So, how DO you tip-up guys do it?

proud2deviate

proud2deviate

Joined
Apr 5, 2004
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I loves my Spydercos, but I find myself increasingly dismayed that many of the new offerings (and old ones, for that matter,) lack a provision for tip-down carry.

I carry my knives tip-down. I've tried tip-up, and I find it incredibly awkward, slow, and just plain wrong. However, I must recognize that Spyderco wouldn't be making and selling all of these tip-up knives if people were having the same trouble as me. Thusly, it is apparent that the problems I'm having must stem from poor technique on my part.

I wear blue jeans most of the time. My knife usually sits in my right hip pocket. My usual draw involves grasping the knife between my thumb and forefinger; my thumb falls near the pivot, and my forefinger usually lands in the depression of the clip. As I pull the knife out of my pocket, it pivots quite naturally into my palm, my thumb lands on the hole, and I open the knife.

I won't detail my technique for a tip-up draw, because it's quite clear that I'm doin it rong:)

So, how do you tip-up guys do it? If you find yourself so inclined, could you please detail the particulars of your drawing technique? There are a great many knives that I'm missing out on, simply because I don't know how to work 'em.
 
I run my thumb down the knife on the inside of the pocket and fingers on the outside,when drawn the knife is in my hand the way it should be for opening.
On tip down knives I draw the knife with my finger and thumb then have to reposition the knife to open.
I like tip up better as it feels better to me and for the fact I always tie on a lanyard.
 
With tip up, your thumb naturally falls right on the spydie hole as you grab the knife. This is how God intended it.

With tip down, you have to flip the knife 180 degrees for deployment.

I carry tip down, but its only because I carry the folder on my weak side. In this position, tip down is best because I have to transfer the knife to my strong side hand.
 
Yeah, like they said. Your thumb goes down the length of the blade before you retrieve it, as you draw it, the knife is already grasped in your hand ready to open. With tip down, you have to reposition the knife in your hand a bit.

However, I don't really find that much of a speed difference, or working difference. Once you're used to whichever method, at least. I have a few Spydies set up for tip up, and some for tip down. Doesn't really seem to affect me, though I do prefer tip up.
 
There are pros and cons with both. With tip down, you have the thumb hole closest to the pocket lining, enabling you to access the hole right away.

With tip up, the thumb hole is way down deep in your pocket and you need to get the knife out of your pocket, before you can access the hole, but you draw the knife in a more natural position, similar to how you would draw a fixed blade.

The position in which you keep your hand while drawing is of course different for both variants. I find that with tip up it's most practical to keep the knife clipped to the very rear of your pocket lining to easiest gain access of the knife (this also prevents the knife from opening in the pocket). With tip down it can be a better idea to keep it a little more forwards, if possible even to the very front of the lining of the pocket.

When I carry the knife in my pants pocket (meaning most of the time), which usually means carrying it in a rather low position, I find it more practical to carry it tip up. If I carry the knife a little higher, like in a jacket pocket, or in a breast pocket, I'd rather have it tip down.
 
I hate tip down carry. I wont even buy it if theres not a tip up option. Or I would have to install a custom clip.

Tip up positions your hand directly where it needs to be to open the knife as opposed to tip down which makes you flip the knife around. I dont know how you tip down people can handle it. :)
 
Tip up can be a bit risky sometimes though. I've stung myself on the tips of knives, while carrying them tip up. It's especially prevalent on liner lock knives with extremely short blade to handle ratio and very pointy tip (for an example the CRKT Hissatsu folder :mad:).
 
I dislike tip-up.

I have to reposition the knife in my hand to acces the opening assist means (hole, thumbstud, etc.), usually by flipping the knife about.

Much easier with tip-down, since ideally the knife can be withdrawn by pinching the pivot area and pulling the knife out - the thumb is ready and positioned to flip the blade open.

I guess I just don't have monkey length thumbs for that tip-up draw.
 
proud2deviate said:
I loves my Spydercos, but I find myself increasingly dismayed that many of the new offerings (and old ones, for that matter,) lack a provision for tip-down carry.

I carry my knives tip-down. I've tried tip-up, and I find it incredibly awkward, slow, and just plain wrong. However, I must recognize that Spyderco wouldn't be making and selling all of these tip-up knives if people were having the same trouble as me. Thusly, it is apparent that the problems I'm having must stem from poor technique on my part.

