Arthritis Users

22-rimfire said:
Since I tried edc'ing a small fixed blade, I recommend one for folks with arthritis. My current carry is the little Condor Compact Kephart in 1095 and I love the little knife. I want to get something fancier..... But looking through my existing inventory, I have a couple small customs that would fill that niche also.
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Thank you so much. He was looking at the small Benchmade HUNT series. What do you think of those?
 
CanadaKnifeGuy said:
Why not a 2.5" - 3.25" fixed blade, like:

ESEE CR 2.5
CRKT Mossback B&T
Becker BK-14 with OE handles added
or step up the size to a Manly Patriot!?
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Excellent suggestions. He was looking at the small HUNT series from Benchmade. What do you think of those?
 
OpsTech said:
Thank you so much. He was looking at the small Benchmade HUNT series. What do you think of those?
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I like the Pardue Hunter (fixed blade). It may be a tad long for me to carry vertical, but in an urban environment, but I could do it. Basically the decision is whether or not the handle will be full grip or three fingers. But consider..... most small knives are basically three finger knives. It took me a while to get over the "full grip" thing, but in my case the Condor Compact Kephart (~$45) really works for me and you don't even know it is on your belt and most people would never notice it.

No opening with arthritic fingers. But one would need to be careful placing it back in it's sheath. I stick my finger down and feel the top of the sheath and slide the knife in. You could easily stick yourself if you aren't careful.

Maybe one of the GEC small fixed blades? They essentially look like a slip joint with a handle.....

Another one I got late last year was the Bark River Mini Kephart which runs about $200ish. It is really nice and carries easily in the leather sheath.
 
OpsTech said:
Excellent suggestions. He was looking at the small HUNT series from Benchmade. What do you think of those?
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Nothing wrong with those! The key is figuring out how he will carry it and what size that dictates.

I like a TKC pocket sheath, but 12:00 in a custom kydex is SUPER handy and unobtrusive as well.

For pocket, 7" is my max overall, without it sticking out.
 
My daughter suffers from juvenile arthritis and she tried out a bunch of my knives before we settled on a mini-griptilian for her, but that won't work as you said he had some difficulty with the AXIS. Perhaps a plunge/button lock would work, where the blade drops freely like an AXIS, but all you have to do is depress a button with your thumb to release it.
 
OpsTech said:
I'm going to purchase that one. It's so nice. I'll see if he want's to try it out too.
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I don't think you'll be disappointed. They're extremely high quality for being as simple as they are. Definitely king of the weight/blade length ratio competition (if there was such a thing.)
 
Button/plunge lock requires basically no dexterity to use. The Tangram Vector (Kizer’s budget line) is around $30 on the big internet retailer. If your local laws allow “gravity knives” you can loosen the pivot a tiny bit and don’t even need the thumb studs to open.
 
My dad had arthritis and a hand injury. I picked up a Spyderco Native 3 for him. It wasn’t too easy to track down but it’s easy to open and close, solid safe lock and was large enough for a secure grip without being too big as to be hard to control. I would see if you can find one.
 
OpsTech said:
I purchased it. Can’t wait to get it. If he doesn’t like it, I’ll keep it
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Sweet, I've got a Kershaw Link in M390, the Knockout looks close to the Link. Wish I would have gotten a Knockout now :(
 
One thing to remember with arthritis.... you may be able to open the knife, but you might not be able to close it without effort. That's where slip joints are good.... maybe a little tough to open but closing is easy.
 
Does your dad have a preferred pattern?

If he likes the Barlow, get him a "One Arm" Barlow.
They were originally designed for vets of the Civil War (on both sides) who lost an arm or hand. You hook the blade on your pocket seam or on your belt to open it.

If he likes a large (3 7/8 to 4 inch closed) stockman, a Buck 301 might work for him. They have a light pull of around a "3.5" to "4.5" on average.
If he likes a medium stockman (3 1/2 inch or so) there is the Buck 303.

For comparison a 92/93 mm SAK has a "5" pull.

For modern one hand openers,
The Ontario RAT 1 I had flipped or pinched open pretty easy, and is budget friendly, be it with the standard AUS 8 or available D2 blade.
I'd guess the slightly smaller RAT 2 would open with the same ease.

Is an auto legal where your dad lives?
A out the front double action auto might be an option if they are.
I don't know if the (factory made) Buck 110 and 112 autos are double action, (they are not an out the front) or of you have to unlock and close the blade the same way as on a manual 110 or 112. I've seen the 110 auto in a store display case once, but I've never handled a Buck auto.

"Worst case" maybe a small fixed blade neck knife like the Mora Eldris, would work or be a better option?
 
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View attachment 1262308 For years at work I just carried a simple lock back Frontier knife held in a belt sheath, and it served me quite well for many years. After a severe hand and finger injury I was forced to change to a Camillus Lev-R-Lok straight edge. That little knife served me well for years until it was lost on a hunting trip, some brush must have ripped the sheath open (which was leather).

I ended up liking it so much that I ordered another one, but could only find the part serrated blade. In the end the serrated worked out just fine. However the Lev-R-Lok function was a saving grace and much easier for me to open multiple times a day. And I ended up using a simple Velcro closing Cordura knife pouch on my belt for carrying it.

Because of the way my hand and fingers healed after the accident, it created so many problems to try to open a traditional or even assisted pocket knife. Studs or disc’s or even a Spyderco hole, I just couldn’t do it anymore. Work didn’t allow autos, so that wasn’t an option and we weren’t allowed to carry a fixed blade either except for a razor blade knife (I tried, but that would break the razor numerous times).

After retiring I just hung on to the lockbacks and my last Lev-R-Lok for sentimental reasons. I have looked for another Camillus Lev-R-Lok on the secondary market, but the prices are beyond ridiculous.

So now I use nothing but an auto, either OTS or OTF. As long as the handle is thick or wide enough, or long enough, I am very adapt at opening and closing it. Most importantly is that I can hold it securely in my hand through all phases of use beyond the open/close movement/action.

I understand that arthritis is a terrible affliction to have and I can truly empathize with you and other people who suffer from it, including hand injuries thrown into the mix. I hope everyone will find and be able to use a pocket/carry knife again at some point of time. I feel incomplete when I don’t have one with me for whatever reason, and I’m sure you feel the same way too.

For the last,9 months I have been carrying a M/T Socom Elite, it fits my hand perfectly, and fills every single chore I throw at it. I will also carry a M/T Troodon (Not the Combat Troodon) for when a more formal dress is required (it carries more flat and is lighter too).

There are so many different brands, handle and blade combinations available nowadays that there is bound to be something that will fit the needs and function of just about everyone, a person might have to experiment at bit, but trying them all out is a satisfying adventure in itself.

This picture shows my original Frontier on the bottom, the Camillus Lev-R-Lok in the middle, and the M/T Socom Elite on the top.
 
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