Does one really need one handed opening?

[Ronin_Jedi]

....They're less convenient but there's an intrinsic value to the inconvenience itself. The extra little effort makes you more conscious of the process and can often make using the item feel more special....

Wow. A zen thought!::double thumbs You're not related to Ralph Waldo Emerson by chance?

Then again, naw, gimme the one-handed opener!

Best to ya!

Sent from my Sero 7 Pro using Tapatalk

 

[AreBeeBee]

I really have damn all to contribute to this discussion! That said, my thinking is: If you need, or simply want, a one-hand opening knife — just get it, enjoy it, and get on with life.

For me — you guys will laugh at this — I open (and close) thumb-stud knives with two hands. Why? Because two-handed opening is natural for me, and most of my folding knives are traditionals.

If I ever found myself in a place where OHO was essential or even convenient, I'd probably revisit this. But for now? Two-hands. Happily. Ad infinitum.

 

[Quiet]

Ditto sir! I generally carry a modern folder along with a traditional. Today it's a Delica and a GEC 92. Nostalgia in one pocket and convenience in another.

That sounds like a great combo, I saw your pic in the other thread. :thumbup:

 

[Rey HRH]

Yes, I need a one-handed opening knife by necessity of how I think.

I get home. I see an Amazon box. I pick it up to check if it actually is for me. Why, yes, it is. I wonder which order is this. What's inside the box? I don't know because it's still all taped up. Did I think to take out my knife when I saw the box because I'm going to eventually need / want to open the box? No. Do I want to set the box down again and then take out my knife, open it with both hands, then pick up the box again? No. And that's why I need a one-handed opening knife so I can hold on to the box with one hand, pull out my knife with the other and open it one-handed and open the box to find out what's inside.

Pretty flimsy justification but I guess it is good enough for you especially if you are so busy that you can take 15 seconds to set the box down, open the two hand knife, and pick up said box again to be sliced open. Yep. We're really that busy.

It may be flimsy for your need if you were trying to justify it for yourself. It's sufficient for me. Why would you pass judgment on whether a person's motivation is sufficient justification for their situation especially in this case? Where can you infer that I was too busy to use a two-handed opening knife? That's a faulty jump in logic on your part. I said, "Do I want to...?" My want justifies my need driven, not because I'm busy, but because of how I think (or not think) of having my knife out before I pick up the box.

The world would be a lot better if there were less people who rolled their eyes at things that don't affect them or harm any other person. I suggest you try to find another method to make yourself feel better about yourself.

 

[shecky]

I tried to carry Douk Douk. I wasn't happy about two hand opening and no clip. Then I discovered how to open it with one hand and how to carry it comfortable in a pocket.

[video=youtube;eDo9oK8uFlk]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDo9oK8uFlk[/video]

On video it looks shitty, normally I can deploy it quickly. But you can see the idea.

That's funny. The Douk is a bear trap of a slip joint. Doing that would scare me, as I'd have to be concentrating pretty hard to not cause a personal calamity!

 

[Jeff_R]

As long as one has the use of two hands, a one-handed opener isn't really needed. If my job required the use of a knife with only one hand free, I'd prefer a sheath knife.

 

[sabre cat]

I really have damn all to contribute to this discussion! That said, my thinking is: If you need, or simply want, a one-hand opening knife — just get it, enjoy it, and get on with life.

For me — you guys will laugh at this — I open (and close) thumb-stud knives with two hands.[/I]

I do too, sometimes. It just depends on who is around and which knife I have.

My nails break very easily so I need a OHO knife.

 

[22-rimfire]

It may be flimsy for your need if you were trying to justify it for yourself. It's sufficient for me. Why would you pass judgment on whether a person's motivation is sufficient justification for their situation especially in this case? Where can you infer that I was too busy to use a two-handed opening knife? That's a faulty jump in logic on your part. I said, "Do I want to...?" My want justifies my need driven, not because I'm busy, but because of how I think (or not think) of having my knife out before I pick up the box.

The world would be a lot better if there were less people who rolled their eyes at things that don't affect them or harm any other person. I suggest you try to find another method to make yourself feel better about yourself.

I think you take this thread way too seriously. Nobody cares. We use what we like to use.

 

[pinnah]

A few models that you are able to gripflick cannot be compared to a controlled deployment, and frankly, I'm surprised that no one else has called you on that yet. Grabbing the blade, flicking the knife hard and hoping to open it, then having to re position the knife properly in your hand isn't in the same league as a properly sorted modern design with a flipper, wave feature, thumb-stud, Spyderhole, etc. You aren't the only one who's done that to a Buck 110. I still wouldn't carry that knife over a modern folder.

