Do your folders deploy when dropped?

D

dragonist2

Joined
Nov 24, 2012
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Since there is such a large collection of folders on here, I was wondering if yours open when dropped. I'm in not way suggesting that you drop em to test this, but my griptilian opens, often all the way to locking, when it hits the floor (thin carpet over wood like at offices) from 3-4 feet up pretty consistantly.

The first time this happened, it simply slipped from my hand as I was pulling it out of my pocket and the force of hitting the floor opened the blade. Since then, I've done some tests and I can fairly confidently say that my folder opens when dropped.

I don't think this is a good or bad thing, just interesting. What are your experiences?
 
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Just for you, good sir dragonist2, I dropped the two knives nearest to me, the Spyderco Stretch FRN and the Cold Steel American Lawman.
Neither opened after ~7 drops. I did hear the Stretch slap closed though, so it must have opened a small amount.
I dropped onto carpet and linoleum.

I've got a Microtech LCC D/A nearby but I don't think I'm going to drop that one... ;)
 
My spyderco tenacious opens when dropped. I found this out when my tenacious popped out of my pocket (Stupid pocket clip broke) as I was climbing 30ft up the side of a warehouse on a ladder. The tenacious smacked the ladder on the way down, deployed, and burried itself hilt deep into the ground. This my friends is why there is the "one person on the ladder rule" and "don't stand under someone climbing" rule. Thank goodness I wasn't working with anyone that day. I now keep my knife deep pocket carry at work!
 
My slippies didn't deploy when dropped, but I think it's because they aren't as newfangled as your folders are ;) :D.

Belated welcome to the forums,
Connor
 
This got me curious so I tried it. I dropped my Blur about 4 or 5 times by tossing it into the air and it opened once. I think it depends on how it landed. I dropped it on the carpet. If I just drop it normally it won't open, it has to be from higher up.
 
Normally they open when dropped just to scare people and make me look irresponsible but none of my currant tests could do it now:confused:
;)
 
JBK2596 said:
Normally they open when dropped just to scare people and make me look irresponsible but none of my currant tests could do it now:confused:
;)
Click to expand...

HA! This is exactly what I'm afraid of happening. I'm going to drop it someday, and its going to spring open glinting, embedding itself hilt deep in the ground inches from someone's flip-flopped feet.

Man timbit thats a scary story. Good thing you know now that that happens.

Thanks for the welcome!

I will try tightening the pivot screw later when I get a chance to get myself a set of torx drivers. My grip is pretty new to. I've only had it about a week but I've been playing with it nonstop. It's already in semi-need of sharpening- won't slice paper anymore.

God! Definately did not expect people to read this and start dropping their own knives. That's hilarious that I'm not the only one curious enough to do this!

My griptilian is my first knife (other than SAKs and Leathermans) and I'm really surprised at how easily it opens. I can deploy just as fast as my friend's CRKT Outburst assisted opening My Tighe, and it closes MUCH quicker (not to mention ambidextrously).
 
dragonist2 said:
I can deploy just as fast as.........and it closes MUCH quicker (not to mention ambidextrously).
Click to expand...

This is exactly why I have grown to dislike assisted opening knives. The time from pulling it from my pocket until its back in my pocket is much quicker with a well executed manual opener.

But to answer the original question. Yes, some knives open when dropped, some don't. It all comes down to detent strength and pivot tension. A knife with an axis lock which has a fairly weak detent and is designed to open and close freely will often open. A slip joint or back lock knife will probably not open due to the tension on the blade from the back spring. Frame and liner locks will depend on detent strength and pivot smoothness. Super smooth knife with a weak detent probably will open. Something with a stronger detent or tighter pivot tension probably won't.
 
dragonist2 said:
I can deploy just as fast as.........and it closes MUCH quicker (not to mention ambidextrously).
Click to expand...

This is exactly why I have grown to dislike assisted opening knives. The time from pulling it from my pocket until its back in my pocket is much quicker with a well executed manual opener.

But to answer the original question. Yes, some knives open when dropped, some don't. It all comes down to detent strength and pivot tension. A knife with an axis lock which has a fairly weak detent and is designed to open and close freely will often open. A slip joint or back lock knife will probably not open due to the tension on the blade from the back spring. Frame and liner locks will depend on detent strength and pivot smoothness. Super smooth knife with a weak detent probably will open. Something with a stronger detent or tighter pivot tension probably won't.
 
I've had some that would, particularly a CRKT m16, which was a great knife for me at the time. I didn't take care of them as we'll. now I don't think that any of the ones I carry would.


My zt0350 might if it lande right on the flipper, but that would have to land just right. I don't think I'll test it with my sebenza lol
 
From experience my pm2 will open halfway about every time and my tenacious will open slightly. My m16 has been known to open the full way when dropped as well. Other than that I don't think i can remember any others. The only knife on hand right now is a slip joint. It's a Sanrenmu H02, beautiful knife and amazing quality for the price. I have serious doubts about it opening...for the sake of the thread I'll be right back...nope 10 drops and nothin. Its a pretty stiff knife.
 
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