Suits and Knives

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RatDrall

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Feb 7, 2009
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I am starting a new sales position, where I will be wearing a suit everyday, which I am not accustomed to. I can handle wearing holes in the pockets of my jeans, not so much with a $400 suit.

How do you guys carry knives with your suits?

There will be days where I have to be 100% concealed, but others where it's not such a big deal.

I usually carry a Spyderco Military or an Emerson Super CQC-7.

I'm definately against anything with a pocket clip, because I don't want to wear holes in my pocket. I'm leaning towards a fixed blade right now, but can't think of anything that won't scare people.

Is there a way to wear a folder on my belt, where it won't rub holes in my suit, but still have access to the knife (something other than one of those leather pouches with a snappy flap to hold the knife in) in an emergency?
 
Maybe just a simple swiss army knife. It's the one knife guaranteed to not scare anyone. It also won't mess up your pockets.
 
At times when I have to wear a suit there is a Microtech Troodon clipped on the inside jacket pocket. It's so slim and light that I forget that it's there. If I want something in my pants pocket I'll carry a William Henry Spearpoint B12-TB. It is very easy on the pocket, slides easily in and out, and with it's dark blue anodized Ti low ride clip it is very discreet. William Henry knives are usually pretty thin and light so they can easily go from being clipped in the pocket to being dropped in the pocket with little noticeability.
 
I wear a suit type outfit to work on most days and usually will roll with the Spyderco Dragonfly just on the bottom of the pocket.
 
RatDrall said:
Is there a way to wear a folder on my belt, where it won't rub holes in my suit, but still have access to the knife (something other than one of those leather pouches with a snappy flap to hold the knife in) in an emergency?
Click to expand...

Ive seen some kydex sheaths for folders, some are stored closed others in the open position. That might be an idea.

Couldnt find an image of those stored in the closed position, but you get the idea.

folder_sheath_inside.jpg

5328.jpg
 
Try a traditional slipjoint in your front pocket. Who knows, you might enjoy it.
 
I would say do what I usually do if I am wearing nice clothes...

I put the knife inside my waistband with the clip behind my belt.

Also if you wear the jacket you can clip it to the inside pocket.
 
When I'm wearing a suit, I like to carry my Bud Nealy inverted, with a paddle sticking into the inside pocket. Check out Bud's site, and I think you'll see what I mean.

Of course, if I had a WH, that'd be my first choice.

TC
 
I wouldn't leave a clip visible when at work. You might consider something smaller and lighter, like the Spyderco Rookie. It weighs almost nothing. I wouldn't remove the clip, but just drop it in you pants or jacket pocket. It is very light, thin, and only 3.75" long with a 3" blade. If the knife is light, the clip won't hurt the pocket lining.
If you want even smaller in a more traditional style, I can recommend some of the Moki knives. If you want something very light and don't mind the cost, check out the Wm. Henry knives. For something less expensive, but no clip, there are some Fallkniven patterns that might work for you.
 
I would belt carry the largest fixed blade knife you have. It's a great way to reduce subjective sales resistance other than the "fleeing on foot" variety.
 
i clip a SOG Blink to my pocket when I'm wearing a suit (rarely, maybe once a month). The slip is so wide it spreads the load among a large area of fabric and doesn't wear a hole. The scales are smooth as well, nothing to snag on. I'm not sure how it would stand up to daily suit carry though. It's small enough I'd just stick it inside my jacket pocket.
 
Good thread. I today bought a Spyderco Delica which I will carry inside the right front pants pocket in that little change pocket-within-the-pocket configuration.
 
Depending on the level of concealment I find to be necessary, sometimes I'll just clip a knife like an Endura to the inside jacket pocket. Other times, I'll wear a mercharness with two Becker Neckers. One under each shoulder. It seems to be completely invisible unless I need to take the jacket off which hasn't happened yet.
 
Why get fancy? Just take off the pocket clip and drop it in there. No modern miracle of engineering necessary. ;)
 
How about the Chris Reeve Mnandi.
A very classy knife that is every bit as tough as the Sebenza.
Can be carried clipped to your shirt pocket and not be noticed.
 
Have you thought about a Case Bose collaboration? Maybe a William Henry? What about an Mnandi? Small Sebenza? Strider PT?
 
The knife I like to carry when wearing a suit is a Vic Bantam Alox. Then again, that's the knife I like to carry in urban environments most any day, regardless of attire. :D

But with suits in particular, having a light, thin knife like the Bantam Alox is nice because the suit material is much finer than jeans, khakis and pretty much anything else we wear. So whatever is in your pocket imprints quite clearly, plus having the pockets weighed down is just annoying, I've found.

The AG Russel Woodswalker might be worth a look in terms of a fixed blade. Comes with a leather pocket sheath and everything.

AGPRS.jpg


Image courtesy of agrussell.com
 
RatDrall said:
I am starting a new sales position, where I will be wearing a suit everyday, which I am not accustomed to. I can handle wearing holes in the pockets of my jeans, not so much with a $400 suit.

How do you guys carry knives with your suits?

There will be days where I have to be 100% concealed, but others where it's not such a big deal.

I usually carry a Spyderco Military or an Emerson Super CQC-7.

I'm definately against anything with a pocket clip, because I don't want to wear holes in my pocket. I'm leaning towards a fixed blade right now, but can't think of anything that won't scare people.

Is there a way to wear a folder on my belt, where it won't rub holes in my suit, but still have access to the knife (something other than one of those leather pouches with a snappy flap to hold the knife in) in an emergency?
Click to expand...

Sir, I haven't even taken a look at the other answers, but I'll give you my honest, unvarnished opinion.

The first thing to do is get what some people call a dress knife. Definitely not in that category is a Spyderco Military or an Emerson Super CQC-7. Those knives will scare the natives!! :D

If you are really wearing suits that cost $400, and that you'll pay $400 for, start thinking of some knife that says "upscale." I'm sure you can find some nice folders that are nicely proportioned and that won't scare the secretaries, or some wimp next to you.

If you're looking for some specific recommendations, I could probably come up with a few.

Folderguy
 
Buck Prince for the win... I think I'd carry it in the inside jacket pocket. Very sophisticated, discrete and easy access draw.
 
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