Does anybody use friction folder ?

Juha Perttula

Juha Perttula

Joined
Mar 27, 2013
Messages
209
In old times majority of folders were friction folders. Why they are almost extinct. I found that friction folders are very good, can easily be opened by one hand, nice and simple. Does anybody else use friction folders ?
 
Sure I do love them. Their simplicity is charming.
KVkJPHq.jpg

HSBdrVj.jpg
 
I carried my mini peasant today in celebration of international knife day. Like HFinn said, the charming simplicity just felt right for the occasion.
 
There is another current thread about friction folders on here somewhere, maybe in Traditionals. You will find that quite a few members carry and use friction folders. The Ohta FK5 has had a lot of play here lately, and several members either have one or have ordered one. Svord, Opinel, Higonokami, MAM, Antonini and Sardinian Resolzas have fans here.
 
Nice to hear people like friction folders. I am a bit worry that a friction folder may open in a pocket, for that reason I carry my knife in the small pocket on jeans. This pocket is so small that it prevents opening. Have anybody noticed opened folder in a pocket ?
 
Juha Perttula said:
Nice to hear people like friction folders. I am a bit worry that a friction folder may open in a pocket, for that reason I carry my knife in the small pocket on jeans. This pocket is so small that it prevents opening. Have anybody noticed opened folder in a pocket ?
Click to expand...

That’s why I would always keep friction folder in some sort of slip that prevents the knife from opening since most of them don’t have closed retention and the lever can bump in to things.
 
Juha Perttula said:
Nice to hear people like friction folders. I am a bit worry that a friction folder may open in a pocket, for that reason I carry my knife in the small pocket on jeans. This pocket is so small that it prevents opening. Have anybody noticed opened folder in a pocket ?
Click to expand...

If the pivot is adjusted right, it will not open in a pocket. I've been carrying Opinel's since around 1980, and all the old ones did not have the extra safety notch on the locking ting to keep it shut. I kept the pivot snug, and I even carried the Opinel number 5 that has no locking ring. Never had a problem. About 98% of the time I never use the lock.

A Sardinian Resolza and a Japanese Higonokami are also in my pocket very often for the day. They handle 99% of what need to cut in the real world, baring combat with Chinese paratroopers while yelling 'Wolverines" or skinning buffalo. So far at 79 years of age, I've never had to skin a buffalo, but if I did, I'd use a large fixed blade.

The friction folder worked well for hundreds of years. It still works well as does single action revolvers, lever action rifles.
 
Juha Perttula said:
Nice to hear people like friction folders. I am a bit worry that a friction folder may open in a pocket, for that reason I carry my knife in the small pocket on jeans. This pocket is so small that it prevents opening. Have anybody noticed opened folder in a pocket ?
Click to expand...
I carry my friction folders in their dedicated leather slip. I don't like the pivot to be too tight but if you set it right, it will not open in the pocket and still be one hand openable.
 
Well what a coincidence, I've got one in my pocket today! 20200825_063909~2_resize_2.jpg
There's something to be said for their simplicity, reliability, and customizability. Here's my first "knife project":
20200711_095228~2_resize_22.jpg
Friction folders were making a comeback a few years ago, I think, but kinda just fizzled out again. Most modern folders and locks are just as reliable and durable, so there's not a whole lot of need for the friction folder in the mainstream market, I'm guessing.
 
I had a couple of them, but they were awful to carry. I loved the way they (Svord mini peasant and Opinel #8) cut and felt in use, but the Opinel was chunky in my pocket and the Svord poked my leg with its merciless metal rhino horn torture device constantly. I decided that for the same size I could have a much more comfy knife to carry. I like them ok, but they dont work for me. :(
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top