PM2 - tip up or tip down?

[rsngfrce]

First of all, I know the tip up vs tip down question has been discussed near infinitely, and everybody has their own preferences, so please try not to get carried away in responding to this...

I personally haven't developed a preference for tip up or tip down (right front pocket), I almost always just go with however the knife came stock. I am just wondering, specifically with the Paramilitary 2, if anyone feels there is a strong advantage to tip up or tip down carry? The reason I ask is that they come from the factory tip down, which is how I carry them, but I have noticed a lot of pictures here of PM2's that are set up for tip up carry. Some will say tip up carry makes it more likely for the blade to open in your pocket, allowing you to cut your hand... this is countered by people who say that in your right pocket, the blade is against the side of your pocket, preventing it from opening. Some searching here seems to find that some people normally prefer tip up carry don't have a problem carrying the PM2 tip down.

I think it comes down to which orientation makes it easier for you to deploy the knife and I personally think I a valid debate could be made for either option being better (specifically with the PM2), so it comes down to personal preference, but if anyone is interested in commenting, I'd be happy to hear it.

 

[mb>]

I was thinking about switching mine to tip up just to have the clip out of the way at the back when using the knife. But I think tip down is a more natural deploy position for me coming out of the pocket.

 

[bdmicarta]

I carry clipped in my right front pocket so tip down is faster for me to deploy. I have not had a problem with blades opening in my pocket so safety is not an issue. I prefer tip down in general but right now about half or more of the 12 knives in my EDC rotation are tip up.

 

[salehonasi]

Tip-up vs. tip-down is generally not a huge issue for me, but on Spydercos, my preference almost always runs to tip down, because you can spydie-drop it the instant it comes out of your pocket. It's hardly necessary, as the difference is probably a fraction of a second, but it's just fun.

 

[@LeathermanGX]

All tip down! Tip up is a fad!

 

[@LeathermanGX]

This shouldn't even be a debate in Spyderco! The clip-it opening technic is a Spyderco trademark! If any, manufacturer shouldn't have this debate it should be Spyderco. Go elsewhere if you don't like tip down! I hate all the holes all over the scales to pander to the squeaky wheel. The minority of tip up children. Who want to dangle bead and knot fobs off their Knives. Tip up was like left hand minority till about 6 years ago.

 

[Slice of Life]

I prefer tip up on mine. Down is a tad faster but were talking fractions of a sec and I like the added safety of tip up. If I wanna have fun with it I take it out and do so. Dont think its any more or less fun carrying it either way

 

[Lee48]

Tip up. Always. Why? It's what I started using 25 or so years ago and it's now ingrained in my muscle memory. When I do carry a tip down knife, it confuses my reflexes. I have to think about the opening process instead of just doing it.

 

[@LeathermanGX]

What's this added safety you're deluding about? I have carried tip down for over 30 years and never thought twice about safety.

 

[Tdhurl1103]

I've always preferred tip down, but for the larger knives I don't think it really matters, IMO.

 

[benchwarmer380]

This shouldn't even be a debate in Spyderco! The clip-it opening technic is a Spyderco trademark! If any, manufacturer shouldn't have this debate it should be Spyderco. Go elsewhere if you don't like tip down! I hate all the holes all over the scales to pander to the squeaky wheel. The minority of tip up children. Who want to dangle bead and knot fobs off their Knives. Tip up was like left hand minority till about 6 years ago.

I think it makes for a good debate. Both options are ingrained in Spyderco's heritage.

It's all about preference. Tip up feels more natural to me.
Old school Clipit Delica, tip up only.

 

[@LeathermanGX]

I had two of the tip up Enduras and both broke off the integrated clips. Destroying the carry option all together. Tip up is just wrong.

 

[Blade Runner 7]

This shouldn't even be a debate in Spyderco! The clip-it opening technic is a Spyderco trademark! If any, manufacturer shouldn't have this debate it should be Spyderco. Go elsewhere if you don't like tip down! I hate all the holes all over the scales to pander to the squeaky wheel. The minority of tip up children. Who want to dangle bead and knot fobs off their Knives. Tip up was like left hand minority till about 6 years ago.

Different strokes for different folks. "Go elsewhere if you don't like tip down"? Really? I think you need to put your life into perspective if you can get this heated over how other people carry their knives.

What's this added safety you're deluding about?

I think you mean ALLUDING TO.

 

[Blade Runner 7]

I had two of the tip up Enduras and both broke off the integrated clips. Destroying the carry option all together. Tip up is just wrong.

User error.

 

[wolf-man-12]

I have always carried mine w/Tip up as it is just there when I pull it out of my Pocket and it makes it so much easier and
never ever have I had a problem of any kind carrying this way ~~ like some people have in the past.!***
Course then to it is always a Spydie and with the hole it is always ready that way.!^^^

 

[tvenuto]

Tip up, but it's probably mostly because of how I learned to carry. If a knife was tip down only I wouldn't complain. And I REALLY don't care how anyone else prefers to carry.

 

[nccole]

Tip up, for right front pocket anyway

*It is safer for right front pocket. Ever dropped a knife and had it pop open? If you should happen to fall with a knife tip down right front pocket, it could pop open. I don't need to explain the rest. You may go years and years without an issue, but it only takes once and peace of mind is worth a lot to me. Right front tip up puts the spine of the blade trapped against the outside seam of your pants, it cannot open.

*When handling knives esp., choked up in choils like so many Spyderco's, it gets more of the clip out of your palm. It is more comfortable in all cases I have played with.

*I believe there are more tip up only knives than tip down only knives so it would be easier to be consistent. That may not be important to you at all. I like having my knives orientated the same. So much so I converted my Military to tip up. I just bought the new K2 and it is tip down only and Ti. I probably won't be converting that knife, we'll see.

*For me, speed of drawing and opening is a completely useless argument. It seems like the argument gets stuck here a lot. I don't really care, that apple I want to cut up isn't running away. If I need a self defense tool, my pocket knife is not my first option. Arguing about fractions of a second and how I need to move my fingers or thumb here or there is silly imo.


At the end of the day, carry it both ways for a while and see what you like. Everyone has different criterion and some are more passionate about it than others. Just be happy the PM2 is four way drilled so you can figure it out for yourself!

 

[benchwarmer380]

I had two of the tip up Enduras and both broke off the integrated clips. Destroying the carry option all together. Tip up is just wrong.

How'd you manage that? I haven't carried it much, usually when doing yard work. I much prefer changeable metal clips with screws of course but it works.

Can't wave a tip down knife.

 

[@LeathermanGX]

That's true. I have a waved ZT 0200. It's pretty awesome.

 

[rsngfrce]

This shouldn't even be a debate in Spyderco! The clip-it opening technic is a Spyderco trademark! If any, manufacturer shouldn't have this debate it should be Spyderco. Go elsewhere if you don't like tip down! I hate all the holes all over the scales to pander to the squeaky wheel. The minority of tip up children. Who want to dangle bead and knot fobs off their Knives. Tip up was like left hand minority till about 6 years ago.

Different strokes for different folks. "Go elsewhere if you don't like tip down"? Really? I think you need to put your life into perspective if you can get this heated over how other people carry their knives.

I thought LeathermanGX's post was pretty funny, myself...

Thanks to everyone for the interesting replies so far. Tip down started strong, then the tip up army invaded...

If the PM2 had a wave, then tip up would certainly be the way to go, but I'm not going to put a tie-strap on my PM2... :barf:

I expected that some would say tip up or tip down because that is the way they are used to carrying ALL of their folders, which makes sense, but is less specific to this individual knife, so thanks for pointing that out in your posts!