Tip up or tip down for tactical folders: which do you prefer?

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AfterDark

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Apr 9, 2007
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Do you prefer tip up or tip down carry for your tactical folders? Which one lets you deploy faster, more secure, and easier. For me, I am use to tip down ever since I got my emerson last year. I carry in my pocket unclipped and I am able to palm the whole knife if I carry tip up and I also don't have to rotate it 90 degrees to orient it for opening.

If I carried tip down, I would have to rotate the knife after pulling it out. I get less of a grip from tip down since my thumb and index finger can only hold on to about half of the length of the handle. Besides not getting a good grip on the whole knife, I also have to rotate the knife 90 degress to get it in position to open. This leaves me with lots of chances of dropping the folder during the drawing phase, and rotating phase. With tip up, I easily palm the whole knife without worrying about dropping it since I started with more comfortable grip without rotating a folder. I definitely feel more secure with tip up carry. What says you in terms of speed and ease? Stay safe.
 
Most of my folders are tip up, but I do have a tip down with another coming that is tip down. I think tip up is a little easier, but tip down is not that far behind. For absolute speed of deployment? I think tip up would be faster.
 
It really doesn't matter. My P-Mil. is tip down and my HD-7 is tip up. It's not the instrument but the musician playing it.
 
Lycosa said:
It really doesn't matter. My P-Mil. is tip down and my HD-7 is tip up. It's not the instrument but the musician playing it.
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I agree.
I don't seem to be any faster or any slower with tip-up or tip-down.
 
For those of you that are just as quick tip-down, good for you. I wish I was, & because I'm not, I prefer tip-down. In fact, I got rid of some knives because they're tip-down & I know I won't carry them much (B/M 913, JYD II, & several others I don't remember right now).

If the knife is waved (Emersons & waved Spydercos), then tip-up is a must, but I just find it easier to pull a knife out & thumb-flick it open compared to tip-down carry (Where I have to move the knife in my hand before flicking it open).

Obviously, it's just me. Also, I think autos & A/Os are better tip-up because when you pull the knife out, it's in position compared to the other way. The less I have to change my grip on the knife (When I really need it), the better.
 
Tip down is way safer , I have had some experience with tip up knives creeping open in the pocket - trust me , it hurts .Some tip ups are ok , but ya want to check out the detent , an closing action carefully .

Chris
 
Tip-up, unless it has a Spydie hole, then tip-down for a "drop-opening".
 
I prefer tip up, but just because a knife was tip down only wouldn't discourage me from buying it. Practice with both.
 
It really doesn't make a difference to me. The only knife I've changed clips on has been a CRKT Desert Cruiser, which I changed to tip up. It's a strange knife in some respects because the lanyard hole is blocked by the blade! I did use the back handle's retaining fastener to attach a leather cord.

Anyway, all things being equal, I'll take tip down.

.
 
I like tip-up in pockets below the belt line and tip-down above the belt. I carried and Emerson CQC-7 in my right front pocket tip-up and a MOD Mark II Dieter CQD tip-down on my vest in the sand box. In this configuration each knife was in the right spot to just grab and open.
 
I like tip-up, as the narrower end of the knife is at the top of the pocket. Less likely to get in the way of your hand if you keep other stuff in the bottom of your pocket. I used to prefer tip-down, until I bought a Reese Wyland Hawkbill knife. The top of the blade and the rough thumb stud left permanent scars on the top of my right hand, above the pinky.
Lately my two favorites are a full size Benchmade Rukus right hand, and a small Rukus left hand.
My hands thank me. And yes, they are easier to open. Tip downs are all stored for a as yet to be determined amount of time.
 
i like tip up but thats what i'm used to, if ya practice drawing a tip down i dont think its much (if any) slower or less secure, its just what ya are used to.
 
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