Wire Clips

[MountainManJim]

I love how the wire clips of the UKPK and Caly3 deeply pocket these knives. They’re the ultimate for stealth office knife carrying. But, I have one problem. To get the knife out of my pocket, I find myself gripping the clip and the other side of knife. This applies additional force to the pocket fabric making the knife hard to pull out of my pocket, especially if I’m doing this quickly, with too much force.

Does this bother anyone else? Does anyone have a way you minimize this issue? I would suggest a design solution, but it wouldn’t be pretty.

Jim

[cougar337]

Hmmm, I haven't had this problem except for my first Dodo, the G-10 had more grip than later G-10 handles. All the others with wire clips I usually just use enough pressure to pull the knife out of my pocket without having to put additional pressure on the clip.

What model are you having the problem with? what's the handle made of?

[markg]

Practice getting your finger to the very end of the clip and lifting up and not pressing in... That seems to help.

[ozspyder]

I also lift from the bottom of the clip upwards, with a guiding thumb ready to grab the butt of the knife as it pops up :) No problems here at all in dropping or losing it.

Wire clip is one of the best things invented, wish there were more of it being used in other knives :D

[dc50]

I always take a little sand paper, to the area where the clip touches the handle, and smooth it out. Do this to all my G10 handles,works great!
Even on the very rough ZT MUDD

[JLS]

I still haven't found the magic in the wire clips. I've tried a few, though not for very long. I don't know if I've really given them a fair shake, but since they're all tip up, I don't know when I'll try them. I'm pretty firm in my tip-down preference, if for nothing else than consistency.

The Superhawk and the Caly 3 are tempting, but now that I got my Native 4, the Caly 3 has lost some real appeal. The Superhawk may still get a chance in the future.

The wire clips are nice in that they don't scream "knife" like regular clips have come to do. I don't find that the regular clips eat my pockets too bad, so I don't know that I'd see an improvement there.

To each his own, I suppose.

[gldfshkpr]

I have a Caly3. It conceals well. That's one of the reasons I bought it to wear in the office. I really don't like the idea of having to conceal it in the first place. Knives are meant to be used, not hidden. I prefer a good grip while drawing my knife. I feel it's a sign of the times that low-riding knives are becoming popular. I hope it's a fad. Let knives be knives, not hidden, clipped objects. I'm proud of my Spydercos. I want everyone to know I came prepared!

[dc50]

I have a Caly3. It conceals well. That's one of the reasons I bought it to wear in the office. I really don't like the idea of having to conceal it in the first place. Knives are meant to be used, not hidden. I prefer a good grip while drawing my knife. I feel it's a sign of the times that low-riding knives are becoming popular. I hope it's a fad. Let knives be knives, not hidden, clipped objects. I'm proud of my Spydercos. I want everyone to know I came prepared!

Well said!

[The Deacon]

I have no real need for rapid deployment these days, so I do an end run around the concealment vs ease of draw issue. I remove the clip and carry loose in my pocket. Come to think of it, that solves the problem of wear and tear on the fabric caused by pinching it between the clip and the handle. Of course, in fairness, it introduces a different way to wear out pants, as the fabric is trapped between the handle and whatever I'm sitting on.

If I still owned horses, I'd probably opt for a model like the Stretch that rides reasonably high when clipped when working around them. If I made a habit of visiting some of the more "volatile" neighborhoods around here I'd get a pistol permit.

While I can understand gldfshkpr's philosophy, and while I see no need to hide my interest in knives, or the fact I carry one or more, I don't feel the need to advertise it either. Granted, the laws in some areas I visit enter into that decision, as does the liberal / PC environment in which I work, but if I did want to advertise I'd probably opt for a belt sheath / pouch rather than clipped carry. Quite a few folks around here carry that way. Have actually given some thought to getting a nice one made for the Stretch. Think a leather pouch type sheath with a Velcro fastening on the flap would be the perfect marraige of "old school" and "new-fangled". :D Nothing to scratch vehicles or furniture that way.

