Pocket Clip and Tail-stand Capability - EDC

De-Lux said:

To truly answer your question I would have to say it really comes down to personal preference. If your criteria is a host that tail stands and has a robust pocket clip I would look into the Malkoff e-series style (MDC) bodies with a VME head. The perfect EDC host IMO. You will be limited to Malkoff drop-ins with the VME head or you can get a Malkoff MDC head as well or you can get an E to C adapter with a Z44 bezel and run any p60 style drop-in. The Malkoff MDC body tailstands and has one of the best pocket clip around and has a McClicky to boot..

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nbp said:

I dunno. IMO, all flashlights should tailstand and have excellent clips.

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bykfixer said:

I have never placed a lot of emphasis on a tail stand or not for everyday carry items because I rarely tailstand a flashlight. It's kinda like that pocket knife with a saw to me. My only reason for a tail standable light with the button on the rear is so it is hidden enough not to be accidently activated when carried. A light magnetized above me is more practical unless I'm say, under a car looking up. But then I'm usually wearing a lamp on my forehead. But that's coming from a person who has flashlights for various tasks, same as screw drivers or eating utensils.

A policeman or plumber has a bunch of stuff to carry on a regular basis. The policeman may have to deploy a given tool at a moments notice, so what and where are really important. Does the holster or clip interfere with deployment or returning it back to the duty belt when both hands are needed? The clip really matters. When I pocket clip a light it is more about a self defense posture. The light clips down into my front pocket with a wrist strap dangling down. A quick dip of my hand below the pocket with two fingers through the loop, a tug up and looping the arm in one motion deploys the light in a centrifugal motion if needed. Or I will strap it to my wrist when light is needed but in an instance say if my footing is suddenly compromised, I can release the light but not drop it. I instinctively strap items with a strap around my wrist. Just yesterday I was carrying a few items in one hand while locking a door with the other. At one point I lost grip on the camera that was strapped to my wrist and thought for sure it was going to crash onto a concrete surface. The wrist strap made sure I could still take pictures after that. Same thing with flashlights. Countless times the wrist strap halted it from hitting the ground.

To me the combo of a clip and wrist strap holder is generally not ideal in most cases as the wrist strap holder protrudes well beyond the clip. For belt carry that ends up rubbing my torsoe. So a separate rotating lanyard ring and a close fitting clip make a good combination. The clip should be stiff enough to not permanently bend when clipped over a thick leather belt or to a ball cap, yet flexible enough to not cause undue resistance when clipping it to something.

Yet with todays LED and battery technology it aint hard to come up with a host that will fit into a trouser pocket. There are a whole bunch of chapstick tube sized flashlights that are pretty bright. That leaves the option open for carrying much brighter lights in another carrier. A backpack, a fanny pack if you still use those, or a jacket/vest pocket.

But if you must have a tailstanding light with a pocket clip an E series style light having a long two way clip with a Scout style tailcap is hard to beat. Portable, lightweight and durable.

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bykfixer said:

For me, a light tailstanding needs to be beside me or behind, other wise you need a lamp shade or just end up blinded unless it is above your head and how practical is that.

We keep C and D Maglites around for the ceiling bounce in lights out conditions, but they are typically up on a mantle or somewhere you don't stare at it. And then the light is turned to the low setting. But for an edc light, I just don't find the tail stand as practical as a rule. But that's just one persons perspective.
I do find a good clip way more useful. Especially the two way type.

Now my right pocket EDC is a 1x aaa number with a kubotan protrusion on the tail end so it does not tail stand. Yet when I found a two way clip to pin it to a ball cap or hang from a string, I can slide the clip slightly and the bend acts as a second leg allowing it to tailstand.

I call it a kick stand.
Note the "poker" on the right side meant as a self defense tool.
The miniature carabiner allows it to hang from a nail or quick clip to car keys etc.
So yeah, tailstand ability does play a role with some of my lights, and even an edc, but it is not a requirement.

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