tip up or tip down?

[blademan]

This will probably get tomatoes thrown at me. And by the way, that would make a great animated smiley.
   I was wondering what peoples opinion is on tip up or tip down folder carry for edc or just in general. I think all my folders except one has been tip down. And I think I had a few accidental openings but never got cut with it. So what's the verdict, up or down?

[markl32]

I guess I am pretty low speed but I just put the thing in my pocket and call it good. 

[joeinwv]

Tip up 100%

[chrisdfw]

Tip up on both right handed and left handed knife.

I use a SOG twitch II on my right and a twitch XL on my left, there is a kickout on the back of the blade you press to open, and to be able to deploy it properly and quickly, tip up is the only thing that makes sense.

[nelson96]

I'm with Mark . . .  I never know until I pull it out of my pocket.

Gees guys really?

[Greywolf27]

Tip up on both right handed and left handed knife.

I use a SOG twitch II on my right and a twitch XL on my left, there is a kickout on the back of the blade you press to open, and to be able to deploy it properly and quickly, tip up is the only thing that makes sense.

I have a Twitch as well that I rotate with a Benchmade Rift.  Both are tip up.  I never really thought about it, but yup, all of my EDC are tip up.

[The Professor]

Call me the odd man out, I do tip down so I can have a full grip on the handle as I pull it, as opposed to just thumb and forefinger.

But, I am heavily invested into Emerson's Wave Feature which opens the blade as you draw the knife from your pocket.

The Professor

[Absit]

Tip up because I can open my knife via a knub on the back side of the blade as I take it out of my pocket, I understood that as a "wave" feature, I may have my wording wrong.  It's a CRKT M21-14SFG.

[blademan]

Yes, I have done this even with a tip down knife by catching the stumb stud on the reinforcing of the top of the pocket of a pair of jeans. I think wave is a certain design feature in some of the emerson folders which I think are tip up. It doesn't work well on all pants or fabrics or all carry positions. Some people call it a draw opening, and there was one guy, w. Hock hocheim I think, that advocated a partial opening during a draw leading to a slash, using the slash to finish opening the blade. There is the reason I only watched one of his videos. I'm sure he's a cool guy, just not my style. The draw opening has always seemed to me to be something that was cool to do and show people as you were opening a box or letter, but back when I was really into knives as toys, I tried and tried this and got ok at it, but I also threw several knives across a room or nearly into my foot or eye or through a window or well you get the picture.
  Basically, I'm just curious as to which people think is faster, easier, safer, etc. I kind of have my own complicated opinion which can be summed up as it depends on the knife, the user, and the carry method including the type of clothing and holstering point. I just like getting other perspectives on the matter.  Thanks for the responses, and Prof, I didn't see your response until after I had typed the above so, aparrently well informed minds think alike.

[Absit]

Honestly, my favorite and fastest is a Benchmade auto, but it's retired now for collector's value.  My CRKT opens pretty reliably with the stud on pocket method but it's not something I'd rely on in a fight. 

[chrisdfw]

I'm with Mark . . .  I never know until I pull it out of my pocket.

Gees guys really?

really if you plan to use it in self defense

most encounters are fast and brutal, I practice my draw every day

[The Professor]

really if you plan to use it in self defense

most encounters are fast and brutal, I practice my draw every day

I'm with Mark . . .  I never know until I pull it out of my pocket.

Gees guys really?

Yes, as Chrisdfw said.

Just as with you should always put your handgun in the same place when you walk out the door, if you carry a knife for defensive purposes, you should always carry it in the same place and in the same position.

Being in a  head clinch while some guy is raining knees into your orbital sockets is not the time to try and figure out if your blade is up or down, front or back.

With the adrenaline dump, any of those fine motor skills you may fantasize about using to flip, turn, flick or open your knife are just that: Fantasy.

Make it easy, make it consistent and make it fast.

The Professor

[blademan]

I still like autos for toy and show value, but I have examined only a few that I would even consider for edc. If I need something that fast, I will go with a fixed blade of the same size. Either as a neck sheath, iwb, or in pockect sheath or on a vest or something like that. I used to have a boker bud nealy specialist 1 that I freakin loved. Just loved the heck out of that knife. Small, tacticool as heck, multiple carry system came with it, and it just looked super slick. It could even be easily lashed to a pole as a spear too. Anyway, this has been cool, I don't know if you can tell by my name, but I kinda have a thing for knives, so keep the opinions coming, I'm listening.

