To "clip" or not to "clip." That is the question.

Totally Judy

Totally Judy

Joined
Dec 3, 2000
Messages
4,347
Being "knife-challenged" I just discovered today that knives can have clips. I carry my knife wherever it falls in my purse. What is the importance of the clip for a folding pocket knife? I have never even seen anyone pull out a folding knife that has a clip.

thanks,
judy
 
Judy, welcome to BladeForums.

The clip is actually very popular now. The clip can use used to that you wear it riding high in your pocket. The pocket material lies in between the knife handle and the clip, with the knife on the inside and the clip showing on the outside. It allows you easier access to the knife so you don't have to fumble around look for it among the stuff in your pocket.

A lot of people wear them on their pocket, and so they are generally called pocket clips. I wear it in either my pocket, waistband, sock, belt loop, belt, etc.


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Chang and the Rebels of the East
(Southern Taiwan Shall Rise Again!)
 
Here is a picture. These are all worn at the same time. The clip helps keep knives at the top of your pocket or out of your pocket (waistband/belt carry) so that your keys and change don't scratch the knife handle up.
clips.jpg


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Chang and the Rebels of the East
(Southern Taiwan Shall Rise Again!)

[This message has been edited by Comrade Chang (edited 12-03-2000).]
 
I can see where the clip would be practical. I guess a clip would work well for everyday wear but would it look out of place with a suit? I seldom see men in suits anymore since living in the desert.

judy
 
When I go to my local rifle association meeting, most people dress up, and they almost all have clips sticking out of their pockets or sometimes between the buttons in their shirt or something. I rarely ever wear a suit because I'm 16 years old, but some of the guys here probably wear suits and they definately carry knives
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Chang and the Rebels of the East
(Southern Taiwan Shall Rise Again!)
 
Hi Judy,
Me again, on a small or medium knife, a clip on the inside of a suit coat, pocket near the chest, would not be seen at all, and if he were to wear it in his pants pocket , only a small clip would show, and the suit coat would cover it anyway! A man wants his knife where it is easy to get to
Ironhorse
 
Judy, clips are great and very handy on a knife. I wear a suit and tie everyday to work, I usually carry a knife with a clip in my right hand front pocket of my slacks, and a belt pouch with another more dressy knife (AG Russell 'One Hand Knife') that has no clip. Both go unnoticed.
I'd like to suggest that you make your knife purchases on knives that you like and fit your budget, rather than if they have a clip or not, or if that clip causes that knife to be carried tip up or tip down. BTW, tip up is the only correct way for a clipped knife to be carried.
I'm having my first custom folder made and I am not getting a clip. Instead I'm having Gary Graley make a leather sheath for it for a cantered belt carry.

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"Will work 4 Knives!"
My PhotoPoint Site
 
Phil,

thanks for the good advice. The clip business was getting in the way. But if *I* ever buy myself a knife with a clip - at least I know the correct way to wear it!

thanks again,
judy
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PhilL,
I to, like mine tip up, but I've run into an awful lot of guys who like the blade tip down, and I believe a forum was done in a knife mag.and I think it went 50/50 on the subject Ironhorse
 
Welcome, Judy. It takes a lot of courage to write politely to our usual cast of medium security inmates. (I used to correspond with your sister, 'Mostly Marsha.') I joined the knife collecting game later than most, but except for a H-D commemorative Buck 110, ALL of my knives are clip knives. Yes, you can clip them to pockets, belts, or like my wife does, to that inside 'secret' pocket of your purse so that the Halls Menthalyptos doesn't get stuck to it. However, sometimes to be discreet, I unclip the knife from my pants and slip it all the way into my jeans--like for something important, like a wedding or a national tractor pull. The clip is always a help, and never a drawback.--OKG
 
I am having the best time today with all of these knife posts. Not to mention how much I am learning. And I don't think anyone besides me is being long winded!

Is a pocket knife considered a concealed weapon? Or that is probably something I should look up on the law section. I was just thinking how cool it would be to wear a knife. I guess the knife in my purse is a concealed weapon. Heck, what do I know!

judy
 
Perhaps a black clip that is available on some folding models may attract less attention. See my reply to your other post.

Folders with pocket clips are so convenient and quick to access. It does not get in the way of pocket change, pocket watch, etc. It also helps to distribute the already minimal weight of the folder.

