Tip Up or Tip Down?

cziv

cziv

Joined
Nov 24, 2005
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My brief encounter with the XM-18 3.5" will be over tomorrow and it'll be heading for parts unknown, for now anyway. My boy's heading out and with him the XM-18. This was a special knife. I head more pleasure messing around with it than my former large Sebenza 21 and ZT-0301 combined. Not even remotely comparable actually.

My wife bought a new car and we had to go over and sign the paperwork this morning. I'd never actually carried it since it's arrival. I have it set in the same position that Rick sent. "Tip-down" I sat in the chair for a minute to gather up some cash - license and a few other things and my position or "whatever" caused the knife to squirt 1/2 way out. There was a bit of clip still holding my pocket but not much.

Remember about 5 - 6 months ago there was a thread "I Lost My XM-18?" So wanting to avoid this, I'm asking for guys who carry one everyday to weigh in and let me know which way you prefer to set up the clip.

My son's is a 3.5 with a flipper. Needless to say in a war zone he'll be running, jumping, rolling on the ground, climbing on stuff and much more shaking around than I'll do in the next year. (rest of my life probably :D)

Maybe a holster or buttoned in pocket is the ticket? Please share. Thanks!! :)
 
I think if you clip it onto something thicker then your average pants (webbing, MOLLE vest, I'm really not sure) it will retain better. Another idea would be to ditch the clip all together and put it in a pouch as you mentioned.

I prefer tip down on my knives though.
 
I carry my 3" flipper tip up. If I wanted to have it secured a bit more when clipped to my pocket I would attach a lanyard. (about 4" w/ a small monkeyfist) The monkeyfist can be tucked up behind the belt as a second means of retention. Of course, if you want to do this while carrying it tip down you will need about 9-10" of lanyard.
 
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I EDC mine tip up, never had any problems with it coming out of my pocket. I strictly wear jeans though, not sure how well it would stay in with dress pants or ACU/BDU's. A sheath or closed pocket might be for the best, better safe than sorry.

Edited to add, mine is also a 3.5" flipper model.
 
I have my clip set tip-up but to be honest I feel better with the knife resting at the bottom of my pocket.
 
:thumbup:Tip up for me as well.


BTW,I just acquired my first XM-18 in a trade.I'm stoked!:eek::D
 
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I'd think a pouch or holster would be best. Or in a pocket with some sort of flap, button or velcro.
 
Thanks guys. I'll pass on the info and let him decide. I'm sure he can secure it somewhere. :)
 
tip up, the heaviest part of the knife is deepest in the pocket.

but i agree, for a soldier a pouch is the best option. preferably one with a clip and not velcro closures.
 
When I was soldiering I alway had my pocket knife tied to lanyard to a belt loop or my belt. A simple drop loop with 3" of tail ensured I could get it off my belt in the dark to open MRE's. I used about 12" from my belt to the knife that I could use the knife without unhooking it from my belt.
4 years of Rangering and Ranger school, I never lost my swiss army climber.
 
TerryL said:
When I was soldiering I alway had my pocket knife tied to lanyard to a belt loop or my belt. A simple drop loop with 3" of tail ensured I could get it off my belt in the dark to open MRE's. I used about 12" from my belt to the knife that I could use the knife without unhooking it from my belt.
4 years of Rangering and Ranger school, I never lost my swiss army climber.
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Sounds very intriguing. I can almost picture it - but not. :o Thanks! :thumbup:
 
MORIMOTOM said:
preferably one with a clip and not velcro closures.
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MORIMOTOM said:
tip up, the heaviest part of the knife is deepest in the pocket.

but i agree, for a soldier a pouch is the best option. preferably one with a clip and not velcro closures.
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I agree with tip up. Just as stated the heaviest part of the knife will be riding in the pocket…which makes it a lot less likely to come popping out. With quality folders you don’t have to worry as much about the blade opening up on you. The XM-18 also rides pretty deep in pocket which is nice. I would clip it, or strap it down!

Also, it is advised to stay as far away as possible from velcro especially if you are depending on the gear not failing or popping open.
 
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MORIMOTOM said:
tip up, the heaviest part of the knife is deepest in the pocket.

but i agree, for a soldier a pouch is the best option. preferably one with a clip and not velcro closures.
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tip up! for most knives the heaviest part is deepest because of the thicker metal parts of the knife around the pivot , studs and the pivot stuff itself.

tip up is safer imo because of the blood vessels that are theoretically more easily reached by a knife that is tip down. Imagine the blade is slightly open in your pocket, you sit down and force the tip into your groin area. In a lifetime of using your knife, the chance of having to need an arguably 0.1 second faster draw with tip down compared to the chance of the previous happening, the odds for me are in favor of tip up.
 
I've had a tip-up carry open in a BDU cargo pocket. This was a quality knife with a pretty snug fit. Running and jumping was invloved, and gravity and intertia obviously affected the knife. Switched to tip-down carry and never had that one-time opening duplicated. Something real to consider if your son has a strong side holster blocking his regular pocket and chooses to clip knife in lower cargo pocket. (my reason for using cargo pocket at the time).
note: knife was not a Hinderer, but my XM-18 is tip-down.
 
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