Tip-Up or Tip-Down

aj1985 · #1

Just a simple Poll.

Spyderco prefers Tip-down knives quite a bit. Me not so much. Just curious how many people here love tip-down and how many love tip-up.

Just find it easier to deploy. Wish every knife produced by Spyderco would have the capacity to be tip-up. :)

aj

Water Bug · #2

It's tip-down for me. I find tip-down to be far safer as there's no worry about being potentially jabbed by a partially deployed blade, and, for models with a thumb stud or Emerson "wave" feature, there's no unexpected deployment of the blade when the knife is drawn from the pocket. When I'm packing a Strider, Chris Reeve, or Emerson folder, they ride in a belt sheath... they DO NOT get EDCed in the pocket.

Now, granted Spyderco tip-ups, seeing that they feature the Spyderco Round Hole, are far less likely to cause the above unplesantries; however, I personally find that I can get more efficient thumb placement on the hole, thus more efficient deployment of the knife, with a tip-down :spyder: . Tip-down simply works better for me. :)

SaturnNyne · #3

I'm ok with both and can switch between them easily enough, but I prefer tip up because I like to be able to carry it in my side pocket and not have to scrape my hand over a knurled thumb ramp when reaching into the pocket.

Paul 883215 · #4

A quick look in the current product guide yields these results:
Models with a 4 way clip = 10
Tip up models = 25
Tip down models= 6

I did not count different flavors of models or sprint runs. Interesting results, huh.

Paul 883215 · #5

BTW I like tip up.

THE PUNISHER · #6

up.........

aj1985 · #7

Paul 883215 wrote:A quick look in the current product guide yields these results:
Models with a 4 way clip = 10
Tip up models = 25
Tip down models= 6

I did not count different flavors of models or sprint runs. Interesting results, huh.

Those are interesting results.

I was mainly thinking about the ayoob, Military, kopa, Police and the cricket etc. Imo they are all great folders, but deserve to be tip-up as well.

aj

aj1985 · #8

Water Bug wrote:It's tip-down for me. I find tip-down to be far safer as there's no worry about being potentially jabbed by a partially deployed blade, and, for models with a thumb stud or Emerson "wave" feature, there's no unexpected deployment of the blade when the knife is drawn from the pocket.

I place the knife so the spine is against the end of the pocket. No way of being jabbed by accident.

aj

Leatherneck · #9

Depends on the knife. I can't imagine carrying my Para anyway but tip down. Something about it with the comp lock makes it work for me. My Mini-grip works great tip up. My Delica I believe would work either way.

exParrot · #10

After carrying my Para for so long and now my Military, I have developed a slight preference for the high rise tip down carry. That said, I have no problem switching to the deep carry tip up clip on my UKPK.

Honestly, I think that tip up versus tip down carry is very much overemphasized within the knife community. There are more important aspects of the clip such as in pocket retention and how the clip affects ergonomics during use.

THG · #11

I was thinking about making a tip-up vs tip-down video earlier today. Looks like I'm going to have to do it. And I'm going to prove that tip-down is faster to deploy >=)

Oh, and I also believe that tip-down is LESS safe than tip-up (when carried "properly," of course).

jabba359 · #12

aj1985 wrote:I place the knife so the spine is against the end of the pocket. No way of being jabbed by accident.

aj

I prefer tip up and carry mine the same way. Never had any problem with a blade accidentally opening.

unloved · #13

I prefer tip down for anything that doesn't have a Wave.

MCM · #14

I predict 3 to one tip up.
Kills me to see great knifes in high ride / tip down configurations...

Just my 2.........

Pneumothorax · #15

I was originally tip down because I liked the hole close to my thumb on any length blade knife, but I prefer tip up now basically because it puts the handle against my hand going in pocket vs. agains blade spine. Live and learn.

jezabel · #16

High riding & Tip down here... with exceptions made for "dress / light duty" knives.
.... anyway ya'll know that real men carry tip down :p

Jez

redhawk44357 · #17

Both here, but i prefer tip down. especially when i can set up two knives for my FLP and FRP and have them open with the same motion. although i do like to carry my Mike goddard on the left for a quick retieve into a reverse grip.

npueppke · #18

I really don't have a preference as far as functionality/safety (I used to carry a tip up right hand only knife in my left pocket and didn't find it awkward or anything), but I agree with the person who said that sometimes the hole makes tip up awkward for Spydies.

ChapmanPreferred · #19

It depends on the model to me. I am very glad to have the Military as a tip down option, and the waved models as tip up!

Spyharpy · #20

Doesn't matter to me. As I prefer the knife to sit lower in the pocket like the low rider wire clips offer, my knives are worn based on which end sticks out less at the top. I generally don't carry anything else in the pocket where my knife sits so no worries about other things catching the Spydie hole or blade thus opening it.

Spyderco Forums

Tip-Up or Tip-Down

What do you prefer most of the time

Tip-Up or Tip-Down