Anyone who carries a knife will tell you just how to put a knife with a clip in your pocket. You slip it into your pocket so that the clip is facing outward and the knife itself is tucked into your pocket.
That’s the conventional way… but not everyone likes to follow convention.
Some carry it like this:
In this method of carrying, the carrier will clip the knife outside the pocket — leaving it exposed and very visible. I haven’t reached out to Sal Glesser from Spyderco (who pioneered the pocket clip on the knife in the original Spyderco Worker), but I don’t think this was the original intent.
And if you think this is a very uncommon method of carrying, think again. A fair amount of people have reported seeing others carrying knives this why.
So, why would someone carry a knife this way? Let’s take a look.
They’re new to knives.
I would argue this is one of the biggest reasons why people carry a knife this way. They are gifted a knife for the first time and clip it to their pocket on the outside, assuming that’s the accepted way.
For most, a simple whisper of “Hey, it’s better if you clip it inside the pocket” is a good way to inform them.
Their pockets are too small.
As a man, I have large, deep pockets that can carry a Cold Steel Recon 1 XL without much problem. Unfortunately, for women or those men who prefer tighter clothes (no judgment), pockets tend to be significantly smaller or simply for show.
If a knife doesn’t fit inside the pocket, the only way to carry it is clipped to the outside.
There are inherent dangers to this, with the biggest danger being losing the knife but carrying a knife is necessary enough to warrant this action sometimes.
It’s a way to showoff a knife.
I just bought a SOG FatCat and want the world to see my large arc-lock knife with a two-tone VG-10 steel blade and Kraton handle, but it’s tucked away in my pocket. What should I do?
Yup, clip it to the outside so people can see just how much you love knives.
Just take a look at Lori from the first season of the Walking Dead, for example.
It’s very possible that she is simply new to knives and didn’t know the proper way to carry it. However, the fact that there was a whole crew of workers tells me that they likely wanted to show off her Spyderco Endura (likely for product placement purposes).
They want quicker access to a knife.
This is the biggest reason for those who are experienced with knives and know the widely accepted way is inside. But for those jobs where you need to keep using the knife over and over, some people find it easier and faster just to clip it outside.
That’s better than having to constantly go into the pocket, some say.
It’s a fashion statement.
Similar to the showoff reason, some people wear knives as accessories rather than tools. For example, you may want to match that British Racing Green Dragonfly 2 in ZDP-189 with your new kicks.
This reason is again harder to justify… unless of course you’re celebrity and famed knife collector Steven Tyler.
There are legal restrictions.
After one of the most trivial reasons, we get to an important one. Some places have laws that say you can’t carry a knife of a certain length when concealed.
I’ve talked about this before in a previous post, but it can be unclear whether a knife clipped to the inside of your pocket is considered concealed carry or open carry.
The people who may be carrying outside their pocket may be trying to make it obvious they’re carrying the knife openly so as not to attract any legal troubles. I touched on this a while back, but it’s not as black and white as you might assume.
Do you ever clip your knife outside your pocket?
December 27, 2017 at 3:52 pm
Nope!
December 28, 2017 at 8:31 am
Never!
July 7, 2021 at 7:34 am
I always carry my knife in my pocket I paid to much for it and I don’t want to lose it.
January 1, 2018 at 7:19 pm
It’s not compatible with the driver’s side seat belt buckle.
January 5, 2018 at 4:14 am
I did, just once, and lost it. The clip remained on the belt and the S&W Border “GUARD” just fell off, somewhere.
Now, torn between a Buck 110 and Kershaw Blur S30V.
Let’s see!
Ra
January 9, 2018 at 8:26 am
Blur!
January 10, 2018 at 3:59 am
The Blur!
March 4, 2019 at 12:40 am
Done! The Blur S30V!
March 4, 2019 at 8:44 am
Good choice!
January 14, 2018 at 12:09 pm
I just put on a pair of blue jeans yesterday after months of not wearing denim and when I put my Gerber Scout in the pocket, I just let it fall and sometimes I clip it to the pockets hem. I find it gets snugged against my body unlike my lighter weight cargo pants with looser pockets. Even my one thicker pair of cotton cargo pants feel different, but with cargo pockets I can clip the knife under the pocket flap and it’s more comfortable when sitting down or driving. And it doesn’t show or just barely.
