Billy wrote:...The black pocket clip was sticking out like a sore thumb. I did notice two women (one at the show and one in a bank) take an obvious hard look at the clip, but that was the extent of their interest.
So for me, I'd rather have it readily and quickly accesible than discreetly tucked away.
Are you sure that it was the clip they were staring at Billy? And, don't you just hate it when you are quoted out of context. :eek:
Regards, Al
The "soul" of hi-tech materials like G-10, H1, ZDP, Titanium, carbon fiber, etc is found in the performance. That appreciation of the "spirit" comes out in time, after use. It's saying, you can depend on me! I'm there for you no matter what! - Sal Glesser
I remove the clips from my "users" and just stick them in my pocket. Small ones go in my watch pocket, larger ones in my back pocket. Been carrying pocket knives that way for 57 years, see no need to change.
I agree with Ace. Maybe I'm a bit of a noticer, though I can very often pick out police or fire by the clip. I use only deep seaters when in public too! I thought I'd throw in a link to a CRKT clip that really hides their knife. I saw a few models recently at a show and liked how they fit into the pocket and the clip disappears. It causes the knife to ride completely to the back of the pocket and the clip turns sideways almost facing backward, and the clip is small. http://www.crkt.com/Graham
These days I really enjoy a knife that's easy to draw and doesn't look like a knife.
For example, the Centofante 3 and 3 have a nub of black FRN poking out so you can grab it easy but it's not noticeable. The Caly3 is cool but a bit harder to pull.
Ok - this may come across a little mall-ninja. I like large knives and deep cover presentation so I had the wifer sew a pocket to the back of my pocket so my Military is clipped like normal just inside the pocket - the clip is not seen and it comes out just like normal. Had this done on the dress pants and jeans and I have folks comment "hay where's your knife" while checking for a clip. My .02
What is left when honor is lost? - Publilius Syrus, Maxims
This topic came up not too long ago on another thread. I also wrote a "Street Smarts" column a few issues ago in "Tactical Knives" on low-profile, no-visible-clip carry options (http://www.tactical-life.com/online/tac ... -the-city/).
From a tactical perspective ("tactical" meaning that I have a pressing need to use my knife in a potentially critical situation, not "paint it black and double the price"), the height of carry should allow you to draw the knife without digging for it and have your hand positioned on the handle so you can open the blade without switching your grip. It will always be a dynamic combination of the length of the handle, the size of your hand, and the position of the clip.
If you carry purely for utilitarian purposes, it's more an issue of comfort and image than ease of draw.
Great thread! Thanks to everyone for contributing.
Stay safe,
Mike
Michael Janich
Spyderco Special Projects Coordinator
Founder and Lead Instructor, Martial Blade Concepts
I don't have a preference for either, they both serve their desired purpose well. But where I live anything bigger then 2" cannot be concealed. To me its not that big of a deal. I just have to make sure my shirt isn't covering the clip of my knife. The deep wire clip could be a problem, since it is designed to "conceal" a knife more. The only knife I own with a wire pocket clip is my Meerkat and its 2" so I usually just toss it in my pocket. The only other knife that sits low in my pocket is the Calypso, but i usually wear blue jeans. I would like to see an officer argue that a black clip with a gold bug against faded blue jeans is being concealed.
Thanks for all of the feedback. I think its interesting that many here really like the wire clip--CLOSED CIRCUIT to SAl-- Please offer more wire clip options. PS I think I can draw my deep pocket carry sage almost as quickly as any of my knives. I think the fast deploy issues may be a little overrated.
I like low riding knives as well. I also like wire clips for the reason they don't stand out. I don't care about people seeing the clip on my knife, unless I'm in class or at work in an offic environment. After carrying my s90v Manix 2 I have really come to like the way it carries in the pocket. Pretty low riding, but still readily available for me to draw. I am probably going to get a black Delica clip for it however, because the silver one sticks out quite a bit.
I would like to see more wire clipped low riding knives.
I think low rider/deep carry clips are the worst trend to come along in knives in a long time. It's a pointless solution to a problem that as far as I can tell, doesn't exist.
No one is going to know that that clip on your pocket is a knife unless they're also a knife person. The only person that's ever said anything about my pocket clip was a police officer who asked what Benchmade I was carrying because he had a Benchmade clipped to his pocket too and recognized the clip. We ended up talking knives for a bit.
The main reason I despise deep carry clips is because they defeat the purpose of the clip. The pocket clip was a great addition to a knife because it made the knife more accessible. The clip isn't supposed to hide the knife.
