Tip-up liner/frame locks

hardheart

hardheart

Joined
Sep 19, 2001
Messages
8,968
Do these open up much on those whp have 'em? Can't bring myself to get an EKI, CRK, Strider cause of the possibility. Although I do have an LCC on the way. (didn't notice this detail til after I ordered)
 
Personally, I have to really like a knife to buy it if it is not tip up carry. I have carried tip up knives for about 10 years starting with my Spyderco, then to several Cold Steel knives, and finally to a couple of Rekat Sifu's, Emerson Commander and a Buck Strider. I have never had a blade open up in my pocket which I guess is a good thing because most razor blades are't as sharp as some of these blades.

It is a personal decision, I prefer tip up, some may feel more comfortable tip down...although if I really like a knife I won't let this stop me from buying it. I love my Spyderco Civilian and it is tip down carry. I would look more into the quality of the knife for the money, and how it feels in your hand, and does it fit your tastes.

:)
 
The only tip-up knife that has opened up in my pocket is my Commander. But, I had loosened it up VERY loose and I was playing basketball with it in my pocket. Dumb, huh?
 
Originally posted by hardheart
Do these open up much on those whp have 'em?
Click to expand...
Nope. Never.
I carry them with the spine of the blade against the pocket seam most of the time.
Right now my "carry" folders consist of two frame locks, and three liner locks. All tip-up (though the small Sebenza doesn't have the clip on it anymore).

I
 
I remember a similar thread that was running around just before I bought my Sebenza about a month ago. Seems there was one guy who kept complaining about his Sebenza opening up all the time. The general concensus was that either (1) he had a defective knife (as nobody else had seen this problem) and should send it in for repairs (Chris Reeve himself replied to the thread saying he should send it back), or (2) this guy was full of malarchy. (Did I spell that right -- is it even a real word?) Personally, after reading his posts, I think he was full of it.

Anyway, I went ahead and bought a Sebenza. It is the first knife I have owned that had a tip-up carry. Actually that's not quite true -- I've owned a few, just never carried them. I have had absolutely no problem with mine. I principally carry it loose in my right front pocket, and I usually wear jeans. I've yet to clip it inside the waistband when I wear dress pants, but I'm not at all concerned. This knife will not open on its own. Period.

Do I like tip-up better? The feel when actually using the knife is nicer, as the clip stays out of the way at the back of the knife. As far as a quick draw goes, I can be just as speedy with either type of carry. So, I guess if I had to choose, I'd go with tip up, but only because to me it makes the knife much more user friendly.

Just my $0.02.

-Al-
 
I carried a Sebenza for a while before trading it, and it never opened accidentally in my pocket. I've also carried a Buck Strider, Microtech L.C.C., Spyderco Wegner, Emerson CQC-7B, and a Benchmade 710 all designed for tip up carry, and none of them have opened accidentally.
 
My LCC D/A has stabbed me twice now. I think it is part of the need for the...ahem... you know what that requires the blade to be less rigidly held in place.:eek:

The fact that it is tip up and razor sharp 154CM does not help matters!:eek:
 
Great, no worries then. Except now I have no excuse not to spend more money. :( :confused: :D

Oops, General, your post came up after I typed this one, so the jury is still out.
 
Unless it is the D/A model, don't worry! My other tip knives like the Sebenza'a I own have never once given me any problems. It is ONLY this knife with that D/A feature that causes it.:cool:
 
Excuse me while I sound like an idiot, but what is D/A? Is it an LCC with a Dual Action? If so... I may be spending more $ soon, too. :)

-Al-
 
Most good tip-up knives (like the Sebenza) have a detent to prevent opening in your pocket yet not interfere with normal opening. Most top of the line tip-ups are just as safe as tip-downs.
 
Never had a quality tip-up liner lock open on me. Though the only tip-up liner lock I carry is my LCC DA. My other tip-up knives (lockback, Axis lock, Rolling lock, Arc lock) haven't opened on me either. It's not something I worry about, though it is something I check out before I put a knife in my pocket.

alelser - Not only is the LCC DA a dual action, but the release for it is very well hidden. It rates extremely high on the gadget factor, and makes it pretty safe to carry even where auto's are illegal (YMMV). If you want an LCC, save up for the DA, it's worth it.
 
A tool can only work within it's design parameters, when you go outside of them you run the risk of having a failure.

A right handed, tip up knife is designed to be carried in the right front pocket where the blade will be pressed against the seam of your pants. Even if it were to fail, the blade should be held closed by your pants, which would preclude failure.

IMO, Carrying a tip up knife any other way is just asking to get cut. Even though I have been known to do it I am always cautious when going for it.

With that said, no matter how I carry my tip up knives I have never had one open. But I think common sense rools the game on this one..
 
If you look at the standard LCC and the D/A, you will notice that at the rear pin, where the blade tip rests when the blade is closed. It is actually possible to cut yourself slightly by running your finger along the handle! The reason is the blade is not held into the handle quite enough. The reason for this is I suppose the mech for the D/A and the lack of a strong ball and racetrack. I hasten to add that the example above is using moderate force pussing down in a very unatural way and is not likely to happen in real life. I only use this as an example of how the blade is not held down with enough force IMHO.

I have dropped this knife several times and amazingly it did not 'fire' on me once:D ! I know I can trust this knife now! However each and every time the knife blade opened at least 1/3. It literaly 'popped' open. Now this is a somewhat embarasing situation. Bear in mind that you have just dented the floor with the knife and now there is an open blade singing 'deadly weapon'! Not good in the UK...:rolleyes:
 
Since people often have strong feelings on this frequently discussed subject I will offer mine once again. I think anyone with common sense will grasp that a tip up knife with proper detent carried in the right hand pocket with the back of the blade against the seam is a very safe way to carry. In my opinion, that pocket seam is the added "safety" that keeps the knife closed even under unusual circumstances.

That same knife carried tip down would have the back of the blade facing the inside of the pocket if carried in the same position. If you carried the tip down knife next to the inside seam of your pocket that would work too but it is not as comfortable since it is possible to put pressure on your inner thigh/groin when you bend your leg. Plus I don't like the close proximity to my pride and joy.

I have heard many people rail against the tip up carry knives claiming that they can come open in your pocket or half open upon drawing from the pocket. I think that's a bunch of bull. I've never had any tip up knife accidentally open on me.

I have had one knife that was a tip down open partially while in my pocket and I barely escaped being cut while fishng around for change. I got away with a scratch but no blood.

Maybe it's in how you pull the knife out or the type of thumbstuds on the blade. I would stay away from protrusive thumbstuds and light detents if you're concerned. And keep dust out of your knife. The Sebenza is a precision instrument and has none of those problems.
 
I carry in my back right hand pocket, so I don't get a "seam safety" on tip up blades. My Sifu opened on my once, and I wasn't doing anything particularly strenuous. Luckily I only had to patch the pocket of my shorts. I used to think the Sifu action was "so smooooth", but I had to tighten it up a bit after that. I don't really like tip-up.

AA
 
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