When did clips become a thing?

When did clips become a thing?

  • I always want a pocket clip

    Votes: 71 59.2%

  • I hate pocket clips

    Votes: 17 14.2%

  • It's not important to me

    Votes: 21 17.5%

  • Other, please comment

    Votes: 20 16.7%
  • Total voters
    120
marchone

marchone

Gold Member
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Mar 13, 2013
Messages
4,215
In another thread a photo of a beautifully crafted traditional pocket knife was posted. One reader responded that he needed a clip on it.

That raises a question. Are pocket knives meant to be pocketed? Why do most modern folders have clips, and traditionals do not?

What is your preference and why?
 
I carry both modern and traditionals, but the only thing i carry daily that MUST have a clip is a small flashlight...when I need light it’s usually right now.
I don’t carry change and my keys are either clipped to a belt loop or in a coat pocket, so when I carry one, I don’t have to worry about one of my traditionals getting boogered up in my pocket.
 
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I used to not use the clip on my folders, and just let them sit at the bottom of the pocket, where they would end up horizontal. But over time I found that it was causing weird wear patterns on the outside of the jeans or pants. So I started using the clip when I wear jeans, and the Dockers I have have a little pocket within the pocket that I use to keep it vertical. So far so good...
 
The pockets on my Levis are all occupied so for my usual routines I need something clipped to keep the knife from getting all messed up and tangled in the crap in the bottom of my pockets.
I'll carry a traditional in my coat if I'm wearing one but when I take it off I'm concerned with some sticky fingered sob appropriating the knife, or in a few cases my coat.
And I'm definitely picky about where and how that clip is mounted and the type of clip.
 
I voted 3 and 4. As my comment, I want to share my favorite clip picture.

O6Ln71X.jpg
 
I voted other. I generally want a pocket clip on my moderns...but traditionals are another story. Those for me, belong in the pocket or in a sheath. Just my preference.
:) Why bugger up a beautiful traditional with a clip?
 
I never carry a knife clipped as I don't even own a knife with a clip. I'm an old fart that grew up I an age of the traditional pocket knife, that was the only kind of pocket knife to buy. I got used to just dropping it in the pocket and letting it sink to the bottom where I always knew where it was. But then I never carried a knife over 3 and 1/2 inches closed in size. Usually 3 inches or a bit less.

If I need more blade, then thats what fixed blades are for.

I actually tried a modern folder clipped to my pocket. It was given to me by someone who didn't really know me well. After I got tired of it snagging my seatbelt, snagging branches on bushes, scratching the car fender while I was doing an oil change, and getting in the way of reaching for anything else in that pocket, I ditched it and went back to dropping my pocket knife in my pocket.

I also don't see the wisdom of advertising to the world what I am carrying and exactly where I am carrying it.
 
A clip is for convenience and to keep the knife accessible while still in the pocket. That is, accessible without having to shove my entire hand deep to the bottom of my pocket to grab it. Every knife I have left loose in my pocket falls down to the bottom and turns sideways and becomes both uncomfortable and difficult to access. If someone could invent something so the knife stands up maybe I wouldn't use a clip, most of the solutions for that that I've seen involve having a pocket-sized slip which I think is less convenient than a clip
 
I like clips on my one hand open edc knives but I also carry a small traditional in my rf pocket amongst other traditionals. Then there’s times when I use a sheath knife like a Buck 110 or 117.
So I don’t always need or use a pocket clip but when I do I prefer it on a good one hand opener.
 
As far as when pocket clips became a thing I’m not sure exactly but the first I saw or knew of them was in the 1980s and not many. I think a lot of people considered them to be showy or like jewelry. Most guys I knew back then were using a sheath or bottom pocket carry.
 
I think it was Spyderco that invented the pocket clip! brilliant idea if you ask me, these days its the primary way I carry my knifes, in the olden days I just dropped any folder in the bottom of my pants pocket, but to answer your question I really think it was Spyderco that set the trend:cool:
 
A small knife (like Spyderco Dragonfly) can be put on the bottom of the pocket without much of an issue. But a bigger/longer knife like Spyderco PM2 or ZT 0562 will create a weird shape of your pants if laying in the pocket without a clip. So for bigger folders, yes - a pocket clip is necessary.
 
jackknife said:
I never carry a knife clipped as I don't even own a knife with a clip. I'm an old fart that grew up I an age of the traditional pocket knife, that was the only kind of pocket knife to buy. I got used to just dropping it in the pocket and letting it sink to the bottom where I always knew where it was. But then I never carried a knife over 3 and 1/2 inches closed in size. Usually 3 inches or a bit less.

If I need more blade, then thats what fixed blades are for.

I actually tried a modern folder clipped to my pocket. It was given to me by someone who didn't really know me well. After I got tired of it snagging my seatbelt, snagging branches on bushes, scratching the car fender while I was doing an oil change, and getting in the way of reaching for anything else in that pocket, I ditched it and went back to dropping my pocket knife in my pocket.

I also don't see the wisdom of advertising to the world what I am carrying and exactly where I am carrying it.
Click to expand...


That pretty much says it for me. I tried a few when I took up an interest in knives a few years ago, but now I find pocket clips more of an annoyance than a convenience.

I see now that Spyderco is responsible for two things that annoy me. I have one Benchmade with the Spydiehole, apparently under license. I never use it. I don’t mean to knock Spyderco any more than I would knock Glock. I just don’t want one.
 
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