Those of you who know me (or read my contributions on INGO) probably already know that some kind of knife-related injury is involved in this story. You are correct, but this time I'm choosing to use it as a discussion of a risk management issue that some may not consider when the carry a folder clipped in their pocket.
For those who are new(ish) to knives, a folding knife with a pocket clip can be carried either with the tip pointing upward (clip is attached on the opposite end from the pivot) or tip pointing downward (clip attached near pivot). Some knives allow you to move the pocket clip to reverse the orientation of the blade and some do not.
So why is this worth of discussion? Ah! I'm glad you asked!
Last night I reached into my pocket to get a house key. At the top of the same pocket was my trust AdV Tactical Butcher. After I unlocked the door, I felt something wet and sticky on my little fingertip and thought I'd touched something ookie, but it was actually a significant amount of blood. When I reached into my pocket, the blade of the Butcher had become partially opened and the tip of my finger got sliced as it passed it. I didn't feel the cut at the time.
So here's the deal: the blade can open with any folder in your pocket. If the blade is tip "up," it's in a position where you can get injured when you poke your hand into your pocket. If the blade is tip "down," it dramatically reduces the chance of injury or eliminates it completely.
You're now asking, "Joey! If you knew this, why were you carrying that big beatiful blade tip up?" The answer is, the clip can't be moved on the Butcher, I knew it, and I accepted the risk. I've been cut for the same reason before (which is why I knew what happened so quickly) and all of my knives that can be carried tip down are configured that way.
I need to reconsider how I'm going to carry the Butcher. It might never happen again, but it's really not worth the risk, even if the wound is minor. I may see if someone with good machining skills can move the clip for me, or I may get a kydex neck sheath for it. I'll do something.
Based on my experiences, especially last night, I recommend that all of us who are carrying knives with the blade tip up re-consider their options. I am not trying tell anyone to stop doing it! I am suggesting that you think about it carefully and weigh the reasons why you carry tip up vs. tip down and if the increased risk of self-injury justifies your choice to you. For some, it's a matter of just moving the clip. For others, it may require modifying the knife, the mode of carry, or even going with a different knife.
Think about all of the factors involved, re-evaluate, and decide. You may conclude that tip up carry works for your and your gear, or you may decide to switch.
End of public service announcement!
(anyone got a Band-Aid and some antibiotic ointment?)
For those who are new(ish) to knives, a folding knife with a pocket clip can be carried either with the tip pointing upward (clip is attached on the opposite end from the pivot) or tip pointing downward (clip attached near pivot). Some knives allow you to move the pocket clip to reverse the orientation of the blade and some do not.
So why is this worth of discussion? Ah! I'm glad you asked!
Last night I reached into my pocket to get a house key. At the top of the same pocket was my trust AdV Tactical Butcher. After I unlocked the door, I felt something wet and sticky on my little fingertip and thought I'd touched something ookie, but it was actually a significant amount of blood. When I reached into my pocket, the blade of the Butcher had become partially opened and the tip of my finger got sliced as it passed it. I didn't feel the cut at the time.
So here's the deal: the blade can open with any folder in your pocket. If the blade is tip "up," it's in a position where you can get injured when you poke your hand into your pocket. If the blade is tip "down," it dramatically reduces the chance of injury or eliminates it completely.
You're now asking, "Joey! If you knew this, why were you carrying that big beatiful blade tip up?" The answer is, the clip can't be moved on the Butcher, I knew it, and I accepted the risk. I've been cut for the same reason before (which is why I knew what happened so quickly) and all of my knives that can be carried tip down are configured that way.
I need to reconsider how I'm going to carry the Butcher. It might never happen again, but it's really not worth the risk, even if the wound is minor. I may see if someone with good machining skills can move the clip for me, or I may get a kydex neck sheath for it. I'll do something.
Based on my experiences, especially last night, I recommend that all of us who are carrying knives with the blade tip up re-consider their options. I am not trying tell anyone to stop doing it! I am suggesting that you think about it carefully and weigh the reasons why you carry tip up vs. tip down and if the increased risk of self-injury justifies your choice to you. For some, it's a matter of just moving the clip. For others, it may require modifying the knife, the mode of carry, or even going with a different knife.
Think about all of the factors involved, re-evaluate, and decide. You may conclude that tip up carry works for your and your gear, or you may decide to switch.
End of public service announcement!
(anyone got a Band-Aid and some antibiotic ointment?)