[Lord vader]

I love how the wire clips of the UKPK and Caly3 deeply pocket these knives. They’re the ultimate for stealth office knife carrying. But, I have one problem. To get the knife out of my pocket, I find myself gripping the clip and the other side of knife. This applies additional force to the pocket fabric making the knife hard to pull out of my pocket, especially if I’m doing this quickly, with too much force.

Does this bother anyone else? Does anyone have a way you minimize this issue? I would suggest a design solution, but it wouldn’t be pretty.

Jim

What i normally do is put the tip of my index finger on the tip of the clip only then push upwards and it slides out real easy.

[MountainManJim]

Hey all, thanks for your feedback. I too often pull the UKPK and Caly3 knives out using the end of the clip. I might try the idea of sanding the G-10 under the clip.

I love the wire clips and understand that there is a trade off between concealment and accessibility.

I remember now that I don't have this problem with some of my other knives that hide deep in the pocket; namely the Meerkat, Cricket, Calypso Jr. and Harpy. Though some of them still leave some handle to grab on to, they are also all tip-down. I like to insert my thumb into the hole of the tip-down knife to remove it from my pocket. Very convenient and puts my thumb in the right spot.

Thanks,

Jim

[araneae]

I added a small lanyard to the clip of my UKPK and Caly to give me a deployment "pull tab." Makes it a little more obvious that there's something in your pocket, but I have had no problems with it.

[CENTER][/CENTER]

[MountainManJim]

Araneae,

I think the lanyard idea is great!! I will need to make a couple.

Jim

[MountainManJim]

Problem solved …



I now have an appreciation for a lanyard :cool: I just keep learning stuff from you guys :)

Jim

[mrd74]

I hook my thumb on my pocket opening and using my middle finger, "push" the knife up from the bottom through the fabric of my pants, kind of looks like I'm scratching my leg. When the clip clears the fabric the handle is already in the palm of my hand. Because the clip is never pinched, it's tension isn't increased during removal. Hard to explain but easy to do.

[hk22045]

In mho the wire clips are almost necessary for a low profile. In the past year when i went to a museum (painting type) the security people are trained to look for knife clips. When spotted you are quickly walked over, by at least two somewhat gentleman, to the security counter where you give it up for a paper receipt. Fill your eyes than go and get your knife back as you are escorted back to the front door. Has anyone else have this happen(Airport by mistake dont count)? It get to be second nature and its easy to go in someplace and just plain forget you have it showing.

[Lord vader]

In mho the wire clips are almost necessary for a low profile. In the past year when i went to a museum (painting type) the security people are trained to look for knife clips. When spotted you are quickly walked over, by at least two somewhat gentleman, to the security counter where you give it up for a paper receipt. Fill your eyes than go and get your knife back as you are escorted back to the front door. Has anyone else have this happen(Airport by mistake dont count)? It get to be second nature and its easy to go in someplace and just plain forget you have it showing.

Yes,I Was walking my son in to the school to drop him off and i got stopped by the principal and she told me that knives were not allowed and that i had to give it to her and i could get it back when i left.You get used to having it all the time and you just forget your toting it. That happens once in a while. Most people can save themselves from getting into trouble by not reacting negatively and just surrender the knife peacefully And quite often you will be able to leave and get your knife back. :)

[Tip]

I think the clip should be as close to the end as possible. Easy concealed and sits better in the pocket.
I also think a clip should have a smooth as possible surface and looks come second. Its more important to get it easy out than in. It should also have a wider base than point, so its stable in the pocket. I prefer the regular Spyderco clip.

[Lord vader]

I think the clip should be as close to the end as possible. Easy concealed and sits better in the pocket.
I also think a clip should have a smooth as possible surface and looks come second. Its more important to get it easy out than in. It should also have a wider base than point, so its stable in the pocket. I prefer the regular Spyderco clip.

I do too. :)

[Splat]

The answer is to change your average pocket clip to something less... knife-y, ala pen clip. My clip I just installed on my Para for tip-up is a standard metal belt clip used for keys. I think the brand was Hyko, item#kc182. It looks a lot less like a knife clip... more like a money clip. So far, so good.