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 top, the Camillus Lev-R-Lok in the middle, and the M/T Socom Elite on the bottom.
