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Do you carry your modern knife with the tip up or down, why?
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Tip up or down?
- Thread starter Doppler Bob
- Start date
J. Doyle
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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- Feb 17, 2008
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- 8,148
I'm not a huge fan of pocket clips in general but my thoughts....tip up for sure.
IMO, For a right handed person, there is only one place for a clip on a folder that makes sense: the back/lock side at the butt end of the knife. This makes it tip up.
1. The blade is against the seam/corner of the pocket so it can't open easily on accident.
2. Knife is oriented so there is minimal adjustment in hand to open/deploy and use.
3. That's the only spot on the knife where the clip is relatively out of the way for comfort during use.
IMO, For a right handed person, there is only one place for a clip on a folder that makes sense: the back/lock side at the butt end of the knife. This makes it tip up.
1. The blade is against the seam/corner of the pocket so it can't open easily on accident.
2. Knife is oriented so there is minimal adjustment in hand to open/deploy and use.
3. That's the only spot on the knife where the clip is relatively out of the way for comfort during use.
- Joined
- Aug 5, 2001
- Messages
- 4,306
Tip up, blade spine against the seam of the rear of the pocket. No chance of accidental opening, and the knife is in the right position to be opened one-handed when drawn.
AntDog
Gold Member
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- Apr 3, 2001
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- 26,698
This, exactly. Tip down if it opens has that point directly toward an area I don’t want poked.
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- Nov 21, 2013
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- 3,416
Tip up for reasons mentioned above, also I carry lots of waved knives.
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- Nov 21, 2013
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- 3,416
There is no “correct” way.
Zboson
Gold Member
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- Jul 10, 2021
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- 103
If a knife has thumb studs that are taller than the body of the knife and the thumb studs snag on your pocket as you withdraw the knife, especially with tight jeans, with tip up carry the blade is forced open. With tip down carry with such a knife, if the thumb studs snag the blade is forced closed. The WE Esprit is a good example of a knife with very tall thumb studs that snag easily. The Esprit is only tip up carry. I sold my Esprit for this reason. The blade opened a few times as I withdrew the knife from my pocket. The bottom line is that some knives are safer with tip down carry. That said, I no longer own any knives that need to be carried tip down in order to be safe.
my thought process, with tip down.. when you pull the knife from the pants you probably use pointer finger and thumb,. i lighten my grip and the knife rotates into the proper position 180 degrees and i can use the thumb stud. tip up and you have to walk your fingers up the scale.
toker
Basic Member
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- May 1, 2010
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- 4,732
To me there is. I've never had a tip up knife deploy accidentally. I've had a tip down knife do so and I was almost seriously injured by it.
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- Dec 21, 2013
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It's a non-issue for me. Although with a very few knives I may prefer "tip up" or "tip down", 85% of the time I just leave the pocket clip however it is installed at the factory, or when it arrives to me off the Exchange. I tend to not even notice. Most of the time I carry my knife in my left pocket, because there is often a S&W 642 in my right pocket.
I've carried so many different knives in mostly my left pocket, but also my right pocket at times, that my hands naturally and automatically search for opening method (flipper, thumbstud or hole) and when located, then deploy. It may not be the fastest, but I'm not trying to win a quick draw competition, I am wanting to use my knife to cut something. I'm certainly not the slowest, either though. Don't recall the last time I 'fumbled' with a knife when unpocketing.
I've never had any knife deploy in my pocket accidentally, except once, many years ago. Since then, I just don't carry knives with weak detent. I have found very few knives with detent weak enough to have me concerned about pocketing them, worst case, I adjust the pivot. Most knives with weak detent I have owned were mediocre quality anyway, no need to keep them around.
I've carried so many different knives in mostly my left pocket, but also my right pocket at times, that my hands naturally and automatically search for opening method (flipper, thumbstud or hole) and when located, then deploy. It may not be the fastest, but I'm not trying to win a quick draw competition, I am wanting to use my knife to cut something. I'm certainly not the slowest, either though. Don't recall the last time I 'fumbled' with a knife when unpocketing.
