Action

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15 years ago no one cared about "action." IMO this is another fad, like flippers. I have NO interest in action. I like well-made knives with good materials and pleasing design. If it opens and closes okay, then I'm all in. But I'm in my 70's, so I'm pretty much obsolete.
 
“Action” of a knife is entirely subjective and, as a result, not terribly relevant for knife evaluation. At the end of the day, ability to slice and cut will define the value of any knife.

Quit worrying about “action” and “drop shutty stupid stuff” and actually use a knife for knife stuff.
 
K.O.D. said:
However, bearings do not necessarily make a great flipper. Even with upgraded taco bearings, my Spyderco Domino and Southard are just "average."
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That’s subjective. I guess it depends on your definition of great.

My Southard’s blade doesn’t move as freely as some of my other knives and the detent maybe isn't quite as crisp as some.

Nevertheless, I find the action very gratifying, a combination of the mechanics of the flipper tab, how the knife grips during opening, the resonance of the blade hitting the lockbar, etc. It’s unique from my other knives and very enjoyable. I used to fidget with it incessantly. Kinda surprised it’s not worn out.

It’s probably not worthy of the action Pantheon, but it’s still very gratifying in its own right. Average it ain’t, IMHO of course.
 
For action i like the pull of a Swiss Army Knife most seem tight and stiff , good walk and talk
they aren't nail breakers but they have good resistance when opening ....movement
 
Hackenslash said:
“Action” of a knife is entirely subjective and, as a result, not terribly relevant for knife evaluation. At the end of the day, ability to slice and cut will define the value of any knife.

Quit worrying about “action” and “drop shutty stupid stuff” and actually use a knife for knife stuff.
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Im not sure this is entirely true. A horrific action can sometimes make a knife unusable. I think you mean to say that the upper echelon of action is not really important to a knife. As long as the knife comes out and goes away without problem, then who cares. I agree with that sentiment, but as a crazy person I do like how some higher end action feels.
 
Hackenslash said:
“Action” of a knife is entirely subjective and, as a result, not terribly relevant for knife evaluation. At the end of the day, ability to slice and cut will define the value of any knife.

Quit worrying about “action” and “drop shutty stupid stuff” and actually use a knife for knife stuff.
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It doesn't matter how well a knife cuts if it doesn't open when it should. Just as it doesn't matter how many bullets you have if you can't get your gun out of its holster.

edit: A friend of mine was hanging from a seat belt in an upside down car in a traffic accident and he said that he was unable to use one hand and he was feeling excruciating pain in the other hand and somehow he was able to reach his knife and cut the belt. the knife he was talking about was a cheap kershaw speedsafe tanto but you could only open it by touching the flipper.
 
I'm self taught ambidextrous when it comes to knives. Action is absolutely at the core. I try to be able to anything with a knife in either hand.

My Microtech Stitch was the biggest challenge I've ever had. I can open it with either hand. Though, upside down and reverse with my left hand. It was intended for right hand use.

Excellent topic and great discussion!

Well done!
 
Delgadonine said:
I'm self taught ambidextrous when it comes to knives. Action is absolutely at the core. I try to be able to anything with a knife in either hand.

My Microtech Stitch was the biggest challenge I've ever had. I can open it with either hand. Though, upside down and reverse with my left hand. It was intended for right hand use.

Excellent topic and great discussion!

Well done!
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The Stitch is a beast of a knife, even with an auto I would have trouble holding onto it in my left hand!
 
Slice O Life said:
I am actually interested in that thread, got a link to it? Over this last year I've pretty much lost interest in production knives. Not quite at the custom level yet, but at the mid-tech/semi-custom level.
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Moving on from production knives

Tastes change, we all know that. However, I've come to the point that very few production knives interest me, and whenever do see one, it's always made by Reate or WE. Nothing against them, it's $400+ is too much for a knife made in China. Also, it seems to have become a trend to "design"...
www.bladeforums.com www.bladeforums.com
 
Slice O Life said:
The Stitch is a beast of a knife, even with an auto I would have trouble holding onto it in my left hand!
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I still have pins and plates in my left wrist after I broke it up after a fall. The Stitch helps me work through some serious occupational therapy techniques.

