Tip Up Or Tip Down

[Bob B 103]

I've come to prefer knives that have a pocket clip that puts the knife in a tip up position. I find it much easier to open with one hand, which is a big benefit because it lets you keep using your non-dominant hand. But, I've also noticed that most folding knives that have pocket clips are tip down, or so it seems to me. Anyone else notice this? I was looking for a nice custom folding knife and I'm having a heck of a time finding one that is tip up. Seems like anything that has a handle made of something nice, it's tip down. ...or is there a trick to opening a tip down knife with one hand without having to flip it around in your hand.

[vjf915 456]

It's all in how you pull it out of your pocket. I've had both, and don't have an issue with opening either with one hand.

[henrym 19]

I prefer tip up, and the Ken Onion Kershaws are drilled and tapped so you can flip the pocket clip they way you want it.

[Caine 147]

My preference is tip up. Generally speaking tho, the trick with either carry method is thumb placement. With a little bit of practice either up or down is workable. That said, most decent knives allow you to switch the clip for tip up or tip down.

 

Regarding custom folders that offer tip up, look for custom Emerson's - they're almost always configured for tip up, especially if they have the "wave" feature. Strider's are also almost always tip up.

 

Some examples:

http://www.ebosshoss...tom-cqc-10-1715

 

http://www.ebosshoss...-wdamascus-1712

 

http://www.arizonacu...ex.php?id=22348

 

http://www.theknifec...sp?item_id=1693

 

Just some random examples that google turned up.

 

ETA: and yes, custom knives can be RIDICULOUSLY expensive.

[bry@n 195]

I prefer tip up also. IMO it conceals the knife better on most knives.

[Krdshrk 3,877]

Tip down for me. Gerber EZ-Out is so easy to open with 1 hand.

[Joelk 61]

I have been using a ghetto waved Benchmade Griptillian (tip up) for 5 or 6 years now. In my opinion it gives me the best compromise between in fight weapon access, daily utility, and compliance with NJ laws.

 

Here is an article Chris Fry of MDTS wrote a while back about carry knives http://www.mdtstrain...20Selection.pdf which touches upon the tip up/down issue.

 

If you ever want to test tip up/down, I have a Benchmade Griptillian trainer which can be set up either way, and I am happy to get together with you for some light force on force testing of which way is easier to access under stress or in fight.

 

I will tell you in advance that a centerline mounted fixed blade wins over any folder.

[bulpup 98]

Always had it tip down. I like grasping at the hinge between thumb and forefinger, pulling up to my palm and opening with my thumb. A tip up knife seem like there is an extra step to get the handle situated for opening. The first move in opening is grasping as I said above and a quick rotating pivot of the wrist as as the kife is uncliped, putting the handle in my palm. I should also say that on my knife the blade opens to the front when tip down in my pocket.

 

But I guess it depends on how you want it to be in your hand when open. I open it with the blade out from the forefinger side of the hand, if I wanted it on the pinky side I would have to flip it.

[Bob B 103]

Here is an article Chris Fry of MDTS wrote a while back about carry knives http://www.mdtstrain...20Selection.pdf which touches upon the tip up/down issue.

 

Good article. It confirms my thinking about tip up vs. tip down.

 

Always had it tip down. I like grasping at the hinge between thumb and forefinger, pulling up to my palm and opening with my thumb. A tip up knife seem like there is an extra step to get the handle situated for opening. The first move in opening is grasping as I said above and a quick rotating pivot of the wrist as as the kife is uncliped, putting the handle in my palm. I should also say that on my knife the blade opens to the front when tip down in my pocket.

 

But I guess it depends on how you want it to be in your hand when open. I open it with the blade out from the forefinger side of the hand, if I wanted it on the pinky side I would have to flip it.

 

That's part of what I was looking for - a technique for removing and opening a tip down knife. Your method makes sense. I tried it and it works, although for me, tip up brings the knife out in the palm of my hand with my thumb on the thumb stud. Tip down, using your method, I have to adjust my grip after pulling it out.

[bulpup 98]

 

That's part of what I was looking for - a technique for removing and opening a tip down knife. Your method makes sense. I tried it and it works, although for me, tip up brings the knife out in the palm of my hand with my thumb on the thumb stud. Tip down, using your method, I have to adjust my grip after pulling it out.

 

I have my knife fully in my pants pocket and clipped on the pocket edge. I am guesing you have yours on your belt?

[Bob B 103]

No - pocket.

[vjf915 456]

That said, most decent knives allow you to switch the clip for tip up or tip down.

 

Magazine.

 

Oh wait, sorry, force of habit.

[ZOMBIE 19]

I carry a kreskaw blur. it also has the predrilled holes to allow you the option of tip up or down. it is also asisted open which i really like. great knife ive had it for a little over a year and use it alot.

[Caine 147]

Magazine.

 

Oh wait, sorry, force of habit.

LOL made me do a double take... my first thought was "did I really just screw that up" haha

[vladtepes 1,060]

Tip up with wave... Blade can be deployed while drawing from pocket... I have found nothing faster..

[Guest]

Tip down....but does depend on the knife.....i get a better/more dexterous grip on the knife when I can get my thumb deep on the scales and the other fingers on the clip prior to deployment...to me it is better than just finger tip control as is common when deploying from a tip up carry...

 

 

Ymmv

[kurtinnj 9]

I'm a tip down with an assisted blade. Works well and when I flip that blade open my guys at work drop their jaws.

[zoid 24]

Definitely tip up. Tip down always throws me off.

[bmanrkg3 3]

I could do either, but my EDC is tip up.

[this_is_nascar 162]

I've come to prefer knives that have a pocket clip that puts the knife in a tip up position. I find it much easier to open with one hand, which is a big benefit because it lets you keep using your non-dominant hand. But, I've also noticed that most folding knives that have pocket clips are tip down, or so it seems to me. Anyone else notice this? I was looking for a nice custom folding knife and I'm having a heck of a time finding one that is tip up. Seems like anything that has a handle made of something nice, it's tip down. ...or is there a trick to opening a tip down knife with one hand without having to flip it around in your hand.

 

 

If/when I carry a folder that's larger than my Swiss Army Executive, it's my Benchmade Mini-Griptillion, which carries in your pocket with a "tip-up" configuration, which I prefer. I can get it from my pocket and opened easily with one hand.

[Tadgh45 0]

Both my Spyderco Delica and Spyderco Enduro are tip up. Great knives!