How to carry a folder

[delta13soultaker]

This whole section is looking neglected.....like a cute chick left peeling the label off a beer bottle.


So....let's chew on some knowledge and see how long before the thread drifts.


Everybody probably has a favorite folding knife.........right now mine is a Kershaw 1660ST. It rides everywhere clipped to my blue jeans....clipped to my uniform pocket....when it gets warm enough to swim it'll be clipped to my shorts.

So...how the hell is a good way to carry a "folder"?

Here goes my opinion, as I was taught.

If you are right handed....if not just flip flop....using the hillbilly mathematical system.....


You clip it in your right hand pocket, as close to the zipper as it can get.

With horizontal opened pockets....this it easy....just keep it closest to your center as possible.

Slant pockets...kinda more difficult.....gravity never takes a break....may want to sew in a bumper or even a lil' pocket at the top.


Why there?

1. Because if your dominant hand is retaining your sidearm, or whatever else, it is close enough for your weak hand to reach crossways, secure, and grasp.

2. The closer your hand is to your center vertical axis, the more strength your arm has. (You never want your hand to be even with your hip, or worse, behind it. Every inch you hand moves towards your back, your arm loses the ability to exert strength in proportion to the distance to your hip...then spine....it's just bio-mechanics; the biggest dude, just wait until one of his hands nears his hip, then attack that arm with your whole body....you'll control him like he is a little girl.) You want the presentation of your blade to begin where your arm will be able to exert the most force....i.e. strength; both for retention and ability to effectively cut the attacker.


So....in summary....

1. A good way to carry a folder is clipped to the front pocket.

2. Go a step further and keep the knife as close to your center as possible, in order to have maximum strength upon presentation.


Ideas? Comments/Complaints? Gripes? Alibis?

[1shot1k]

Well...I cant really see any problem with your advice Delta.

Here in TX anyway...all o r most locals carry as you stated...course...when they eventually loose a goo dknife per a pocket clip...a lot of them use a flip holster
mounter on belt...etc...


I would NEVER be without my little Swiss style folder...only a 2 1/4 larger blade...but is my friend and helper. A gift from a vendor, enscribed..etc... Is from ' Pelco" ..the
CCTV folks.

I dont carry it as a weapon though. but I sure dont wont to ever discourage anyone from using theirs as one and using anything they can.



At least for now...by grace of God...I still have my upper body and complete arm strength. And with a little over two years of dim mak special instruction, 11 months of it one on one....should some "problem" develop before/during/after a firearm usage.....someone wil have wished I had a knife.

Im regret and am not trying to pop off or BS....but such training has unforunately ( or fortunately , as to safety result ) been witnessed by my wife twice, when absolutely needed....and is the number # 1 butt pain between me and her as to me carrying. She is so scared of guns...but so safe being with me. To maintain that
safety is why I carry.....and unfortunately there is enough mess in the world that she knows why I carry and practice.





But...if anyone DOES have any spare " alibi's" not to be used...send em here..

I need all I can store....

[tranteruk]

I have a problem with the pocket clip idea. I can spot who is carrying one straight off. Also, from the size and type of clip, make a fair guess as to what type it is, a 2.5" clip, or a 4" Tanto. From there its only a short hop to assess the person.

I always carry a folder when legally allowed. Mostly in a pocket, and genarally two. For the same reason I mostly have two flashlights close by, say one in the pocket and one in the glove compartment.

[Pistol Shooter]

I have carried a folding knife with pocket clip, usually one with a 3-4" blade, for so many years I've lost track. Unlike some though, I have never looked at a such a knife as a weapon. Certainly, a knife has the potential to be used as a weapon, but I don't think of it as such. To me, a pocket blade is simply a tool I use for everyday things. Given that, I always carry it clipped strong side (in my case, the right) in a front pocket, as close to my right arm as I can. Since I will only buy pants with western style horizontal pockets rather than the vertical ones, the knife is always handy. I don't really care if someone notices I'm carrying it. That's just me.

[delta13soultaker]

1shot....all true, all true.


Tranter, valid points there. Now though.....normally I don't worry about a visible clip; if they're thinking about what they do see, instead of don't see, that's fine.

Assessing a person...I guess depends where you are. Funny story there. Last time we moved...and was enrolling kids in the new school during the break.....I met my son's new teacher while she was dropping by the office. She was wearing a Realtree camo jacket and had a folder clipped in her jeans pocket. I'd of just never guessed she was an elementary teacher.....even though I almost married one and thought I knew their type.


Pistol, I understand the weapon logic, and that a folder will be used a billion times as a tool before once as a weapon. Ultimately, a good fighting blade is a very useless utility tool....................on the other hand, a utility blade can become an effective improvised weapon very very easily. So....I say fight with everything you've got.

There is also the emergency requirement. A mode of carry may allow the weak hand to access the knife if the strong hand/arm is broken.......etc etc.

[308 at my Gate]

I have a gerber that I carry sometimes and a kershaw. I do use the clip on them and clip it usually in my front pocket on the right side. If I am out fishing I will tie a piece of parachute chord through the small hole provided at the end and carry it around my neck. This is usually due to the waders that I am wearing and it is just easier not to lose it that way.