An old question

[emel]

I know this has been discussed over and over on many knives but what do you guys prefer on the XM flippers, tip down or tip up?
I personally prefer tip up for faster deployment and feel safer this way, if the knife would open in my pocket.

Also I personally think with the tip down carry when you pull and flip it from that same position more gravity needs to be overcome unless you turn the knife downwards.

Just wanted to hear your comments because I see so many pictures of XM's with clips installed for tip down, or maybe some people left the pocket clip just the way it came originally from Rick.

A lanyard also makes more sense with tip up carry unless you use it around your wrist and not to pull the knife.

I don't see why they come pre-installed for tip down carry unless its intented for showing the Hinderer name as free advertisement from your pocket.

 

[Chibbi]

I'm a tip up guy myself, but technically it's safer to carry tip down,,,

It's more of a habit for me then anything else,,, I honestly don't think there's that much difference in speed of deployment either way,,,

A folding knife in a tactical situation will always be too slow,,, in any other situation seconds don't really matter,,,

 

[emel]

If the knife is in the back of your pocket tip up is safer. Michael Janich wrote an article about it. Worst case with tip up you hit some fat or flesh, but with tip down if it opens in your pocket...The groin area is full of arteries and other valuable body parts which can bleed you to death fairly quick or make you sing with a higher pitch when cut...
Thats also in the comment of this article and this makes sense to me.

http://www.tactical-life.com/online/tactical-knives/tip-up-vs-tip-down-carry/

 

[Chibbi]

Well, let's say the jury is still out on that one,,, but most knife companies will produce knives with tip down carry for reason of safety,,, even when the pocket clip position is changeable, most knives will come tip down,,,

In any case, the detent on all of my Hinderers is good enough, so they wont open in my pocket :thumbup:

 

[R0CKETMAN]

Tip up
-faster deployment
-less likely to be dropped while manipulating to position in which to open
-flipper less likely to get caught on pants during retrieval. (ie pocket corner)
-consistent with my other pocket knives

If the knife is in the back of your pocket tip up is safer. Michael Janich wrote an article about it. Worst case with tip up you hit some fat or flesh, but with tip down if it opens in your pocket...The groin area is full of arteries and other valuable body parts which can bleed you to death fairly quick or make you sing with a higher pitch when cut...
Thats also in the comment of this article and this makes sense to me.

http://www.tactical-life.com/online/tactical-knives/tip-up-vs-tip-down-carry/

He recommends tip down for flippers.

 

[emel]

Yes you are right, thats what he wrote in the article:

"If your preferred opening technique leans toward the blade-grip/handle-drop (aka “Spyder Drop,&#8221 an index-finger “flipper” opening, or if your knife is a true button-fired automatic, tip-down carry is your best bet. The disadvantage of this carry style—and most of the associated openings—is that your grip on the knife is typically less secure or at least involves a smaller surface area, making it less reliable under stress."

You wrote "flipper less likely to get caught on pants during retrieval. (ie pocket corner)" thats indeed what I was experiencing on my second XM-24 which I left on tip down like it came from Rick.

Good point !