[FreeLancer]

Tip up in the right front pocket works the best for me.

[mike77]

Tip down at the moment because my current favored knives only have that option. Soon I'm either going to replace them or mod them for tip up though. I'm often working around a lot of sawdust and can completely coat the front of my pants in minutes. Tip down carry puts the pivot right there to catch all of the dust and gum up. Regular cleaning and maintenance of a knife is fine. Doing that daily, not so much.

[CTyler7]

Tip up for me! Personally I find it is faster and more secure to draw compared to tip down.

However, I find that the big advantage of tip up is that many knives that support this method carry deeper in the pocket and are less visible (less handle visible above the pocket clip.

That's kinda important here in Colorado, especially if sharp pointy things are frowned upon in your setting.

[Mexican_Hippie]

I rarely carry folders, but when I do its usually tip up - in a pocket mag pouch next to my spare mag not hanging by a clip.

I usually carry a small fixed blade like a Eskabar (BK14).  It's just as easy to carry as a folder, but a whole lot faster and stronger.

[endurance]

I used to have a tip down knife, found it a bit hard to open one handed and now have a tip up.

For my flashlight, I'm lens down on my left side.  Again, it seems a little easier to put it into use.

[joeinwv]

Just to clarify and bump the thread, I carry a Spyderco Delica 4, in VG10, FFG, G10 scales. Tip up.

Typically, I don't subtract gear - so I will add to my EDC and gain redundancy. Most times, this would be a becker BK10 or 14 small fixed blade or a big becker BK 2 or 5.

Same with guns - I always carry a KT P3AT, sometimes I add a Glock 19 or a rifle.

[Shaunypoo]

Tip up because I can open my knife via a knub on the back side of the blade as I take it out of my pocket, I understood that as a "wave" feature, I may have my wording wrong.  It's a CRKT M21-14SFG.

I carry the same knife tip down.  I tried tip up, but the "knub" kept catching and I wasn't getting a consistent pull.  Tip down it is easy to rotate to my palm in one easy motion and flip open. 

I also wear a neck knife, but it is oriented for my left hand.  It is more of my defensive weapon versus the CRKT is more of my daily user.

[Mountain State Prepper]

Thanks for this thread Blademan.   I honestly never put much thought into it.   In fact, I never really carry a "bigger" knife (I know that is a loaded comment and open for debate on what is big).   

I got a little pocket knife (modelled like an "Old Timer", but not as nice).   I swap it in and out with a little Case knife.  Both of these are just your typical little folders, 4-5 inches long open.   I also carry an original Leatherman with a nice half serrated blade.

I had no idea what "tip up" or "tip down" meant until I Googled it .   You guys have all inspired me to get a better folder to carry.   Price was a concern for me to make such a quick purchase, so after a little surfing I bought a Cold Steel American Lawman.  I have another Cold Steel knife, it has worked for me.

Tip up.

-MSP

[Shaunypoo]

I think it also depends on the size.  I can't get my hand deep enough in my pocket and still keep fingers out to get close to a good grip on my CKRT, it is just too large.  If I carry my SOG Flash 2, besides the fact that it is only tip up, it is easier to get a grip and flip open.  I am comfortable carrying one knife one way and comfortable carrying the other knife the other way.  I can draw the SOG faster than the CKRT, but only marginally.  I practice with both.

The CKRT is, IMO, more intimidating, and would probably seem more of a deterrent, but if someone wants what you have and pulls a knife, and you pull a knife and do it like you know what you are doing...

I prefer the Chicago Way:  They pull a knife, you pull a gun...

[The Professor]

Though, I will admit. . .I thought the subject line pertained to something else, when I first read it.

The Professor

[Mountain State Prepper]

I got my Cold Steel American Lawman today.   Out of the box it is hair cutting sharp.   Lines up nicely closed, seems very solid all around.   G10 grip feels like sand paper.

Clips in my pocket pretty well, although I will say that I will need a lot of practice drawing it smoothly.   But I do see the advantage of the tip up design on these types of folders.

[blademan]

I looked the American Lawman up, I wasn't familiar with it and I think that's going to be a great tip up choice because of the lock back versus the liner lock, it puts closed tension on the blade which reduced the chance of the blade coming partially open in the pocket. I've had this happen and its a little annoying and couldbe injurous. It can also damage your clothing.
   I'm thinking about getting away from a folder altogether for edc or at least trying to use a small fixed blade on my belt, neck or with an in pocket sheath as an edc. I used to carry a neck knife all the time and really used the heck out of it. The sheath under the shirt was a bit annoying, but just about as much as having to draw, open, use, close and replace a folder.
   I want something with a long handle and shorter blade for legal and perception reasons. Cold steel used to make something like this but they don't any more. I guess ill have to find something else.

