benchmade 761 tip down carry?

S

steveg30

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Apr 26, 2004
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Been reading alot about the 761 and how benchmade only offers tip down carry on their liner locks, (frame locks). This is not true look at the 757 its tip up carry, so benchmade could and should offer the 761 with both options.
 
I'm just glad models are still coming out that are tip down only. No Swiss cheese holes all over. To humor the kids who think tip up is somehow safer, or deluded faster.


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@LeathermanGX said:
I'm just glad models are still coming out that are tip down only. No Swiss cheese holes all over. To humor the kids who think tip up is somehow safer, or deluded faster.


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How do you carry your knives? I find tip up more comfortable as the pocket clip tends to dig into my hands on tip down. Also, i carry my knives in the back of my right pocket with the blade resting against the back end of said pocket making it impossible to open. A tip down I could see opening up while im digging in there for something.
 
I've been carrying tip down since my first Spyderco Police Model in 1988. All my Benchmades are tip down. I have never had a knife open in my pocket. Most knives feel small in my hands and pocket clips don't dig into my palms.
 
@LeathermanGX said:
I've been carrying tip down since my first Spyderco Police Model in 1988. All my Benchmades are tip down. I have never had a knife open in my pocket. Most knives feel small in my hands and pocket clips don't dig into my palms.
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- I've had a Benchmade Aphid partially deploy in my front right pocket. I got spiked when I reached in my pocket for my keys. So it's tip up only for me.
 
I actually prefer tip down carry and comes from buying knives since the 1990's. It's one of the features that I like about the 761. However I don't know why they decided to hide the pivot screw under the pocket clip so you would have to remove it in order to tighten the pivot. That part is confusing.
 
I think the whole debate is entertaining. I've got a lot of both tip up and tip down (Benchmades and Spydercos mostly) and it has never actually mattered which one I was carrying. Just like it has ever actually mattered that I can open or close them with lightning speed...or which size or shape blade I happen to be carrying today. But I do tend to focus on all of those things. All of the little details about tip up or down, blade shape and size, even blade materials to some extent...these are just fun (but not critically important) details for all of us to play with. We tend to obsess over the details because they are what make knives distinct from one another, and while details are really important in collecting knives they're not nearly as important in using knives. But, who cares about what's logical or "correct"...this is personal. What details we all prefer are personal preferences that make us each happy. If tip up only knives make Toker happy..cool, and fq55 can prefer tip down and that's cool too. I prefer not to limit my collection at all and I might have a knife collecting disease..?
I just bought a 761 and I love it for what it is. It's a beautiful, large, titanium frame, frame locker with a really nice blade material for EDC use. Great for showing buddies. It's not perfect but it's a fantastic addition to my collection. It's buttery smooth and it fly's open. I had to center the blade myself (disappointed in BM QC for that one but it wasn't hard to make it perfect). The factory edge is the sharpest I've ever received from BM...I'm really impressed. The clip covers the pivot screw to make it look cleaner and I'm ok with that inconvenience because looking good is a big part of what this knife is about. The clip itself is too tight for my liking and the tension in the titanium clip is not easy to adjust like steel. All in all I love the knife and I am glad I added it to my collection, no matter which way the tip is pointed.
 
steveg30 said:
Been reading alot about the 761 and how benchmade only offers tip down carry on their liner locks, (frame locks). This is not true look at the 757 its tip up carry, so benchmade could and should offer the 761 with both options.
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Agreed, but I really like the 761 anyway. The Bradley Alias (both large and small versions) are frame locks and these can be carried both tip-up and tip-down. I have two reasons for preferring tip-up carry. Having the clip at the back of the knife is more comfortable when using it. Also, it allows a lanyard to be out of the pocket when carried.
 
I prefer tip up because I just wanted to stick with one method...repeatability, I'm just so used to it now. Can I do tip down? Of course :rolleyes: It's not as drastic as forcing to write left handed or driving a stick shift AND right hand drive or anything like that but I use my knife dozens of times everyday at work and the rest of my day and I appreciate just sticking with one throughout my carry rotation.

One thing I do like about tip up is that since the blade is tucked into a corner, it doesn't come in contact with anything else in my pocket. With tip down, whatever I happen to have in my pocket; Ruger LCP, loose change, cell phone, keys... blade interacts and rubs all up on it... You tip down guys, don't get defensive about this...It's just my experience. Not a dealbreaker, but I'm good with my choice: Tip up all day.

Being into Benchmade Axis lock knives, they kind of make the decision for you ;)

I never looked at the "safety" angle of the argument. I'm fine with both in this regard. Just like firearms, the best safety is "between your ears".
 
@LeathermanGX said:
I'm just glad models are still coming out that are tip down only. No Swiss cheese holes all over. To humor the kids who think tip up is somehow safer, or deluded faster.


tumblr_m81z7tZDta1qmmsht.gif
Click to expand...

Tip down destroys the ergo's of a knife. The firmest part of your grip is there. For the price there should be options and cover plate for the other holes not in use.
 
Almost all Knives were tip down 15 years ago. None of their "ergos" were destroyed.
I'm at a loss to understand how the hollow end of the grip can be sturdier than the pivot?!
 
@LeathermanGX said:
Almost all Knives were tip down 15 years ago. None of their "ergos" were destroyed.
I'm at a loss to understand how the hollow end of the grip can be sturdier than the pivot?!
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...And clips didn't exist at all 30 years ago. Things change. Clips are relatively new to folders altogether and sales and customer feedback got us to this point.

I think you misunderstood and actually reinforced what he was saying. The closer to the blade/pivot your grip on the handle is the more sturdy the knife is of course, and what he's saying is, the grip on that finger guard area where your palm/thumb/index finger meet holds a majority of your grip and typically, that's exactly where the clip is when it is tip down. Smack dab in the middle of your grip. Tip up or down, the clip will be under your hand though of course. Depending on your clip preference, you can get used to it either way: up your palm or down your palm. Ergo preferences of course varies from person to person.
 
I had the opportunity to handle one of these on the weekend at my local walk in store. All I can say is that I was impressed. Especially after reading some of the threads and posts here. I was there for another buy, nothing close to the same cost, but after feeling this thing out, I came close. Buttery smooth, love the lock bar it was perfect. No detent issue, perfectly centered, no jiggle no wiggle. All in, a sweet folder to say the least.
I carry tip up, but that didn't stop me from buying a Ti Millie, and it's not going to stop me from getting one of these. Also would love to see it in Aqua.
Cheers
 
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