Why are most cheap knives tip down only?

00ChevyScott

00ChevyScott

Joined
Dec 3, 2010
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Anyone else ever really notice that? It seems like almost all the cheap knives you see are tip down only, while most of the expensive ones are tip up only (CRK, Strider, a lot of Benchmades). I know there are a lot that offer both (Hinderer, Spyderco) but it still seems like the more expensive knives are designed for tip up carry.

I've always been a tip up guy, but I know a lot of guys who only carry cheap knives that are tip down and I just feel like they're missing out :p
 
I really don't see how one thing has much to do with the other. Coincidence would best explain it, and there is too much variance in what "cheap" constitutes. It varies from one person to another.
 
RevDevil said:
I really don't see how one thing has much to do with the other. Coincidence would best explain it, and there is too much variance in what "cheap" constitutes. It varies from one person to another.
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I'm talking about stuff like Mtechs, the chinese knockoff no name stuff, you could even lump in gerber stuff with that. Gas station knives, S&W, Taylor Brands, Sheffield, etc.
 
00ChevyScott said:
I'm talking about stuff like Mtechs, the chinese knockoff no name stuff, you could even lump in gerber stuff with that. Gas station knives, S&W, Taylor Brands, Sheffield, etc.
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Don't forget CRKT and Kershaw (Kershaw does usually tap for tip up too at least).

It is something odd I have noticed too. The only reasoning I could think of is that it makes it easier to have partial liners, or have a weak detent without people getting cut or something.
 
Benchmade's linerlock folders are exclusively tip down as is the Spyderco Military and I wouldn't exactly call them "cheap" knives.
 
Cosmic Superchunk said:
Benchmade's linerlock folders are exclusively tip down as is the Spyderco Military and I wouldn't exactly call them "cheap" knives.
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Thanks for pointing that out :rolleyes:

Those brands also offer a substantial amount of knives that are tip up as well. The cheaper brands usually only offer tip down only.
 
I believe Spyderco offered the first pocket-clip on the C01, and it came tip-down, IIRC. This may have set the precedent for 'standard' carry. 'Cheap' knife manufacturers are too cheap to provide the extra tooling to swap orientation, imo... this is my best guess, anyway.
 
I always understood the reason so many liner-locks are tip down, is because the blade can open in pocket and cut you as you reach in to retrieve it. (I had a Buck/Strider do just that)
 
A lot of the cheaply gas station knives don't have proper detents,a steel ball bearing that'll fall out, or the spring isn't all that strong so itd better and safer for tip down then anything
 
jill jackson said:
I always understood the reason so many liner-locks are tip down, is because the blade can open in pocket and cut you as you reach in to retrieve it.
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I never understand this either. The blade would hit your pocket seam before ever getting close to opening.

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brets-ftw said:
A lot of the cheaply gas station knives don't have proper detents,a steel ball bearing that'll fall out, or the spring isn't all that strong so itd better and safer for tip down then anything
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I can see maybe if the blade had no detent whatsoever, but even with a pretty weak one it'd be pretty safe against the seam of your pocket.
 
That's if your right handed. Try drawing a cheap knife from your left hand when its only drilled and tapped for rightys
 
brets-ftw said:
That's if your right handed. Try drawing a cheap knife from your left hand when its only drilled and tapped for rightys
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Well that's another problem all together right there. Then the blade would also be on the wrong side to open it anyways if you were carrying it tip down on your left side.
 
Not nessessarily, most lefties like myself who had to do the aformentioned should just have it pushed up higher in out grip and the thumb would rest on the spine/near the thumbstud
 
I speared myself 3 different times with a gerber I carried tip up. I quit carrying tip up after the 3rd bite.
 
That Buck/Strider had a very heavy blade and a tanto point, believe me it opened up enough to stab me in the finger when I reached in. Just walking made it jar open.
 
No idea actually why this seems predominant.

On the other hand, I love tip down, and can't quite figure out why more expensive knives are tip up :D.

To each his own though, but personally I really do prefer tip down. It just feels more natural to me, must be muscle memory or something like that now.
 
jill jackson said:
That Buck/Strider had a very heavy blade and a tanto point, believe me it opened up enough to stab me in the finger when I reached in. Just walking made it jar open.
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How were you carrying it? Tip up with the blade against your pocket seam? I don't see how you could possibly get stabbed carrying it like that.

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I prefer blade tip up carry. And I like to carry folders in my "change" pocket if it fits. Carrying a folder tip up gives you the ability to pull out your knife and its in the right position to open IMO. I dont think you can say that only cheap knives come tip down. But it does seem that your higher end knives are mostly tip up.
 
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