I just bought a Leatherman Juice CS4 multi-tool and then later purchased the leather sheath for it. I've only had the set for a couple of days and I've already lost the thing. It uses a clip, so it can be worn on your belt without having to thread the loop through your belt. I'm definetly going to write Leatherman a letter telling them what a lousy sheath it is and the huge design flaw that it has. I've never lost a knife/multitool before and now I'm pretty mad.

I know a lot of people love knives with clips, but I've just never felt comfortable using them. If I clip them to my belt or pocket, I'm just too afraid that a swipe of my arm (or other object) will send it flying.

I like my bigger folders in sheaths with sturdy - closed - belt loops.

Also, I recently purchased the Leatherman Charge Ti with the leather sheath, and ended up purchasing the nylon sheath too. I find I like the nylon sheath much much better.

KenK--

I don't generally like clip-on sheaths or holsters for the reasons Eaglescout and you both described, though some clips are better than others. Anything that fits the belt well, and curls under it (only have seen this in a "plastic" clip--never metal) is fairly reliable. The paradigm of this type is used by Lou Alessi on his Talon Nyclip IWB (inside-waistband) holsters. I have also used a couple of paddle-style holsters with both confidence & success.

However, clip-on knives are another matter entirely. You do realize that the knife is clipped inside the pocket or waistband, and that only the clip itself is on the outside--not the entire knife? For extra security, clip the knife inside the waistband of your pants, but beneath the belt. That way, the belt both hides the clip, & helps hold it in even tighter.

Carried in the proper manner, they're safe & secure. I've even slept with a knife clipped into the waistband of my shorts, or in my pocket.

The clips are not absolutely failsafe, though. Some care & attention must be exercised. I've had a Spyderco Delica plucked from my left-hand front pocket a couple of times by my seatbelt, and an older, plastic-clipped Delica once spent the night on the floor of a conference room where the arm of the chair had caused it to slip unnoticed from my pocket. (I retrieved it straightaway the next morning, thankfully.)

David

Those sheaths for the Juice line are particularly poorly designed. The top of the clip is almost halfway down the body of the sheath. It almost pulls itself off the waist of my gym pants.

If I really had to carry my Juice with a clip, I'd just put it into one of their bigger cordura pouches. Or maybe look into kydex.

http://www.sheathmechanic.com/piggyback.jpg

or

http://www.mnsi.net/~nbtnoel/

Bear

Too bad about the loss. I have the leatherman leather sheath and have found it to be quite secure. I have worn it in this sheath for over a year. I wear a double thickness belt and the clip tensions on very securely. You can sort of see the sheath in this shot.



I have never tried it on a thinner belt or waistband only though.

Sorry to go off topic, but Schwert, who makes those two fixed blades you have pictured there? I really like the designs.

Paul,

Gene Ingram is the maker of both of those. The Wharncliffe #4 is handled in old weathered Elk and the Lacer is braided with kangaroo leather by me. The Lacer is a collaboration knife between Gene and me.

Take a look at Gene's site where you can also find his email address if you want to contact him. You will not find the Lacer there (it can be had though); the #4 Wharncliffe in a flat ground and a host of other nice designs will be there.

http://geneingramknives.blademakers.com/

I have a bunch of Gene's knives from small pocket fixed blades to larger droppoint hunters and his work is excellent and prices are very good.

Here is another shot of the Wharncliffe.


And my SeaCow Series teaser. All knives by Gene handled in Stellar's SeaCow bone. These range from a 1.5" wharncliffe to a 4" droppoint.

I must say that I really like Gene's pocket fixed blade examples on the website. I have been eyeing them ever since I read your EDC part 1 article. (BTW be sure to post when part 2 is finished). I have been thinking of asking Gene for a leather pocket sheath with a pocket clip placed very high on the sheath so that it would sit deep in the pocket when cliped on. I have to complete my knife design fist though. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Brian,

I will post when Part II is finished...I am running a bit behind, but am trying for sometime near the beginning of Dec or end of Nov.

I have 4 of Gene's pocket fixed blades. Take a close look at his SLK (Slick Little Knife). This is standard in a pocket sheath without any clip though. I had Gene make me a neck pouch sheath.


his standard Pocket fixed (which can be had Naked without scales also, I have one and it makes a super kit knife, but I recommend the scales for easier daily use).


or his Pocket Wharncliffe (not a standard design but one I asked him to make) shown here with his #5 droppoint and a GB mini

Im going for something similar to the SLK but with a wider blade in proportion to its length much like the geometry on the RSK and no scales. Strategically placed holes in the full-width tang to facilitate a paracord-wraped handle would take the place of scales. The pocket sheath with the clip is not a deal breaker although it is desired. It is a mod I could easily get someone else to do or even (maybe) do myself so if Gene cant do it, it wouldn't keep me from having the knife made. Really the only things left to come up with are the placing of the tang holes and the precise blade measurements, neither of which can be done until I atleast send a some sketches and rough measurments to Gene to be sure my design is structurally optimal (if that makes sense).