"Spyderco Delica-Like" with plastic clip?

[GEM]

I see clips on so many pockets and never saw an LEO say something to anyone. I've worn them in even college environments with no negative interactions, except talking to folks about them, if they are knife savvy. Even around here in WNY, clips are everywhere. Lots of folks have jobs that use them.

 

[ugaarguy]

If your knife is expensive or important to you then wear it in a sheath on a heavy belt or keep it IN a pocket.

I've had more knives carried in a pocket fall out, than I've had knives come loose that were clipped to a pocket. Sometimes the activity I'm doing precludes wearing pants or shorts with a belt. Sometimes ease of access is more important than absolute security. Again, every situation is different.

The other reason I don't like clipped knives is because they attract the attention of far too many LEOs who have nothing better to do.......

I'm sorry that you live or work in such a place, but that's simply not the case in most of the US. Does carrying a knife in a belt pouch not also attract attention? When I'm in Cook County, IL my carry changes. If I ever travel to NYC or Boston, or urban centers in CA, I won't risk unwanted attention from a pocket clip. Elsewhere in the Midwest, Southeast, Southwest, and Mountain West I've never had LE bat an eyelash. There's a lot of the country outside the west coast, the urban northeast coast, and Chicago.

 

[hso]

I would love to see a hinged or cam-type mechanical clip that would be flush with handle when not in use.

Boker made the first of these that I can recall back in the 90s. It was a little finicky and they dropped it from production.

Lionsteel makes nice system.


Joe Casewell has a back spacer clip that retracts.

 

[Valkman]

Might want to re-phrase that last sentence lol

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

If I've got my pants on, I've got a knife on. I prefer the repeatability and quick access of a knife clipped to my pocket, rather than having to grope around inside my pocket feeling for it. And that is the problem...

In the mid/late 80s I was able to buy Spyderco Delicas with an integral FRN/plastic handle and I loved them. Particularly when if I leaned against one of my cars and the knife didn't scratch the finish. Current Delicas all have a metal clip (yes I have several) but I'd really prefer an EDC that didn't have a metal clip.

I've looked, and the non-metal clips seem to be a thing of the past for most/all knives. I can't find replacement clips that are plastic either. So I'm throwing myself on the knowledge of the forum to see of anyone knows of something that might work. What I'm looking for: 2.5 to 3.5" blade, thumb or flipper release (I guess automatic would be OK too), reasonable quality. I'd go to $150 for something that was a perfect match, but $50-75 would be better. If the clip and knife were blue to blend in better with my jeans that would be a plus as well. Thanks for your help!

PS. I have a pic I scrounged from ebay to show the type of clip I am looking for.

View attachment 974221

PPS. Current EDC is a Kershaw Leek. I really like the knife, except for the non-deep metal clip...

Keep an eye out on eBay for this. You can often find such items which aren't made any more.

I like Old Timer three-bladed pocket knives, but they have long since quite making them with quality carbon steel, using stainless instead. I kept an eye out on eBay for older ones with carbon steel blades and when I found a few where the bidding didn't get ridiculous, I bought a few.

I'm betting you'll find a few of your older knives there, as well...if not now, then sometime over a period of weeks or months.

Give it a try.

 

[Kawamax]

Sorry, I've been busy so I'm later on my update than I would like.

I am not trying to convert anyone to using a clip (or the reverse), but I've never lost a knife due to the clip slipping off my pocket. Note that the body of the knife is in my pocket anyway. Anyway, how you carry a knife is up to you, but for me the clips work fine for retention, and as they are clipped they are always where my hand expects them to be.

Here is the knife that started it all for me. I used to find these at gun shows for $25, and yes I should have bought many many more than I did.


I wore that knife daily at multiple employers in the SF Bay Area and I never had any issues - probably as it blends in really well with the blue jeans I normally wear.

Here are the Luzon's that I ordered:


I mostly like the Luzon's. They are made in China, and both the overall quality and the price reflect that. Still, they cut well and I like the flipper, so I tend to carry them around the house. And if my house burned down tonight, I'd replace them.

I tried out the heat shrink idea on a Kershaw Leek (full) and a Buck Sprint Select (partial).

As noted earlier, the heat shrink on the clip made it thicker and therefore it's harder to get into and out of a pocket. One could shim the clip a bit to fix that, but then you'd need longer screws. While this gives the best protection I am not in favor of it personally. The Buck has heat shrink just on the most likely part of the knife to rub against something, and that does not affect the clip geometry. I'll be adding this to all of my metal clip knives.

I appreciate everyone's feedback and special thanks to JohnKSa and ugaarguy.

 

[jmr40]

Sometimes we over think things. I've never done any damage to anything with a metal clip on a knife. Only seen it happen once.

A friend of mine who is a pretty big boy had one clipped in his back pocket. Due to his body shape his pants won't pull up all the way and he was actually sitting on the knife when seated. He ripped his brothers truck seat pretty badly with he slid out.

 

[Kawamax]

Sometimes we over think things. I've never done any damage to anything with a metal clip on a knife. Only seen it happen once.
.

I've damaged things with a clip. Not a car yet - fortunately. But once was enough for me to not want to do it again. YMMV.