What knife do you carry clipless?
Re: What knife do you carry clipless?
None.
Only folder with no clip currently is my Spin, but that's been a desk knife for years and basically never leaves the house.
I used to take all the clips off when I transitioned from Buck 110's to Spydies about 20 years ago, but have since coment to appreciate their convenience.
Only folder with no clip currently is my Spin, but that's been a desk knife for years and basically never leaves the house.
I used to take all the clips off when I transitioned from Buck 110's to Spydies about 20 years ago, but have since coment to appreciate their convenience.
May you find peace in this life and the next.
Re: What knife do you carry clipless?
I appreciate all the responses. I thought I would hear at least one large knife clipless. By that, I mean larger than the Delica. The Roadie was my choice today, but it doesn’t have a clip anyway.
Re: What knife do you carry clipless?
Good topic!
Just the Bradley Air or the LW Chaparral. These fit into small, flat pockets on a minimalist runner's belt that also holds phone and a spot of cash.

Just the Bradley Air or the LW Chaparral. These fit into small, flat pockets on a minimalist runner's belt that also holds phone and a spot of cash.

Steel novice who self-identifies as a steel expert. Proud M.N.O.S.D. member 0003. Spydie Steels: 4V, 15V, 20CV, AEB-L, AUS6, Cru-Wear, HAP40, K294, K390, M4, Magnacut, S110V, S30V, S35VN, S45VN, SPY27, SRS13, T15, VG10, XHP, ZWear, ZDP189
- Mini2white
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Re: What knife do you carry clipless?
Kopa, I hate the clip on them and besides I usually carry them in dress clothes anyway so in pocket carry is better for me.
Re: What knife do you carry clipless?
Laser etch looks great but it's like coarse sand paper on the pocket. So I carry it in the bottom of my pocket.


Re: What knife do you carry clipless?
The SE Pacific Salt 2 as it’s in a kydex neck sheath (auto deployment) for our dog walking knife. The wife and I can toss it on and roll out the door.
Why no clip? I find the clip may get tangled up with the leash etc especially when bending over (to pickup after the dog).
We chose the SE pacific salt 2 as the LC200N is almost impervious to weather plus the hi viz green makes it easy to find if dropped.
The SE is amazing for all general and emergency cutting tasks including defense even if the attacker had heavy clothing on.
Why no clip? I find the clip may get tangled up with the leash etc especially when bending over (to pickup after the dog).
We chose the SE pacific salt 2 as the LC200N is almost impervious to weather plus the hi viz green makes it easy to find if dropped.
The SE is amazing for all general and emergency cutting tasks including defense even if the attacker had heavy clothing on.
M.N.O.S.D. 0031
Re: What knife do you carry clipless?
My spyderco manix is literally the only knife I will carry with honesty. I have sliced through hickory split like it was just another day on the job and it still holds true to this day. I almost don’t want to be careful with it.
Some days it just sit in my pocket but, on the day that I couldn’t wait I sliced through prickers that were in my way. Following a mountain dog that just couldn’t wait for a bite. I feed the thing that makes a the world a deep hole.
The manix didn’t stop digging.
Some days it just sit in my pocket but, on the day that I couldn’t wait I sliced through prickers that were in my way. Following a mountain dog that just couldn’t wait for a bite. I feed the thing that makes a the world a deep hole.
The manix didn’t stop digging.
Re: What knife do you carry clipless?
double tap
Re: What knife do you carry clipless?
Hi GTenn, Tonnor, Spymanic,
Welcome to our forum. Interesting question and it seems to have spurred an interesting group of points of view.
I almost always carry a small knife that I can use in public. It's usually a Manbug, occasionally a D'fly or some proto or a model that I haven't carried for a while. It's in my LFP. I also carry a larger knife clipped to my RFP.
There are countless ways to carry an "Edge". About 40+ years ago, Spyderco offered a rather new and unusual way to carry a pocket knife. It was a clip attached to the knife itself. It was another method of deployment.
I've carried knives all of my life and I've carried them many ways. I preferred it clipped to the top of the pocket, to the other methods I've seen and used. I was trying to get away from that hump in the bottom of my pocket, and a sheath on my belt. We also offered one hand access, one hand open and one hand close.
But in the end, it's your knife and you should find what makes the most sense to you in the way you carry it. My job is to convince you to carry a spyderco any way you want to.
sal
Welcome to our forum. Interesting question and it seems to have spurred an interesting group of points of view.
I almost always carry a small knife that I can use in public. It's usually a Manbug, occasionally a D'fly or some proto or a model that I haven't carried for a while. It's in my LFP. I also carry a larger knife clipped to my RFP.
There are countless ways to carry an "Edge". About 40+ years ago, Spyderco offered a rather new and unusual way to carry a pocket knife. It was a clip attached to the knife itself. It was another method of deployment.
I've carried knives all of my life and I've carried them many ways. I preferred it clipped to the top of the pocket, to the other methods I've seen and used. I was trying to get away from that hump in the bottom of my pocket, and a sheath on my belt. We also offered one hand access, one hand open and one hand close.
But in the end, it's your knife and you should find what makes the most sense to you in the way you carry it. My job is to convince you to carry a spyderco any way you want to.
sal
Re: What knife do you carry clipless?
I took the clip off my Positron as it created a hotspot. The detente is quite strong and It’s compact enough that I hardly notice it in my pocket.
It’s my only
that I’ve felt the need to remove the clip.
It’s my only

