4" + blade folders questions

[RayseM]

The Tatanka @ 5.06" and the Szabo @ 4.60" for example, are pretty big folders. They do look awesome - I especially like the Tatanka - but I wonder how smoothly these open compared to the 3.5" knives and smaller.

And - does the spydie hole serve the purpose for average size hands or does opening one of these become a two handed operation?

At this size is there any practical reason to carry such a large folder rather than a fixed blade sheath knife?

Does a 5" folder pass legal scrutiny in situations where a fixed blade at that size does not?



Thanks for your insights.

 

[bdmicarta]

The Military at 4", Vallotton at 3.75", and Manix 2 XL at 4" or so open just fine for me, so I have to think that a little more size would be similar.

I guess the practicality depends on the individual person.

The legality depends on the laws in your jurisdiction. My state says that 5" is legal for instance, while some states have a problem with much shorter blades.

 

[Invective]

The Szabo has a self-closing detent built into it so it is a bit harder to open than say, a Millie or Manix2 XL but it is still easily a OHO

 

[Jastab]

I just ordered a szabo yesterday and i should get it wed or thurs, super excited about this one! From all the vids Ive seen it looks like it deploys easily.

 

[The Deacon]

The Tatanka @ 5.06" and the Szabo @ 4.60" for example, are pretty big folders. They do look awesome - I especially like the Tatanka - but I wonder how smoothly these open compared to the 3.5" knives and smaller.

And - does the spydie hole serve the purpose for average size hands or does opening one of these become a two handed operation?

At this size is there any practical reason to carry such a large folder rather than a fixed blade sheath knife?

Does a 5" folder pass legal scrutiny in situations where a fixed blade at that size does not?



Thanks for your insights.

Tatakana isn't out yet, so very few people would be able to comment on its smoothness. I also suspect that, like most Spydercos, there will be some that are smoother out of the box than others and that someone else's idea of smooth may differ from yours or mine. Did handle a Szabo at Blade a couple years back and it was very smooth, but again, those same caveats apply.

I can say that the Szabo was no more difficult to open one handed using my thumb in the Spyderhole to guide the blade open than the Stretch I normally carrry or the Chaparral I carry when I go somewhere with a 3" blade limit.

Folders, regardless of size, may be legal where fixed blades are not, and visa-vera. So there's at least a chance there may be somewhere that the Tatanka would be legal, but a 5" fixed blade would not. Of course there are also likely to be places where, regardless of "law book" legality, a large folder is more likely to raise questions of your intent than a smaller one. Knife laws in the USA are varied and inconsistent and are often interpreted incorrectly by people in positions of authority, so there are no simple answers on the wisdom of carrying any particular knife.

 

[RayseM]

The difference between the ease of deployment of a back lock knife (Endura) and the knives with a Reeve Integral lock or liner locks is certainly noticeable. I always though the Endura was a real smooth opener until I handled my Sage and my Chokwe. Without the resistance of the back lock those 2 open with incredible ease. Stands to reason but I admit to not having considered the difference. This new awareness compelled me to ask about the Szabo with its "high strength compression lock" and the Tatanka with the "Powerlock". I'm encouraged to read the comments that the Szabo opens easily inspite of the style of its lock. I wish I could try these - oh well.

The legal question was just out of curiosity. Maine is pretty open minded about knives in a camping/hunting situation so I just need to asks more specific questions of our "authorities" as regards to big folders. To my surprise, but as The Deacon writes, even among local LEOs the answer to questions about knife sizes are "often interpreted incorrectly by people in positions of authority"

Thanks for your comments.

 

[JDunn709]

I believe spyderco aims to keep the distance between the spydie hole and the pivot constant to the ideal ratio.

I recall Ed Shempp discussing it in the video spyderco released of him discussing the Balance.

I'll embed it later when I'm not posting from my phone!

 

[The Deacon]

The difference between the ease of deployment of a back lock knife (Endura) and the knives with a Reeve Integral lock or liner locks is certainly noticeable. I always though the Endura was a real smooth opener until I handled my Sage and my Chokwe. Without the resistance of the back lock those 2 open with incredible ease. Stands to reason but I admit to not having considered the difference. This new awareness compelled me to ask about the Szabo with its "high strength compression lock" and the Tatanka with the "Powerlock". I'm encouraged to read the comments that the Szabo opens easily inspite of the style of its lock. I wish I could try these - oh well.

The legal question was just out of curiosity. Maine is pretty open minded about knives in a camping/hunting situation so I just need to asks more specific questions of our "authorities" as regards to big folders. To my surprise, but as The Deacon writes, even among local LEOs the answer to questions about knife sizes are "often interpreted incorrectly by people in positions of authority"

Thanks for your comments.

As I noted, everyone's idea of "smoothness" is going to be different. Personally, I don't consider smoothness to be synonymous with ease of opening. I realize that some folks "ideal" is a blade that swings like a pendulum when the lock is released, but I prefer a knife that opens and closes smoothly, but requires moderate effort to do so. No right or wrong here, it's just a matter of personal taste.

 

[RayseM]

As I noted, everyone's idea of "smoothness" is going to be different. Personally, I don't consider smoothness to be synonymous with ease of opening. I realize that some folks "ideal" is a blade that swings like a pendulum when the lock is released, but I prefer a knife that opens and closes smoothly, but requires moderate effort to do so. No right or wrong here, it's just a matter of personal taste.

I agree. I never complained about the Endura - it opens with little resistance and with authority, I would say smoothly - just different to the liner locks I own.