[Mountain State Prepper]

I looked the American Lawman up, I wasn't familiar with it and I think that's going to be a great tip up choice because of the lock back versus the liner lock, it puts closed tension on the blade which reduced the chance of the blade coming partially open in the pocket. I've had this happen and its a little annoying and couldbe injurous. It can also damage your clothing.
   I'm thinking about getting away from a folder altogether for edc or at least trying to use a small fixed blade on my belt, neck or with an in pocket sheath as an edc. I used to carry a neck knife all the time and really used the heck out of it. The sheath under the shirt was a bit annoying, but just about as much as having to draw, open, use, close and replace a folder.
   I want something with a long handle and shorter blade for legal and perception reasons. Cold steel used to make something like this but they don't any more. I guess ill have to find something else.

I just bought a couple of Cold Steel Mini-Pal's for my girlfriend's keychain.   She said she has been walking to her car w/ her keys in between her fingers, so I found a nice small neck knife (punch style) that would hang w/ her key FOB.

http://www.coldsteel.com/Product/43NSK/MINI_PAL_W_SECURE-EX_SHEATH.aspx

[blademan]

Not to make your gf's keychain too busy or heavy, but look into the asp key defender. Low profile intelligently designed pepper spray dispenser. Comes in multiple sizes colors textures too. Something like a push dagger, even a small one used for self defense by a woman could be a hard sell in court with the wrong DA waving it around. Not saying its a bad idea, just throwing a thought out there. The key defender doubles as a flail as well. I don't have one at the moment but use a similarly sized mini maglite as a key chain. Its a light kubotan flail. I have a large p-38 style can opener on there and a heavy pewter keychain that would really thunk if swung with force. Been thinking about joining two mini mags as chucks but that's more of a toy than something I would carry. It would smack the crap out of someone, but its got some image, ergonomic, and legal disadvantages to it that are just too much of a pain in the ass considering that there are bettwe ways of doing the same or similar job as well or better.
  I used to have a bud nealy specialist 1 from boker. That was one hell of a knife. Was sad to have it stolen by a roommate.
  Its not made anymore but can still be found and I think boker offers another model designed by nealy that is similar. It was once of the few tanto point knives I owned and really liked.
   There's also a device called a cat head keychain. Its a self defense item that is kind of a plastic knuckle. The cats "ears" are the impact points and the "eyes" are the finger holes and the "chin" is the crossmemeber like on brass knuckles.
   Its not a perfect idea but its pretty neat.
 How's that lawman working for you? It looks like a pretty decent knife for the money.

[Mountain State Prepper]

Not to make your gf's keychain too busy or heavy...

You mean the "boat anchor", as I call it   

Thanks we are looking at pepper spray to.  Jack talks the Cold Steel Inferno's, speaking of CS.  But the smaller ones I was having trouble finding at a decent price.   I'll check this one out that you suggest.  Let you know.

[blademan]

You might try to get her to reign herself in on excessively heavy keychains, I have heard that they can damage the ignition switch on cars. Never had this happen or even knew someone who did, but I have heard it. Just throwing that out there.
   The intelligent thing about the key defender is that it is designed in such a way that its really easy to train yourself to keep it at the ready during the time you are quite likely to be attacked, to or from your car either at home or away. Its easy to use and almost impossible to accidentally discharge. Its the best OC keychain solution I have found. I did unfortunately have an accidental discharge once (that's me, finding new and improbable ways of doing something wrong.) and let me tell you that it is pretty hot stuff. They make training inserts for it that shoot a mist of water for testing and training, so its a good thing. Haven't looked in a while but 10 years or so ago, it was in the 20$ range so that's not bad. As to the accidental discharge, don't put the cartridge in backward and then screw it back together, it will end poorly.
  Also don't leave your keys unattended around curious but not cautios people. I left my keys at a gas station once. The clerk play around with it, not knowing what it was. He was unhappy with me when I retrieved my keys. Good thing it wasn't one of those pen shaped keychain .22s. He could have shot his eye out!
  Looking forward to the update.
Also, the key defender makes putting your keys in your pocket and getting them out really easy as you can just slide the tube in your pocket and leave the keys outside. Just though I would talk it up some more. Its a really well made product.