Not a medical professional, nor offering medical advice.

Hold on a sec, can I open my right hand Sebenzas with my left hand?

Nope!

I have a new challenge!
 
Delgadonine said:
I still have pins and plates in my left wrist after I broke it up after a fall. The Stitch helps me work through some serious occupational therapy techniques.

Not a medical professional, nor offering medical advice.

Hold on a sec, can I open my right hand Sebenzas with my left hand?

Nope!

I have a new challenge!
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Same, my hands are shot. I feel it now. Years of cuts bruises broke bones smashed with a sledge. Burned, all I got worth a damn is my left. It limits me on my knife purchases. If its not ambidextrous it's not for me. Wishing I was 18 again. Would have done things differently. I guess that's why I'm a flipper lover. Makes life a lot easier for me. Sux but it is what it is.
 
I couldn't tie my own shoes for eight weeks. I had to be careful when using a knife. Rebuilding confidence with left hand deployment took time. A fixed blade was easier and slower. The sheath type is key.

Campers, hikers and hunters take note: a mechanical injury such as a broken wrist will be a huge obstacle to overcome in knife usage.

Action is a wonderful topic.

Hope others share what they've learned.
 
Don't think I'm very consistent in what I like, in terms of action. I tend to try to take knives on their own terms, if that makes any sense, and judge them as a whole.

I like the PT Malibu a lot, which is a bit odd for me - I generally really don't do flippers. But somehow it works for me. Sort of similar is the only manual Benchmade I've kept, the 940, which also works really well - I love how quick it is to close with a little wrist.

But I also love my CRKs, which are entirely different.
 
Locutus D'Borg said:
15 years ago no one cared about "action." IMO this is another fad, like flippers. I have NO interest in action. I like well-made knives with good materials and pleasing design. If it opens and closes okay, then I'm all in. But I'm in my 70's, so I'm pretty much obsolete.
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Flippers are a fad? That’s 99% of what I own, been collecting knives for about 7 years now, and I don’t see them going anywhere soon. Too practical, fidgety, and quick to open for me to want anything else, except for my 3-4 Spydercos and Socom Elites. When I started getting into the higher end stuff in 2016-2017, I remember really good flipping action wasn’t as common as it is today. That’s what drew me towards zero Tolerance. They had/have some of the best action, regardless of price, in my opinion. (ESPECIALLY with Skiffs)

*IMO button locks are a fad. Cool concept, but I definitely would NOT trust the lockup like I would on a framelock/ liner lock.
 
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Delgadonine said:
I couldn't tie my own shoes for eight weeks. I had to be careful when using a knife. Rebuilding confidence with left hand deployment took time. A fixed blade was easier and slower. The sheath type is key.

Campers, hikers and hunters take note: a mechanical injury such as a broken wrist will be a huge obstacle to overcome in knife usage.

Action is a wonderful topic.

Hope others share what they've learned.
Click to expand...
My right hand is basically non-existent. So I do everything with my left even writing. It took a long time to get used to it. At first I didn't think it could be done. But with time I have adjusted and overcome my obstacles in life. There's a little more to the story but I ain't saying. Let's just say I'm pretty good with my left hand if that makes any sense. One of the most hardest things to do for me at least is trying to hammer in a nail. Anything that requires two hands at the same time is basically an impossibility for me. But my wife is very understanding and has helped me tremendously. She even helped me change the timing chain on the car. Edited you can tie your shoes with one hand. Put your shoes on make the bow but not too tight and knot it up. Make it where it's tight going on but won't come off similar to a slip in type shoe. I do this with all of my shoes hiking shoes hunting boots it all works the same. It ain't easy but it's doable. I hope you and hand heals up good.
 
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