Spyderco clip locations are actually very well thought out

[cjk]

I might be late to the party, but this is something I have observed lately.

I believe that Spyderco clip locations are actually very well thought out regardless of what the "deep carry" crowd would have you believe.

I've read a multitude of complaints about clip location on the G-10 Para 3 and the Spyderco Brouwer.
You might recall that Spyderco actually moved the clip holes on the Ti side of the Brouwer as a part of CQI.

The G-10 Para 3 with the default clip is perfect for 5th pocket carry. It's like it was designed explicitly as a 5th pocket Para Military 2. The hourglass clip is in the perfect location for this. If you put a deep carry clip on it, it doesn't work so well.

The same goes for the Brouwer regardless of whether it's the original clip location or the CQI location. The clip didn't move all that much. The default clip is perfect in the 5th pocket. A deep carry clip is not so good.

The Delica is another which works well as a 5th pocket knife if you don't change the clip.

--Christian

[CDEP]

Agree. I don't get the complaining about the clips. Spyderco clips are the best, and they always choose the best type for the knife.

[vivi]

I've never had any knife carry comfortably in the fifth pocket. Makes it annoying to get to my phone, and is uncomfortable any time I sit down.

That said their clip locations have a lot of thought behind them. It's obvious they try to line up the depression in the clip with where one of your fingers will wrap around the handle.

[endura3]

I fully agree. I fortunately don't have to worry at all about how "discreet" a knife is in my pocket, so a deep carry clip just makes it a little harder to actually take out and use.

I much prefer a standard clip that (a) has more handle sticking out of the pocket to grab, and (b) leaves the hole a bit more accessible rather than having it be further down in the pocket. Also never had any issues with hot spots on spyderco clips.

I do think it's great that there are so many aftermarket deep carry options for people who do need them though.

[JSumm]

I have a few that I like to change the clip out on. Mainly because it is easier to get my hand past the butt end in my pocket. However, it is always a little bittersweet because the standard clip works extremely well in the hand. They are very well thought out. So if I can get my hand pass them easily, then I like to keep that standard clip on because I haven't found anything more comfortable in use.

If you ever look at how you naturally grip the handle, the hump on the clip goes right into a spot where there is a little gap in your palm. Deep carry in comparison, moves that hump to the end of your grip where you really feel it in use. Not terrible, just doesn't disappear like the standard clip.

[brough]

The factory clips have always worked nicely for me. There are no real knife restrictions in my area and if people see one of the two or three knives in my pockets, I don't, and they don't seem to care. They do seem well thought out and they certainly work well for me as is.
On the other hand though, the cool looks of some of the Lynch clips are very tempting.

[Road Tripper]

It's interesting how seemingly small tweaks can contribute to better feel and control of the knife. I'd not noticed before about the hump on the standard clip and where it naturally falls, but appreciate it now. Actually, I prefer not to have a deep carry clip, because I like to have a bit of handle to grab and pull the knife from the pocket.

Another (intentional?) design touch I've noticed is on the Manix 2. When I grip it behind the choil -- typical for me -- my pinkie rests naturally in the lanyard hole, which gives a little extra control at that end of the handle.

Discovering how differences in design can affect such a basic tool is one of the fascinating things to me about the knife hobby. That Spyderco is willing to try so many different approaches is something I really appreciate!

[soc_monki]

Deep carry is overrated imo. I prefer having a bit of the knife hanging outside the pocket, makes it easier to get it out. With deep carry you grab the clip and add more pressure and make it more difficult to get the knife out. Not all knives mind you, but enough.

Again, imo. Spyderco thinks it out and they always work so well I don't even think about them. Except the police 4. The landing pad needed to be a big larger, or the clip slightly longer imo.

[RustyIron]

For the most part, I agree. Several of my knives have aftermarket clips, just because. But the one Spyderco that seems really odd with the factory clip is the Manix 2 XL. It has over an inch of pocket stick-out. A deep carry clip makes it much better.

[Hopsbreath]

It seems especially trendy to put deep carry clips on Instagram and Reddit, but I for one prefer the OEM. I’ve tried deep carry on a handful of Spydercos but don’t think it really improves the knife at all. The biggest difference is in hand. A different clip totally changes the ergos of the knife and not for the better. In tip-up configuration the extension of the clip typically digs awkwardly in my pinky; tip-down interferes with a pinch grip. There’s literally no advantage in hand, only negative.

[James Y]

I like Spyderco's hourglass (or "spoon") clips and where they're positioned, for the most part.

I carry my Police 4 LWT tie-down only, because tip-up, the place on the FRN scale where the clip lands is rougher on pocket material than when it's positioned tip-down. I also had real pocket tear issues with my Native 5 LWT for the same reason. In both cases, it wasn't the clip or the clips' positions, but because the smoother, flat logo part of the scale wasn't long enough for the clip to contact it without touching, or being too close to, some of the texturing.

I have no interest in deep-carry clips.

Jim

[dan31]

I guess I’m all for the regular clips. The only clip I do not like is the wire clip on the lil native. The 90 degree bend feels odd when I use it. So much that I stopped using it.

Ripps Garage Tech milled clips are very nice and low profile. They are not deep carry and I prefer them for tip up PM2 and the G10 Native. Everything else keeps the standard Spyderco clip.

[vivi]

I've never used an after market deep carry clip that I felt improved ergos or my ability to easily draw my knife. Stock clips for me. Even on the Manix XL. Deep carry clips on that model feel awful in my grip.

[vandelay]

I'm not obsessed with deep carry clips. I like it when there's enough sticking out to grab onto, but some models have an excessive amount sticking out. More sticking out is more for the knife to snag on.
With the wire clips, there needs to be a bit sticking out behind the clip to grab onto easily. The dragonfly does this pretty well.
With the spoon clips, I find I can get a good grip even if they're mounted at the edge of the knife. The G10 para 3 and the ayoob are both pretty good like this in tip down carry. The G10 para 3 in tip up on the other hand just has way too much sticking out for my taste.

[Foehammer]

Spyderco clips are amazing. I carried a pm2 for 3 years with the stock clip, recently put a Lynch deep carry on it, which improved both the ergos and carry experience for me personally. If I worked with gloves on I’d probably prefer the butt of the knife sticking out of the pocket though.

[Evil D]

I would say everything about these knives is well thought out and probably scrutinized into oblivion. The problem is people may just prefer things a different way. I'm always amazed by people who actually think something like clip placement was a screw up or something, like they just play pin the tail on the donkey and the clip goes wherever it lands.