I wear blue jeans most of the time. My knife usually sits in my right hip pocket. My usual draw involves grasping the knife between my thumb and forefinger; my thumb falls near the pivot, and my forefinger usually lands in the depression of the clip. As I pull the knife out of my pocket, it pivots quite naturally into my palm, my thumb lands on the hole, and I open the knife.

I won't detail my technique for a tip-up draw, because it's quite clear that I'm doin it rong:)

So, how do you tip-up guys do it? If you find yourself so inclined, could you please detail the particulars of your drawing technique? There are a great many knives that I'm missing out on, simply because I don't know how to work 'em.
Click to expand...


...dont worry, real men carry tip down anyway :p
 
u812 said:
I run my thumb down the knife on the inside of the pocket and fingers on the outside,when drawn the knife is in my hand the way it should be for opening.
On tip down knives I draw the knife with my finger and thumb then have to reposition the knife to open.
I like tip up better as it feels better to me and for the fact I always tie on a lanyard.
Click to expand...

+1

Just slide your thumb all the way into your pocket and pinch the knife. Comes out in your hand ready to be opened
 
proud2deviate said:
I carry my knives tip-down. I've tried tip-up, and I find it incredibly awkward, slow, and just plain wrong.
Click to expand...

Yep, I agree with you 100%. With tip-down, when you grab the knife by the pivot, your thumb is already in close proximity to the hole. It takes a slight adjustment to get it into deploying grip.

With tip-up, on the other hand, your middle and ring fingers need to be focused on to grip the handle while pulling while getting your thumb on the hole... And the fingers are so far away from the thumb that it provides a weak grip when trying to deploy the blade; it requires major adjustment.

powernoodle said:
With tip down, you have to flip the knife 180 degrees for deployment.
Click to expand...

I don't know how you grab your knife, but I only have to turn it some 30°.
 
Tip up only works on smaller knives for me. Larger ones (SMF, Sebenza) tend to be a little awkward and involve a sliding the knife down till my thumb hits the stud / hole.

I prefer tip down. :)
 
Another tip down lover here.

Tip up may be acceptable on a smaller knife, but even on my UKPK my thumb is nowere long enough to go from the pocket rim to the spyderhole. On any tip down I can position the thumb immediately, and rotate the knife as it clears the pocket to bring the back of the handle into the palm of the hand, then pushing the hole to get the blade deployed.

It's a good thing that Spydies give you choices, i wouldn't want to push my technique onto anyone. But I'd never love the Paras and Millies as much as I do if it wasn't for the tip down carry.
 
Ah, it makes sense that it might be easier with smaller knives. I'll have to give that a try if I get to go to the gun show next weekend.

On a side note, there is one thing I'll say against tip down; I hate it when I get grit in my pivots.
 
I like my Endura tip up When I pull it out of my pocket, It come right open via a zip tie. Works real well. Although I will say that the Endura is a little long as far as monkey thumbs go, I don't have then either.
 
I only use tip-up, but I open with my index finger, not my thumb. Using your thumb, you have to reposition the knife in your hand whether tip up or tip down, since you have to keep it away from your palm to use your thumb; however, with your index, the knife is in your hand is exactly how you'll use it. And while your thumb might not reach the hole, your index is positioned higher on the hand and is longer, so that's not an issue. I never really understood why people use their thumb.
 
Tip up here, Tip down just feels strange, I have to flip the knife around to open it. Also, I like tip up having the blade being pressed against my pocket seam, as opposed to tip down, and trusting gravity to protect my "equipment".:eek:
 
kreole said:
I only use tip-up, but I open with my index finger, not my thumb. Using your thumb, you have to reposition the knife in your hand whether tip up or tip down, since you have to keep it away from your palm to use your thumb; however, with your index, the knife is in your hand is exactly how you'll use it. And while your thumb might not reach the hole, your index is positioned higher on the hand and is longer, so that's not an issue. I never really understood why people use their thumb.
Click to expand...

I would like to see that one done. My index finger doesn't even begin to bend in the direction needed to open a blade further than 20 or 30 degrees.
 
No doubt kreole index-flicks his Spydies, I've done so occasionally myself, especially my tip-up Military (STR mounted) and my trusty Delica 3.
 
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