my pocket.

Then again I don't own any customs.
 
I use the pouch mainly for two reasons.

Like others, to keep the knife upright in the pocket. I really dislike having the knife lie horizontally at the bottom of my pocket. It feels like a bone stuck sideways down your throat. I also carry a folded handkerchief in the same pocket which helps stabilize it upright as well.

The other reason for the pouch is it, at least for me, helps with keeping some of the pocket lint from getting into the knife.

I am not all that interested in keeping any of my pocket knives, regardless of price, in pristine condition since they are all users. They all need to develop some character.
 
I carry a custom Bud Nealy blued O-1 Aikuchi, I guess that still counts as traditional.

This knife was made by Neely in the early 80s when he first got into makin' knives and I got it at the very first ECCKS.

bud2.jpg


I did neglect to describe my carry method for this knife so here it is, it's in a friction Kydex sheath which sits in my back pocket attached a belt loop or belt by a static chain, so when I pull the handle the sheath and chain stay behind freein' the knife.
 
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Whatever I carry goes right in the pocket with whatever else might be in there. All of mine get carried at some point no matter what they cost. I really like to see knives with honest wear and patina. It makes them interesting. A mint knife in its original box doesn't have much of a story to tell, other than no one liked it enough to use it. Keep it clean, oiled, and sharp. Don't break it. Anything else is honest wear.
 
In my front pocket, custom or factory, including pearl. Nothing else goes in that pocket, except my hand.
 
I know I've posted this before, but once more won't hurt. I carry my Ken Erickson trapper in a pocket sheath because having the knife sitting sideways in the bottom of my pocket was really annoying. I took the idea from Ron Ryder's back pocket sheaths, but I modified it a bit.

rpp3.jpg


James
 
dsvirsky said:
In my front pocket, custom or factory, including pearl. Nothing else goes in that pocket, except my hand.
Click to expand...

Same with me, except I always put a handkerchief on top of the knife. It keeps the knife from falling out, and has a thousand other uses (the only thing I don't do with it is blow my nose).

Besides, grandpa taught me a gentleman is not dressed without a wristwatch, pocketknife and handkerchief.
 
Whether I am carrying my Case Peanut or my SAK Supoer Tinker, or anything else in between, I carry in my pockets. They are POCKET knives, after all. It's what they were designed for. However, I allocate a pocket for them, and carry nothing else in there.... other then maybe a bandana. No coins, keys, etc.
 
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