I've never had any knife deploy in my pocket accidentally, except once, many years ago. Since then, I just don't carry knives with weak detent. I have found very few knives with detent weak enough to have me concerned about pocketing them, worst case, I adjust the pivot. Most knives with weak detent I have owned were mediocre quality anyway, no need to keep them around.
Owen K.
Gold Member
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- Sep 9, 2016
- Messages
- 2,545
I carry tip up.
- Joined
- Mar 21, 2010
- Messages
- 549
My GOD
have you any idea how many threads exist on this topic?
If you UTFSF you would!
https://bladeforums.com/threads/tip-up-or-tip-down.1800190/
https://bladeforums.com/threads/tip-up-tip-down.1673277/
https://bladeforums.com/threads/tip-up-vs-tip-down-does-it-matter-and-why.1652589/
https://bladeforums.com/threads/why-do-you-like-tip-up-carry.1516102/
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https://bladeforums.com/threads/why-tip-up.1465304/
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It took me one minute to compile that list, and I'm sure there are more. UTFSF!
have you any idea how many threads exist on this topic?
If you UTFSF you would!
https://bladeforums.com/threads/tip-up-or-tip-down.1800190/
https://bladeforums.com/threads/tip-up-tip-down.1673277/
https://bladeforums.com/threads/tip-up-vs-tip-down-does-it-matter-and-why.1652589/
https://bladeforums.com/threads/why-do-you-like-tip-up-carry.1516102/
Noobie here w/ question (tip-up vs. tip-down)
I've been watching this forum from the sidelines but feel it's time to jump in with a question that I'm curious about. My preferred method of EDC is appendix carry on my strong side, inside the waist band, with my folder du jour. Been doing this for a number of years and it's like second...
bladeforums.com
Tip up or tip down.
I'm talking about sheaths of course. Are you left handed or right? Do you prefer a sheath on your strong side or weak side? When carrying both a knife and a pistol, do you have both on the same side? Me, I'm a lefty but I'm pretty much ambidextrous. Since most sheaths are tip down I have grown...
bladeforums.com
tip up- what am I doing wrong
I've read lots of divisive threads about one method vs. the other. I started looking only at knife models that fit my carry preferences but there were so many of the other type knives that I liked that I had to stop my prejudice and end up with knives of both types. I have to make both types...
bladeforums.com
Who's been cut by tip-up carry, and how or why?
I recently bought a Kershaw Brawler and one of the first things I did was switch the clip to tip-up carry. The way I carry is blade low in pocket and against the seam of trousers/jeans/shorts. Has anyone been cut by this method of carry and what would you attribute it too? I mean, if the blade...
bladeforums.com
Tip Up vs. Tip Down
I see merit in both orientations. I do this: Tip up when I have it clipped in the pocket far to the right. Rationale: I want my hand to go into my pocket against the backside and I don't want to pull my hand up against a blade that might be open a bit. Tip down when I have it clipped in...
bladeforums.com
Tip up?
I recently started carrying a Rat 1 for a working knife. I know a lot of people prefer tip up carry, so I thought I would give it a try. With so many years carrying tip down it was a little awkward. I was going to change it back but never thought about it while I was around my torx driver...
bladeforums.com
Tip Down, Tip UP?
I go crazy when I do EDC selection for the day:( Ever have the problem when you pull out your knife you're going the wrong way?
bladeforums.com
Tip up or tip down carry knife
Can anyone comment on the benefits or drawbacks to a tip up or tip down carry picket clip folder? Thank you Tom
bladeforums.com
Poll: Tip up or tip down.
I know what you are thinking, there are tons of threads discussing the pros and cons of each. But I was curious, what do you guys actually do? I'm interested in seeing the actual percentages of how people carry their XMs. So feel free to discuss, but please vote also. How do you actually...
bladeforums.com
Tip up or tip down carry?
If you could put a pocket clip anywhere on your knife (lefties or righties) would your carry your knife tip up or tip down and for what reasons? Me personally I carry tip up because you can deploy quickly and it conceals more knife. Opinions?
bladeforums.com
Tip up vs tip down carry
So as someone who doesn't understand the matter all that well, what are the pros and cons of each carry method with regard to everyday utilitarian purposes, and in cases where your pocket knife also serves as a defensive tool?
bladeforums.com
It took me one minute to compile that list, and I'm sure there are more. UTFSF!
