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Since top-quality manufacturers make them both ways, there must be pros and cons for each configuration.
Somebody shed some light . . .
Somebody shed some light . . .
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Tip Up vs. Tip Down
- Thread starter Uncle Bill
- Start date
I prefer tip down ala my Military for quicker deployment.
I am getting used to the tip up carry ala my new Sebenza though...
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The greatest thought that has ever entered my mind is that one day I will have to stand before a Holy God and give an account of my life.
*Daniel Webster
Rev 20:12
I am getting used to the tip up carry ala my new Sebenza though...
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The greatest thought that has ever entered my mind is that one day I will have to stand before a Holy God and give an account of my life.
*Daniel Webster
Rev 20:12
- Joined
- May 8, 1999
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- 759
Tip up, ala Emerson Commander.
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"They sicken of the calm, who know the storm."
RFrost5746@aol.com or Robert_Frost@ars.aon.com
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"They sicken of the calm, who know the storm."
RFrost5746@aol.com or Robert_Frost@ars.aon.com
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- 434
It's nice to learn of preferences, but what I was really after was the rationale for each type of carry. WHY is Sebenza one way, Military the other?
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- Mar 20, 1999
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I had a custom knife maker tell me that he wouldn't convert a knife to tip-up carry for me because of the increased liability for him. Apparently, some folks carry their folding knives clipped in towards the front of their pockets. (Don't ask me why, just accept that "they" do.) If a tip-up carry knife where to come open in their pocket and they were to reach into said pocket, an unpleasant situation would most likely arise.
I have read that sometimes it's easier to put a clip on one end of a knife than the other due to lock mechanisms and such being in the way. The knife I tried to get modified had the clip screwed into the G10 scales only and was stripping out. The maker couldn't thread into the metal liner due to the liner lock being "in the way." My thinking was that having the clip moved to the opposite end of the knife would allow for the screws to be threaded all the way down into the metal liner making a more secure foundation for the clip.
I prefer tip up carry, but have grown used to my AFCK. Now that I am back to carrying my Sebenza again, I find that drawing it doesn't pose a problem, but I always want to put it in my pocket upside down!
[This message has been edited by the4th (edited 20 October 1999).]
I have read that sometimes it's easier to put a clip on one end of a knife than the other due to lock mechanisms and such being in the way. The knife I tried to get modified had the clip screwed into the G10 scales only and was stripping out. The maker couldn't thread into the metal liner due to the liner lock being "in the way." My thinking was that having the clip moved to the opposite end of the knife would allow for the screws to be threaded all the way down into the metal liner making a more secure foundation for the clip.
I prefer tip up carry, but have grown used to my AFCK. Now that I am back to carrying my Sebenza again, I find that drawing it doesn't pose a problem, but I always want to put it in my pocket upside down!
[This message has been edited by the4th (edited 20 October 1999).]
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- Oct 19, 1998
- Messages
- 426
To some extent it's just a personal preference; I've heard people argue religiously for either direction.
For a smaller knife (Delica sized), tip up carry can mean that jamming your hand into your pocket winds up with the knife mostly already correctly placed on the knife, as well as your thumb just about exactly on the hole/disk/stud/openingcritter. Makes for a very fast and intuitive "deployment". There are two potential problems with tip up carry: 1) if the blade ends up somehow slightly open, jamming one's hand in one's pocket can instead end up with one's hand on the sharp shiny part (yes, speaking from personal experience); and, 2) if for any reason the blade ends up a tiny bit open, the point can snag on something and pull the blade open a bit sooner than you were planning, with astonishing results (been careful not to incorporate this one into my personal experience, thanks
).
Arguably, tip up carry, with the blade spine pressed against a pocket seam (as in right front pocket carry) can be one of the most secure arrangements, as there's no where for the blade to go. But you still want a strong lockback spring or linerlock ball-bearing detent, to make sure the blade stays closed during withdrawal.
Tip down carry, on the other hand, can lead to slower opening; with a smooth/loose pivot and a blade hole, it can arguably also lead to very fast openings, if one draws the knife by grasping the blade hole and allows the physics of pulling the knife out to do most of the work of opening. It is also arguably safer than tip up carry, given that: 1) if the blade has come partway open, a hand thrusting into a pocket will meet the blade spine rather than the sharp pointy part, and 2) if the blade has too much propensity for opening, the act of withdrawing the knife will tend to try to close the blade, rather than tending to try to open it before one is ready to do so.
