How important is your pocket clip

[Onionman]

When I first started carrying an EDC, all I cared about was that the knife had a clip. Nowadays, when I find a knife design I really like, I find that the clip is an important feature that usually pushes me over the edge to buy it. Tip up, deep pocket clips that are not too large usually seal the deal. If the knife is still tempting despite the clip, I usually think ahead of time about whether an aftermarket clip would work and the added cost of getting a good clip.

I also notice that many ads for new knives don't even show the clip side of the knife, and I find myself searching the internet for any pictures with the clip side of the knife.

Does anyone else have this issue? There is nothing more disappointing to me than to get a long sought after knife in the mail only to realize that it does not fit comfortably in the pocket.

[sharpguitarist]

Hey Onionman,
To me, an ugly pocket clip can be a deal breaker, but regarding Spydercos clips, that's never been an issue.
I trust Sals judgement on how a clip should look and secure a knife.
So far, I've not been disappointed.
Just my $.02
Later,
Don

[gbelleh]

Yes, pocket clips are very important to me. I do buy some knives with clips I don't prefer, or without clips, but only if I really like the design.

Most Spyderco clips look good and work well for me, even if they're not my preferred placement. I can't stand clips that are too fancy or silly looking, like this one:

[Onionman]

I agree that clips like this really turn me off too. As far as spyderco goes, the clips are not too big or fancy for the most part, but I wish they put the wire clip on the new Calypso sprint run, as I love my 3.5 with the deep wire clip.

[Evil D]

I pretty much wouldn't carry a knife without a clip. When I was younger and all I had were Buck 110's and Case knives, I rarely carried them on a daily basis. It wasn't until I first had a clipped knife that I carried one everyday, and if I can remember that far back I think the knife in question was an original Gerber Ridge. It actually doesn't have as much to do with easy access as it does with me having an issue with things flopping around in my pockets. Something like a cell phone that will stand up straight in my pocket doesn't bother me, but a knife laying horizontally in my front pocket drives me insane.

[CarbonFiberNut]

My first clipped knife was one of THE first clipped knives - an original, Gen 1 Endura with the molded-in plastic clip. Still own the knife to this day, and it's still one of my favorites.

I'm like Evil D - I owned Buck knives and the like before my first pocket knife with a clip, and rarely carried them. The clip is nearly essential to me.

[Blerv]

I like the clip more as an opening aid than for pocket storage. Overall it's a very nice addition and in all cases (personally) preferred.

[mrphotoman]

I wear dress pants to work every day so a pocket clip is a must due to the terrible pockets in dress pants that cause everything to fall out when you sit in a car or at a desk.

[JudasD]

I will not carry a knife without a clip. Honestly i dont care how the clip looks, just as long as it works. My only stipulation is that i must have tip-up carry. It's the primary reason why i dont own a Military.

JD

[nccole]

I carry a few clipless knives. I carry my Caly 3 ZDP-189 without a clip, and my Meerkat. Part of the reason they go clipless is because their clips were donated to other knives that needed clip swaps. I am very picky about my clips, and very few knives have the stock setup. I am even getting one of my Chokwe's modified to accept the Caly 3 wire clip. When it is done, it will have two notches just like the Sage 2 and use the longer Caly 3 screw into the last barrel spacer like the Sage 2 and then be the perfect knife :D I have an STR clip on my Southard and it makes that knife so awesome. My Gayle Bradley and green PM2 will probably get an STR as well. If Spyderco put the wire clip on every knife, I would be thrilled.

[defenestrate]

I like and usually use the factory :spyder: clips. Some models, like the byrd Wings, have a pouch and I will likely pull the clip in favor of the pouch or pocketing.

[Monocrom]

Got to have a pocket-clip on anything that isn't extremely thin and lightweight. But the clip has to be well designed. Otherwise it's worse than no clip at all.