- Joined
- Dec 21, 2013
- Messages
- 2,776
My GOD
have you any idea how many threads exist on this topic?
If you UTFSF you would!
https://bladeforums.com/threads/tip-up-or-tip-down.1800190/
https://bladeforums.com/threads/tip-up-tip-down.1673277/
https://bladeforums.com/threads/tip-up-vs-tip-down-does-it-matter-and-why.1652589/
https://bladeforums.com/threads/why-do-you-like-tip-up-carry.1516102/
https://bladeforums.com/threads/why-tip-up.1465304/Noobie here w/ question (tip-up vs. tip-down)
I've been watching this forum from the sidelines but feel it's time to jump in with a question that I'm curious about. My preferred method of EDC is appendix carry on my strong side, inside the waist band, with my folder du jour. Been doing this for a number of years and it's like second...
Tip up or tip down.
I'm talking about sheaths of course. Are you left handed or right? Do you prefer a sheath on your strong side or weak side? When carrying both a knife and a pistol, do you have both on the same side? Me, I'm a lefty but I'm pretty much ambidextrous. Since most sheaths are tip down I have grown...tip up- what am I doing wrong
I've read lots of divisive threads about one method vs. the other. I started looking only at knife models that fit my carry preferences but there were so many of the other type knives that I liked that I had to stop my prejudice and end up with knives of both types. I have to make both types...Who's been cut by tip-up carry, and how or why?
I recently bought a Kershaw Brawler and one of the first things I did was switch the clip to tip-up carry. The way I carry is blade low in pocket and against the seam of trousers/jeans/shorts. Has anyone been cut by this method of carry and what would you attribute it too? I mean, if the blade...Tip Up vs. Tip Down
I see merit in both orientations. I do this: Tip up when I have it clipped in the pocket far to the right. Rationale: I want my hand to go into my pocket against the backside and I don't want to pull my hand up against a blade that might be open a bit. Tip down when I have it clipped in...Tip up?
I recently started carrying a Rat 1 for a working knife. I know a lot of people prefer tip up carry, so I thought I would give it a try. With so many years carrying tip down it was a little awkward. I was going to change it back but never thought about it while I was around my torx driver...Tip Down, Tip UP?
I go crazy when I do EDC selection for the day:( Ever have the problem when you pull out your knife you're going the wrong way?Tip up or tip down carry knife
Can anyone comment on the benefits or drawbacks to a tip up or tip down carry picket clip folder? Thank you TomPoll: Tip up or tip down.
I know what you are thinking, there are tons of threads discussing the pros and cons of each. But I was curious, what do you guys actually do? I'm interested in seeing the actual percentages of how people carry their XMs. So feel free to discuss, but please vote also. How do you actually...Tip up or tip down carry?
If you could put a pocket clip anywhere on your knife (lefties or righties) would your carry your knife tip up or tip down and for what reasons? Me personally I carry tip up because you can deploy quickly and it conceals more knife. Opinions?Tip up vs tip down carry
So as someone who doesn't understand the matter all that well, what are the pros and cons of each carry method with regard to everyday utilitarian purposes, and in cases where your pocket knife also serves as a defensive tool?
It took me one minute to compile that list, and I'm sure there are more. UTFSF!
Yeah, the nerve of some people, wanting to actually discuss something on the forums that is basically personal preference, where there is no "right or wrong" answer, instead of reading what people had to say last month or three years ago or in 2015!
At least it gave you something to do with YOUR time!
Maybe we should have a rule that threads can only be opened for new knives, news, and other topics that haven't been covered previously? Sure would ease the load on the servers! Response time would be much faster. Go for it.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2006
- Messages
- 9,684
The age-old question (as noted above 
). I prefer tip-up, but if I like a knife and it happens to be tip-down that's fine. I can work with either.
). I prefer tip-up, but if I like a knife and it happens to be tip-down that's fine. I can work with either.