For what it's worth, I've got both kinds, and I like both (tip up working better on smaller knives), but I prefer tip down, and I find it more versatile, as I feel uncomfortable carrying a tip-up knife in my waistband (which I do occasionally to carry a second knife, or when no pockets are available, as wearing sweats around the house).
There, have I sufficiently beaten the subject to death?
-- Carl
AKTI #A000921
`` Think this through with me ... Let me know your mind
Wo-oah, what I want to know ... is are you kind? ''
-- Hunter/Garcia, "Uncle John's Band"
For a smaller knife (Delica sized), tip up carry can mean that jamming your hand into your pocket winds up with the knife mostly already correctly placed on the knife, as well as your thumb just about exactly on the hole/disk/stud/openingcritter. Makes for a very fast and intuitive "deployment". There are two potential problems with tip up carry: 1) if the blade ends up somehow slightly open, jamming one's hand in one's pocket can instead end up with one's hand on the sharp shiny part (yes, speaking from personal experience); and, 2) if for any reason the blade ends up a tiny bit open, the point can snag on something and pull the blade open a bit sooner than you were planning, with astonishing results (been careful not to incorporate this one into my personal experience, thanks
Arguably, tip up carry, with the blade spine pressed against a pocket seam (as in right front pocket carry) can be one of the most secure arrangements, as there's no where for the blade to go. But you still want a strong lockback spring or linerlock ball-bearing detent, to make sure the blade stays closed during withdrawal.
Tip down carry, on the other hand, can lead to slower opening; with a smooth/loose pivot and a blade hole, it can arguably also lead to very fast openings, if one draws the knife by grasping the blade hole and allows the physics of pulling the knife out to do most of the work of opening. It is also arguably safer than tip up carry, given that: 1) if the blade has come partway open, a hand thrusting into a pocket will meet the blade spine rather than the sharp pointy part, and 2) if the blade has too much propensity for opening, the act of withdrawing the knife will tend to try to close the blade, rather than tending to try to open it before one is ready to do so.
For what it's worth, I've got both kinds, and I like both (tip up working better on smaller knives), but I prefer tip down, and I find it more versatile, as I feel uncomfortable carrying a tip-up knife in my waistband (which I do occasionally to carry a second knife, or when no pockets are available, as wearing sweats around the house).
There, have I sufficiently beaten the subject to death?
-- Carl
AKTI #A000921
`` Think this through with me ... Let me know your mind
Wo-oah, what I want to know ... is are you kind? ''
-- Hunter/Garcia, "Uncle John's Band"
- Joined
- Oct 8, 1998
- Messages
- 5,403
Carl, great synopsis.
I used to be a die hard tip up enthusiast.
But I have come to like the tip down for drop openings. But the pinch grip is a weakness.
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Marion David Poff aka Eye, one can msg me at mdpoff@hotmail.com If I fail to check back with this thread and you want some info, email me.
My site is at: http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Meadows/1770 Including my review of the Kasper AFCK, thougths on the AFCK and interview of Bob Kasper.
"We will either find a way, or make one." Hannibal, 210 B.C.
I used to be a die hard tip up enthusiast.
But I have come to like the tip down for drop openings. But the pinch grip is a weakness.
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Marion David Poff aka Eye, one can msg me at mdpoff@hotmail.com If I fail to check back with this thread and you want some info, email me.
My site is at: http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Meadows/1770 Including my review of the Kasper AFCK, thougths on the AFCK and interview of Bob Kasper.
"We will either find a way, or make one." Hannibal, 210 B.C.
Double Edge Dave
Moderator and Gold Member
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- Mar 27, 1999
- Messages
- 1,379
I prefer tip-up cary. As one of a lot of people who started with Spyderco and Cold Steel knives and worked their way up,my drawing action has become habituated to tip- up carry.Experts say that ingrained muscle memory takes thousands of practice draws to develop.Yet in a emergency situation,the muscle memory is what you count on for a rapid,snag free draw.When the adreneline dumps,fine motor skills go out the window,and muscle memory is all you`ve got. Massad Ayoob demonstrates this well in his publishings.While not that impressed with his M.O.D. fixed blade,I have to respect him for his work in the study of what happens when the "spit" hits the fan.He has even done tests where subjects are administered large doses of adreneline through IV needles and tested their response.
I have never had a tip-up knife open in my pocket and I carry at the leading edge of my right rear pocket,spine away fom the seam.Everyone has a personal taste.I like the recent trend of having mounting holes at each end.I am currently having my Starmate modified to tip- up carry.
