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

I didn't read the whole thread, so sorry if I'm repeating a point already made, but...

Once I had a knife with a blade that swung open very easily. I carried it tip up. The blade opened about 30 degrees without me knowing it while standing. My pants got tighter when I went to go sit down, and it nearly jabbed the blade into my thigh. Luckily, my reaction to stand back up was quick enough for it not to cut me.

EDIT: Now that I think about it, this could probably happen with a knife tip up or tip down... :confused:
 
Yes, but not so readily with tip-down. That's not why I prefer tip-down though. I suppose what it really boils down to is what we started out with, which is, ultimately, what we get accustomed to and become familiar and comfortable with. I started with a Spyderco Police and then quickly transitioned to a BM 975. I carried that BM975 (tip-down) for a decade. I know it well.
 
Tip up. I haven't had one come open yet, especially tucked all the way to the far edge of my jeans pocket.
 
All depends on the knife for me. Both methods work fine, and I switch my rotation enough that I automatically go for the proper deployment of either.
I'm not so keen on tip-up with liner locks though; they seem to open a tad easily in the pocket. With lock-back or Axis(or ball-bearing lock) I find tip-up to be fine.:thumbup:
 
i always carry in back pocket and as most here it depends on the knife.
ive noticed that if its a large knife i prefer tip down; grab the bolster area and rotate it into the palm.
if its a small one i prefer tip up, grab deep as so my thumb connects with the stud.
whatever way is gets the knife open in as few as possible moves.

if you can throw it open tip up is easiest and more satisfying :-) but rather unsheeple.
current EDC (small, backlock, thumbstud) is tip up (no choice).
 
Erasmus said:
Tip down. Tip up is dangerous. To my thumb.
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The first week I had my Sebenca I stabbed myself in the thumb AND had the clip snag on the seat/seatbelt and be lying on the seat.

I carry in my right Hip Pocket, or that area. Cashiers do NOT like taking bloody money! LOL

Got rid of the clip on the Sebbie and had MtMike make a tip down belt sheath from his SA orininal. Sheath arrived the same week the knife came back from Tom Mayo.

It has been on my belt ever since, 4 or 5 years.

Not worried about being fast. CCW's are a wonderful thing.

Rob
 
I'm kind of in-between on this. I carry only tip down knives (because that's just what I happenned to buy) and I do realize now that I do exactly as everyone has described. I can pull it out in one pretty easy motion. Though I like the idea of tip up. I'll definately be doing tip up when I get my Waved Delica soon.
 
Tip up just seems more natural way to draw a knife for me. Just the way I work.

I tend to not buy tip down knives cause I find them harder to draw. It's that important to me.
 
I don't know what the consensus is, but I've certainly never found any extra effort or time involved in getting or opening a knife regardless of clip/tip position.
 
Hmmm...interesting spread of responses, so far.

Another thing that may have an influence on my general preference for a tip up carry is that fact that I usually find the pocket clip position less intrusive than on tip down knives. However, I suppose this can be as much a design/ergonomics thing as anything else.

Sometimes it just feels right...and sometimes it don't.
 
I prefer tip down, but I typically choose a tip-up small Seb for everyday use. When a tip-down is released, I'm on it.

waiting, still....
 
Carried "tip up" since I discovered "clipped" knives, got used to it, and now, that's all I buy. Never tried "tip down", would seem foreign to me.
 
Tip down.

I hate how the only scratches on my car are from my clip...theres 5 of them and they are all in the same spot(rear door), same length (~4"), and happened the same way(getting into the car). You would have thought Id learn the first 4 times! :mad:
 
Yes, tip-up has the greater potential for harming yourself if the knife opens in your pocket but I still prefer it to the tip-down style. Don't know why except the tip down style always feels more awkward.

I carry my EDC in my right front pocket. With the knife's spine against the back of the pocket it is unlikely the blade is going to open accidentally.
 
Depends on the knife. If it has an axis lock, wave, flipper, etc, then I much prefer tip up. I figure knives with those features are meant to be opened fast, and tip up carry really helps with that. However, if the knife only has a thumb stud, then tip up/down doesn't matter much to me. I've heard that tip up is more dangerous, but I've never had a problem with it. All of my tip up knives either have an axis lock or speed safe. so they are pretty good about staying closed. Also if the knife does accidentally fall open, it opens toward the back of my pocked where my hand doesn't go.
 
titration said:
All of my tip up knives either have an axis lock or speed safe. so they are pretty good about staying closed.
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In regards to tip up safety issues, I guess a positive aspect of the assisted opener, aside from the "semi auto" appeal that they may have for some folks, is that assisted knives should have fairly reliable blade retention properties. Torsion bar/blade cam systems, like those found on the Tighe, Hissatsu knives and the like, are extremely simple, rugged systems with very positive blade retention properties...theoretically superior to many autos, which one should probably always regard as being "armed", and at least as reliable as a good slip joint design.
 
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