Classic styled pocket folder with one-hand or assisted opening?

W

Will_Power

Joined
Aug 22, 2011
Messages
51
I've been EDCing a Kershaw with a Ken Onion assisted opening thumb stud, and now I'm spoiled. I don't think I can return back to the Dark Ages of using two hands to open up my pocket knife.

I recently started a new job,and I want classier, more traditionally styled knife for 9-5 EDC. No pocket clip, no all black uber-tactical mall ninja style.

A single blade. Something simple.

It'd be easy enough to find a Buck or Case that would do the job, but I'd really love to find something with that classic style that also has a one-hand or assisted opening blade.

Is such a creature out there?
 
They where called switch blades, the traditional one hand openers. But in most places the law does not like them. Many lockbacks can be opened with one hand.
 
An Al Mar Falcon (smaller) or Eagle (larger) in cocobolo makes a very attractive EDC knife. Classic styling with modern convenience. Check out the A.G. Russell Spire as well. Case makes a few 1 handed opening knives. There's the Slimlocks (expensive, but with excellent BG-42 steel), the Trapperlock, the Russlock, and the Mid Hunter. Being Cases, they'll be available in classic and natural materials like delrin, bone, antler, and wood.
 
Like Planterz mentioned, Case has some nice ones:

Case Trapperlock:

trapperlock.jpg


Mid-Folding Hunter

midfolding.jpg


I know you said single blade, but Kershaw makes a couple of two-bladed traditional styles, the Double Cross and the Double Duty, this is the Double Cross

doublecross.jpg
 
Will_Power said:
I recently started a new job,and I want classier, more traditionally styled knife for 9-5 EDC. No pocket clip, no all black uber-tactical mall ninja style. ... I'd really love to find something with that classic style that also has a one-hand or assisted opening blade.
Click to expand...

How about a Case Trapperlock?

-- Mark
 
As mentioned previously, the Kershaw Doublecross is a great knife; I love mine and carry it when I can't (or don't want to) carry a knife with a pocket clip.
 
Opinel.


Opinel #10 (drop point) & Opinel #8 by Pinnah, on Flickr

The Opinels make great one hand openers and safe one hand closers (which, imo, is just as important for shop use) but you need to a) be willing to tweak and tune your knife and b) be willing to practice a new method of opening.

The knife on top is a #10 that's been modified. I filed the tip to a drop point and thinned/shortened the handle for better pocket carry. It's about the size of a Buck 110 but 1/2 the weight. More importantly for this discussion, I scalloped out the handle for an easy open shape.

To one hand open, I undo the lockring, pinch the blade by the spine, hook the butt end of the handle on my thigh to open, then close the clock ring. To one hand close, undo the rock ring, swipe the spine against your thigh (as you might do with a slip joint) and redo the lockring. Since the knife is a friction folder, these actions are much safer and more predictable than any knife with a spring mobilized blade. This takes practice. I practice in the car while I'm driving. You shouldn't but I do. For me, it's become second nature.

For this to be easy, you need to read up on tuning the Opinel. Tricks for freeing up the pivot include: a) sanding the interior near the pivot, b) using a large screw driver to pry open the inner joint ring (most effective, imo) and c) using copious amounts of vaseline to keep the joint lubricated.

I wouldn't advertise to the local constables who may be interested in the finer points of the law, but the #8 on the bottom is loose enough that with the lock undone, it will open with a flick of the wrist. Just sayin'.

FWIW, if you're using the knife for work, you won't find a tougher knife than the Opinel. The joints are nearly impossible to mess up and the lockring ensures that play is removed as you lock it. An amazing design really.
 
Will_Power said:
I've been EDCing a Kershaw with a Ken Onion assisted opening thumb stud, and now I'm spoiled. I don't think I can return back to the Dark Ages of using two hands to open up my pocket knife.

I recently started a new job,and I want classier, more traditionally styled knife for 9-5 EDC. No pocket clip, no all black uber-tactical mall ninja style.
Click to expand...

Why not?

By your own admission you are already returning to a more classy style of knife. Why return only half way? Why not come all the way back to the classy style of opening a pocket knife with two hands, like all the gentlemen of the past have done?

Edited to say, I own and use a Kershaw Leek, and am quite impressed with its quick deployment, so I understand your statement. Just seems like you could take one more step and still be satisfied.
 
Doug, I find when I'm working in my shop or working around my property, I often find myself in a situation where I'm working with something with two hands, get it stabilized and held with my left hand and then need to make a cut. In that situation, being able one hand open and then one hand close is very handy.

The trick of reshaping the Opinel handle to an easy open was told to me by a carpenter in another forum. He mentioned needing to access and put away a knife while on a ladder.

For general EDC use, I totally agree with you. One hand opening just isn't needed.
 
On the Opinel I have found that the #6 is better left hand carry(better for me anyway), makes me glad I'm ambidextrous.
 
pinnah said:
Doug, I find when I'm working in my shop or working around my property, I often find myself in a situation where I'm working with something with two hands, get it stabilized and held with my left hand and then need to make a cut. In that situation, being able one hand open and then one hand close is very handy.
Click to expand...

I fully understand, and agree, but find that a medium sized fixed blade in a belt sheath is just as, if not more useful, in those situations.
 
Doug, agreement all around. My problem is that, where I live, a fixed blade on the hip just wouldn't fly. :(
 
Thanks for the replies so far, guys.

I gotta say, the Case Trapperlock looks really appealing.

Doug Add said:
Why not?

By your own admission you are already returning to a more classy style of knife. Why return only half way? Why not come all the way back to the classy style of opening a pocket knife with two hands, like all the gentlemen of the past have done?

Edited to say, I own and use a Kershaw Leek, and am quite impressed with its quick deployment, so I understand your statement. Just seems like you could take one more step and still be satisfied.
Click to expand...

It's a convenience issue for me, frankly. I thoroughly enjoy the ease of opening my Kershaw Blur with just my thumb and have no intention of going back.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top