David
AKTI#150
I have never had a tip-up knife open in my pocket and I carry at the leading edge of my right rear pocket,spine away fom the seam.Everyone has a personal taste.I like the recent trend of having mounting holes at each end.I am currently having my Starmate modified to tip- up carry.
David
AKTI#150
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- Oct 3, 1998
- Messages
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The drop-opening isn't much of an issue for me. I've seen way too many people fling their knives across the room to consider it not a sound method. Well, for utility opening it's fine, I often use it myself. But I wouldn't use that opening under stress, period.
So my scorecard:
Tip up:
+ More secure opening method (no need to pinch grip or do too much manipulation)
- If blade is not held closed well, you could cut yourself.
Tip down:
+ If blade opens up in the pocket, you won't cut yourself
- At some point or other in the opening you must do a pinch-grip or other manipulation not needed for tip-up opening
+ You can use a drop-opening...
- ... but drop-opening still requires a bunch of manipulation once the knife is open, assuming you haven't hurled your knife across the room during the opening process
Joe
So my scorecard:
Tip up:
+ More secure opening method (no need to pinch grip or do too much manipulation)
- If blade is not held closed well, you could cut yourself.
Tip down:
+ If blade opens up in the pocket, you won't cut yourself
- At some point or other in the opening you must do a pinch-grip or other manipulation not needed for tip-up opening
+ You can use a drop-opening...
- ... but drop-opening still requires a bunch of manipulation once the knife is open, assuming you haven't hurled your knife across the room during the opening process
Joe
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- Jul 9, 1999
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- 3,316
I was once an avowed defender of the tip up mode of carry.
As I practiced more and more with tip down blades, however, I started noticing a rather significant increase in the speed of my deployments.
I also noticed that with the tip up blades I was shifting my grip upon deployment each and every time I pulled the knife out of my pocket.
Not good at all.
Slows the speed of deployment and increases the chance of losing grip of the blade in a time of stress.
Not so with the tip down knives though.
My initial grip is generally the one that's used all the way from grabbing to deploying.
It's also easier for me to deploy from a sitting position too.
Not that easy with a tip up knife.
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The individualist without strategy who takes opponents lightly will inevitably become the captive of others.
As I practiced more and more with tip down blades, however, I started noticing a rather significant increase in the speed of my deployments.
I also noticed that with the tip up blades I was shifting my grip upon deployment each and every time I pulled the knife out of my pocket.
Not good at all.
Slows the speed of deployment and increases the chance of losing grip of the blade in a time of stress.
Not so with the tip down knives though.
My initial grip is generally the one that's used all the way from grabbing to deploying.
It's also easier for me to deploy from a sitting position too.
Not that easy with a tip up knife.
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The individualist without strategy who takes opponents lightly will inevitably become the captive of others.
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Is my SAK tip-up or ti-down?
Excluding the 1/2 doz SAKs hiding in various places, I only have 2 folders -- Sebenza and a David Boye, both tip-up. Neither has posed any problems.
Two Q's:
1. which tip-up folders have shown the problems noted by folks?
2. for folks who "swing both ways," is there any comfy factor when you hold the knife, whether it's up by the pivot or down by the butt-end?
Glen
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The piano has been drinking -Tom Waits
Excluding the 1/2 doz SAKs hiding in various places, I only have 2 folders -- Sebenza and a David Boye, both tip-up. Neither has posed any problems.
Two Q's:
1. which tip-up folders have shown the problems noted by folks?
2. for folks who "swing both ways," is there any comfy factor when you hold the knife, whether it's up by the pivot or down by the butt-end?
Glen
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The piano has been drinking -Tom Waits
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- May 26, 1999
- Messages
- 1,964
This is going to be one of those religious arguments, so if you're an atheist, you may want to cover your eyes.
First, some history. Folders with clips were first made with integral, one piece clips. The clips were molded onto the handle, not attached with screws like today's metal clips.
Integral clips are bad because they cannot be replaced if they break off. Furthermore, they cannot be removed if that's your preference or if you want to bend and change the shape of the clip.
Knives with an integral clip can only be carried tip up, as the clip covers the locking mechanism and prevents the knife from being assembled in a tip down mode. Integral clips have gone the way of the dodo, but unfortunately many people got used to carrying a knife tip up and found switching to tip down carry to be too awkward.
