Safety in knives. do you ....

L

LawyerSam

Joined
Jun 25, 2010
Messages
270
FOr safety, do you get a certain style of knife?

Like, do you always try to get tip up, or tip down, or a frame lock or liner lock. While I do not think I am going to worry about it, the 999 times out of 1000 is no problem, I do not want to think about disengaging a lock and cutting myself badly. SOme guys have posted that they always prefer tip down carry and clips.
 
There are certain styles I avoid, like RH tip up only folders. I'm a lefty, and I want the blade securely resting against a seam.

I also don't buy junk.

Phillip
 
I've been carrying victorinox slipjoints forever and never had it fail on me. Then again a victorinox is a multitool that allows me to pry stuff without using the blade.

If you really really want to be sure, back lock and axis-style lock are in theory stronger than liner/frame lock. If you really really really want to be sure, you can wear it tip down so it can never open up accidentally by gravity. By far the biggest investment in safety is by buying reputable brands. They put a lot of time and money in making sure their products are safe, because an unsafe product can cost them a lot of money in litigation.
 
Last edited:
I prefer tip up carry.
I've used locking blades less than non-locking blades in the big scheme of things.
I like the axis lock, but the reliance on springs doesn't thrill me.
Frame lock seems pretty safe.
Never had a liner lock fail.
My lock back knives seem to be safe enough.
I also highly suspect that someone who has a blade fold on them is doing something fundamentally wrong.
People look kinda silly when they chop their fingers off and blame it on a tool.
 
I won't carry a non locking knife. I do realize this is only a safety issue for me because of my tendency to do things that are not right/smart to accomplish something.

I've got the scars to prove it. Just took out 2 stitches from doing something dumb with a utility knife... But it's not the knife's fault. It is because of my mindset.
 
I prefer liner-locks, but don't buy only liners...

also, for edc, I prefer tip up carry (if possible with wave style opening)
 
1st off I don't buy junk.

I also tend to like heavy duty folders. :)
 
I prefer to carry slippies in my pocket, they are just way more comfortable for me than clipped knives. I also trust the blade retention when closed, but I could never imagine carrying linerlock knives in keychain or so (there are some).. sounds a bit too risky for me.

But that's just me.
 
I don't have TOO much of a preference but IF I had to choose, tip up is preferred. Then and again I don't buy junk so I never worry either way.
 
I don't have knives clipped to my pocket and carry slipjoints mostly, but I do have a few knives with a back lock and never had problems with them. I think the others are right that if you buy a quality knife, than the locking mechanism will be of good quality too.
 
I prefer tip down ever since I had a blade come open a little in my pocket so that when i stuck my hand in OUCH! -Sliced right up the side of my finger.

I also prefer modern designs to slipjoints for edc. Personally I am better at opening and closing them safely with one hand with no problem. For some reason I tend to get bit much more often using a slipjoint. Usually while trying to close one with slippery hands.
 
Phillip Dobson said:
I also don't buy junk.
Click to expand...

This is the only measure I take, purchase-wise, to ensure 'safety'. Opinels, SAKs, liner locks, back locks, etc. all seem perfectly safe to me as long as you use them safely and they won't fall apart on you. Tip up/Tip down, etc. doesn't really matter to me, personally, and I've never found that it has much bearing on safe knife use.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top