Who removes the clips off their folders?

M

Marc9910

Joined
Apr 25, 2007
Messages
201
I find it really hard to get used to the feel of a clip on a folder unless it is a medium or large folder.

I just took the clip of my CF Sage and it feels like a different knife. Balanced and much more ergonomic. But I have a Tenacious and it actually feels ok in hand with a clip and because it is a bigger knife more likely needed to secure it to belt or pocket.

This got me thinking, how many of you remove the clips from your folders and why? How many use the clips everytime you carry?
 
Some clips just don't feel right with the handle. Spydercos are well designed, but I still prefer to carry the Native without the clip. Simply much more comfy to use. That makes the Native a pocket carry item, whereas my other EDCs, Centofante and Delica, always travel clipped to waistband. Both have clip/handle design that make the clip unnoticeable in use.

Other uncomfortable or otherwise unfavoured clips: Gerber Torch, truly sucked; Leatherman alu handle, can't remember the model number - same problem as with the Native, didn't feel nice or necessary; Byrd Robin - unnecessary in such a small knife. I also chopped off the plastic clip on my FRN Dragonfly. Improved grip and key chainability significantly.

I may remember more later.
 
When I was younger, I removed the clip of my first locking folder (a cheapie), as I was used to carrying my cub scout knife. I soon realized that some knives are just too heavy--for me at least--to carry without a clip. I would prefer to carry some of my heavier slipjoints in a belt sheath, but alas, I do not have one. I do agree, however, that many knives feel better in the hand without the clip.
I also think the main reason to carry a one-handed opening folder is speed, and I have found that not having the clip slows the deployment of the blade significantly.
 
None of my knives have the clips on them,I find they add unnecessary bulk and spoil the feel of the knife.I also like to feel the weight of the knife in the bottom of my pocket.
 
I always remove my clips, I always give all new knifes the benefit of the doubt, but in the end, I always remove the clips, there are a few reasons why, it adds bulk, it makes the knife feel out of proportion in my hand, the fear of reachimg in pocket only to find it semi open tip up, I have always liked a knife that rides in the depth of my pocket, only problem with that is if it is longer than 4" closed I the normally carry in a sheath! it all boils down to personal choice. hope this helps.
 
I remove the clips from most of my folders for edc during the week.

Only problem - on weekends I like to use the clip so I find myself re-installing the clip on certain models. My fear is the knife coming out of the pocket (if I don't use the clip) while riding on the mower. If it falls out without me noticing I'll never find it.

The clips tend to throw the design and ergonomics of the knife off. 2 good examples - the BM Hardtail and Skirmish. The Hardtail looks great without the clip. The Skirmish ends up with a hole in the Ti where the clip goes. I wish they made a filler piece like Reeve makes for the Sebenza.
 
I leave them on, even if I sheath carry the knife. I like the way they feel when gripping the knife. They dig into my palm and seem to make the grip even more secure.
 
I always hated clips and took them off. There are a very few knives that feel better in the hand with the clip on, but most don't for me. I have been carrying a pocket knife for 42 of my 50 years and I have never liked the few times I clipped carried a knife. As a teen I carried a 11" open Italian stiletto in my from right pocket for about 8 years, so I guess that got me use to carry large pocket knives in the pocket. Now I carry small 2-3" bladed folders most of the time in my pocket with the clips removed...
 
I have removed the clip on several knives. At times I don't want a knife to be clipped to my pocket because it is a smallish knife, I would rather it just be down in the pocket. My Buck Waimea I carry that way always. It's just a preference thing. I don't feel there is any great advantage or disadvantage to it. On the other hand I have knives that don't have a clip that I'm always thinking I should send to STR and have him add a clip for me. Like a Buck 110 as well as my Buck 500. I feel they would be excellent pocket clip knives because of they're size.

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:D
 
I am also one of those who removes clips on the knives, partly because of the law. Pocket clips draw attention to your knives when you carry them and it is not too wise here (there are not too many cops locally who like knives!). If you carry it covertly it is more trouble-free. But the main reason I remove clips is that I think knives feel better in the hand without clips.
 
Got used to removing clips when canoing and portaging...use lanyard or deep pocket carry. Haven't had one snagged out since.

I remove the clip from from every folder I get..I think it just looks nicer and is slimmer for pocket carry. One exception though and that is the Lone Wolf Harsey T2...a great big flat clip that resists getting snagged out of your pocket...my favourite bush carry folder.

Just remembered that I have a knife that I couldn't remove the clip. SOG Auto Clip with BG 42 blade. Clip is part of FRN handle assembly with a ratchet wheel to adjust tension...tighten the wheel and you can't pull the knife out This thread got me thinking about good looking clips...crappy clips and innovative clips.
 
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I also remove the clips. I do not like the feel of the clip in my palm nor the look of a clipped knife in a pocket. I carry them sight unseen in my pocket.
 
I usually do if it is uncomforterable on my hand and I know my blade walnt open in my pocket.I always keep the clips on my autos and iffy knives.I want to take the pocket clip off my tenacious but I dont trust it after seeing videos on you tube where they came open in back packs and as sharp as I sharpened it I would get a pretty bad cut if it opened in my pocket.
 
I don't clip knives to my pocket, but I like to keep the clip on if it's a solid clip. I think it helps with my grip. On the other hand, you have clips like on the SOG where it is flimsy, and mushy when I tighten my grip.
 
If the knife has very little detent to stay closed, I'll usually keep it on a clip to avoid it opening up in pocket. So many times I've reached into my pocket only to discover much later that there's little cuts and nicks all over my hand.
 
For the past couple months I've been carrying all mine clipless in the left front pocket (I'm right handed). I put them there so they are vertical beside my "wallet" and don't fall over; my phone is in my right front pocket and I don't want that scratched up because it has an exposed screen. It's all been working out well. Knives are more comfortable for me to hold without their clips.
 
StringsMartyr said:
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I also think the main reason to carry a one-handed opening folder is speed, and I have found that not having the clip slows the deployment of the blade significantly.
Click to expand...

ditto for me. All my small folders can only be opened quickly by "counterpushing" against the clip.
 
I've done two accidental removals :) My caly 3 and my D'Allara are sans wire clips because I got them hung up on stuff and deformed them way out of shape. I almost did the same to my millie...
 
Most of mine are removed. 75% of the time I carry my edc blade in a belt sheath. I don't like a lot of items in my pockets.
 
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