Tip up/Tip down carry

Pete1977

Pete1977

Joined
Apr 15, 2002
Messages
3,376
I have been thinking of this lately, and trying out different clipped carry methods. When would tip up carry be better than tip down carry or vice versa? I know quite a few of us are fanatical about the knife being tip up or tip down.

For me I prefer tip up carry for my strong side (right), usually in the right front pocket, or IWB behind my right hip.

Tip down carry works for me when the knife is in my shirt pocket on either the right or left side, IWB at the left hip for a cross draw, or at the small of my back for a weak side draw. (these occasions are rare, the only knives I usually carry on my left side are in the pocket. I only like one visible, if that.

I have never been one for tip down because it feels awkward for me to draw and open the knife in one motion with my thumb. The only comfortable tip down draw I can do quickly is a "spyder drop" from my right or left hip, IWB.

anyone have any other input?

PEte
 
I will never buy another folding knife with the tip up. I have had 2 very good knives that are tip up and both have opened up on me while carrying them in my back pocket. (SERE 2K, and Sebenza MM classic). Think about it, if the blade for some reason opens up while carrying then you either get a cut up pocket or a cut up hand. I have gotten both....pocket cut and thumb cut!

FWIW
Ciao
Ron Cassel
:rolleyes:
 
I tend to prefer a lockback or axis lock to a liner lock for just that reason.

but it is a very good point.

Pete
 
Pete1977 said:
The only comfortable tip down draw I can do quickly is a "spyder drop" from my right or left hip, IWB.
Click to expand...

To me, it depends on the opening mechanism of the knife. With Spydies, I prefer tip-down to facilitate a drop. With Kershaw, I prefer tip-up so I can access the flipper (assuming there is one) almost instantly upon drawing the knife. With other brands, it doesn't really matter to me.
 
pinch the spyderhole or blade spine between your thumb and index finger, and flick the handle downwards to open and lock the blade. it can be done with most knives and is was a popular way to open the buck 110 with one hand before one hand opening devices became popular.

Pete
 
Lately, I prefer tip up with the blade against the seam of the pocket. Can't open up in the pocket and is perfect position when I pull it out of my pocket. Truth is, it really isn't that important to me. If a knife is tip down or can't be made to carry the way I like, it's no big deal. Clip orientation isn't going to stop me from buying a knife I really like.
 
I prefer tip up. For me it's much faster to open a knife that is carried tip up, especially a BM knife with the AXIS lock.
 
Pete1977 said:
pinch the spyderhole or blade spine between your thumb and index finger, and flick the handle downwards to open and lock the blade. it can be done with most knives and is was a popular way to open the buck 110 with one hand before one hand opening devices became popular.

Pete
Click to expand...
???

So, once you've got the knife opened, you're standing there holding the spine of the blade? I don't understand what good that is...
 
Pete1977 said:
pinch the spyderhole or blade spine between your thumb and index finger, and flick the handle downwards to open and lock the blade. it can be done with most knives and is was a popular way to open the buck 110 with one hand before one hand opening devices became popular.
Click to expand...

Amazing! I never saw anyone do that, but developed that 'technique' myself when working as a dirt-poor nurseryman/college student. Did it with a crappy Pakistani faux-Buck that I used, and beat to hell and back, for years.

The benefit, DaTruDave, was one-handed opening. Yeah, I was left holding the spine, but I could kind of toss-bump it into my grip and was ready to hack limbs or cut plastic sheeting or whatever was called for. Had no idea Spyderco or any such thing existed at the time, and couldn't have afforded one if I had!

Oh, and to the question: prefer tip-down. Gonna have to get a case of some kind to carry my Griptilian in, so I can remove the clip and have it the 'right' way up. With the axis lock stuck right up there to grab, it should make for a nice quick flip-open, too.
 
My first clipped pocket knive was a tip-up carry. At the time [16 years ago...yikes] I didn't think there was any other configuration, never thought about it. Tip up just felt right and now after all these years tip up is the only way for me. The only tip down knife I have is the Calypso Jr; and try as I might, it just feels odd. Blame it on muscle memory, thankfully, it is small enough to toss in my pocket. If you began carrying tip down, you will no doubt feel that tip up feels odd to you.:)
 
DaTrueDave said:
???

So, once you've got the knife opened, you're standing there holding the spine of the blade? I don't understand what good that is...
Click to expand...

You're pinching the spine with your thumb and forefinger... you can then reach down and grab the handle with your other fingers and transfer your forefinger and thumb to where they should be on the handle.
 
I'm not too fond of having a knife opening in my pocket, so I like to keep the spine against the back of the pocket. This translates to tip up carry in my left pocket and tip down if I have one in my right pocket. Putting the blade against the back of my pocket also puts the knife in a much better position to be used without adjusting my grip once it's out of the pocket.
 
I never use pocket clips, so I just carry the knife however it sorts itself out in my pocket.
 
Tip down for knives that "wave" open, tip up for thumbstuds. When you draw the knife, having the thumb stud at the opposite end of the knife from the end you're grabbing seems defeating to me. But since most knives seem to be designed for tip down, I'm guessing the majority don't see it that way.
 
I prefer Tip Down, but I quess I'll "have" to adjust when the Caly 3 comes out(Tip Up carry as far as I know)
 
I much prefer tip-up, with the blade against the seam of my right front pocket. If the knife has spring tension to keep it closed, it's a bonus.
 
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