There is perhaps nothing worse than not being able to carry a pocket knife. In addition to a keychain screwdriver set, a pocket knife is an every day carry (EDC) must for me.
I feel a bit naked without a pocket knife on my person. I can handle taking off my belt, shoes, and emptying my pockets when I travel by air, but it frustrates me that I can’t even bring my pocket knife. I know, you can put it in your checked luggage, but when I travel by air I rarely check luggage and am left sans pocket knife. But there’s not much we can do about air travel restrictions and I certainly understand the reasoning.
However, there are other situations when I cannot carry the larger clip folding knife that I prefer.
Every day carry for business casual? Absolutely.
For example, at my work (after all, I am an ordinary outdoorsman, not a professional one) it would certainly draw negative attention. In a business casual environment of dress pants, shirts, and ties it’s a bit unusual to see the clip of a average size folder sticking out of someone’s pocket.
Or what about the more formal occasions at which we all occasionally find ourselves. A funeral for someone in your community. The wedding of your friend’s daughter. Baptisms, graduations, dedications, anniversaries, etc. Should you attend feeling naked without your standard EDC gear?
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A practical solution for every day carry – a money clip knife
Many years ago, I began carrying a trimmed down wallet (just a card wallet) leaving me with the necessity to wrangle the cash I carry in some manner. Naturally I thought of a money clip. But then it occurred to me, perhaps there is a compact pocket knife designed with this purpose in mind. After a little research, I purchased this Gerber model, which is now discontinued. But it is in my pocket every day no matter what the dress code.
Gerber now sells a redesigned version with a pull out knife. I have not had my hands on one of these, but I like the concept of a removable knife better as I often have to remove my cash to use the knife. It appears to be longer, but roughly equal thickness.
The reality is there are many other companies that sell money clip pocket knives that are worth checking out. Or, for that matter, any compact folding knife with a clip could be used for this purpose. The key is finding one that is compact so that it doesn’t bulge your pocket when wearing dress pants.
How about you? Do you carry in formal situations? If so, what and how?
