Spyderco Forums

Latest video on the subject. Enjoy.

https://youtu.be/GxbHstv7SeQ

I'd say a lot depends on personal preference, however, it also depends on several other factors, such as the size of the knife, the type of lock used, and perhaps even intended use or function. (For instance, the Emerson opener mechanism is essentially useless if configured for tip-down carry). I personally prefer tip-up on my folders, whenever possible.

Tip up is my preference in most cases.

Tip up for the knives I carry.

I also prefer tip up carry. I feel like the clip is getting in my way when gripping the knife if the clip is mounted for tip down carry.

Tip down if the knife has a weak/semi weak detent, like most linerlocks & framelocks...

Tip up is fine for most backlocks that have stronger self close and firmer detent....Native 5 & Caly 3.5 comes to mind

Love the tip down on the Military, it's the best backpocket folding knife EVER!

But if I find the knife ergonomic and highly useful, clip position is not a deal breaker...case in point, Caly Jr.-- my favorite knife, is only configured for tip down carry. I'd love to have it in tip up, but I've grown accustomed to tip down carry for this model, and I've grown to like it that way!

Mushroom wrote:I also prefer tip up carry. I feel like the clip is getting in my way when gripping the knife if the clip is mounted for tip down carry.

This is also my experience.

tip up, always. modded a few millies and para 1's.

Mushroom wrote:I also prefer tip up carry. I feel like the clip is getting in my way when gripping the knife if the clip is mounted for tip down carry.

Yup! Tip up please.

Tip up right front pants pocket

I am a right rear pocket and tip down kind of guy.

I don't much like pocket clips and remove them whenever possible. I guess I fall into the neither category.

Grizz

Tip up always, and I only carry backlocks so accidental opening is not an issue.
I only have one knife that carries tip down, but +20 tip up fodlers.

I had a Cold Steel Scimitar that was partially open and in my right front pocket cut a 3" long, 1/2" deep gash in my lower leg when I pulled on my jean shorts after I got out of the shower and that was tip up so even with a good back locking system can still have the blade come open and you'll get cut. Now I carry in my right rear pocket so it's not as much of an issue so it really depends on the knife. Large knives go tip down, smaller ones are tip up.
I wanted to try and keep all of em' the same to keep things simple but it just doesn't work out for all knives all the time. You have to adapt to the knife/opening system IMHO.

TN.Frank wrote:I had a Cold Steel Scimitar that was partially open and in my right front pocket cut a 3" long, 1/2" deep gash in my lower leg when I pulled on my jean shorts after I got out of the shower and that was tip up so even with a good back locking system can still have the blade come open and you'll get cut. Now I carry in my right rear pocket so it's not as much of an issue so it really depends on the knife. Large knives go tip down, smaller ones are tip up.
I wanted to try and keep all of em' the same to keep things simple but it just doesn't work out for all knives all the time. You have to adapt to the knife/opening system IMHO.

2 mistakes here:

1. Leaving a knife in your pants when they're not on.
2. Jorts.



I carry tip up, and I'm a right front pocket kinda guy. If in gym shorts (75%of my life), I carry IWB at 12:15, also tip up. When carrying IWB it's almost exclusively the delica, and sometimes the FRN Native (forum version). I'll only carry a back lock IWB.

tvenuto wrote: If in gym shorts (75%of my life), I carry IWB at 12:15, also tip up. When carrying IWB it's almost exclusively the delica, and sometimes the FRN Native (forum version). I'll only carry a back lock IWB.

I am almost always in board shorts and carry IWB a lot too. I carry at 1:00 and thats why I don't care for tip down knives. If a large tip down knife partially opens while carrying that way and you sit down without realizing it, you are going to perform a "self castration".

Surfingringo wrote:

tvenuto wrote: If in gym shorts (75%of my life), I carry IWB at 12:15, also tip up. When carrying IWB it's almost exclusively the delica, and sometimes the FRN Native (forum version). I'll only carry a back lock IWB.

I am almost always in board shorts and carry IWB a lot too. I carry at 1:00 and thats why I don't care for tip down knives. If a large tip down knife partially opens while carrying that way and you sit down without realizing it, you are going to perform a "self castration".

^Yikes.

I carry in a chest pocket at work and tip up just doesn't work that way, so I'm tip down 5 days a week. When I wear pants I prefer tip up but it doesnt matter nearly as much to me.

sabb8pro2 wrote:

Surfingringo wrote:I am almost always in board shorts and carry IWB a lot too. I carry at 1:00 and thats why I don't care for tip down knives. If a large tip down knife partially opens while carrying that way and you sit down without realizing it, you are going to perform a "self castration".

^Yikes.

Indeed. Thus the backlock, which I feel confident won't open unless the knife falls apart completely, which probably would result in the parts just falling out of my pants.