Tip up or Tip down?

[sparkyv]

I was reading a knife post by hso, regarding a WE knife which was a pretty nice one. I didn't want to hijack his thread, so here is this post. I noticed the WE knife was a tip up carry only. I carry in my right back pocket and much prefer to carry tip down. I think it's safer than tip up, plus I've developed muscle memory to carry and deploy in the tip up configuration, so I'd likely not purchase a great knife if it's a tip up only. What us your preference?
[edit: I'm referring to a folder with a pocket clip]

 

[Fiv3r]

I honestly have no preference except for a Spyderco. I prefer those tip down since I can draw the knife and just Spydie-drop it open.

Most of my carry folders happen to be tip up, though.

 

[bikerdoc]

Tip up for me.

 

[Obturation]

Tip up suits me best.

 

[JohnKSa]

I prefer the hinge to be down, (which translates to tip up). If you are in dusty/dirty conditions, it's nice to have the hinge down in your pocket where it is somewhat protected rather than sticking up out of your pocket--exposed to collect anything that falls onto/into it.

 

[MCFLYFYTER]

Tip up in the front pocket, just more efficient. In a back pocket, I have no idea, never done that.

 

[FL-NC]

Tip up, and "wave" feature. Fastest folder ever.

 

[ElGuappo79]

Tip up.

 

[ugaarguy]

I generally prefer tip up. Tip up vs tip down safety depends quite a bit on both the knife and the pocket you're carrying it in. I'd probably carry tip down if I was carrying in my strong side back pocket, especially if it was something like a Spyderco Military or similar large knife with a large blade opening hole.

 

[Elkins45]

If you grasp a knife normally and then close it and stick it in your pocket without repositioning your hand it goes in tip last. To me it logically follows that’s also the best way to remove it from your pocket, so that translates to tip up.

Plus, knives with a wave opener only work tip up.

 

[earlthegoat2]

I always carried tip down until I got my Yojimbo 2. Previously, the knives I carried had only the option for tip down. The Yojimbo had provisions for both sides and top up or top down. It came set up for tip up carry so I left it that way and found I much preferred it.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I prefer tip up in my right front pocket, but if carrying in a rear pocket, I can see why you might prefer tip down.

 

[1KPerDay]

Tip up here.

 

[jmr40]

Tip up. If the tip is down it seems like a lot of extra movement to get it open and in a position to use.

 

[.38 Special]

Another "tip up, wave feature, right front pocket" guy here.

 

[1942bull]

Tip up for a folder and tip down for a fixed blade.

 

[Boattale]

Tip up for a folder and tip down for a fixed blade.

Good point. Folders with a clip are always on my right side and carried tip up. Fixed blades I carry on the left side. Have never seen any tip up system for a fixed blade knife, but I haven't seen everything yet.

 

[1942bull]

Good point. Folders with a clip are always on my right side and carried tip up. Fixed blades I carry on the left side. Have never seen any tip up system for a fixed blade knife, but I haven't seen everything yet.

The neck mounted (on a chain) knives are tip up.

 

[sparkyv]

It's no surprise to me that I'm in the minority. Most folders don't have tip down option.

 

[Obturation]

I carry a fixed blade tip up on a shoulder rig I use fairly frequently . conceals great. I had used a ka-bar for this holster but switched to the glock knife because it's a bit slimmer and I don't care about abusing it.

 

[Boattale]

Never thought about either of those! ^^

 

[joneb]

Most of my folders came tip down, some with the tip up carry option so I thought I'd try it both ways. With the Spyderco and OKC Rat knives I prefer tip down after trying both.

 

[bikerdoc]

Good thread.

came back to add my assisted opening knives are all tip up by design and for ease of deployment, although he he option remains to reposition the clip.

 

[RA40]

Can get accustomed to either way. Mine have a thumb stud for a right handed opening with tip up.The stud is positioned inward. When I pull the knife from the pocket the stud is where the thumb would swipe the blade open easily.

 

[Howland937]

Both the knives I'm carrying are tip up, both have open assist, one in each front pocket. The easier to open is on my left, since I'm right handed. My left hand needs all the help it can get. Both have ambidextrous thumb release. Don't carry 2 because it seems cool. Working on a car I had in the air, arms above my head replacing the belt. Wrench slipped, tensioner collapsed...spent 20 minutes with my right hand fingers stuck because my left hand couldn't reach the knife in my right pocket and everyone else was at lunch.