Continuation of my quest for easy opening knives.

[joeymoey]

I think you would really like the GEC 65 Ben Hogan. Its 4½" closed and ive found everyone that i have handled to be easy to open. The lockback version is pinchable and the lock is easy to disengage. Its size is similar to the knives you have listed.

 

[jc57]

Face it Stan. You've already found plenty of knives that work. You're just a knife addict like the rest of us. You've merely found your collection niche.

 

[timberweasel]

I've been chatting up the Scagel Fruitport quite a bit lately. In spite of its crisp walk & talk, the cut out on the blade makes it easy to pinch open. Maybe give one a try? It's 3.75" closed though...

Good luck in your search, Stan!

-Brett

 

[BJE]

All of the buck slip joints I have owned have had a very light pull and were quite easy to open with large and deep nail nicks.
I suggest picking up a 303 or 301, they are easy on the eyes, hands, and wallet.

 

[SaintlyBrees]

A few month back I received a lot of great help from many forum members when I posted about looking for knives that I can open easily. I have a severe case of RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis) that has affected me in the past 3 years which is gradually getting worse. Not looking for a pity party here - just looking for more options of these beautiful traditional knives that I can work with. I thought I would post a little summary with what I have tried so far, and what works for me.

Risking getting modded here, I will say first off that my regular carry knives each day are one of my three Benchmade Axis Lock knives. They just simply work perfectly for me. But, they have no character in my eyes, hence the reason for my quest into the traditionals....

Following this thread as Wife has the same issue and cannot carry nor share in the traditional aspect of my knife hobby - although she would like to do so. She uses the same knives you do for the same reason. But if I can find her the right traditional knife that she can actually use, that would be great. So, I'll read these replies with great interest.

Thank you for asking the question.

 

[pmew]

There are all sorts of European options available to you. I like the looks of these Perceval knives but they are too big for legal UK carry.

http://youtu.be/IBxhFKIdZQ8

This Belgian bloke does a lot of knife reviews that might interest you.

Paul

Edit - my apologies Mods, this Perceval is a linerlock but they have slipjoints and friction folders too.

 

[coaltrain]

Wow - I am once again overwhelmed by the great responses and help! I'll try to address everyone's suggestions a bit......

Woodrow - I've never heard of the Michael Moris friction folder - on my list to look at
Jimmy - thanks for the candid review of the Laguiole - I do need to stay away from the stiff springs - hard to do - such a beautiful knife!
Double Ott - Fixed Blades - actually I have already slanted off in that direction. I've gathered 4 or 5 already and I think I am going to go farther with them - they just make sense to me with my condition.
willgoy - thanks for your opinion on closing the Chambriard - I'm always looking at the opening situation and not the closing. G2 had mentioned to me about being easy about it when closing.
bdev - Opinel! The couple I have are perfectly workable and will continue with them.
Mr_badexample - I am shying away with anything less then 4" closed
2dead - I am going to look more into the #48 GEC. I like the slim blade for sure.
burnside - The #85 easy open was suggested to me a while back but I ignored it for some reason - only problem with it being only 3.6" closed.
bdev - The Canal Street - the half moon trapper was recommended to me a while back also - on my short list especially because of the reclaimed American Chestnut - a handle material that I just must have.
quattromeri - I'm a little shy of any lockback - a forum member sent me his Queen Mountain Man to try and I could not operate the lock at all.
herison - I have looked at the A.G. Russell Cowboy before - going to give it another look - the size is just right.
pookman - I just sold a Queen Country Cousin - didn't know they had a lockback version. As I said above however I am shy of any lockback now.
joeymoey - The Ben Hogan has caught my eye a few times as I like long slender knives - going to take a good look at that one.
jc57 - how right you are! I feel I am getting very close to what I like. This exercise is like the fine tuning of my obsession.........
timberweasel - The Scagel is beautiful! A bit on the small size however at 3.75"
bje - I've neglected to look at any Buck knives for some reason - will look into them farther.

A lot of information here - I'm actually writing out my thoughts here partially for my own benefit for the sake of reference as I search around. On my short list for further research:

Fixed Blades - I honestly think this is the best direction for me. There is so much available plus I like the work of our knife makers. I have an obsession for ironwood right now - what a better way to see that but in a fixed blade!
#48 Dogleg single blade trapper - looks like a must try for me.
#65 Ben Hogan - also looks like a must try.
A.G. Russel Cowboy - looks very promissing once I get past the country of origin
Canal Stree Half Moon Trapper - this is one that I was going to buy already mostly becuase of the American Chestnut (a bit of history for me) - so nice to hear it is a good candidate for me as far as working.

PHEW!!!!!!

 

[mr_badexample]

Sorry Stan, I missed the 4" comment first time through. Doh!
A note about the Morris friction folder. In standard form its a small, thin knife. Definitely under four inches. He does however make "customs" to your specs.

 

[Peregrin]

There are all sorts of European options available to you. I like the looks of these Perceval knives but they are too big for legal UK carry.

http://youtu.be/IBxhFKIdZQ8

This Belgian bloke does a lot of knife reviews that might interest you.

Paul

Edit - my apologies Mods, this Perceval is a linerlock but they have slipjoints and friction folders too.

I didn't watch the whole video but it reminds me of Case's Russlock, a friction folder with a safety lock. As long as it doesn't have thumb studs, pocket clips and modern locks I think it's ok. Nice looking knife too.

 

[Will Power]

Stan, I'm glad you've got plenty to chew over.

If fixed blades are on the menu as you suggest, I'd like to endorse Hess Knifewoorks' Caper in Burlwood, nice compact size and very decent quality at reasonable cost. The sheathes are good too and retain well. Of course, our national Puukko is always worth considering!

Buck knives are a good choice too, never hard pulls on these but solid feel at the same time..

Regards, Will

 

[flatblackcapo]

Hey Coaltrain, have you tried a Russlock? It looks like it might work well for you.

 

[pmew]

I didn't watch the whole video but it reminds me of Case's Russlock, a friction folder with a safety lock. As long as it doesn't have thumb studs, pocket clips and modern locks I think it's ok. Nice looking knife too.

Thanks Peregrin

 

[timberweasel]

timberweasel - The Scagel is beautiful! A bit on the small size however at 3.75"

The ricasso gives ya an extra 1/4"... Still, it might be pushing the 4" minimum and there are lots of other excellent recommendations in this thread! :thumbup:

-Brett

 

[coaltrain]

Hey Coaltrain, have you tried a Russlock? It looks like it might work well for you.

When I was viewing the "totin' today" thread, jc57 showed is Case Russlock and it kind of jumped off the page at me as a possibility. After conversing with John about it, with him showing me pics of how it is opened, I immediately saw that there is now way I could do it. Because of the way you need to hold the knife in your fingertips while using your thumb to pull the lever - it just would not happen with my hands.

Thanks for the suggestion - I thought it would work also!

 

[coaltrain]

Stan, I'm glad you've got plenty to chew over.

If fixed blades are on the menu as you suggest, I'd like to endorse Hess Knifewoorks' Caper in Burlwood, nice compact size and very decent quality at reasonable cost. The sheathes are good too and retain well. Of course, our national Puukko is always worth considering!

I just took a look at the Hess knives - very nice! You've opened up yet another outlet for my obsession!

 

[CJZ]

I have a Buck 303 small stockman that is a breeze to open. Beautiful little bugger to boot!