No more tip up carry for me!!!

L6steel

L6steel

Joined
Sep 23, 1999
Messages
5,855
I have never really understood why folks wanted to carry a folder tip up. I put the clip on one of my folders that way and carried it one day just to see how things went. The detent is so strong on this folder you cannot flick it open. I reached into my pocket for my keys and the blade was open. I am thankful I didn't get cut but it sure put me off makin tip up carry folders.
 
What I don't understand is that my tip-up folders are pocketed with the blade toward the rear side of my pocket or away from my center-line. This keeps pressure against the blade so it can't open. In this set-up, I don't understand why so many dislike it. I only use spydies that are tip-up so my experience is somewhat limited. How do you carry your tip-up?
Thanks.
FM
 
Several years ago I put my pants on and the blade of my tip up tanto bladed folder was open:eek: Seven stitches on my right thigh just above my knee. Been off tip up ever since.
 
Lockbacks, Axis, and other designs that have pressure on the blade while it is closed I think are safer for tip up carry. Liner locks are dangerous in tip-up format. My AFCK once opened in my pocket and cut 3 holes in my pocket!! And that knife is a tip down knife. The extra miliseconds that some say you get in speed of draw with a tip-up carry knife are not worth the chance of grapping an OPEN blade for me.

I would love a Strider folder, and I think those are tip-up. But I'd carry that one in a kydex sheath.
 
I have two liner locks, and both have opened on me in my jeans pocket. One of them is the otherwise superb Al Mar SERE 2000.

My 710 doesn't even come close to opening up, nor would I imagine my new Endura opening as well.

Tip-up is only a problem with liner-locks, and perhaps frame locks.
 
thats what I have been saying all along.

some people get mad at me for expressing my opinion about this.

I have seen people post that they would not buy my knives because I wont put the clip on the butt end.............

but the bottom line is, you can ruin your life sticking you hand into your pocket with an open blade waiting there for you!! :(
 
I actually favor tip up carry... Been carrying an Emerson Commander for so long now, that tip down seems very slow to me... also the Wave on the Com. wont work if its not tip up.
I just carry it all the way at the back of my pocket, which is not a problem for me. its simple enough to do, and in such great repetition its become an in-concious action now.
Never had it come open on me when I would carry it like that...

Altho... I have had it open on me when not carried like that... but it never was enough to make me dislike tip up carry.
Its faster for me (and thats important in my book. "Speed is life, Stillness is death" JAK, becomes very literal if I ever I found myself un-able to open my knife without fumbling it)... and when carried as I carry it, isnt a danger to me.

But, I'm not against tip down either... Some folders I've had, like the CRKT Ryan 7, once I removed the thumbstud, and had use of the opening hole, were great in tip down configuration... grab that thing out, pinch the hole, and snap the handle open, it would come right into my hand everytime... not much practice needed. Not as fast as Waving the Com. Or even as a normal draw of the Com. at least for me... but still, decently fast, coulda been made faster with work.
I need more tip down folders, as I want to get myself adept with them, so I can use both types with similar opening speed...

Just diff'rent strokes....:)
 
Tip up... tip down, ripped pants and bloody fingers. Guys, if you wanna carry a tactical knife, safely, why take the risk? Here's the answer: A Camillus CP74 with the kydex sheath. It's got a single edged blade (length of 3 1/4") to make it legal in most locales, is always safely open and ready and the high tech sheath provides for all kinds of carry. Cheap too, at about $20...
 
If it has a wave device - TIP-UP any day of the week.

Tip-down is ok too. Not my favourite way of carrying but it works.

I have never cut myself getting a folder (tip-up or tip-down) out of my pocket. One reason might be that I usually have jeans on (not anti-gun Levis). The trouser pocket might be the answer to why there are so many that cut themselves on tip-up knives. Maybe the Dockers type of pants has pockets that makes the knife "climb" when you sit down (I´ve experienced that one time). Therefore the extra margin of safety with the blade resting to one side of the pocket disappears.

Just a thought.

/Colinz
 
tip-up folders are pocketed with the blade toward the rear side of my pocket or away from my center-line. This keeps pressure against the blade so it can't open.
Click to expand...
I gotta agree with Flyinmonkey tip up or tip down all my EDC are carried with the blade against the posterior seam on my pants. I learned with too many cuts, it's not worth it, I don't know why someone can't configure a system where you can't have tip up, tip down left, or right side carry. I mean they're just little holes for aclip right?:confused:
 
Originally posted by flyingmonkey
What I don't understand is that my tip-up folders are pocketed with the blade toward the rear side of my pocket or away from my center-line. This keeps pressure against the blade so it can't open. In this set-up, I don't understand why so many dislike it. I only use spydies that are tip-up so my experience is somewhat limited. How do you carry your tip-up?
Thanks.
FM
Click to expand...

I like to carry in my back, right pocket. Not my front pocket. So, if I want the blade on the seam it has to be right up the crack of my butt :eek: Nah. I just stick with tip-down now.
 
My favorite has always been tip up. That seems most natural to me. Add a round Spyderco hole and you are all set.
 
I've carried a Spyderco Wegner (tip up) for 2 or 3 years without a problem. Placement in the pocket (pushed against edge) is important & the ball detent must be good to prevent partial openings. I have a Mini Commander in my pocket (w/ wave) & have had it as a primary/rotating EDC for months w/ no problems.
 
I always carry tip-up, if i see a knife i like and find that it's tip down, it would influence my decision of buying it. I have never had a folder open in my pocket, and i only have one tip-down carry folder. I would, however be less inclined to carry a liner-lock tip-up. When you draw a tip-down knife, you have to engage in a shift of hand position before you are ready to open the blade, that doesn't feel natural to me, also if you have to use your knife to defend yourself , you're likely to get a more positive purchase on a tip-up carry folder faster. I'm not saying that tip-down carry is useless, if a person feels better carrying tip-down (and is either apprehensive about the use of their folder in self defense or confident in their ability to make a quick and positive draw from tip-down) then that is the best way for said person to carry.
Happy carrying :)
 
Tip up don't make sense. Plain and simple. Oh you can do this and add that and make sure to put the knife one way or another, but...............it stiill don't make sense.
Greg
 
All of the knives in my daily rotation are tip up except for the ProTech Runt. Sifu, Commander, Carnivour, Axis AFCK and a Spyderco Goddard Lightweight. That's a liner lock, and Axis lock, two rolling locks and a lock back. The only knife that has ever bitten me while in my pockets was an old POS copy years ago that taught me to spend money on a decent knife next time! The detent was real crappy in that one. All of these are clipped for right handed carry so the blade is pointed to the side, not the center of the pocket, but i haven't had a blade even slightly open. Unless the knife is waved, I can snap open either tip up or down easily. Tip down inertia opens into reverse grip very fast however. Tip down adds a turn to the wrist when drawing to do this.

Hank:cool:
 
So, if a knife will open being carried tip up what the heck would happen if it was not carried with the clip, and just was loos in the pocket? Maybe the detents should be looked at again.
Personally I have had no problems with tip up or down opening. And beleive it or not I can open both types! :)
 
As many people – as many opinions. Well, everyone can like what he or she likes. But there are some objective reasons to do not trust liner lock and compression lock in tip-up position. In opposite – there is nothing wrong with back lock or axis lock in tip-up carry because they hold closed position much firmer and additionally they pull partially opened blade back into the handle but liner lock doesn’t.

I have shared my arguments in this matter here just some days ago.
 
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