L8r,
Nakano
 
Hi Judy, clips are mostly used for pockets as already expressed...but in carrying your knife just bouncing around in your purse, does it ever take you a little while to find it? With a clip you could secure the knife to an interior pocket or strap so it'd always be in the same place.

Being a programmer who mostly wears jeans, I usually have something clipped to my pocket. But being in NYC where even coders have to wear a suit sometimes, I've found that a larger knife clipped to the trousers pocket is a little too heavy. So I generally go with a <A HREF="http://www.crkt.com/stifkiss.html" TARGET="_blank">CRKT STIFF K.I.S.S.</A> clipped to the inside jacket pocket. And a Leatherman Wave and a large folder clipped to a pocket inside my laptop case.
 
Hello Judy,
IMHO pocket clips are awesome for all the above mentioned reasons!!!!!!!
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I recommended (on your other post) to look at Willaim Henry knives. These are not clipped. They come with a "pocket sheath". There are mixed opinions here about the pocket sheath.

If I were so lucky as to get one of these beauties for Xmas, I think that I would take Phil's advice and look into a custom sheath from Gary Graley (G2 here at the forums). His website is http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Cabin/7306/blades.html.
This is only an additional suggestion/option for you to consider. The pocket sheath (I'm sure) would be just fine for your husband as is.
Also note, the pocket sheath has a pocket clip that would (just like any pocket clip on a knife) hang out of the pocket. I believe that in this case it is polished, not black.

As far as suit carry, a knife has to be VERY slender and VERY light to be carried in the inside breast pocket. For front pants pocket carry, the knife will also have to be quite light, but can have a little more natural knife bulk to it.
I just hate when my pants pocket sags when I'm carrying in a suit.
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This is very un-GQ!!!
If you know what I mean.

Keep us posted on your choice and come back when you are looking for yourself.
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Good Luck again!!!!

--The Raptor--


[This message has been edited by Raptor (edited 12-03-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Raptor (edited 12-03-2000).]
 
Judy, I also live in California.

So to answer your question no, in this state you can carry any sized folding knife concealed.

If you want to carry a fixed blade(a knife that doesn't fold) then it has to be carried in plain sight. Later, Jeff
 
Judy, to supplement Salamander's explanation on the CA concealed carry weapon law...

If the folding knife is folded up, then it is not a concealed weapon. If you carry it open for some odd reason, then it may be considered a concealed weapon.

Also, if a police officer asks you why you carry a knife, say it is a tool. I'm not sure about your reasons for carrying a pocket knife, but you should generally avoid saying that your knife is a weapon... don't even say for self-defense. It is a tool. Also, any automatic knife (switchblade) over 2", balisong/butterfly knife is illegal.

I vacation in California every year, and I have never been stopped by a police officer for having my Benchmade Stryker on a clip, so it is pretty safe, but you might want to carry a small printout of the law just in case the police officer doesn't know it.

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Chang and the Rebels of the East
(Southern Taiwan Shall Rise Again!)
 
I've used clips in all pockets, inside waistband, sock, boot, and as a money clip.

Paul

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Trust no one...
 
Hi, Totally Judy, welcome to the forums. My wife carries a Spyderco Cricket AND a Gerber AR3 clipped to an inside pocket of her purse. It makes it real easy for her to pull them out if needed. I bought the Cricket specifically for her but the Gerber was originally for me. I bought it and didn't really like the way it felt in my hand, my wife asked if she could see it, played with it a minute, and then decided that it fit her hand perfectly! It has been living in her purse ever since. As I am typing this she is reading over my shoulder, and just informed me "I wouldn't carry a knife without a clip!" Just a little FYI in case you would like to pick up a new knife for yourself.

Flinx
 
Hi Judy,

Welcome to the Forums!
Just thought I would give you another variation on where to clip a knife.

My wife wears dresses and skirts most of the time to work. She carries a Benchmade 940 clipped to the waistband of her skirt and when she wears a dress without pockets she clips it to her bra, yes, her bra, in her...ummmm...hmmmm, how can I say this and be polite?....Cleavage. It works for her because it is not easily seen and she has practiced getting it out.

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"Don't interfere with anything in the Constitution. That must be maintained, for it is the only safeguard of our liberties.
----Abraham Lincoln
 
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