But tip down carry is undoubtedly the best method of clip carry. It is safer, for reasons pointed out above, plus it is easier to draw, even when not using the "drop" method. I don't want to rehash everything that was already said, but here are some things to consider.
No matter what size knife you carry, or what size hands you have, the stud/disk/hole will always be less accessible if the knife is carried tip up. The opening mechanism will always be farther down in your pocket with tip up carry.
Almost everyone that carries a knife tip up carries it in their back pocket rather than their front. This is bad for several reasons;
1. Should you wish to use the knife in self-defense, you must spend time reaching behind your back and bringing the knife to your front. Not only does this waste time, but it leaves your front vulnerable.
2. Most fights end up on the ground. Should you find yourself lying on your back, your knife will be inaccessible.
3. Why would you want to sit on your knife? It is uncomfortable and can potentially cause damage to your butt or your blade.
God wants you to carry your knives tip down. You should follow His Word.
[This message has been edited by cerulean (edited 20 October 1999).]
First, some history. Folders with clips were first made with integral, one piece clips. The clips were molded onto the handle, not attached with screws like today's metal clips.
Integral clips are bad because they cannot be replaced if they break off. Furthermore, they cannot be removed if that's your preference or if you want to bend and change the shape of the clip.
Knives with an integral clip can only be carried tip up, as the clip covers the locking mechanism and prevents the knife from being assembled in a tip down mode. Integral clips have gone the way of the dodo, but unfortunately many people got used to carrying a knife tip up and found switching to tip down carry to be too awkward.
But tip down carry is undoubtedly the best method of clip carry. It is safer, for reasons pointed out above, plus it is easier to draw, even when not using the "drop" method. I don't want to rehash everything that was already said, but here are some things to consider.
No matter what size knife you carry, or what size hands you have, the stud/disk/hole will always be less accessible if the knife is carried tip up. The opening mechanism will always be farther down in your pocket with tip up carry.
Almost everyone that carries a knife tip up carries it in their back pocket rather than their front. This is bad for several reasons;
1. Should you wish to use the knife in self-defense, you must spend time reaching behind your back and bringing the knife to your front. Not only does this waste time, but it leaves your front vulnerable.
2. Most fights end up on the ground. Should you find yourself lying on your back, your knife will be inaccessible.
3. Why would you want to sit on your knife? It is uncomfortable and can potentially cause damage to your butt or your blade.
God wants you to carry your knives tip down. You should follow His Word.
[This message has been edited by cerulean (edited 20 October 1999).]
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storyville:
> which tip-up folders have shown the problems noted by folks?
Liner lock knives are the worst offenders here, many have ball bearing detents that don't hold all that well. The occasional loose low-quality lockback could have this problem, too. A lock type that provides firm spring tension keeping the blade in -- like the axis lock or a good firm lockback -- is in my mind safe.
Joe
> which tip-up folders have shown the problems noted by folks?
Liner lock knives are the worst offenders here, many have ball bearing detents that don't hold all that well. The occasional loose low-quality lockback could have this problem, too. A lock type that provides firm spring tension keeping the blade in -- like the axis lock or a good firm lockback -- is in my mind safe.
Joe
- Joined
- Oct 3, 1998
- Messages
- 4,842
Aha! I'll take up this argument!
cerulean:
> It [tip-down carry] is safer
On paper, yes. But with the right kind of lock, I don't see any evidence of this. With a liner lock with a bad ball detent, you're definitely right. But there are plenty of good lockbacks where I've just not seen this happen at all. You know how picky I am about this kind of thing -- it wasn't too long ago I was declaring all liner locks "unsafe at any speed"
-- and I still have no problem with tip-up carry PROVIDED the lock is right.
>No matter what size knife you carry, or what size hands you have,
>the stud/disk/hole will always be less accessible if the knife is
>carried tip up. The opening mechanism will always be farther down
>in your pocket with tip up carry.
I find I can index to the opening mechanism as fast with tip-up as tip-down draw -- I"m not just grabbing a mechanism out of the air, with tip-up I'm following the body of the knife right to its source, so it's fast and accurate. Now balance this against the fact that there is no tip-down draw that does not involve some kind of pinch grip (insecure) and a reasonable amount of follow-up manipulation after the draw. Tip-up draw never requires a pinch grip, it is much safer and secure throughout, and only requires a small manipulation at the end at most. Tip-down wins for not-so-secure speed draw, by a hair. Tip-up wins for speed with security, every time.
