- Joined
- Jan 1, 2004
- Messages
- 243
Why are most (at least all I have) folders sold blade up in clipped position? Seems illogical. Plus, do you use allen wenches to change?
Dave
Dave
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Tact. Folders/Up/Down??
- Thread starter 30-30 Cal.
- Start date
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- Oct 3, 1998
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- 4,842
Blade up is the way to go, in the opinion of many (including me). If you go blade down, there's no way to draw to a thumb opening without pinch-gripping at some time during the draw. With the tip up, you can keep your entire hand around the knife through the draw.
The main problem with tip-up is with liner locks and frame locks, because the ball detent mechanism just doesn't work anywhere near as well as having constant closing spring pressure like a lockback, or even an axis lock. For locks that don't provide closing spring pressure, tip down is usually the better choice.
Obviously, opinions vary. Many people like tip-down better.
Joe
The main problem with tip-up is with liner locks and frame locks, because the ball detent mechanism just doesn't work anywhere near as well as having constant closing spring pressure like a lockback, or even an axis lock. For locks that don't provide closing spring pressure, tip down is usually the better choice.
Obviously, opinions vary. Many people like tip-down better.
Joe
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2001
- Messages
- 1,744
I strongly prefer tip up carry as I find it much faster to draw and open quickly using a thumb stud/hole. There are a few folders I've liked that were tip down and for that reason I don't own any of them, luckily my favorites (Sebenza, FRN Spyderco's, many BM's) are all tip up knives.
You say it seems illogical, but you don't say why. Care to explain?
You say it seems illogical, but you don't say why. Care to explain?
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2004
- Messages
- 243
Hi All,
Slide 13, I've never had a tip down folder, so I don't have any experiece with a tip down draw. I'll take you guys word tip up is the best.
The reason I said the tip up seems illogical is, I guess, simply based on a sheathed draw where your hand goes straight to the handle and out comes the blade ready for action. The same motion for folders just seems to make more sense to this new guy. With a tip up, you are basically grabbing the knife upside down.
I'd better stop before I really confuse myself.
Dave
Slide 13, I've never had a tip down folder, so I don't have any experiece with a tip down draw. I'll take you guys word tip up is the best.
The reason I said the tip up seems illogical is, I guess, simply based on a sheathed draw where your hand goes straight to the handle and out comes the blade ready for action. The same motion for folders just seems to make more sense to this new guy. With a tip up, you are basically grabbing the knife upside down.
I'd better stop before I really confuse myself.
Dave
- Joined
- Jul 24, 2002
- Messages
- 861
With tip-up, you're grabbing the knife with the blade oriented upside-down, but with the handle positioned "right-side up" relative to your hand. So all you have to do is "right" the blade via the opening mechanism (thumstud, hole, etc.), which is conveniently located right where you placed your thumb when drawing the knife. So you have a full-grip on the knife through-out the draw as someone mentioned earlier, along with fewer movements in getting the knife into action (although with some knives you have to reposition your hand a bit).
My personal preference is tip-down, mostly because my first knives were tip-down, but also because with larger knives, it's easier to pull at the exposed portion of the handle and flip it into my palm rather than dig down into my pocket, especially if I'm carrying something else alongside the knife. In addition, when space is at a premium, and my knife is packed in tight, it's faster to get the knife out tip-down for me, rather than reposition my hand up the handle drawing tip-up, throughout which the knife is somewhat insecure in the hand. Incidentally, I can open an unfamiliar knife faster tip-down and usually can open my EDC faster tip-down as well under similar conditions when using the thumbstud/opening hole/etc.(although the security of grip of the tip-up to draw is nice at times).
Tip-down is generally safer, although I've never had any real problem with a knife opening in the pocket, as long as the edge is positioned at the seam (although this limits carrying options somewhat).
My personal preference is tip-down, mostly because my first knives were tip-down, but also because with larger knives, it's easier to pull at the exposed portion of the handle and flip it into my palm rather than dig down into my pocket, especially if I'm carrying something else alongside the knife. In addition, when space is at a premium, and my knife is packed in tight, it's faster to get the knife out tip-down for me, rather than reposition my hand up the handle drawing tip-up, throughout which the knife is somewhat insecure in the hand. Incidentally, I can open an unfamiliar knife faster tip-down and usually can open my EDC faster tip-down as well under similar conditions when using the thumbstud/opening hole/etc.(although the security of grip of the tip-up to draw is nice at times).
Tip-down is generally safer, although I've never had any real problem with a knife opening in the pocket, as long as the edge is positioned at the seam (although this limits carrying options somewhat).
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2004
- Messages
- 243
It makes sense to me, although the tip down position does not seem to be as favored as tip up. Question, what tool is used to change the clip? A allen wench doesn't seem to work, even though it's the correct size.
Dave
Dave
- Joined
- Jul 24, 2002
- Messages
- 861
Depends on the knife, but the clip'll usually be held by Torx screws.
I have knives in both orientations and they're both ok, but I really appreciate the trend towards offering predrilled clip options.
The one small problem I've had with tip up carry is that if I'm in such a position that the thumb studs catch on the inside of the pocket as I'm drawing (for example, while seated in a car or while in a crouching position,) the blade can open up part way- and especially with a larger blade, get caught on the draw. A tip down blade that opened part way on the draw would be much more inclined to make it out of the pocket without incident.
That said, I'm currently pursuing several tip up knives and don't mind it at all if the thumb studs aren't prone to getting caught.
The one small problem I've had with tip up carry is that if I'm in such a position that the thumb studs catch on the inside of the pocket as I'm drawing (for example, while seated in a car or while in a crouching position,) the blade can open up part way- and especially with a larger blade, get caught on the draw. A tip down blade that opened part way on the draw would be much more inclined to make it out of the pocket without incident.
That said, I'm currently pursuing several tip up knives and don't mind it at all if the thumb studs aren't prone to getting caught.
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2000
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- 1,526
Because thats the way God intended.
I like a spring keeping the blade closed or a lock that holds when closed and don´t care about tip orientation when clipped. in blades with ball detents tip down is safer but I feel still risky.
Then again, I normaly just carry a slipjoint and have never worried about fast opening.
Then again, I normaly just carry a slipjoint and have never worried about fast opening.
I find it faster to draw tip down, Just flip the knife up out of your pocket between our thumb and index finger in such a way as to 'flip' the knife so the back hits the palm of your hand. Deploy the blade with your thumb. Of course with tip up you don't have to flip the knife, bit you may have to 'travel' your hand up the knife to hold it properly depending on how well you can grab hold of it in the first place.
With tip down you won't risk a serious gash to the thumb pad if you really go the grab your knife with out trepidation, and if the blade opens slightly
With tip down you won't risk a serious gash to the thumb pad if you really go the grab your knife with out trepidation, and if the blade opens slightly
- Joined
- Jan 7, 2000
- Messages
- 817
All of my carry folders are tip down in the pocket, because that is the only way the makers will make them. I personally like it this way and find it very easy to draw. Having a tip up knife come open in my pockets and rip apart my pants and leg was not a fun experience, and I really don't want to mess with that again.
JR
JR