Like, grabflicking an Opinel? What? That is the most awkward thing ever, and certainly not something I'd want to do if I actually needed a quick or efficient deployment. So, at the end of the day, I am glad that you have a technique that works for you on a few knives. Me, I like having natural control of the knife at all times as soon as it leaves my pocket. Your mileage may vary.

Hmmm.... we aren't communicating well. I'll try to clarify.

First, I'm not suggesting that traditional single blade knives are as easy or fast to deploy as modern OHO designs. There's really no comparison, just as there's no comparison that an automatic transmission is easier to use than a manual transmission. IMO, modern OHO designs make more sense in any of the following situations:
- When you need to quickly deploy a knife like sailing, rafting or kayaking.
- When you need to deploy your knife 100s of times a day like in the trades.
- When the user is relatively new to knives and has weak knife handling skills.

Modern designs are easier to learn and they are faster. No dispute from me on that.

While I noted that a knife like the Buck 110 can be drop opened, I didn't mean to advocate for that. Quite the contrary. I think that is a poor way to open a 110 as it's hard on the knife and, as you correctly note, not well controlled. It's a fun party trick if you go to the same kind of parties I go to, but that's all that it is.

My preferred method of one hand opening a Buck 110, a Case Sodbuster, an Opinel or any other traditional design with a pinchable main blade is very different and very controlled.
1 Pinch the blade with thumb and forefinger.
2 Press the frame down with your middle and ring fingers. The blade is now partially open.
3 Hook the end of the frame on your thigh and open the knife. Done correctly, you will be holding the knife in a choked up hold with your thumb and fore finger pinching the blade and your other fingers holding the frame.
4. Press the butt end of frame on your thigh to safely slide down the knife to a normal grip.

I'm guessing I'm older than you by decades and that the difference between us is that the procedure I've just described was simply accepted as the normal way to one hand open large folding knives. Stunningly, we didn't talk about it on the internet but we did talk about it when fishing and camping and screwing around and everybody I knew who had a knife like the 110 did this.

But, I recognize that talking about is like trying to describe to my kids how to drive a stick. Their eyes glaze over and they shake their head and ask, "Why would you ever drive a car with a manual transmission?"

I try to tell the that after about 6 months, people don't even think about shifting because it becomes so natural and for me, as somebody who grew up with the 110 and knives like it, I don't even think about one hand opening my big traditionals. I just do it, even with gloves on. My kids can't drive sticks and I'm sure there are people on this forum who can't one hand open traditionals easily. In both cases, that's just a matter of lack of practice and experience and in both cases, newer designs are, indeed, easier.

Regarding the Opinel, I hated mine the first year I owned and and I complained about it a lot on the traditional forum. Luckily some guys there helped me out. One guy used to work HVAC and used an Opinel 9 as his work knife. He noted that this same approach worked on Opinels. More importantly, he pointed out that the Opinel, lacking a spring, is safer both one handed opening and just as importing one hand CLOSING. The Opinel is not a fast knife to open but it is the safest to operate one handed of any folding knife I own, very much including my modern ones.

 

[rustyrazor]

didn't read most of this thread since it looks like another one that just has people arguing over hypotheticals and things that don't matter, so i'll just say yes, people really need one hand opening on occasion... and more so if they only have one hand.

 

[strategy9]

I don't "need" coffee either, but boy do I love it...

 

[22-rimfire]

I don't "need" coffee either, but boy do I love it...

Good point.

Just thought of a great use for a knife..... You're home and FedEx truck pulls up to deliver..... guy delivers box and you meet at the door. Driver hands package to you and wishes you well.... he turns to leave and you say... hold up a minute. I want to check and make sure there is no damage to the contents So I pull out the big 9" fixed blade (BK-9, Condor Moonshiner kind of knife) on my belt and proceed to open package. [One hand on package and one hand on knife. One hand opening.] Slice box and take a peek. Meanwhile the driver is grinning or maybe just thinks you're strange. That's a knife! Always good to give folks a grin now and then.

 

[Rey HRH]

I think you take this thread way too seriously. Nobody cares. We use what we like to use.

Nothing serious at all about my original post in this thread. It wasn't a dissertation on the necessity of single-handed opening blades; I was simply relating my view as a way to participate. You certainly cared enough to quote my post, comment on it, and go the extra step of inserting a rolling eyes emoticon. Take what you said to heart about nobody caring and not care about what I use or why I use it.