>No matter what size knife you carry, or what size hands you have,
>the stud/disk/hole will always be less accessible if the knife is
>carried tip up. The opening mechanism will always be farther down
>in your pocket with tip up carry.
For very big folders, this can indeed be a problem. For smaller blades (and I have no problem with 4" or less blade) this isn't a problem for a couple reasons. First, it's just really easy to index the hole/stud when tip-up, your thumb goes down the blade or handle as a guide and index perfectly. Also, you can "pre-load" with tip-up. Put your hand in your pocket, put thumb in hole ... now you're ready to draw with thumb poised for opening ... at the right time do a secure draw and open as soon as it clears your pocket. Not possible with tip-down draw, you always draw before sticking your thumb in the hole -- it's actually more like pinch grip (insecure) draw, manipulation to thumb hole, open, manipulation to final position.
>Almost everyone that carries a knife tip up carries it in their back
>pocket rather than their front
I don't believe this to be true, so won't comment further on it.
Above I've ignored drop-openings. And I've taken liberties with the words "secure" and "insecure". I don't really mean the pinch-grip tip-down opening is insecure, just less secure relative to tip-up opening.
Joe
cerulean:
> It [tip-down carry] is safer
On paper, yes. But with the right kind of lock, I don't see any evidence of this. With a liner lock with a bad ball detent, you're definitely right. But there are plenty of good lockbacks where I've just not seen this happen at all. You know how picky I am about this kind of thing -- it wasn't too long ago I was declaring all liner locks "unsafe at any speed"
>No matter what size knife you carry, or what size hands you have,
>the stud/disk/hole will always be less accessible if the knife is
>carried tip up. The opening mechanism will always be farther down
>in your pocket with tip up carry.
I find I can index to the opening mechanism as fast with tip-up as tip-down draw -- I"m not just grabbing a mechanism out of the air, with tip-up I'm following the body of the knife right to its source, so it's fast and accurate. Now balance this against the fact that there is no tip-down draw that does not involve some kind of pinch grip (insecure) and a reasonable amount of follow-up manipulation after the draw. Tip-up draw never requires a pinch grip, it is much safer and secure throughout, and only requires a small manipulation at the end at most. Tip-down wins for not-so-secure speed draw, by a hair. Tip-up wins for speed with security, every time.
>No matter what size knife you carry, or what size hands you have,
>the stud/disk/hole will always be less accessible if the knife is
>carried tip up. The opening mechanism will always be farther down
>in your pocket with tip up carry.
For very big folders, this can indeed be a problem. For smaller blades (and I have no problem with 4" or less blade) this isn't a problem for a couple reasons. First, it's just really easy to index the hole/stud when tip-up, your thumb goes down the blade or handle as a guide and index perfectly. Also, you can "pre-load" with tip-up. Put your hand in your pocket, put thumb in hole ... now you're ready to draw with thumb poised for opening ... at the right time do a secure draw and open as soon as it clears your pocket. Not possible with tip-down draw, you always draw before sticking your thumb in the hole -- it's actually more like pinch grip (insecure) draw, manipulation to thumb hole, open, manipulation to final position.
>Almost everyone that carries a knife tip up carries it in their back
>pocket rather than their front
I don't believe this to be true, so won't comment further on it.
Above I've ignored drop-openings. And I've taken liberties with the words "secure" and "insecure". I don't really mean the pinch-grip tip-down opening is insecure, just less secure relative to tip-up opening.
Joe
- Joined
- Aug 24, 1999
- Messages
- 434
Now the light finally dawns.
The whole issue is about showdown at the OK Corral.
Do you guys actually, truly, really run around drawing on each other and slashing away? Are y'all really living in environments where you need nano-second blade access?
I guess living in the country has its advantages . . .
(I bet if I met y'all on the street I'd wet my pants . . . if you gave me enough time.)
The whole issue is about showdown at the OK Corral.
Do you guys actually, truly, really run around drawing on each other and slashing away? Are y'all really living in environments where you need nano-second blade access?
I guess living in the country has its advantages . . .
(I bet if I met y'all on the street I'd wet my pants . . . if you gave me enough time.)
- Joined
- Oct 3, 1998
- Messages
- 4,842
>Do you guys actually, truly, really run around drawing on each other and slashing >away?
Well, yah. You mean you don't?
