"Drop Shutty" - Can We Have the Conversation?

Niall88

Niall88

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I am writing this post, not as any expert, but somebody who wants to learn. I am certainly not new to knives, feel naked if I am not carrying one. To the point. I am entertained by all these guys on YouTube doing knife reviews. Most of them seem to be bias toward elevating, into almost divine status, any knife that flies open lightening fast, then drops back down into place with zero friction. It almost bothers me now watching the elevation of this "drop shutty" narrative. As if this is the way all knives are supposed to be. Ya, I know Greg Medford is opinionated. However, he is a master of his art. I absolutely adore the slight friction in the action on most of his washer-based knives. I watched a YouTube vid with him giving his take on the "drop shutty" game. He was wondering where people even came up with that narrative. He thought it showed that people did not know how a knife is supposed to work, that one wants some friction when the blade is closing so it stays where you put it and does not slice your fingers. I tightened up the pivot on my Spyderco Military so it opens with ease, and when closing it stays right where I leave it, until I move it into its next position. Fantastic action in my sense. So at this point, I fully admit, I am not a drop shutty fan boy, and I think that narrative may be the most popular with those who are sitting around playing with their knives and not using them. I work my ass off on my remote 4 acres, chores and tasks most every day. Most often one hand is involved with one task, while my other hand is using my knife. I appreciate a blade that opens with a little friction and closes with the same. Enough of my rant.

I want to hear from you. Is there a (divine) purpose for "drop shutty" action? Is it just preference? Are there situations where that kind of frictionless action would be a benefit, aside from using a knife as a fidget toy? What are your thoughts?
 
I think the whole "drop shutty" thing was born of fidget flippers. My knife sits in my pocket until I want/need to use it - then I open it, use it, close it, and put it back in my pocket. Since I started carrying knives long before today's "action" standards, I generally close the knife against my leg. Don't need drop shutty for that
 
hhmoore said:
I think the whole "drop shutty" thing was born of fidget flippers. My knife sits in my pocket until I want/need to use it - then I open it, use it, close it, and put it back in my pocket. Since I started carrying knives long before today's "action" standards, I generally close the knife against my leg. Don't need drop shutty for that
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Glad to be getting some feedback like this. Thanks
 
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I think as with most trends, it is something perpetuated by those who miss the point. When flippers were a new thing, an action that sort of dropped shut where the detent pulled the knife closed was a sign of a smooth action. As time went on, and most flippers transitioned from washers to bearings, a drop shut action was nothing spectacular to achieve. Yet YouTubers and others persisted in stressing the importance of such an action, suggesting that it was the be-all end-all indicator of a quality flipper. In turn, trend following buyers demanded it, and knife makers supplied it. That's my observation at least, with no expertise on the matter.
 
I've found a bit of friction when opening or closing feels better that way you have more control over the blade when closing. I will admit Ive cut myself closing a frame lock that had a "drop shut action" not the end of the world but still not a fun time. Also I always let others use my knives so having a action that could close too easily could cut someone if they are not familiar with the lock.
 
Knives, like windows, should not be “drop-shutty”.

This is an inane sign of “perfection” perpetrated by an infatuation with flipper knives and bearings. It was novel in 2016 but we should all be over it by now.
 
My jobsite knife is invariably a Griptilian. It is incredibly useful to be able to get it out of my pocket, flick it open, cut whatever, and torque the axis lock and flick it shut, and return it to pocket - all one handed, all without having to look at it. But I'm usually wedged in a crawlspace or have one hand on whatever I'm working on; it's a specific advantage for specific situations. On a frame lock, liner lock, anything where you have to reach a finger in the blade path to close the knife, I would think it'd be a distinct disadvantage.
I've never been interested in owning a flipper so if this is flipper-centric thing, I got nothing.
 
My Benchmade adamas mini drops shut however the axis lock keeps your fingers out of the way, liner/frame locks shouldn't do this. The ramp springboard design on hogue knives allow a free drop but stops the drop about the last 1/4 the way and the button release keeps the fingers out of the way, I really like that design but haven't found one in a size I like, either too big of too small. RIP Aaron Hogue.
 
Ratatoskr said:
My jobsite knife is invariably a Griptilian. It is incredibly useful to be able to get it out of my pocket, flick it open, cut whatever, and torque the axis lock and flick it shut, and return it to pocket - all one handed, all without having to look at it. But I'm usually wedged in a crawlspace or have one hand on whatever I'm working on; it's a specific advantage for specific situations. On a frame lock, liner lock, anything where you have to reach a finger in the blade path to close the knife, I would think it'd be a distinct disadvantage.
I've never been interested in owning a flipper so if this is flipper-centric thing, I got nothing.
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HexY3co said:
My Benchmade adamas mini drops shut however the axis lock keeps your fingers out of the way, liner/frame locks shouldn't do this. The ramp springboard design on hogue knives allow a free drop but stops the drop about the last 1/4 the way and the button release keeps the fingers out of the way, I really like that design but haven't found one in a size I like, either too big of too small. RIP Aaron Hogue.
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I should’ve clarified, my drop-shutty rant applied to frame lock flippers. I’ve enjoyed drop-shutty sliding bar lock knives for a long time!
 
Knives&Lint said:
I think as with most trends, it is something perpetuated by those who miss the point. When flippers were a new thing, an action that sort of dropped shut where the detent pulled the knife closed was a sign of a smooth action. As time went on, and most flippers transitioned from washers to bearings, a drop shut action was nothing spectacular to achieve. Yet YouTubers and others persisted in stressing the importance of such an action, suggesting that it was the be-all end-all indicator of a quality flipper. In turn, trend following buyers demanded it, and knife makers supplied it. That's my observation at least, with no expertise on the matter.
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Well that was well said, very wise, and less words than I used but said more succinctly. Well done.
 
All you guys are hilarious and sharp witted. Now I don't feel so alone in the anti-drop shutty parade. But what really helped clarify things for me from all your comments, is that yes, drop-shutty is not optimal for liner or frame locks. But in the context of axis or button locks, it make a bit more sense. But I even tighted up the pivot on my Spartan Pallas, which runs on bearings and is a button lock, so I could catch a bit of friction rather than drop shutty.

This was great! "Fidget spinner gen bullsh!t term. If you like your fingers, you should like having the opportunity to get em out of the way before mr. Drop-shutty McBladeface turns your little piggies into little nubblins."

This was excellent as well: "As time went on, and most flippers transitioned from washers to bearings, a drop shut action was nothing spectacular to achieve. Yet YouTubers and others persisted in stressing the importance of such an action, suggesting that it was the be-all end-all indicator of a quality flipper. In turn, trend following buyers demanded it, and knife makers supplied it."
 
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