Two questions: What is the hole size of the Native Chief? And, what exactly is a "CLIPIT"?

Hashishiin

Hashishiin

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Dec 29, 2021
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I need to know the hole size of the Native Chief, thanks to anyone who provides it. Is that a common size? This is for a wave.

Also, are CLIPITs just any knife with a clip that came out of Japan from Spyderco, or what? Because searching the term on the regular Spyderco site leaves only a few things, like the Civilian ("one of the most specialized knives in the CLIPIT line"), and I know the term came about when Spyderco started to invent the clip and integrate it into the models (didn't all the clips used to be integral, too?). So, I just want to know. What EXACTLY is the CLIPIT series. Is my... Shaman, a CLIPIT?

Thank you so much for the info.
 
Sal can certainly offer more information about this but . . .

My understanding of the term "CLIP-IT" is that it was first used in reference to early Spydercos made with clips molded into the FRN scales, like those used in the early Enduras & Delicas, such as this:

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The early FRN clips had the words "US & Foreign Patents" embrossed in them (later ones added "Patent Pending") and Spyderco also registered the term CLIP-IT® apparently based on its claim that:

"Spyderco was the first company to equip a folding knife with a pocket clip. This revolutionary feature was introduced on our very first folding knife design in 1981 and allows a folding knife to be carried at the top of the pocket where it is easily accessible and does not interfere with access to other items in the pocket. This brilliantly simple idea inspired our entire line of CLIP-IT® knives and also helped define the form of the modern folding knife. Although it is now commonplace on most brands of folding knives, it all started with Spyderco."

See: Why the Clip?

So, in this context, bascially every knife Spyderco has ever made with a clip was and can still be considered part of Spyderco's CLIP-IT® line of knives.

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PS: I don't know if Spyderco ever got a patent for the FRN clip. Spyderco says that it did get a patent for the "round hole" in 1981 but that patent should have run out in 2001.

On the other hand, a registered trademark (like CLIP-IT®) can last indefinitely if the proper paperwork is filed and it is used continually in marketing a product but I'm not certain whether Spydero has done this or not because I don't recall seeing the term CLIP-IT® used in Spyderco's marketing materials recently. So, it may now just be an obsolete term that no longer has any commercial significance.
 
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You might also want to know that the Spyderhole on the Chief is partially covered by the handle scales when the blade is closed. I don't know if it would interfere with what you have in mind, but I thought you should be aware.

Not every knife Spyderco has ever made has had a pocket clip, but they seem to call them all "Clipit" anyway.
 
yablanowitz said:
You might also want to know that the Spyderhole on the Chief is partially covered by the handle scales when the blade is closed. I don't know if it would interfere with what you have in mind, but I thought you should be aware.

Not every knife Spyderco has ever made has had a pocket clip, but they seem to call them all "Clipit" anyway.
Click to expand...
Yes, this is going to affect which brand I'll be buying. Good to know, still doable! :)

Huh... I hope Sal Glesser Sal Glesser chimes in on this? It would be really cool to know what they are for a certainty.
 
Any knife with a SKU beginning in C is a clipit. Non-clipit models include the balisongs, Ladybug/Jester/Manbug, fixed blades and a few other non-standard models.
 
Hi Hashishiin,

When we first introduced our knives in 1981, we referred to them as "Clipits". They were the only folding knife on the market with a pocket clip. The first 9 models had stainless handles. We never trademarked the term. Pocket clips have been used by almost every knife company in the world.

What other information/history would you like?

sal
 
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