'The future is already here;it's just not evenly distributed'
William Gibson
William Gibson
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Re: What knife do you carry clipless?
I mostly carry clipless for regular EDC use, I.e. office job, social and urban settings.
Initially I discarded the idea of clipless carry and avoided models that came without. It was only after I decided to try the Manbug salt a couple of years ago that I realized this way of carrying solved more problems than it introduced.
First of all, it solves the issue of pocket separation. Some knives like the KC Dragonfly pakkawood, Manbug and Big Idea Designs TPT slide I carry in the 5th and use a short “lanyard” to retrieve it. Removing the clip allows for a lower profile carry and easier in and out of pocket.
Others, like my FRN Dragonfly’s I carry clipless in the bottom of my RBP or whatever pocket available if I wear shorts. Removing the clip makes for a lower profile package, so I’m less likely to feel it when sitting down.
In my opinion both methods of carry makes for a smoother experience when retrieving and re-pocketing the knife one handed.
On the flip side, there is less retention. I have experienced a knife leaving my pocket unintentionally, so there’s that. Which is also why I use the pocket clips when doing harder- or more acrobatic work or outdoor stuff.
Now, just to get it out of the way, the rules and social expectations around here are such that not advertising your knife generally makes life a bit easier. That certainly plays a part in choosing to go clipless, but there are objectively some benefits to clipless carry that I might not even have discovered were it not for these “inconvenience’s”.
In my experience, weight, folded length and thickness/profile are important factors for comfortable clipless carry. The Dragonfly is the biggest knife I carry this way. It’s pretty much the ideal package for this type of carry while still usually being enough knife for the type of jobs I run into in these situations (regular EDC)
Initially I discarded the idea of clipless carry and avoided models that came without. It was only after I decided to try the Manbug salt a couple of years ago that I realized this way of carrying solved more problems than it introduced.
First of all, it solves the issue of pocket separation. Some knives like the KC Dragonfly pakkawood, Manbug and Big Idea Designs TPT slide I carry in the 5th and use a short “lanyard” to retrieve it. Removing the clip allows for a lower profile carry and easier in and out of pocket.
Others, like my FRN Dragonfly’s I carry clipless in the bottom of my RBP or whatever pocket available if I wear shorts. Removing the clip makes for a lower profile package, so I’m less likely to feel it when sitting down.
In my opinion both methods of carry makes for a smoother experience when retrieving and re-pocketing the knife one handed.
On the flip side, there is less retention. I have experienced a knife leaving my pocket unintentionally, so there’s that. Which is also why I use the pocket clips when doing harder- or more acrobatic work or outdoor stuff.
Now, just to get it out of the way, the rules and social expectations around here are such that not advertising your knife generally makes life a bit easier. That certainly plays a part in choosing to go clipless, but there are objectively some benefits to clipless carry that I might not even have discovered were it not for these “inconvenience’s”.
In my experience, weight, folded length and thickness/profile are important factors for comfortable clipless carry. The Dragonfly is the biggest knife I carry this way. It’s pretty much the ideal package for this type of carry while still usually being enough knife for the type of jobs I run into in these situations (regular EDC)
- toxophilus
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Re: What knife do you carry clipless?
My clipless models are the Manbug, GBAir, Ladybug & Jester; first three are carried in sheaths that I picked up at a Second's Sale and the Jester rides on my keychain. My Best Friends Manbug rides on her keychain & is her most used Spyderco