Seriously though, you asked about what the advantages and disadvantages are, hardly seems fair to dismiss the inevitable nitpicking responses! If nothing else, we definitely have too many opinions here
Frankly, tip-up versus tip-down doesn't matter all that much to me either, though you probably can't tell that by the spiritedness with which I carry on these arguments. For clip design, I'm much more concerned that 1) the clip allows deep-pocket carry, 2) it's secure, and 3) it doesn't get in the way of my grip.
Well, yah. You mean you don't?
Seriously though, you asked about what the advantages and disadvantages are, hardly seems fair to dismiss the inevitable nitpicking responses! If nothing else, we definitely have too many opinions here
Frankly, tip-up versus tip-down doesn't matter all that much to me either, though you probably can't tell that by the spiritedness with which I carry on these arguments. For clip design, I'm much more concerned that 1) the clip allows deep-pocket carry, 2) it's secure, and 3) it doesn't get in the way of my grip.
Phew, I guess another $0.02 won't hurt...
For me this question depends on the size of the knife.
On a large (over 3.5") folder I like tip-down with a blade-hole. It comes out of the pocket and drops open as the hand comes up to striking level. Not secure? It's plenty secure enough to deliver a solid slash once you get the hang of it. I would want to shift my grip to thrust, but thrusting's not in my "game plan" anyhow. Slash-slash-RUN!
Even without the hole, I prefer tip-down on bigger knives. It's easy for me to spin the knife 180 degrees by holding the pivot, then I'm ready to flick it open.
I'd rather carry a small (3" and under) folder tip-up. Then, when I pull the knife from my pocket, my thumb is over the stud/disc/kole and ready to flick. But any larger than this and I have to "scoot" awkwardly up teh handle to this grip. Maybe I have stubby thumbs, but I can't draw a knife the size of, say, a Wegner in the proper hand position to open it; I have to adjust my grip, and that's slow - slower even than the 180-flip required of a tip-down knife.
Yeah, this is all a "High Noon" mentality...
-Drew
For me this question depends on the size of the knife.
On a large (over 3.5") folder I like tip-down with a blade-hole. It comes out of the pocket and drops open as the hand comes up to striking level. Not secure? It's plenty secure enough to deliver a solid slash once you get the hang of it. I would want to shift my grip to thrust, but thrusting's not in my "game plan" anyhow. Slash-slash-RUN!
Even without the hole, I prefer tip-down on bigger knives. It's easy for me to spin the knife 180 degrees by holding the pivot, then I'm ready to flick it open.
I'd rather carry a small (3" and under) folder tip-up. Then, when I pull the knife from my pocket, my thumb is over the stud/disc/kole and ready to flick. But any larger than this and I have to "scoot" awkwardly up teh handle to this grip. Maybe I have stubby thumbs, but I can't draw a knife the size of, say, a Wegner in the proper hand position to open it; I have to adjust my grip, and that's slow - slower even than the 180-flip required of a tip-down knife.
Yeah, this is all a "High Noon" mentality...
-Drew
Oh, wait, the reasons?
Spyderco uses mostly tip-down on large knives to facilitate "the drop." On lighter knives that are harder to drop, they often switch to tip-up. You can go ask Sal for details on specific models, he's said it's decided on a knife-by-knife basis.
Benchmade has stated that they use tip-down because of the danger posed by tip-up linerlocks opening in the pocket. No other reason I'm aware of, except drop-opening on the AFCK. On the Axis, which holds itself firmly closed, they went tip-up... but maybe this was only because the lock got in the way of tip-down.
Emerson uses tip-up on the Commander because it's necessary to "the wave" opening system.
I'm guessing CRK uses tip-up on the 'Benza because the clip is a half-assed afterthought anyhow (unlike every other part of the knife) and the pivot area would have been "cluttered."
I'm curious to hear other folks' reasoning.
-Drew
Spyderco uses mostly tip-down on large knives to facilitate "the drop." On lighter knives that are harder to drop, they often switch to tip-up. You can go ask Sal for details on specific models, he's said it's decided on a knife-by-knife basis.
Benchmade has stated that they use tip-down because of the danger posed by tip-up linerlocks opening in the pocket. No other reason I'm aware of, except drop-opening on the AFCK. On the Axis, which holds itself firmly closed, they went tip-up... but maybe this was only because the lock got in the way of tip-down.
Emerson uses tip-up on the Commander because it's necessary to "the wave" opening system.
I'm guessing CRK uses tip-up on the 'Benza because the clip is a half-assed afterthought anyhow (unlike every other part of the knife) and the pivot area would have been "cluttered."
I'm curious to hear other folks' reasoning.
-Drew