Newbie question re: tip up/tip down

[Rory Quinn]

Hi all-



I'm sure this question has been asked and answered a hundred times over, so I'll apologize in advance. I am inexperienced about folders, and I was wondering what the pros and cons of the tip-up and tip-down designs are- in terms of speed of presentation, safety, ease of carry etc.



thanks in advance-

[sal]

Hi Rory. Welcome to the Spyderco forum.

Tip up is more common and considered by many to be the easiest and safest way to "wear" a folder. It is said that the opening hole (or stud, disk, etc) is in postion to open the knife when the knife is retrieved from the pocket (or wherever it is clipped).

Tip down requires a slight rotation in the hand before the thumb can be used to engage the blade to open.

Tip down also permits the "drop opening" (if you have a hole in the blade).

sal

[Clay Kesting]

Rory,

To add some personal comments to Sal's reply. I prefer tip-up in use, especially if I'm using the knife a lot and having to replace and retrieve it repeatedly. OTOH most tip-down knives have the clip closer to the end and are lower profile, so I'll often carry one if I don't want to advertise the fact that I'm carrying a knife.

Just my AUS$0.0361142 <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>.

Clay



Edited by - Clay Kesting on 12/28/00 1:31:25 PM

[Rory Quinn]

Thanks for the help, Sal &amp; Clay-

I'm more or less sold on an Endura lightweight(&amp; Drone for training) as my first 'proper' folder. There are no dealers here, so I'm torn between ordering from the Spyderco factory shop (and hoping they navigate their way through irish customs) or waiting until I'm in NY this summer, where I can really take my time picking and choosing... (arrrgh- but summer is such a long time away!)

Cheers!

[sal]

Rory. I'm suprized there are no dealers there. You might suggest to your local knife shop that they contact our distributor in England for product. If that is not possible, they may contact Spyderco for product. We are currently distributing in over 40 countries. We would like to have our product available everywhere if possible.

sal