Tip up or down...what's your preference?

[headroom]

I realize some knives pretty much require a certain carry position to fully utilize specific deployment features, but that aside, it would be interesting to hear which carry configuration you favor...and specifically, why. How much does this ultimately influence your purchasing decision? Do you choose a knife based on its other merits and just live with the carry position, or do you place a significant priority on this feature?

I have always preferred tip up mostly because the knife does not have to be rotated into a normal grip.

 

[DeathByCactus]

I prefer tip up personally. That way when I go to retrieve my knife I don't need the extra motion of turning it around. It comes out and I open the blade, use it, and return it. I have a few knives that are tip down, it normally does not affect my decision if I like the knife, but if it is tip up or has a reversible clip then it is usually a bread winner for them.

 

[Varg Lobos]

I carry both. Some knives I carry tip down, some tip up. Both are equally fast(if that's what your going for). For tip down carry, I simply take the knife out with my thumb and first finger. Take the knife out and slide thumb up to deploy blade. No rotating necessary.

 

[Terry M.]

tip up for me. Goes right into the grip I need.

 

[SPXTrader]

Tip up here, too, if the knife allows it.

 

[StretchNM]

Tip down. Extract with thumb and index finger at pivot (as previously mentioned). Knife deploys into hand ready to open and use. No rotation necessary. No adjustment necessary.

With a tip up, while no rotation is necessary, at least one change of grip is necessary when extracting knife. First, thumb and index finger pull knife partially out. Then, adjustment is needed to postion the knife in the hand for opening and use. That's right, isn;t it? The only way to avoid this with a tip-up, as far as I know anyway, is to carry the tip-up knife in the pocket without using the clip. That way your hand reaches in and fully grasps the knife, ready to open and use once it's cleared your pocket.

In the waistband for me.

 

[stevekt]

For tip down carry, I simply take the knife out with my thumb and first finger. Take the knife out and slide thumb up to deploy blade. No rotating necessary.

Tip down. Extract with thumb and index finger at pivot (as previously mentioned). Knife deploys into hand ready to open and use. No rotation necessary. No adjustment necessary.

I agree with these two posts. :thumbup::thumbup:

 

[Butcher]

Waved Knife+Tip Up=Lightning Fast..

 

[reconranger]

Waved Knife+Tip Up=Lightning Fast..

Dito!!! Only thing that makes any sense to me!

If I choose for some reason not to wave it open (want to draw it but not expose the blade), then my thumb is already down there anyway by the hole for a quick opening if needed.

 

[SPXTrader]

With a tip up, while no rotation is necessary, at least one change of grip is necessary when extracting knife. First, thumb and index finger pull knife partially out. Then, adjustment is needed to postion the knife in the hand for opening and use. That's right, isn;t it?

Not necessarily so with a flipper and large hands. I put my thumb and index finger in my pocket. My middle finger is on the clip. Pull out with the thumb and middle finger, and the knife draws out into the palm of your hand with your index finger on the flipper. All one smooth motion.

 

[GoodGuy]

Tip up for me. The motions required to safely deploy the folder are easier for me when the folder has a tip up orientation.

I'm right handed. If I occasionally choose to carry a "tip down" folder, I usually clip it to my left pocket. I deploy it with my left hand and transfer it to my right hand. That puts in in the position I need. I find it's easier to do that than to attempt to "pivot" the knife in my right hand.

 

[357Wheelgunner]

Waved Knife+Tip Up=Lightning Fast..

I am into waved knives at the moment, it's just so fast and convenient. I have, however, cut my finger open when the blade opened slightly in my pocket and I tried to draw it the wrong way.

 

[Butcher]

Hopefully you'll learn how not to cut yourself before your tape dispenser runs out.

 

[Erasmus]

Tip down. Tip up is dangerous. To my thumb.

 

[mmmotorcycle]

Tip up is always more convinient.

 

[flip]

I prefer tip down. I have huge hands and it is much easier for me to grab the end of the knife with my thumb and index finger if it is tip down than to have to slide my thumb the length of the knife down inside of my pocket to remove it if it is tip up. There seems to be less movement involved for tip down carry for me. Plus, I don't have to worry about the blade opening while in my pocket if it is tip down.

I am going to try to get more comfortable with tip up carry. Santa is bringing me a Sebenza this year!

 

[T.K.C.]

I very much prefer tip up carry.

 

[headroom]

I have, however, cut my finger open when the blade opened slightly in my pocket and I tried to draw it the wrong way.

OK...now this would be my one concern with the tip up carry...if the blade hangs out you could fillet your fingers. That said, how likely is it that this could happen providing the blade pivot tension was set to a reasonable tightness?

 

[Reswob]

OK...now this would be my one concern with the tip up carry...if the blade hangs out you could fillet your fingers. That said, how likely is it that this could happen providing the blade pivot tension was set to a reasonable tightness?

With tip-up in my front pocket the blade is against the side of my pocket - no way it could open accidentally.

I generally prefer tip-up, but I guess it doesn't really matter. Most of my tip-up knives are long enough and/or ride deep enough in my pocket that I have to 'choke up' on the handle after drawing the knife anyway. Whereas tip-down, as others have mentioned, if you draw it right it just kind of falls into the prefect opening position.

 

[yablanowitz]

Past experiences have led me to prefer tip down carry. I carry a lot of knives, in many ways. You want the blade against the seam of your pocket? You can't carry it in the front corner of your back pocket as I do unless it is tip down or set for opposite hand carry. I have made the mistake of carrying a RHTU folder in my back pocket and paid for it in blood. (Note to self, liner locks don't snap closed when you jump down off a loading dock and land hard enough to overcome the detent. They stay open until you put your thumb in the pocket to draw the knife, then they slice your thumb and stab your...cheek.) Fortunately, the tip up in waistband lesson only cost me a shirt and not a kidney. I hate it when my knife decides to Wave open without a Wave.