 

[Gary W. Graley]

Yah, thread goes up and down here, but everyone does have a choice, which is a good thing!

Take these Opinel Slims VERY nice, but VERY slow to open as well, but boy are they cutters! and POINTY

two sizes here, 8 and 10, I ended up selling all my 8's and have a very nice #10 olivewood slim model

People I show it to often have trouble opening it, because they first need to rotate the collar to unlock it, but they usually get around to it...eventually

G2

 

[harronek]

I have an old pickup truck that I've owned for years and have kept in reasonable drivable condition .
It's a manual stick shift transmission , no A/C , wind the windows up and down with a handle , leaf Spring suspension .
I love driving that old thing around on the weekends because it stirs up memories of days gone by for me and others that see it going down the road .
Monday morning I'm driving down the road in my other Pickup with , A/C , electric Windows and central locking , turbocharged motor , cruise control , sound system , cup holders and everything else technology and innovation has provided in the intervening years .
When time is money there is no place for nostalgic reminiscing , my knife requirements are the same .

Ken

 

[Wowbagger]

Does one really need one handed opening?

No

Unless . . .
one gets a knife with an axis lock (Griptillian etc.).

Then . . .
Yes one hand opening is a must have.

 

[Gary W. Graley]

My Comrade is safely home, VERY nice edge Bryce applied to it with his Wicked Edge system, quite keen and fancy looking now Thanks sir, I missed this the whole time she was gone, kept reaching down to the side pocket and nothing was there.

I'd recommend his sharpening service, if anyone is in the need!
G2

 

[Scott321]

I do not think the majority of people need a one handed opening knife. They don't need beer, fast cars, or clean clothes either. That being said, if the knife is open and closed numerous times throughout the day, it is more time efficient (in my experience) to have a knife that opens easily with one hand.

Also, here in the Midwest, it's nice to be able to manipulate tool/knives without having to take your gloves off. I hate taking off two layers of gloves in -10F or in the middle of a snow storm to cut open my salt bags. Usually one hand opening knives are easier to open (and sometimes close) with gloves on.

That being said, for 25 years I carried nail knick slip joints of one form or another and they never held me back. Now, after switching to a one hand opening knife a year ago, I find myself hesitant to grab one of my nail knick knives whenever I go out the door.

 

[Pomsbz]

Most people don't need an EDC knife in this day and age and especially in an urban environment. Most people do not carry an EDC knife rather proving the point. If it was a true necessity how do they get through life day to day?

That established, it's all want. We want a more convenient life. So we choose to carry a knife.

For those who actually have a need for whatever reason, the need itself will dictate the type of knife required.

Or in other words the question makes little sense in the context of general carry.

Personally I am unable for legal reasons to carry the type of OHO knife that I would like (not allowed locking blades) and have a strong bent towards the size, cutting ability and aesthetics of traditionals. Sometimes I enjoy the slowing down of the two hand open, sometimes it's a pain in the behind. Depends on whether I'm feeling thoughtful and methodical or whether I'm in a rush and trying to be as efficient as possible with my time and/or have my other hand unavailable. I'm still waiting for the small (traditional sized) OHO and close, 2.5-2.75" bladed knife, decent steel, without studs (which cut down the cutting length for the slice) and with beautiful handles. Something like a Mnandi but with FFG and a real one hand open. Oh and a 1/3 of the price.

 

[GREENJACKET]

I have both types.

I rarely use the one hand opening feature as the action of opening a knife is to me thinking time of how to tackle the job and do it safely.

One hand opening can be really useful if wearing gloves, or when hanging off a rope or ladder. However, there is always a way to open even a two handed folder, (thats what your teeth are for, third hand; other ways too). Its just not a deal breaker. Choose the style that works for you. Choose the knife you like.
Personally I don't like a folder to open floppy, I like a smooth controlled open and closing.

The argument for one handed or two handed is no different to what type of sheath a fixed blade should be in.
If one handed opening is that crucial then use a fixed blade, with a sheath that is fast, secure and without poppers.

Lastly, this speed thing is to me a very modern thing. Thought up by those in a hurry... a hurry to cut themselves. Take your time, think how to tackle the task, and then you will find its done faster than if you just hurry and get it all wrong. Works for me. (Its amazing how fast you can be in extreme situations, keep your head and you have all the time in the world).