EdCaffreyMS
"The Montana Bladesmith"
This something that I have thought/known for a while, but I wanted to ask why so many folder makers place pocket clips on their knives in a "pivot down"/ "Blade Tip Up" carry position?
In this position, the point of the blade point is facing up, and in both my thoughts and experience it is a dangerous thing, that opens users up to serious injury, and the maker to a world of liability.
I know it's popular, and I have folks ask for it all the time, but it is something I simply refuse to do.
To explain: First, way back, when I first started building folders, I sought advice from some whom I considered the best in the business. One folder maker, who is very well known, made a statement to me... "IF I ever catch you putting a pocket clip on a knife in a tip up configuration, I'll fly to Montana and kick your butt!" "It's dangerous and sooner of later your gona get sued over it."
Initially I listened, but as we humans generally do, I had to see for myself. So, I built myself a folder and put the pocket clip on the back, for a tip up carry. After a few months I was thinking that maker was full of it.....UNTIL, I was at a local ranch, working cattle on horseback. We had a roping "wreck" and I had to jump off the horse and grab for my knife. I'm assuming that all the jarring around from being on horseback had nudged the blade a bit to where the tip was exposed....when I jerked the knife out of my pocket, the tip caught on the inside of my jeans pocket, went through the jeans and into my thigh...all before I knew what was happening.
Long story short, I took 8 stitches (both internal and external) to close up the gash, and learned that placing a pocket clip on a folder for tip up carry can be dangerous, and if a similar situation ever occurred with a customer, it could mean serious trouble.
So, this brings me to my questions.....
1. For the makers who place pocket clips for a tip up carry, do you do it because it's popular? Do customers request it? Or, do you just do it that way because that's what other makers do?
2. Have you ever considered the liability involved...or even ever thought about it?
3. OR, Is the whole thing irrelevant, and the discussion a moot point?
I realized that many arguments can be made for the tip up carry, and some might feel they can build some characteristics into a folder that would keep this from ever happening, but that's not the point..... The point is, we as makers have created a trap for ourselves and the whole industry...all it's going to take it one knife buyer to get injured, and the food gates will open. (MY PERSONAL OPINION)
I look at this situation just as I do those who take switchblades to shows in states where those knifes are illegal...all it's going to take is one maker getting caught, and every "custom" knifemaker will become suspect.
I'm not trying to start any arguments, nor am I intent on changing anybody's way of making knives. I'm just hoping to gain some insight on other maker's thought process on this, and maybe help someone who has never thought about how/why they do something.
In this position, the point of the blade point is facing up, and in both my thoughts and experience it is a dangerous thing, that opens users up to serious injury, and the maker to a world of liability.
I know it's popular, and I have folks ask for it all the time, but it is something I simply refuse to do.
To explain: First, way back, when I first started building folders, I sought advice from some whom I considered the best in the business. One folder maker, who is very well known, made a statement to me... "IF I ever catch you putting a pocket clip on a knife in a tip up configuration, I'll fly to Montana and kick your butt!" "It's dangerous and sooner of later your gona get sued over it."
Initially I listened, but as we humans generally do, I had to see for myself. So, I built myself a folder and put the pocket clip on the back, for a tip up carry. After a few months I was thinking that maker was full of it.....UNTIL, I was at a local ranch, working cattle on horseback. We had a roping "wreck" and I had to jump off the horse and grab for my knife. I'm assuming that all the jarring around from being on horseback had nudged the blade a bit to where the tip was exposed....when I jerked the knife out of my pocket, the tip caught on the inside of my jeans pocket, went through the jeans and into my thigh...all before I knew what was happening.
Long story short, I took 8 stitches (both internal and external) to close up the gash, and learned that placing a pocket clip on a folder for tip up carry can be dangerous, and if a similar situation ever occurred with a customer, it could mean serious trouble.
So, this brings me to my questions.....
1. For the makers who place pocket clips for a tip up carry, do you do it because it's popular? Do customers request it? Or, do you just do it that way because that's what other makers do?
2. Have you ever considered the liability involved...or even ever thought about it?
3. OR, Is the whole thing irrelevant, and the discussion a moot point?
I realized that many arguments can be made for the tip up carry, and some might feel they can build some characteristics into a folder that would keep this from ever happening, but that's not the point..... The point is, we as makers have created a trap for ourselves and the whole industry...all it's going to take it one knife buyer to get injured, and the food gates will open. (MY PERSONAL OPINION)
I look at this situation just as I do those who take switchblades to shows in states where those knifes are illegal...all it's going to take is one maker getting caught, and every "custom" knifemaker will become suspect.
I'm not trying to start any arguments, nor am I intent on changing anybody's way of making knives. I'm just hoping to gain some insight on other maker's thought process on this, and maybe help someone who has never thought about how/why they do something.
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