Why don't all knives have 4 positions for the clip?

D

DaTrueDave

Joined
Jan 26, 2006
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204
I carry a Kershaw Blackout every day and I absolutely love it, except for one thing...

I'm forced to carry it in my right pocket because the clip can only be positioned one way! I would really like to carry my knife in my left pocket for various reasons.

I recently saw this link to a CRKT that has what I want, but I'm really quite fond of the assisted opening of my Kershaw.

A lot of the discussion here swirls around knives that cost hundreds of dollars. I don't have that kind of budget. If you all have any recommendations for me, I'd be very happy to hear them.

If you don't have any recommendations, I'd love to hear why not! Why aren't more EDC-type knives designed with this feature?
 
Yeah, it's mostly just that some people don't like three extra sets of holes, although it never bothers me. Sometimes it even looks good, like on the ocelot.

I know spending a ton of money on a knife is hard, but really, save up and buy what you want. If takes you another three months, but you get what you want, it'll be well spent.

If you want to go higher end Kershaw, take a look at the Avalanche, Spec Bump and Bump. I don't think the latter two have reversable clips and I can't remember about the Avalanche....
 
A less expensive option is the Spyderco Delica 4. It costs around $40, you get 4-way clip carry and a VG-10 blade. IMO the Delica 4/Endura 4 are the best bang for the buck out there.
 
Even better- probably a street price less than $100- wait for the waved Endura/Delica 4. Its got an eccentric pivot so you can tighten it if it gets loose, and its lined so its more rigid than previous Delica/Endura incarnations. Put in VG10 and a 4-position pocket clip system and there you have an economic solution with the Wave feature which is just like an assisted opener and its not likely to get you the hairy eyeball from an over-officious LEO.

As to why most companies don't have multiple clip positions its usually because its not needed. Most knife users are right handed, and thus companies design a lot of righty-friendly designs. Of course, companies are learning that left handed people appreciate considerations for them too.

-Anthony
 
Well, while I have my unique preferences in the Spyderco line, the downside, at least to you, would be that Spyderco doesn't do assisted opening.

I'm exceedingly busy this week and very ill, a poor combination, but afterwards, if you'd like, I could let you play with my Blue Bump and my Mini Mojo...let me check for the clip on the mini mojo...hmm...neither have reversable clips. Tell me, are you left handed also? Or just a pref for the other pocket. Doesn't look like the avalanche has a reversable clip either...you may be forced to use another company with AO.
 
Right handed people prefer not to have extra holes in their knives. Since they make up the vast majority of the buyers, it makes sense to keep knives that way.

Left handed people seem to not mind the holes as much. Probably because that's the only way we'll be able to get a model to carry left handed. Very few companies even offer that.

Personally, the most entertaining thing to me is liner lock models with ambi clips. Just flipping the clip does not make it left hand compatible. In order to make it truly lefty compatible, the entire design would need to be mirrored.

Custom makers are about the closest lefty's can ever get to true southpaw models.
 
I'm not sure I agree totally there. I'm right handed and I can close all of my knives, liners, frame locks, etc, with my left hand just as easily with my right. Maybe easier.
 
People hate the swiss cheese effect
I don't mind tip up or down...but I think left and right is necessary
 
I always figured it was a cost consideration mostly, though design plays a role sometimes.

Take the Military as an example. Since the screws for the clip should have a positive mounting (metal already in the design or inserts), the knife is set up for tip-down, right hand carry. To make it a lefty, with left hand position liner-lock, would require making scales,lock pieces, and grinding the blade differently. A special run might take a while to sell out.

Of course, liner- and frame- locks are more side-centric than most designs.

Benchmade made some lefty liner-locks from what I understand.
 
I wouldn't want three extra sets of holes. If carrying a knife with a pocket clip, I'm happy to clip it however the manufacturer has it set up. Switching the knife-hand position after taking it out is not a big deal either.

-Bob
 
Artfully Martial said:
Tell me, are you left handed also? Or just a pref for the other pocket.
Click to expand...
I'm right handed, but I intend to develop the muscle memory to draw and open my knife left handed.

It might sound hokey, but I plan on developing these left-handed skills in the unlikely event that someone decides to try to grab my gun. I want to be able to grab my knife, open it, and slice and dice until he decides that he no longer wants my gun. My right hand is going to be busy trying to keep him from getting my pistol out of my holster, so that limits my options in this particular scenario.

I'm surprised that this feature is less desired than aesthetics. I understand that many people consider their knives to be art, but I just want a tool. I guess I do consider looks when considering the kind of knife that I want, but I certainly don't place it higher than other features that are definitely more important when it comes to the day to day use of the thing!
 
The reason why I got my Grip was because it's so left hand friendly. It comes with the clip on the right side, but it was simple to unscrew the three screws that held it on and switch sides, and the axis lock works no matter what hand you use for it. I know it isn't an auto or assisted opener, but the way that I grab my knife puts my fingers right on the lock. It's simple to pull the bar back a little bit and out comes the blade.
 
Artfully Martial said:
I'm not sure I agree totally there. I'm right handed and I can close all of my knives, liners, frame locks, etc, with my left hand just as easily with my right. Maybe easier.
Click to expand...

Admittedly, I don't have much practice with them, but closing a liner lock right handed requires no readjustment of the knife in my hand, thumb disengages the lock, and the forefinger closes the blade. When doing it left handed, the knife has to be shifted in my hand for the thumb to be able to pull the liner(instead of pushing it). Maybe if I practiced more, but it's not very intuitive for me, and takes three times as long.

It's the readjustment that annoys me, the less I juggle the knife, the less likely I am to drop it.
 
I'm right handed, but I wish all folders came at least tip up / tip down drilled - and if you're going to do that, you might as well do all four.

A lot of us are pretty particular about the tip up / tip down thing. Especially if you start doing muscle-memory practice for martial arts skills, my brain finds it MUCH easier to stick to one or the other - these days it's tip up for me.

I have noticed that a lot of makers don't like to offer a tip up option on their liner-locks (or framelocks), even if they do on their other locks. I presume that's due to yet another weakness of the liner-lock, its dependence on not-completely-reliable detents.
 
It's because you only need the right hand, tip up holes..:D

But I will second (third?) the endura/delica line. Best value for the money, hell, value for more than the money.
 
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