Clip placement

N

NC Transplant

Joined
Jan 26, 2024
Messages
24
I was wondering if anyone is missing the point down carry being common for folders? I carried point down back pocket during most of my 30+ year law enforcement career, and have trouble finding newer models that provide this option. Back pocket, point down did not interfere with access while wearing a duty belt, or carrying concealed, so most of my coworkers carried the same way.
 
I have a David Mary resilience regrind in tip down. Absolutely love it. Currently my longest regular folder ( I have some of the crazy cs ones.) If you are looking for an awesome slicer he has one up for sale now.

I ran a police tip down for 8-9 years and actually had some muscle memory issues for a while when I went with some smaller tip up knives. Anything 4" and up is great tip down and always will be. I find I can do back pocket with up to a talwar xl comfortably.
 
I carried back pocket 4" knives because it didnt interfere with my duty belt, or sitting in a car. Also didnt show the clip as easily in the back pocket when I was talking to people. Seems to feel like extra steps needed to deploy tip up. Ontario, Spyderco, and Kizer seem to be the only ones that remember the good old days of bigger knives, and back pocket carry for affordable knives
 
Be careful. The Internet has decided tip down is "uncool", and most people here will vilify you for pointing out that tip up is actually harder to use. Unfortunately most companies have folded to the peer pressure and it's very hard to find a new production knife with the pocket clip on the correct end. I've resigned myself to pretty much only buying older, discontinued models. Good luck!
 
Welcome to BFC N NC Transplant , thank you for your service. There are a few brands that offer clip placement, Spyderco is my favorite, but then you have unnecessary holes in the slabs. It doesn’t bother me because I prefer functionality over aesthetics.
 
Most of my folders with clips offer a variety of options, right/left/tip up or down. A few just provide holes for left or right side. I'm used to right side tip up but adjust easily when I carry my Military in a hip pocket.
 
Reswob said:
Be careful. The Internet has decided tip down is "uncool", and most people here will vilify you for pointing out that tip up is actually harder to use. Unfortunately most companies have folded to the peer pressure and it's very hard to find a new production knife with the pocket clip on the correct end. I've resigned myself to pretty much only buying older, discontinued models. Good luck!
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Reached out to several maufacturers to see if it was customer pressure that caused the change or if it was designers. Curious how fast they jumped on that bandwagon
 
Reswob said:
Be careful. The Internet has decided tip down is "uncool", and most people here will vilify you for pointing out that tip up is actually harder to use. Unfortunately most companies have folded to the peer pressure and it's very hard to find a new production knife with the pocket clip on the correct end. I've resigned myself to pretty much only buying older, discontinued models. Good luck!
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"Tip up is actually harder to use" for who? Not me, I prefer tip up. So I, and anyone else that actually prefers tip up is being fooled by some internet conspiracy? You seem to think that manufacturers giving buyers what they want is "folding to peer pressure"? Come on, it's a personal choice and it just so happens you are in the minority.
 
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I prefer the blade to rest against the seam of my pocket (which is typically tip up) like a reasonable human being. However I do feel your pain about companies all of a sudden producing knives in a configuration you don't like due to customer pressure, because that's how I feel about those cursed deep carry clips. Still think y'all are weirdos though ;)
 
I only worked in plainclothes and happily carried in front or back pocket, either way...tip up or tip down

That said, what knives were your regulars? Maybe the crew here can help you find models to your liking from names you prefer or might enjoy getting to know.

(I transplanted to NC 20 years ago after working in NYC and Miami during my LE career.)
 
Sibyrnes said:
"Tip up is actually harder to use" for who? Not me, I prefer tip up. So I, and anyone else that actually prefers tip up is being fooled by some internet conspiracy? You seem to think that manufacturers giving buyers what they want is "folding to peer pressure"? Come on, it's a personal choice and it just so happens you are in the minority.
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Pretty much. Except for mini folders, or people with giant hands/super long thumbs, it's impossible to shove your hand into your pocket deep enough to come out with the knife in a position to use without changing your hand position (choking up on the handle). This is exacerbated by the ultra deep carry clip fad.

With a tip down clip you can always come out of your pocket with the knife in your palm, thumb right on the thumb stud, ready to use. It's just so much more convenient. But sadly most people will never get to realize that for themselves since all the "famous" YouTube "experts" have declared tip down clips (and assisted opening!) to be the realm of low quality "gas station knives". Not that I have ever seen these fabled knives. I think I am using the wrong gas stations...
 
Reswob said:
Pretty much. Except for mini folders, or people with giant hands/super long thumbs, it's impossible to shove your hand into your pocket deep enough to come out with the knife in a position to use without changing your hand position (choking up on the handle). This is exacerbated by the ultra deep carry clip fad.

With a tip down clip you can always come out of your pocket with the knife in your palm, thumb right on the thumb stud, ready to use. It's just so much more convenient. But sadly most people will never get to realize that for themselves since all the "famous" YouTube "experts" have declared tip down clips (and assisted opening!) to be the realm of low quality "gas station knives". Not that I have ever seen these fabled knives. I think I am using the wrong gas stations...
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Wow lol just no.

Way to go thinking your way is best without knowing what you are talking about.
 
Sibyrnes said:
Come on, it's a personal choice and it just so happens you are in the minority.
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And so are you, I’m guessing. To most of us it probably doesn’t matter much.

N NC Transplant - lots of makers offer configurable clips. Most Spydercos and Hinderer, for instance, can be carried either way. Also both offer plenty of 4” or longer blades.

What are you looking for more specifically ?

Roland.
 
I am a Spyderco fan and until I got my Military2, a Para2 was my favorite. I just find them to be great for me. They are available to carry how you prefer. People should carry how they like to carry and what is ergonomic for them. With a folder clipped tip-up in my front pockets, my thumb naturally falls on the opener hole and that is how I have carried Spyderco’s for over 30 years so it is just natural for me.

Teaching knife techniques and grappling, it is amazing to watch people trying to deploy knives from positions other than what they are used to. Carry what and how you prefer.

Good luck with finding your next blade.

Full disclosure- I do not care about falling-blade closure, so I do not have my knives loosened enough to open in my pocket unexpectedly.
 
I much prefer the wave opening method . So either buy them factory waved or mod them .

This precludes tip down for new buys .

I have carried older tip down . They can work fine also . Matter of habit and preference , IMO . :cool:
 
It matters not to me, really. I carry a Civilian as a back pocket SD knife. TD allows me to pull the knife out and spyder-drop it pretty easily. It really makes no difference to me either way.
 
Reswob said:
With a tip down clip you can always come out of your pocket with the knife in your palm, thumb right on the thumb stud, ready to use. It's just so much more convenient.
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That's my view, too. With tip-down carry, your thumb is on the stud or Spydie-hole from the moment you first touch the knife.

Plus, I'm just accustomed to having it that way, since my first "thumbable" knife was a Buck 174 Mayo Cutback (with non-reversible clip) that I got about 20 years ago.

To me, having the knife "tip up" seems to be a good way to get all the grit/dirt/lint in your pocket into the pivot mechanism.
If the knife somehow starts to open "tip up," it's also either gonna cut you (when you put your hand into your pocket) or snag on your pocket (or liver) :eek: when you try to pull the knife.
The only advantage I see to "tip-up" carry is that it gets the lanyard out of your pocket, but I don't generally accessorize my knives.
I'm all ears if anyone can convince me otherwise, though.
 
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