Locks and loose pocket carry

[Catamount123]

I regularly carry :spyder: s loose in my pocket (sans clip). I only do this with backlocks, as they are the only ones I trust to not accidentally open in my pocket. Fortunately, I’ve never had a serious cut or injury from accidental pocket opening of a non-backlock. I've had enough close calls to know it’s not a good idea, though!

[Wartstein]

There is only one Spydie that I carry loose in the pocket and that's the Chap... perhaps one of the safest of the safe ones : Very firm backlock and very light blade, tip pretty deep between the scales (not likely to get caught somewhere).
Clipped I had never come any Spyderco locktype come open in the pocket, but I too think the backlock has to be the safest in that regard. The CBBL is not bad either though.

[Doc Dan]

I only carry back locks or an Urban or UKPK in my pocket, especially if there is anything else in there with the knife. Other locks need not apply.

[Sumdumguy]

Generally, I only carry small backlocks loose in the pocket.

Although, I wouldn't have a problem with something like the Rhino. It was tiny, had a tight detent and the blade was mostly encompassed by the handle.

[Pokey]

For the small Spyderco's, I carry a Ladybug on my key chain in my pocket and maybe a Roadie on the loose. Haven't had any issues with those yet. With anything bigger than that I've always used the clips to carry on the pocket. Years ago I carried a Delica 1 in an under the seat bag on my bike without any issues.

[SaltSerious]

Carried the Caribbean once while going on a run clipped to the pocket of my cargo pants, it opened up fully and cut a 3 inch opening in pocket. Looked down and saw the blade swinging back and forth outside my pocket while still clipped. Not the best choice for a running knife. Thank the Lord I wasn't slashed. Since then only locks with a strong bias towards close while doing these types of activities.

[James Y]

The only lock type I’ll carry down in-pocket is a back lock. Right now it’s a Ladybug Hawkbill Salt, which I carry loose down in my pocket. But I’ve also done it with an E4 when I didn’t want to clip it.

The only thing you have to do is regularly check the well of the lock for any lint buildup that may interfere with the lock fully engaging.

Many years ago, I carried a small Buck 500 series drop point lock back down in-pocket. Same idea.

Jim

[JRinFL]

I've carried many knives with NO lock in my pocket! :eek:

[GarageBoy]

At least slip joint's have a closing bias, and opinels lock closed
Knives with open back construction should be kept away from coins and keys

[James Y]

I've carried many knives with NO lock in my pocket! :eek:

Same here. I still always have an SAK on me, regardless of what other knife I may be carrying. I’ve carried some type of SAK for over 40 years, and will never NOT carry one.

Jim

[vivi]

While I've had some full sized folders with detent based locks open while clipped to my pocket, I've somehow managed a perfect record with deep pocket carry.

I took the clip off my Spin the first week I owned it and have carried it clipless since then. Used to carry it quite a bit too.

[JRinFL]

I have had knives open in my pocket, one resulted in a pocket slash that somehow avoided any flesh, on was a minor finger poke. I wish I could remember which knife caused those as that would help the eventual repeat.

[pantagana23]

Carried a SAK once or twice, the tendency to end up horizomtally in the pocket frustrated me so much I started carrying exclusively knives with clips.

[vivi]

Carried a SAK once or twice, the tendency to end up horizomtally in the pocket frustrated me so much I started carrying exclusively knives with clips.

TEC suspenesion clips solve that.

[wrdwrght]

The only Spydie I’ve had open in the bottom of a pocket is my Bradley Air, a loose-pocket model, and it got me.

Very weak detent.

Once bitten, twice shy. Tightened the pivot. Problem solved for me. Fast blade-deployment of a Gent’s is just not a worry for me.

As another data-point, I’ve never had any of numerous SAK models open in a pocket during 50 years of daily carry.

[Cscottsss]

The beauty of a modern day folding pocket knife is that they come with pocket clips, lol. Never understood the desire to carry clipless. The only one I carry clipless is the Vic Classic SAK in my jeans coin pocket.

[Mike Slayer]

I carry my Spydiechef loose in my pocket. I took the pocket clip off almost soon as I got my first one. First I like carrying loose in my pocket because nobody will see a pocket clip or a portion of my pocket knife sticking up out of my pocket. Second it make it harder for somebody to steal my knife straight from my pocket. I know of cheap and really expensive knives stolen straight from peoples pocket without them realizing it until they go to reach for their pocket knife. When it comes to self defense I conceal carry a sidearm and fixed blade for that purpose. If for some reason I only have my pocket knife then my first line of defense which is my environmental awareness will let me know if I need to get out of the area and/or stage my pocket knife in my hand. The third reason I carry loose in my pocket is because I like the way the knife feels in my hand without a pocket clip on it. I have never found a pocket clip I liked so I just don't use them.

[Wartstein]

The beauty of a modern day folding pocket knife is that they come with pocket clips, lol. Never understood the desire to carry clipless. The only one I carry clipless is the Vic Classic SAK in my jeans coin pocket.

Well, Mike Slayer gives perfect reasons for carrying clipless in the post above mine.
Though I don´t like to carry a folder unclipped too.

Reason and scenario when I do it anyway (but still don´t actually remove the clip!): Risk of loosing the knife when hiking and mountaineering! Happened two times to me (a beloved blue Endura and equally beloved Stretch 1 ), I think doing very high steps when uphill hiking or climbing could work the knife out of the pocket over time...
So what I do now is:
1.) If my mountaineering pants happen to have zippered pockets I throw the knife in there and close the pocket (most times it is the Chap then)
2.) I bend all the pocket clips of knives I carry in the mountains so that they have stronger retention

[JRinFL]

I'm pretty sure Deacon only carriers loose at the bottom of his back pocket. Lot's folks carry that way.

[Bloke]

I bend all the pocket clips of knives I carry