1st post, lol...pros/cons of tip-up/tip-down?

Q

qqqqqqqman

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Apr 1, 2005
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Just started reading (well, 1.5 hrs :eek: ) in research for a first knife. What's the big deal with tip-up vs. tip-down folders? Pros/Cons?

thanks for taking a step back to Knives101..... :rolleyes:
 
I like tip up, since it offers the fastest opening method (at least on my benchmades) Tip down seems slow to me. It makes sense for small knives though.

You could always get a Benchmade 806D2 AFCK and be able to carry any way you can imagine :O

btw, I carry tip up, edge towards the back on my right side. A little downward flip and the axis lock opens.. ready for action.
 
Its mostly personal preference. Everyone will have their reasons for why they think one os better over the other.

I've always been a tip up kinda guy myself. I can draw the knife to open quicker and with the knife closed against the seam of my pocket there's less chance of it opening on me.
 
My EDC is a Spyderco VG-10 Delica. Therefore, I carry it tip up, but I have no problem with tip down, I like them both. On certain knives I think tip down carry is safer (less risk of accidental opening).
 
i also think it's mostly what's comfortable to you, keep in mind that on some knives, usually liner locks, tip down is safter because it's much easier to open the blade (& for to open on itself in-pocket).
personally i prefer tip up & i don't like liner lock so it suits me well, go handle a few knives & see what works best for you
 
I find that tip up works the best for me. It is the smoothest draw, and my hand naturally goes to that position when grabbing a knife.
 
All of my "first" lower quality knives were tip-down. It wasn't until I moved up to higher quality that I discovered tip-up. Before that, I didn't know I prefered tip-up. Now all but one of my knives are tip-up. Just picked up a new Buck Cutback and drilled it for tip-up and did the same for my Calypso Jr. The only tip-down knife I have is the Camllus Blaze. I wouldn't feel good carring that knife tip-up. This knife has no lock for closed position.
 
If the knife has a locking system that securely holds the blade in the closed position (lockback, axis lock, etc), I strongly prefer tip-up carry. For knives with simple ball detents to hold the knife closed (liner lock, frame lock, etc), I'd rather have a tip-down configuration. There are a couple exceptions, but not many.
 
i agree with buzzbait, however on knives with weak detents i usually just put them closer to either side of the pocket so it can't open by itself.
 
I find tip up faster for deployment. Especially for waved Emersons. Tip down is good for people who carry a right handed knife in their left pocket. I did this years ago, until companies like Benchmade fixed that problem. It comes down to preferance.
 
I carry tip down, but mostly just for a minor edge in safety. I have the option of unscrewing the clip, though, my Spyderco is drilled for carry either way.
 
For Self defense and rapid deployment tip up offers you a quicker draw, and less also compromises your grip on the knife less. The usual reason some folks carrry tip down is for saftey, just in case the knife opens up in the pocket. Generally if your pivot screw is tight enough this won't happen. Most of the newer lock mechanisms such as the AXIS make it highly improbable for the knife to open in the pocket.
 
Do some searches here on the forum.

This is an old topic that has been beaten to death. There have been no new developments in this area since last time we endured it.
 
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