A gift for someone with arthritis

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BMCGear

BMCGear

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I was visiting with my mentor today and we were discussing knives. I gave him an Alox Cadet last year and he loves it. When I showed him my CRK Inkosi he wanted me to suggest to him some knives that were modern folders that would be easy to manipulate with arthritis.

So, I'm looking for suggestions. My first thought was a Benchmade for fast deployment but I worry manipulating the axis lock may be difficult. Spyderco was another thought because the thumb hole is such a large area vs a thumb stud. No autos.

Anyone here with experience with arthritis and modern folders?

Wanna stay around $100 or so.
 
How about something with assisted opening? Benchmades are really smooth and easy to open, nothing really comes to mind when thinking of easy to open locking mechanisms though.. maybe something used and well broken it would be good since I think you'll have firm tension on just about every lock type.
 
GotSteel said:
How about something with assisted opening? Benchmades are really smooth and easy to open, nothing really comes to mind when thinking of easy to open locking mechanisms though.. maybe something used and well broken it would be good since I think you'll have firm tension on just about every lock type.
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I'm leaning towards a flipper for ease of open now that I think of it.
 
Easy flipping action and easy closing action....Buck 830 Marksman.

Give the Kizer Vanguard series flippers a look too.


Nice gesture on your part, and good luck in your search!
 
I would suggest an AO flipper. Many of the mid end flippers can take a bit of finesse to get to open all the way. Most AO knives don't take a lot of force to close either though I imagine he probably still has plenty of strength but is sore and stiff so dexterity is a bit lacking.

Locking mechanisms might be a problem. Some either are fairly stiff, have a small area that has to be engaged, or both. I would think an AXIS lock would be one of the better locks or maybe a button lock. A frame lock with a cutout that isn't real stiff might do ok.

I don't have arthritis so just throwing some thoughts out.
 
I got my dad a Boker Kalashnikov. He loved it. He carried a SAK for years. It is a small auto, so it is not too threatening. If they are legal in your area it might be good option.
 
I have arthritis and recommend Benchmade assisted opening, such as the mini-Barrage. Very smooth, easy opening, and a rock solid knife.

If budget were no concern, my custom Emerson with the disc (using thumb) is the easiest knife to open that I have ever owned and I have own lots of knives. Production models take a break in period.
 
I tell my wife that all my Spyderco's are good for my hand therapy.:D
The large hole makes for easy opening. When my hands get stiff I start flipping my PM2, Manix and Stretch, followed by the Native, Delica and G10 Dragonfly then back to the Delica. For some reason the Delica is harder to open thats why I go back to it to exercise more. After that my hands feel better.

Thumb studs dont work well for me. I got a pink Spyderco Lum comming in the mail and will add it to my therapy.

Can't say much about flippers; my first one is comming in the mail. I'm guessing that'll be good therapy too.
 
Benchmade Griptilian is what I would go for. You get the Benchmade you first thought of and you don't have to deal with the Axis Assist (although a Mini Barrage would be another choice for me). He can adjust the knife to drop the blade as easily as he needs it to.
 
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