Gone for a while: Tip down knives are disappearing?

FYI, the blur de-assists very well, it has a nice detent and is actually much smoother with the torsion bar removed.
The leek, not so much, weak detent, doesn’t flip at all, and the stump studs are hard to get to, just doesn’t work well with spring removed, but I prefer the blur without spring.

My only gripe with the blur is the pocket clip, it’s just not big enough to clip well over the seam in my work jeans, but it’s the same as the leek clip, so if you like the leek, you won’t be bothered by the blur.

I’m not a fan of tip down, I do agree with your opinion of spydercos with the hump being pocket hogs however. The native series doesn’t suffer from the hump problem and carries well.
 
scorpnsnake said:
Small SHF can be had for a reasonable price and can be configured every which way.

If you wear jeans. maybe a coin pocket carry would work well since you like them small.
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Sorry, not as up to date on my acronyms. What is the Small SHF?

I rarely wear jeans (like... maybe < 5 times a year), so the coin pocket is a good idea, but likely isn't super applicable in this case.
BJE said:
FYI, the blur de-assists very well, it has a nice detent and is actually much smoother with the torsion bar removed.
The leek, not so much, weak detent, doesn’t flip at all, and the stump studs are hard to get to, just doesn’t work well with spring removed, but I prefer the blur without spring.

My only gripe with the blur is the pocket clip, it’s just not big enough to clip well over the seam in my work jeans, but it’s the same as the leek clip, so if you like the leek, you won’t be bothered by the blur.

I’m not a fan of tip down, I do agree with your opinion of spydercos with the hump being pocket hogs however. The native series doesn’t suffer from the hump problem and carries well.
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Good info. So sounds like the blur might be a viable de-assist. The leek though doesn't sound like a good option. Any info on if the Dividend can be de-assisted?

And no worries, I figure most people have their preferences for how to carry their knives. I was just surprised to "come back" and see that the percentage of knives available tip down seems to have dropped (not sure if it actually has, but just by looking around it sure seems that way).
 
Danke42 said:
Been looking for a long time
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Get one. You’ll love it.

They were the kind of thing I’d always kinda shrug and chuckle about, not giving them much thought. I can’t seem to carry anything else these days, “folder”-wise.
 
ocnLogan said:
Sorry, not as up to date on my acronyms. What is the Small SHF?

I rarely wear jeans (like... maybe < 5 times a year), so the coin pocket is a good idea, but likely isn't super applicable in this case.


Good info. So sounds like the blur might be a viable de-assist. The leek though doesn't sound like a good option. Any info on if the Dividend can be de-assisted?

And no worries, I figure most people have their preferences for how to carry their knives. I was just surprised to "come back" and see that the percentage of knives available tip down seems to have dropped (not sure if it actually has, but just by looking around it sure seems that way).
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Spartan Harsey Folder! Lovely knife but I was mistaken and it only has the right or left config options. Two swings and two misses. Not my day to help. :)
 
ocnLogan said:
Sorry, not as up to date on my acronyms. What is the Small SHF?

I rarely wear jeans (like... maybe < 5 times a year), so the coin pocket is a good idea, but likely isn't super applicable in this case.


Good info. So sounds like the blur might be a viable de-assist. The leek though doesn't sound like a good option. Any info on if the Dividend can be de-assisted?

And no worries, I figure most people have their preferences for how to carry their knives. I was just surprised to "come back" and see that the percentage of knives available tip down seems to have dropped (not sure if it actually has, but just by looking around it sure seems that way).
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I do not know about the dividend, can’t recall if I have that one or not, but if I do, I'm certain I have never taken it apart.

Since you have been away awhile, check out civivi, cjrb, and kizer knives, they are newer kids on the block and the new budget kings when it comes to bang for your buck.

Many many options amongst them and from what I have owned and read about them, very high quality for the small price. I’m quite taken with my Kizer Begleiter 2, green micarta, plunge lock, ball bearing pivot, 154cm blade, excellent fit and finish, quite slicey and fun to fidget with, I think I paid around $50-60 for it. It’s super smooth and pockets very well, but it’s tip up only.
 
There are frequent discussions of clip location and something like 75-80% of responders say they prefer tip up. There are certainly situations where tip up is essential, the rest of the time it's personal preference. I read a lot of the reasons for tip up and I don't believe some of them, but I think as popularity grows people don't want to be on the unpopular side. I think that is the reason that percentages are increasing. I own and carry knives both ways and I have my preferences. I decided that if I was going to buy only clips that worked one way I would be missing out on a lot of good knife designs. The good news is there are lots of good knives available both in current production and on the used market so buy and carry what you like. Yesterday I was carrying a Benchmade 913 Stryker (tip down), today I'm carrying a Spyderco Manix 2 LW S110V (tip up)
 
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scorpnsnake said:
Small SHF can be had for a reasonable price and can be configured every which way.

If you wear jeans. maybe a coin pocket carry would work well since you like them small.
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This guy gets it! Just swap the clip to the left side and carry it against the edge of your back right pocket!
 