I have to adjust to the pants and/or re-position the knife at times, but I’d NEVER wear it on the outside for fear of bending, twisting or having it levered up or away from my body and breaking the clip or forcing the knife to slide up and off. And cargo pockets let me easily carry an extra blade.
March 4, 2019 at 12:42 am
#Buck110 AND a #KershawBlurS30V #BothBoth!
July 7, 2021 at 7:35 am
The Kershaw Blur is a Great knife that’s what I carry.
October 18, 2022 at 10:59 am
Buck 110
No brainer
January 9, 2018 at 8:37 am
I would never think of it!
January 29, 2019 at 10:09 am
Interestingly, some people would never think of it the right way either.
July 7, 2021 at 4:14 am
The right way is what works for the individual and not for the herd !
July 16, 2024 at 11:56 am
No avid reason to carry outside. Clips weren’t made to take the pressure of the knife getting caught on anything and pulling it. It’s OK though, common sense isn’t common either…
January 9, 2018 at 10:40 am
Seems like a good way to lose a knife.
January 9, 2018 at 10:56 am
No way! Here’s how I draw a knife from inside the pocket if it is of the tip-up design: Insert thumb in pocket ahead of knife, place 2 middle fingers under lowest point of knife [the pivot point of the blade] outside the pocket and press upward, knife will pop right out into your palm, in fact, it will pop right thru your grip if you aren’t careful but you quickly learn to prevent this. The knife is now positioned properly in your hand with the thumb stud right where you want it, merely flick open the blade! Quick and secure, it soon becomes second nature
January 10, 2018 at 4:18 am
Thank you, that is genius!
January 9, 2018 at 12:44 pm
The fact of the matter is that there should be NO laws on how one carries a knife, what type of knife it can be (folding, flipper, assisted opening, automatic), what length the bade can be, whether it can be a double edge blade, etc.
The 2nd amendment of our constitution says, “the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed”.
The term “arms” includes all weapons, including bladed ones, including knives.
The 2nd amendment of our constitution does NOT say, “the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed, except that some types of arms are forbidden” (nor does it say “except that if a person wants to carry arms concealed on their person, they need a special permit to do so”).
There is an organization that is currently fighting to have all knife laws repealed but I can’t remember its name. Look t up, join it and support their efforts.
The price of freedom is not only constant vigilance but the willingness to fight to preserve it.
January 9, 2018 at 1:54 pm
Well said!
January 29, 2019 at 10:28 am
kniferights.org
June 24, 2020 at 3:55 pm
Spot on! The language is crystal clear, how can we even tolerate talk about gun laws; it’s un constitutional!!! You may not agree with it, you may think it’s crazy, but it is the law until you get it changed.
October 18, 2022 at 11:05 am
We are all too painfully aware of the infringement on our 2nd amendment rights on so many levels. However, there is no force or amount of signing of letters and petitions that will ever change that idiotic way of thinking.
I do t have the energy to bother with it any more.
I am Ukrainian and had my country allowed people to bear arms, that bastard murdered putin may have thought twice of invading.
As it is we’re kicking his ass- with other peoples armaments.
Me, I carry any type of knife I desire- currently a micro tech trodon and I live in the communist state of New Jersey
January 9, 2018 at 10:35 pm
I’d never clip my knife outside my pocket. Looks goofy and I am afraid I would lose it. I mostly don’t even use the clip. I prefer to have the knife concealed in my pocket so as not to attract attention. I kind of prop it up with a couple of folded paper napkins so I don’t have to root around in my pocket. It doesn’t take much longer to draw the knife than with the clip. The napkins disguise the outline as well.
Sometimes if I am wearing suit pants I put the knife inside my waistband under my belt with the pocket clip. Flops around too much in the pockets of those looser pants. It’s harder to access, but I have never actually needed quick access to my knife while wearing a suit.
January 10, 2018 at 4:16 am
Great idea, I like it.
January 10, 2018 at 4:15 am
Like anyone of us just carries 1 knife?
Next we wear a neck knife outside our jammies that we wear to work?
January 10, 2018 at 7:43 am
Clipping your knife outside your pants pocket, is the easiest way to loose your knife..