Re: What knife do you carry clipless?
I removed the clip on my Subvert and I carry it in a Surefire belt holster or in my Billingham Hadley Pro bag (Firefly in my pocket).
CPM-Greg
CPM-Greg
Thinking about which Taichung blade to get next.......
Re: What knife do you carry clipless?
I am one of those odd people who end up modifying or creating something because I can’t find what I want anywhere. I believe that’s how Spyderco came to be. It is a testament to your vision, Sal, that Spyderco has been copied so much in pocket clips and one-handed opening. I think clipped carry is the most common method these days. I have carried that way for years, but as I get more gray hair, I tend to revert to older ways.sal wrote: ↑Mon Feb 28, 2022 11:49 pmHi GTenn, Tonnor, Spymanic,
Welcome to our forum. Interesting question and it seems to have spurred an interesting group of points of view.
I almost always carry a small knife that I can use in public. It's usually a Manbug, occasionally a D'fly or some proto or a model that I haven't carried for a while. It's in my LFP. I also carry a larger knife clipped to my RFP.
There are countless ways to carry an "Edge". About 40+ years ago, Spyderco offered a rather new and unusual way to carry a pocket knife. It was a clip attached to the knife itself. It was another method of deployment.
I've carried knives all of my life and I've carried them many ways. I preferred it clipped to the top of the pocket, to the other methods I've seen and used. I was trying to get away from that hump in the bottom of my pocket, and a sheath on my belt. We also offered one hand access, one hand open and one hand close.
But in the end, it's your knife and you should find what makes the most sense to you in the way you carry it. My job is to convince you to carry a spyderco any way you want to.
sal
I’m glad we all have different views and preferences. In a way, that brings us together.
After reading all the replies, I believe I’m going to experiment more. I see my Para3 and Delica may end up in the pocket slip in the next few days without their clips.
Re: What knife do you carry clipless?
I never carry a folding knife that doesn't have a clip. IMO the clip on a folder is one of the greatest knife inventions ever. I've been carrying knives with clips for about 30 years.
Re: What knife do you carry clipless?
Just a Ladybug and a Squarehead. And a Case Trapper. I love clips!
- Ranger_Ike
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Re: What knife do you carry clipless?
SAK’s, traditionals, manbug and delica
Re: What knife do you carry clipless?
Delica Wharncliffe! It carries so well without the clip. :)


- Manifestgtr
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Re: What knife do you carry clipless?
My mules
Also, my opinels
Also, my opinels
Crucarta: Shaman (x2), Manix 2, Lil Native, Delica (x2), GB2, Para 3, PM2 and Millie 2
Notable: 52100 and Cruwear Millie. “15v-arta” Shaman. REC Manix. K-carta Endura, P4, Dragonfly and Delica.
Favorites: Shaman, all things Sage, Sheeps Caribbean, Manix, Endela and all things Stretch
Notable: 52100 and Cruwear Millie. “15v-arta” Shaman. REC Manix. K-carta Endura, P4, Dragonfly and Delica.
Favorites: Shaman, all things Sage, Sheeps Caribbean, Manix, Endela and all things Stretch