Why do assisted and regular clips exist?

[Sharp & Fiery]

I'd like an assisted clip. It could just pop the knife right into my hand when I snap my fingers. Think of all the milliseconds I'd be saving.

Thats what got me reading this thread...”what the heck is an assisted clip?”
Maybe a G&G Hawk clip? A spring clip?
Lol. Got excited for a minute to learn about a new clip.

 

[JAB]

I actually don’t like some super deep carry clips as I find it makes it harder to draw the knife from my pocket and besides, deep carry or not, you still have something to indicate that you’re carrying a knife.

Also I’m currently carrying a ZT 0357BW which is equipped with speedsafe and I‘m doing so because I just really like the knife (as a side note I’ve always loved the 0300 because they are just so ridiculous and speedsafe is such a part of the experience that I couldn’t imagine them without it.)

 

[hhmoore]

I view assisted opening knives much the way I view waved knives. 20+ yrs ago, when I first experienced both, I thought they were awesome. (I also bought primarily half serrated blades back then). Knives weren't nearly as "flickable" as they are now; so those features made fast reliable opening easy. Maybe it's a reflection on my budget, more than anything; but knives are better now. Assisted opening seems like a detriment because the knives I'm buying open (and close) more easily without it. Maybe if I still considered $50 a lot of money for a knife, I'd have a different opinion - who knows.
Regular vs deep carry? Depends largely on the knife... to a lesser degree, the circumstances. While I appreciate that deep carry clips typically keep the knife out of sight, they don't really affect how a knife carries (in my experience). Most of the time, I don't care if the butt of my knife is sticking up a bit. I don't dislike carry clips - I quite like them ON SOME KNIVES... on other knives, though, they wouldn't work nearly as well. As an example, I can't imagine my Hoback A15 with a deep carry clip.

 

[Blackf77t]

You are asking why these exist. you are assumng no one likes them. Im genuinely curious... what is your guess? Why do you think these exist?

I thought that people were ignorant or bought a knife in spite of being assisted or a regular clip. This was true for me. I bought the Kershaw Clash before I really understood what an assisted knife is. When I took it apart the clip flung out and freaked me out and was a pain to get back in. I either stripped the screws or the bar broke them. I bought the Kershaw Knockout afterward, because despite it being assisted, because I liked the way it looked, wanted to see how aluminum felt, and it has a deep carry clip. If the Kershaw Blur and Leek weren't assisted, I would probably want those knives.

 

[Bastler]

I have never heard of someone getting a deep carry clip and contacting a manufacture for a regular carry clip

Maybe I would be the only one, but the deep clip on my Enzo Birk is a pain in the palm. I've been looking for a regular clip that sits closer to the handle for better comfort. In the meantime, I've removed the clip and just drop it in my pocket.

 

[unwisefool]

I thought that people were ignorant or bought a knife in spite of being assisted or a regular clip. This was true for me. I bought the Kershaw Clash before I really understood what an assisted knife is. When I took it apart the clip flung out and freaked me out and was a pain to get back in. I either stripped the screws or the bar broke them. I bought the Kershaw Knockout afterward, because despite it being assisted, because I liked the way it looked, wanted to see how aluminum felt, and it has a deep carry clip. If the Kershaw Blur and Leek weren't assisted, I would probably want those knives.

You ever try a ZT0300? Great fun with the assisted opening

 

[JAB]

I know this isn’t gonna change any minds but what the heck - this thread needs pics



I love and have room in my collection for all types of knives and as mentioned here and elsewhere the 0357 & 0770 see their fair share of pocket time and the 0300 is just a fun chunky beast.

P.S. the 0770 & 0357 both happen to have fairly deep carry clips

 

[unwisefool]

I know this isn’t gonna change any minds but what the heck - this thread needs pics

View attachment 1345104

I love and have room in my collection for all types of knives and as mentioned here and elsewhere the 0357 & 0770 see their fair share of pocket time and the 0300 is just a fun chunky beast.