I've tried carrying a knife with a deep carry clip and more times than not, things other than the knife came out of my pocket when all I wanted was the knife.
As I've said before, the clip on the Military/Paramilitary is the best in the business. It leaves plenty of knife above the pocket to hold on to and find when you need it, and leaves plenty of knife in the pocket to aid in retention.
The only knives that need a deep carry clip are small knives that don't have a lot of handle to help keep them in the pocket.
But, as I've also mentioned before, I live in a very liberal, open minded place and no one has ever, and probably never will, hassle me about carrying a knife. You may even get some strange looks if you're not carrying a knife.
Carry the way you want to carry. I just worry that the knife companies will begin to think that we all want our knives hidden in the depths of our pockets.
I used to care, but now I don't - I'm not a psyco, don't act like one, and have nothing to hide. I'm definately not calling anyone here a crazy - that's just how I think, so I relax about anyone seeing my knives. I even really like all my bright yellow Salts :) . If I was in a big city I admit I might feel otherwise, though .
The only time I carry clipped is when I'm at work and I clip the knife to my coat pocket. In this role I prefer a regular height clip, low profile complicates the draw unnecessarily since visibility doesn't matter when I'm working. Speed and fluidity are more important, I too find the Military placement pretty ideal.
Other than that I carry the knife unclipped, tip-up, down in my pocket, wedged into the outside seam of my pocket by my wallet so it stays secure but I can wrap my hand around the knife knife and be ready to draw/open while still in the pocket.
I prefer high carry like my Military over low. If someone doesn't like it then that is their issue, not mine. In fact I'm a little nervous with low carry as I'm afraid a LEO might consider it concealed and that's not allowed in Canada. I do carry my Sage 1 when I'm going out and wearing nicer clothes than usual but I feel self conscious with it. I can carry my Military with no second thought.
My issue was when HR sent and had everyone sign a "violence in the workplace" form basically banning all weapons including and especially knives of any size. Clips are a dead giveaway if folks are looking for them. Not fun!
What is left when honor is lost? - Publilius Syrus, Maxims
Psychopomp wrote:I think low rider/deep carry clips are the worst trend to come along in knives in a long time. It's a pointless solution to a problem that as far as I can tell, doesn't exist.
No one is going to know that that clip on your pocket is a knife unless they're also a knife person. The only person that's ever said anything about my pocket clip was a police officer who asked what Benchmade I was carrying because he had a Benchmade clipped to his pocket too and recognized the clip. We ended up talking knives for a bit.
The main reason I despise deep carry clips is because they defeat the purpose of the clip. The pocket clip was a great addition to a knife because it made the knife more accessible. The clip isn't supposed to hide the knife.
I've tried carrying a knife with a deep carry clip and more times than not, things other than the knife came out of my pocket when all I wanted was the knife.
As I've said before, the clip on the Military/Paramilitary is the best in the business. It leaves plenty of knife above the pocket to hold on to and find when you need it, and leaves plenty of knife in the pocket to aid in retention.
The only knives that need a deep carry clip are small knives that don't have a lot of handle to help keep them in the pocket.
But, as I've also mentioned before, I live in a very liberal, open minded place and no one has ever, and probably never will, hassle me about carrying a knife. You may even get some strange looks if you're not carrying a knife.
Carry the way you want to carry. I just worry that the knife companies will begin to think that we all want our knives hidden in the depths of our pockets.
Here is the thing: the clip is far more than just a quick deply carry method. I have found that the most important aspect of clip carry is the fact that it keeps the knife secure and keeps it from the bottom of the pocket. That is where knives start to feel bulky--when they are down in the pocket. The clip, no matter where positioned, keeps the knife in a more comfortable carry position. I think the clip as a fast draw mechanism is not its first or most important purpose.
More low-carry wire clips, please. I also miss the older delica/endura clips that had the hollow bolt fastener for tip-up. I personally don't like the three-little-screws with twelve-little-holes solution at all, which seems to have become the most common.
Another consideration is the fabled "high school zit scenario".
What I mean is that the most self-conscious person is the one that knows it exists. Most people could care less or don't even notice it.
Before getting into the pocket knife scene I never noticed a pocket clip (as I didn't realize knives like that existed). Now I constantly look for clips and occasionally can find one but it's like finding a rare sports car at the local mall.
Unless the handle has a skull sticking out of your pocket or something in a very strange color (like Toxic Green), I don't think the average person is going to notice. That said, my Superhawk is a bit less subtle than my other knives and my fear would be someone saying, "what's that?"
Unfolding a Stretch or Sage is nothing compared to a Civilian or Superhawk. :o
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