Shame you dont like spyderco. The Military is the king of tip down carry… and also my number one edc. The GB2 set up tip down is my second favorite.
 
I, too prefer tip down. It comes more readily to hand on the draw, without having to shift my hand. But since I don’t buy very many one-handed openers, and rarely carry them, it doesn’t matter much to me.
 
Just going through a couple of big names and this is what I found:


Buck Bantam BHW Lockback Knife Black (3.625" Satin) 0286BKS


Buck SpitFire Lockback Knife Black (3.25" Satin) 0722BKS1


Buck Nobleman Frame Lock Knife Stainless Steel (2.625" Gray) 0327TTS


CRKT Pilar Frame Lock Knife Stainless Steel (2.4" Satin) 5311


CRKT Ed Halligan K.I.S.S. Tanto Frame Lock Knife (2.25" Bead Blast) 5500


CRKT Small Pazoda 2 Frame Lock Knife (2.125" Gray) 6470


CRKT CEO Liner Lock Knife Black GRN (3.1" Satin) 7096


CRKT Ken Onion Large Eros Stainless Steel Frame Lock Knife (2.84" Satin) K456XXP


CRKT Carson M16-03KS Frame Lock Flipper Knife (3.55" Black)


Cold Steel Tuff Lite Tri-Ad Lock Knife Red (2.5" Satin) 20LTR
 
Like you, I left the knife community for quite a few years, and then came back a few years ago or so. I like tip down clips as well, and noticed the progression towards almost exclusively tip up when I came back. The good news is I got used to tip up pretty quickly, and now either way works perfectly fine for me. I just have to slightly adjust how I carry a knife depending on its clip configuration and size.

It's a great time to get back in the knife game though, as there is a ton of variety to choose from and the sort of overall fit and finish of folders in general has gone up a lot. Even most inexpensive folders are made well enough that it usually really surprises me, as long as it's from a company that has a pretty loyal following.
 
Danke42 said:
OK well time for an OTF then I guess.
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I need to revise my reply: Given you and I are in Canada, where automatic knives are illegal, I thought you were being flippant or sarcastic. But upon second guessing myself and doing a search, I discovered (or perhaps remembered, I'm not sure) that there are in fact some manual OTFs. While an interesting concept, I am pretty sold on my Resilience with my mods for now, as it covers all my bases of sufficient blade size, handle size, ergonomics, ease of carry and deployment, and strength. But I did look with passing interest at the Kershaw Interstellar. Neat concept. Tiny knife. Bottle opener? Hahaha. And anyway it looks to have only one clip position, which is tip up. Ultimately a hard pass.

BUT:

1727188284846.png
 
David Mary said:
I need to revise my reply: Given you and I are in Canada, where automatic knives are illegal, I thought you were being flippant or sarcastic. But upon second guessing myself and doing a search, I discovered (or perhaps remembered, I'm not sure) that there are in fact some manual OTFs. While an interesting concept, I am pretty sold on my Resilience with my mods for now, as it covers all my bases of sufficient blade size, handle size, ergonomics, ease of carry and deployment, and strength. But I did look with passing interest at the Kershaw Interstellar. Neat concept. Tiny knife. Bottle opener? Hahaha. And anyway it looks to have only one clip position, which is tip up. Ultimately a hard pass.

BUT:

View attachment 2669261
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I was going to suggest the Bokermatic but a quick look and they seem to be discontinued. I had one years ago and enjoyed the convenience but man oh man the eyes that rolled backwards into people's heads when I pulled it out to use. Then you had to explain no it's not a switchblade and show how and why it works. So I just stopped carrying it and it's been absorbed into the house somewhere.
 
Maximumbob54 said:
but man oh man the eyes that rolled backwards into people's heads when I pulled it out to use
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🤣 🤣 🤣

I love non-knife folks. Often great senses of humor, and they don't even realize it.
 
David Mary said:
🤣 🤣 🤣

I love non-knife folks. Often great senses of humor, and they don't even realize it.
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Pretty sure it did have a spring but it was only to retract the blade. That's what gave the jeebies to people was hearing that snap. Thinking back it did have a lot of blade wobble for an OTF design.
 
David Mary said:
I need to revise my reply: Given you and I are in Canada, where automatic knives are illegal, I thought you were being flippant or sarcastic. But upon second guessing myself and doing a search, I discovered (or perhaps remembered, I'm not sure) that there are in fact some manual OTFs. While an interesting concept, I am pretty sold on my Resilience with my mods for now, as it covers all my bases of sufficient blade size, handle size, ergonomics, ease of carry and deployment, and strength. But I did look with passing interest at the Kershaw Interstellar. Neat concept. Tiny knife. Bottle opener? Hahaha. And anyway it looks to have only one clip position, which is tip up. Ultimately a hard pass.

BUT:

View attachment 2669261
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Do you mean like one of those Luftwaffe knives as a manual OTF? Verboten also under the gravity knife clause.

Or were you thinking of more like a rip knife / Kershaw Capsule kind of thing? The capsule seems to be on the OK list right now. Rip knives seem to have become extinct over the last few years.
 
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