Like you, I used to hate a tip up carry. But as I have acquired more knives that carry this way I have actually gotten to where I now like them quite a lot. Maybe it's just because I (my hand) has become accustomed to them, but I now prefer a tip up carry on a blade I carry for possible self Defense.

Right now I carry two knives. The PM2 is ONLY for a last ditch, only thing available, can't run away means of SD. The other, the para 3 is my actual edc blade that gets used for what ever a knife gets used for. I am a believer in that a knife carried for protection should ONLY be used for that purpose ONLY. You do not cut ANYTHING with it unless it's the bad guy. AND you from time to time strop it a few times just to make sure it is still in "Razor sharp" condition.