January 11, 2018 at 1:03 pm
I’ve been carrying a knife on me since the 3rd grade all the way through high school (class of ‘93) and the only time I wear outside is if I’m carrying a fixed blade safely secured in a sheath. Right after high school I started carrying both, a Folder and a Fixed Blade and I still have never lost a knife!
Those who I ever saw wearing a clip-on the outside were just trying to show off.
August 24, 2018 at 7:26 am
Would also suggest that you not carry your automatic blade on the outside like the dumb ass lead singer of Aerosmith !
January 29, 2019 at 9:13 am
What won’t it get caught on?
January 29, 2019 at 6:42 pm
my first clip knife i really didnt know, until i lost it (sog trident) the first day i had it. lesson learned.wear it inside now.
January 30, 2019 at 9:45 am
Sometimes you just have to live and learn!
March 11, 2019 at 9:24 am
personally i would not like to carry pocket knife outside the pocket
May 21, 2019 at 8:10 am
Nope,
Only one reason a person in real life would carry like this.
Ignorance.
It becomes a saftey issue when you have a potentially leathel tool un secured.
Clip knives are not designed to be worn outside the pocket.
If it were to fall off and most likley will anyone could find it and act a fool.
If for legal reasons a responsable knife owner would belt carry on a sheath.
Ignorant people get people hurt, then the rest of us get our rights moderated by people who are ignorant and threatened by things they are ignorant of.
March 16, 2021 at 4:03 pm
Nice sweeping generalization and insulting to boot.
I carry a particular Gerber to work every weekday because it has an integrated screwdriver which sometimes comes in handy. I also carry a regular pen and a sharpie in my right front pocket which I use a lot during the day. The Gerber scrapes my hand up eventually because I have to reach in my pocket so often, so I started wearing it on the outside as this article demonstrates and it works VERY WELL and I have never dropped it or had it fall and further don’t consider myself or anyone else IGNORANT for doing so.
Please enlighten me as to exactly what right you’ve had moderated because of people who wear their knives outside the pocket.
You should learn a new word too, by the way kinda flogged “ignorant” into the ground.
May 21, 2019 at 5:42 pm
Pennsylvania says they have to see the knife bit just the clip and you have to touch the blade to open it. I can’t even wear my neck jnufe tucked in my shirt and u like guns there is no concealed carry permit for knives. So I buy awsome knives and wear them as a fashion statement and have only ever lost one it was my raven crest which is discontinued and I still haven’t been able to replace it.
June 23, 2020 at 4:11 pm
I live in NJ where it is considered a CONCEALED WEAPON if a knife is inside any pocket and “hidden”. And even slingshots are illegal here. So I’d rather have it on the inside of my pocket but I can’t. And the Wandering Ghoul doesn’t get it. We have NO choice.
July 6, 2021 at 1:27 pm
Exactly! Outside in NJ or see ya in the pokey! Even outside is problematic if your answer to Jonny Law about why you are carrying doesn’t fit his idea of a legal response.
My problem is all my knives are too large for the pocket. My NedFoss closed is almost 6″ and stocky. And can you imagine seeing me walking down the street with any of my Bowies sticking out of my pockets? I think not!
June 23, 2020 at 6:22 pm
Hey again, I feel that is I’m going to carry a knife clipped to the outside of a pocket then why not just carry a fixed blade in a secured sheath that can’t be knocked off, pushed or pulled of my belt. I know there are a few sheaths that clips to pants, belts or boots which may be quite secure as well.
Of course carrying a fixed blade is usually illegal or an issue for other people particularly police officers. There is some confusion on this as to the question of concealment versus obvious open carry and again, a fixed blade may or may not be legal or only when camping and so on.
Some of the old knives like some Buck folding knives came and still come nowadays with a sheath that hangs on your belt. They’re covered, yet out in the open thus not concealed.
As I have read, a knife in the pocket is not considered “concealed” and I’ve been told they prefer you keep it under wraps.
August 26, 2020 at 12:31 pm
Nebraska law states that any folder with a blade in excess of
3.5 inches is illegal for concealed carry ( i.e. – pocket clip ).
Clipped on the outside, it’s “open carry”……..fully legal.
August 26, 2020 at 12:34 pm
Ohio has open carry out of pocket carry but also we have what design shape opening springs or any type they want to get us for ?
