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
lieferung said:
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
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My wife altered the left front pocket of my work pants with vertical stitching to provide me with two 'slots' to hold a small to medium folding knife vertically. The knife is not as noticable in this position as it would be lying horizontally. Only knives go into this pocket. Other items to carry go into the right pocket.
 
I carried a buck 110 in my pocket when I was a teen before the pocket clip craze took over. Never seen the need until I got a knife with one. After that I found out I do like having it clipped to the top of my pocket.

Worked construction way too long and used to having a tool belt on, learn to give everything wide berth. I can't remember the last time my pocket clip snagged on something.
 
I like that the pocket clip indexes the knife. It's always right where I left it, in the same exact position. I can grab, draw, cut, close and clip again from muscle memory.
In my pocket they turn and roll around. It's always random how they come out. Almost like a miniature puzzle everytime. They also bang off other things in my pocket.

FWIW probably 20-25℅ of the folders I like don't have clips drilled and tapped on the left side and automatically become a hard no.
 
I like a clip for keeping the knife oriented consistently, like a holster for a pistol. Also I find it helps with one handed opening and closing, like the axis or caged BB lock, I hold onto the clip with my pinkie while using the lock.
 
Pocket clips have made it possible for me to carry a knife no matter what I'm wearing. Shorts, sweat pants, speedos, I even have a knife clipped to my bathrobe. I wouldn't admit that to most people.
 
I voted “other.”

I like a clip on modern folders but not most traditionals.

However, I’d love to see a hybrid of the two. Say a Benchmade Proper with a clip and a FFG blade. That is something I would purchase.

Maybe I should write to Benchmade.
 
I usually carry a clip knife, usually a Spyderco or sometimes a CRK. For many knives that aren’t lightweight, it’s a better carry method than dropping it down in the pocket. Though something light and flat like a FRN Endura 4 could easily be carried down in the pocket without using the clip.

That said, I also always carry two SAKs, and those are always down in my pockets. I’m used to carrying so-called “traditional” pocketknives (that’s what I and anybody else who carried a pocketknife back then had), and their lack of a clip has never bothered me. But the SAKs or “traditionals” I do carry tend to be around 3.5” closed or less, and no more than 2 layers thick.

I’m not sure when it was, but there used to be an attachable device called the “One-Armed Bandit” or The Stud” that one could buy and attach to a folder’s blade, like a Buck 110, that provided one-handed opening. That might have started sometime back in the 1970s(?), and most likely predated Spyderco’s opening hole.

Jim
 
I love pocket clips when I need to carry a slim knife in my pocket. Keeps is nice and upright, and saves pocketspace.

I hate pocketclips when I need to do more than 5 minutes of cutting.

For tasks of prolonged cutting (for example, whittling), I prefer a knife with a rounded handle that fills the hand nicely. Pocketclips press into your hand and make it uncomfortable.

Let's face it: pocketclips are for the kind of EDC knives you carry with you all day, but only take out a couple of times to make one or two cuts. The kind of knives that are optimized for carry, not for prolonged use. I feel it's a shame the market is so oversaturated with knives of the latter category. There's so little to choose from if you're looking for a comfortable knife for prolonged use.
 
James Y said:
I’m not sure when it was, but there used to be an attachable device called the “One-Armed Bandit” or The Stud” that one could buy and attach to a folder’s blade, like a Buck 110, that provided one-handed opening. That might have started sometime back in the 1970s(?), and most likely predated Spyderco’s opening hole.

Jim
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Yes, the One Armed Bandit and Flickit attachable thumbstuds predate Spyderco.

The first thumbstud folders I can think of, is the Pellett lift, which dates to the late 1800's, early 1900's -

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It came out during the age of easily bought automatics, and was only used on small knives, so it fizzled out.
 
Definitely NO clips on my traditionals. I've seen a few now that come with clips, but I don't buy those models. Every modern style folder I know about comes with a clip, so that's what I get when I buy one. I leave 'em on so the knife stays in its factory configuration, but I don't use 'em. My folders ride down in my RFP, where they've ridden for 65 years. I don't carry anything other than a knife in my RFP... never have.

The only exception is my button lock autos. Those, I clip to try to better protect the button and prevent an AD.
 
I'm ok with no clip, sheathed on my belt in theory. In practice though, I grab a knife and clip it to my right front pocket every day. Both would keep it out of the bottom of my pocket with my keys and phone but a clip is a faster deployment in most cases and constantly fishing around in my pocket would definitely be frustrating. Also clipped knives are more often one hand operated which is important for me.
 
Billy The Blade said:
*Well, he's obviously Not a 'knife guy' or he wouldn't let his wife/girlfriend carry in such an improper way.
However, from the look on her face, perhaps she's
'Wearin' the pants' and he's got No say in the matter!
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In fairness. Most women's jeans pockets are about 2"-3" deep. You'll never get an Endura to fit clipped inside.
 
aji1 said:
Bathrobe, OK, but speedos?!? Why do you need a knife clipped to your speedos? Jaws?
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Im that guy, i always take a knife to the lake/river. Inside waist band at 1 oclock.
My buddy asked me why i was carrying a knife for swimming and at the end of the day i cut some small line that had wrapped around the prop of his pontoon boat while towing a jetski on the ohio river.
I try to to stay away from " i usually carry a knife but didnt think i needed it". Dont do public pools i dont find them enjoyable.
I bought a spyderco worker my freshman year in 88 for i think $55. My case stockman went into a drawer and i went clipped for several years
 
:) A clip is to the folder as the sheath is to a fixed blade . :cool::thumbsup::thumbsup:

The clip or sheath is just as important as the knife itself and must work properly with the knife as a system .

The purpose is to comfortably and securely carry and retain the knife in a consistent , organized and easily/ quickly accessible location .

Not vital in casual use , but critical for emergency , SD or efficient working . IMO . YMMV . ;)

Yes , and until my early 80's Police model Spyderco , I never took folders as seriously as fixed blades . Clip was a big part of that change for me .
 
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On any folder smaller than 4" blade, I don't use the clips, even if I leave them on some of my knives.

With larger folders, clips become useful, don't want the random woman on the street to think I'm that happy to see her.

Here in California, there is also a legal issue, better to carry a folder concealed.
 
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