P.S. the 0770 & 0357 both happen to have fairly deep carry clips

But do they have assisted clips? That would just take it to the next level

 

[Retired UPS Driver]

But do they have assisted clips? That would just take it to the next level

Beautiful, that really busted my gut, absolutely perfect, thank you.

 

[Knives&Lint]

I can't stand deep carry clips. In fact, I despise the whole idea behind them, particularly when the reason given is to conceal the knife as to not offend the general knife fearing public. I like my knife easy to access, and I actually want that little bit sticking out of my pocket. I think the OP has the idea that everyone loves deep carry clips because a loud minority (cough YouTubers) of the community does. I think this gives a false sense of how popular they are, unfortunately leading to more knife companies designing knives with them. I don't have too much of a problem with it as long as it can be remedied with a swap, and I also mean no offense to those who prefer deep carry, as to each his own. I will say that I have been put off of buying more than a couple deep carry only knives; and yes, I have bought knives with deep carry clips (even the oft slobbed upon Bugout clip) and immediately switched it for regular.

 

[Sergeua]

I like deep carry. Nobody notices I have a knife ha!

 

[Steely_Gunz]

How were assisted knives received here when they first appeared?

I think most of them came UPS or USPS

 

[Ajack60]

Don’t care for deep carry clips, the clips that come with the knife works fine, even the fugly ones on some Kershaw’s.
Don’t mind assisted opening knives, it won’t stop me from buying or using a knife I like. Being left handed, an assisted opening that’s right handed makes it easier to open left handed.

 

[MBG]

My first assisted opening knife broke after a couple of weeks. I sent it in and Kershaw fixed it, but it has tainted my opinion of them ever since. It doesn't help that I don't like flippers and most assisted knives seem to be flippers. I think they are fine functional knives, but they don't do it for me.

 

[CSG]

For those who say deep carry clips impede drawing your knife quickly, are you knife fighters? I'm far more interested in drawing my firearm quickly than my knife. I only have experience with Benchmade's deep carry clips and have never had an issue with retrieving one in a timely manner. I live in Idaho and no one gives a shit if you're carrying a knife anyway. I simply prefer them over Benchmade's standard clips.

 

[josiahg52]

Geez, I don't know. I've carried a fixed blade most of my life.

I like my assisted folders. I like automatic knives. I like pocket clips. I like assisted clips. I like knives.

 

[Eversion]

I often gift assisted knives to people who "like" knives, but aren't knife nuts like us. I do this knowing very well that they won't be disassembling them, so I want these people to have something that will easily open reliably despite lack of maintenance.

 

[GWashington1732]

Why do you need a clip at all? I find clips are obnoxious and prevent me from getting all the other crap I carry out of my pocket easily. I take them off all my knives.
Why do you need a lock? I didn't get my first locking knife until I was 16 I got along just fine. Why do you need one handed opening? I carry a buck 110 damn near every day and I've never had my life depend on a thumbstud.

Assisted opening is fun and I like mine a lot, but it's not ideal if you're out rolling in the mud but it's fun for a knife you carry on your day off.

I agree. There must be a lot of knife buyers out there who like partially serrated edges, but I wouldn't know it from this forum.

I like a partially serrated edge sometimes, serrated edge is good for cutting smaller and medium rope while the straight portion is good for cleaner cuts and I only have to carry one thing.


All of these things exist because if everyone liked all of the same things in the same way all of the time, the world would be like... something that's unbelievably and unbearably dull.

 

[Blackf77t]

For those who say deep carry clips impede drawing your knife quickly, are you knife fighters? I'm far more interested in drawing my firearm quickly than my knife. I only have experience with Benchmade's deep carry clips and have never had an issue with retrieving one in a timely manner. I live in Idaho and no one gives a shit if you're carrying a knife anyway. I simply prefer them over Benchmade's standard clips.

I have to agree for self defense. If the fraction of a second makes a difference, you are probably better off defending yourself with something else probably your hands.

 

[colin.p]

I think the issue is that you're interpreting your own preferences and opinions as facts.

..as most people unfortunately do, I'm sad to say...