July 6, 2021 at 12:15 pm
Here in NJ you HAVE to have it outside your pocket or it’s considered a concealed weapon.
July 7, 2021 at 4:08 pm
Only time I have worn a knife outside the pocket was with a pair of pants that had an ass ton of pockets and unfortunately, where I always have my knife that pocket was too small. So I had it clipped with it showing. Didn’t lose the knife, but I also didn’t like it that way because I kept having it on my mind whether it was still there or not.
Also, stop calling it a weapon. It’s a tool. Refer to it as a weapon when a LEO is around and you’ll be looked at differently than if you just referred to it as a tool.
October 18, 2022 at 11:12 am
The knife laws in Virginia suck! Most knives have to be open carried or it is considered a concealed weapon. Most people want to conceal their knives because they don’t want to draw negative attention to themselves by not letting anyone even know they even have one on their persons. 99.99% of people with knives are not carrying them with any criminal intent but they will arrest you if it is out of sight. Self defense is a right given by God and certain States are upsurping that right with only open carry laws! Everyone would feel safer if knives were not carried out in the open. They are only there in case you are threatened (pocket and holster tool knives excepted. The police and courts seem to have no common sense.
October 18, 2022 at 2:17 pm
I look at it like open-carry guns. Just begging for trouble.
October 18, 2022 at 2:38 pm
I think carrying a folding knife outside the pocket like that is: 1. At best, a great way to lose a knife; 2. At worst, a terrible way to comply with local knife laws. If I lived in a municipality like that ( I don’t, Texas has allowed Automatics since I think ’19), & Folding knives over a certain length were illegal to carry “concealed”, (there’s an ambiguous term for you…) I would either carry one just barely legal, or I’d just strap on a legal-sized fixed blade with good retention and call it done.
October 18, 2022 at 3:36 pm
And then, maybe those in states with asinine knife laws (or gun laws) should just vote with their feet. There are still plenty of free states.
October 18, 2022 at 5:25 pm
I don’t think people should have to claim that their knife is a tool or weapon, but the fact is that most people carry a knife because they’re useful. It’s really no different than driving a car or using a fireman’s axe which can both be used to kill someone, but neither are seen as weapons. Sadly, those in law enforcement or government tend to view blades of any kind as weapons first and tools second. It’s like the blade is guilty before proven innocent.
I lived in Virginia for many years and I grew up with seeing a lot of men that drove trucks and were mostly blue collar workers, people that had to cut rope and boxes and used knives all the time in their daily lives, that carried a knife, often the Buck 110 in a leather sheath. And here in Florida there are guys and girls that always carry something.
It seems like in the last few years that people assume a pocket knife is meant to be used as a weapon. I’d even bet that most of the people who carried knives would probably use their fists or look for a weapon before pulling out their knife.
But regardless, judgements should not dictate intention, as any blade can be used for whatever purpose the user choses regardless of how it looks or how large, small, fixed or folding or how cool it looks.
October 19, 2022 at 1:08 am
It’s a good way to spring your clip. Or you could break it off if it’s an old school Cold Steel knife.
I prefer to carry inside the pocket.
July 18, 2023 at 12:44 pm
I recently picked up the CobraTec Ryker from the website, it was my first Automatic knife I’ve ever owned. To think of carrying it “outside” my picket is ridiculous. No, I don’t live in a restricted state and while it IS an attractive blade, I don’t necessarily want to show it off either. For simple personal accountability, I’d prefer to feel it secured.
I open carry my gun in a secured holster, my multi-tool and bits have a dedicated pouch that can be secured and fits nicely on my belt, and the knife will remain secured at the tip of my pocket. I’ve got no reason to risk it being damaged, falling, or bring removed from my person by carrying it unsecured.
July 16, 2024 at 9:48 pm
In NJ it “can” be considered a concealed weapon if it’s inside your pocket. Depends on your “intent” and the officers mood if you’re stopped for any reason. There is always that fine line of WHY you need a knife and WHAT your intent is. Seriously this is real
July 17, 2024 at 4:14 pm
I do but not by choice it’s because I have a felony indicating that I cannot conceal any weapon stating that if I wish to have a pocket knife I must have it visible no matter the size or length of knife or blade if found not in plain sight can be considered a concealed weapon