Tip Up or Tip Down

The True North said:
Depends
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knarfeng said:
Depends
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Exactly. So many things to consider on this decision. Not only size and configuration, but which pocket is it carried in, how much speed or control do you want over the opening action, etc. For my uses, tip down with an opening hole is the best answer, in the right rear pocket of my 5.11 Taclite Pros.
 
I prefer Spyderco knives with their 4 clip position options (L or R, tip up or down). Give everybody the orientation they prefer.

I currently carry both tip up & down config folders. Flexibility is your friend!

Having knives with thumbstuds spontaneously open (i.e. Emerson Wave Syndrome) upon withdrawal from tight jeans pocket, I switched my carry preference to non-thumbstud knives (Spydies) and loose fitting BDU pants. Plus the BDU's have some expansion room in case my "front porch" just above the beltline gets bigger. 😉
 
I didn't care in the beginning, just used it the way it came in the box.
One time, the blade was slightly opened and I cut my finger, it was tip down.
After thinking about it, realized tip up would offer me the best way to carry it, and since then, it's always tip up. If the blade were to open, it would be against the pocket wall and not my hand.
 
Up or down depends on the knife and how it deploys.

I have never been clearer on just what "tip up" (or down) actually means. If the knife is folded, and the folded tip is down . . .is that "tip down"? In this case, the pivot point is "up".

Deploying the blade without fumbling or fuss is my main concern. Some knives work better for me one way and others come out and deploy smoothly when clipped to my pocket the other way.

My current EDC is a Leatherman Wave multi tool carried horizontally in a belt pouch behind my right hip (over the right back pocket of my jeans). It wears somewhat further around to my right side with dresser pants due to the spacing of the belt loops. I unsnp the Pouche's flap and pull out the tool with my right hand. The little nil-nick or slot falls under my thumb and often I can open it with one smooth motion, without any wrist actin.

Back to the question at hand: If this pouch were to be worn virtically, the carry orientstion would be described as Pivot pin " up".
 
Most issues like this boil down to personal preference...

Not this one though, those tip down guys are weirdos! 🤣


More seriously, it is a safety issue for me. As someone who has experienced first-hand the forces that can be felt in an unforeseen event like a major car accident, I think about things like this quite a bit. Boy lemme tell ya, having your head go from 45MPH to zero against a windshield can really change your perspective. Honestly, I question whether any folder in any carry position couldn't open in these circumstances given the forces involved. Don't think I haven't thunk about it at least.

I had one slice in my pocket from a tip down knife that I had no idea happened until I noticed the cut. That alone was enough for me to swear off that method of carry. I like knives, but not as much as I value other things I have riding around in that general area ;)
 
I’ve had more incidents and close calls with tip down carry. Those particular knives were made with tip down only configuration with no other option.

Since then I’ve only used tip up and I haven’t had one problem so that’s what I prefer. With right hand carry tip up the blade is held closed up against the back seem of the pocket and away from my hand if I reach into my pocket and it allows for correct orientation in my hand when I draw it out and it just seems natural. I’ve had some friends and coworkers who started out using tip down but later discovered that tip up worked better.
 
I don't generally have a preference either way and often just have my knife loose in a pocket. That said, I definitely prefer this type of knife carried tip down:

53544151991_16afe32f27_b.jpg
 
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