I have noticed that many knives that feature an attached pocket clip are built in such a way that the clip is only usable in one or two positions.
In many cases there seems to be no good reason to do this, and it appears as though the manufacturer could just as easily have outfitted the tool for both left and right handed carry in tip up and tip down configurations. I understand that designers consider how the knife is going to be carried and used and try to place the clip accordingly, but that is really a poor substitute for individual preference.
Even a cursory search on carry configurations will reveal that there are many different (and often strongly held) opinions on which setup is the best; so there is little doubt that a true 4-position clip is best for the knife user.
In some cases (such as the Spydercos with an unlines G10 handle slab which will not hold a thread) there is a valid reson why additional positions would be an impossible or impractical feature to add, and these are understandable. However, there are many knives where there appears to be absolutely no excuse for this.
An excellent example of this is the BM 720. It has an ambidextrous lock and opening mechanism, and two big fat aluminum handle slabs backed by steel liners which are perfect for threading. In spite of this it is only set up for right handed carry. This makes no sense to me. I know that lefties are a small part of the population, and therefore a small part of the buying public, but it would still be nice to not shut them out completely when all the others features are there.
I recall hearing that CRK does not make tip-down Sebenzas because Mr. Reeve feels that the knife works better in a tip-up configuration. As the manufacturer it is certainly his right to make that choice; but allowing the consumer more options would result in a superior tool, which is the whole point of high-end user knives.
Personally I think that in the absence of a valid technical reason not to do so, every knife should be set up for a 4 position clip out of courtesy to the customer.
Any ideas why knife manufacturers don't provide more carry options for their customers?
In many cases there seems to be no good reason to do this, and it appears as though the manufacturer could just as easily have outfitted the tool for both left and right handed carry in tip up and tip down configurations. I understand that designers consider how the knife is going to be carried and used and try to place the clip accordingly, but that is really a poor substitute for individual preference.
Even a cursory search on carry configurations will reveal that there are many different (and often strongly held) opinions on which setup is the best; so there is little doubt that a true 4-position clip is best for the knife user.
In some cases (such as the Spydercos with an unlines G10 handle slab which will not hold a thread) there is a valid reson why additional positions would be an impossible or impractical feature to add, and these are understandable. However, there are many knives where there appears to be absolutely no excuse for this.
An excellent example of this is the BM 720. It has an ambidextrous lock and opening mechanism, and two big fat aluminum handle slabs backed by steel liners which are perfect for threading. In spite of this it is only set up for right handed carry. This makes no sense to me. I know that lefties are a small part of the population, and therefore a small part of the buying public, but it would still be nice to not shut them out completely when all the others features are there.
I recall hearing that CRK does not make tip-down Sebenzas because Mr. Reeve feels that the knife works better in a tip-up configuration. As the manufacturer it is certainly his right to make that choice; but allowing the consumer more options would result in a superior tool, which is the whole point of high-end user knives.
Personally I think that in the absence of a valid technical reason not to do so, every knife should be set up for a 4 position clip out of courtesy to the customer.
Any ideas why knife manufacturers don't provide more carry options for their customers?