[Pomelly]

I lose everything, pocket-clip is fundamental for me. And it is also important where it is placed: I use my right hand to open the knife and on small knives I usually have the clip in the back of the right scale but if I carry a bigger folder I need the clip next to the pivot for a fast opening!

[Steffen]

not important at all, the first thing i do when i get a new knife, is to remove the clip and throw it away.

[Ranger908]

not important at all, the first thing i do when i get a new knife, is to remove the clip and throw it away.

For the most part I do the same thing, but, I throw them all in a drawer with the screws and can never find the right parts if I want them.

I prefer a custom leather sheath.

[jackthedog]

Not a deal breaker by any means. On smaller knives I always remove the clip.

[xceptnl]

Much like the other members have stated above, I carried many knives as a young man without clips (Buck, Case, Camillus). Even as a scout I carried them, but not everyday on my person. When I started working a real job and earning real money I purchased a Kershaw 1410. It wasn't an elegant clip, but it was solid and kept the knife secure especially considering how smooth the handle slabs were. That knife stayed in my pocket for years without a break. I was hooked and from that point on, all knives needed clips unless they were small enough to fit in my watch pocket. When I wear pants without a 5th pocket, the clipless knives stay home.

Also on some knives I agree with Blerv, it aids in blade / lock manipulation. Don't believe us? Take your clip off of your favorite EDC and see if you don't fumble and find it awkward for the first few times you open and close it.

[peacefuljeffrey]

This thread is on FIYA!!

I hadn't realized so many people focused so much on clips.

I think they're reasonably important, too.

I prefer a good spring-steel clip over a wire one because of the strength.
I like the clip on my Manix 2 – it's classy – but I really love the clip on my Benchmade Mini Griptilian 555. It just has a really cool feel to it.

[senorsquare]

Also on some knives I agree with Blerv, it aids in blade / lock manipulation. Don't believe us? Take your clip off of your favorite EDC and see if you don't fumble and find it awkward for the first few times you open and close it.

I find this to be especially true with smaller knives. I found me dragonfly to be especially hard to open without a pocket clip to give the fingers something to push against.

I carry a few clipless knives. I carry my Caly 3 ZDP-189 without a clip, and my Meerkat. Part of the reason they go clipless is because their clips were donated to other knives that needed clip swaps. I am very picky about my clips, and very few knives have the stock setup. I am even getting one of my Chokwe's modified to accept the Caly 3 wire clip. When it is done, it will have two notches just like the Sage 2 and use the longer Caly 3 screw into the last barrel spacer like the Sage 2 and then be the perfect knife :D I have an STR clip on my Southard and it makes that knife so awesome. My Gayle Bradley and green PM2 will probably get an STR as well. If Spyderco put the wire clip on every knife, I would be thrilled.

I am with you on this one. I have a STR on my Gayle Bradley and Dragonfly, and I managed to fit a wire clip on my Native 5. In my mind, the wire clip transformed the Native 5 from a really good knife into a really great knife. I usually switch the STR between the PM2 and GB depending on which one I want to carry that day. I thoroughly mangled two spoon clips with a blowtorch and a pair of pliers trying to fold them over to make a deep carry clip for the paramilitary. It looks pretty bad up close but it is functional. I will likely get an extra wire clip or a STR for the Paramilitary.


Clips by senorsquare, on Flickr

[xceptnl]

I am with you on this one. I have a STR on my Gayle Bradley and Dragonfly, and I managed to fit a wire clip on my Native 5. In my mind, the wire clip transformed the Native 5 from a really good knife into a really great knife. I usually switch the STR between the PM2 and GB depending on which one I want to carry that day. I thoroughly mangled two spoon clips with a blowtorch and a pair of pliers trying to fold them over to make a deep carry clip for the paramilitary. It looks pretty bad up close but it is functional. I will likely get an extra wire clip or a STR for the Paramilitary.


Clips by senorsquare, on Flickr

That GB STR looks terrific. Do you have trouble getting the fasteners into the modded Para 2 clip? It looks like they are concealed almost.