Recommendation? Easy open slip joint knives?

miso2

miso2

Joined
Nov 19, 2014
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Hi all,

I would appreciate little help here.

I have been intrigued by traditional slip joint knives but have given up on them in the past. I recently regained interest in it because of my realization of the usefulness of non-locking knives, and because my super steel fever has been subsided.

The only issue I had before was that the action tends to be too tight. I have very soft nails, presumably due to regular exposure to solvents and latex gloves.
Anyway, I have tried a few GEC knives (locking ones, not slip joint though), which are very stiff. I cannot open it comfortably or at all sometimes. Opening an Opinel has become little difficult lately. SAKs, Leatherman, and back locks are still OK.

Now, are there good slip joint traditional knives, which can be opened easily for someone like me? I guess this depends on both the spring tension and how the blade can be pulled.

I have read somewhere that the circular dent of Spyderco Roadie is quite accessible as compared to a nail nick, and thus think that long opening grooves on some slip joint knives may be little more accessible than nail nicks.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks!
 
I guess if a fourth grader can open it, I might be able to open it.
 
GEC has made knives with an EZ open cut out. If it’s lack of nail strength that would be a viable option. The 15 sized patterns with sheepsfoot blades are pretty easy to pluck open as well.
 
JB in SC JB in SC
Thank you for the info! I did not know them and will look into.
Just hope that they put a nail nick or groove where the cutout is.......
 
If SAKs are good for you, then many Cases and GEC patterns will be, too. GEC's 14, most of the 15s, the 13, and the 66 all have easy-moderate pulls that are in the same range as SAK. With Case, some of the secondaries are tough because the nail nick isn't deep enough, but the shops that carry them usually have a lot that you can try.
 
miso2 said:
I guess if a fourth grader can open it, I might be able to open it.
Click to expand...

Ok two recommendations.

1. Look into those One armed bandit opening knives. They have a little hook at the end of the blade so you can catch it on a seam or even just your thumb and open the knife. Its sort of like an Emerson wave but at the tip of the blade giving the tip a kind of straight razorish profile. They are styled like classic western slipjoints.

2. Higonokami or Higo style knives. I love these. The steel is amazing, they are easy to sharpen, they are light weight and simple. The edge contacts the inside of the handle when closing the knife though. So either close slowly or glue a little strip of credit card into the inside of the handle where the edge sits.

They also make many modern versions of Higo type knives. From ones that mimic the original's style but in different materials, to modern ones, to ones styled like a western slipjoint but with a higo style opening tab.

If you are considering the Roadie then I am assuming modern slippies are ok? How about a Spydie UKPK?
 
What I'd recommend is knives that can be pinched open. Those are knives that either have so wide blade that is popping out of the handle enough for you to grab it with your finger tips or knives that have cutout that allows you to do so (easy open knives).
 
Thank you, guys!

traumkommode traumkommode
I live in an area where there is no knife shop nearby to try things out. With that said, I am not completely sure with GECs because their spring seems to be on the strong side. Do those you listed have springs not too stiff?

Lapedog Lapedog
The One armed opening knives look interesting. Do you have any makers to recommend?
I actually got a friction folder, a modernized version of Higonokami, and am looking into this category as well. It is what sparked my interest in slip joint.
Regarding the design, I am OK with modern ones but interested in traditional patterns at the moment. TA Davison's knives really intrigue me......
 
miso2 said:
Thank you, guys!

traumkommode traumkommode
I live in an area where there is no knife shop nearby to try things out. With that said, I am not completely sure with GECs because their spring seems to be on the strong side. Do those you listed have springs not too stiff?

Lapedog Lapedog
The One armed opening knives look interesting. Do you have any makers to recommend?
I actually got a friction folder, a modernized version of Higonokami, and am looking into this category as well. It is what sparked my interest in slip joint.
Regarding the design, I am OK with modern ones but interested in traditional patterns at the moment. TA Davison's knives really intrigue me......
Click to expand...

Sadly I don't know any to recommend as I don't own any. It was just something I heard about and I thought it might be a good solution to what you were looking for.

Have you looked at the Case Russlock? It has a linerlock though. De-liner that bitch!
 
miso2 said:
Thank you, guys!

traumkommode traumkommode
I live in an area where there is no knife shop nearby to try things out. With that said, I am not completely sure with GECs because their spring seems to be on the strong side. Do those you listed have springs not too stiff?
Click to expand...

Yes. Many dealers still have 66 stockmans available, which were kinda renown for weaker springs on the secondaries this run. The main on every 66 I've had has been no more stout than an SAK waiter or pioneer. Many dealers also have 14s available, which are nice and easy. The 13s are available at a few dealers yet and had moderate pulls. From what I've heard, the pull on the new 35 Churchill is not bad, in that SAK range. As for 15s... The single blades you'll have to go to the secondary market, but those should all be fine, many of them pinchable. I would steer clear of the 2 blades and cap lifters/beer scouts, as the secondaries on those 15s vary, but they can be heavy sometimes.

Also, if you find a 33 on the secondary market, those have nice pulls too.

Edit - the more I think on it, the more I say try a 66 stockman from the recent run, still some at pretty much every dealer of most of the covers available. I think you'll get just what you want, and it's hard to get more "traditional" than a stockman ;)

There's a Smooth Autumn Gold Bone 66 SFO soon the exchange right now for a good deal, good looking knife
 
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The case sodbuster blades are very easy to pinch.
The backspring is pretty strong, but you won't need to use the nail Nick to open it.
 
I have a GEC Calf Roper (66 I think?) Which has a spring so weak on two of the blades that it's hardly notable. The GEC Congress Whip(may have been 13) also had a very light spring(the Congress series in general).

If modern is no problem go for a Spyderco urban or roadie(actually all of the Spyderco slipjoints are fine (except maybe for the spy-DK))
 
The Buck 301 might be a good choice. All three blades have about the same pull as a SAK; around a 5, maybe a touch lighter.
Personally, I like the light pull, since I don't have to fight the knife to open it.
Rough Riders also have an average pull of around 5, regardless of pattern; with the exception of the small sunfish/elephant toenail. The one I had was near a 10 pull on the main, and darn near impossible to open the secondary without pliers.
The full size (4 inch closed) sunfish/elephant toenail has a 5 pull on both blades ... at least on the 3 examples I have of that pattern.
 
traumkommode traumkommode
Thanks for the clarification. GEC #14 does look great, and I guess I can live with 2 blades. 66 looks good too, but I don't think I need three blades......

Hickory n steel Hickory n steel
It is a good looking simple knife! Do you think the smaller version (Jr.) also pinchable?

SV-97 SV-97
I cannot find #13 in dealers which would ship to Japan......
 
miso2 said:
traumkommode traumkommode
Thanks for the clarification. GEC #14 does look great, and I guess I can live with 2 blades. 66 looks good too, but I don't think I need three blades......

Hickory n steel Hickory n steel
It is a good looking simple knife! Do you think the smaller version (Jr.) also pinchable?

SV-97 SV-97
I cannot find #13 in dealers which would ship to Japan......
Click to expand...
As a matter of fact My sodbuster is actually the jr, so yes it is absolutely easy to pinch open.
 
If you have a Dremel rotary drill you can easily convert most any single or two bladed pen into an easy opener. Just grind down the scale and liner around the nail nick. I've done it several items on my knives (mostly with G10 scales, but also with jigged bone scales.

Rich
 
R Rich S
I do have Dremel and understand the potential. but would not like to take that route yet, as I am not that skilled.
Thanks for the suggestion, though.
 
Miso -

Maybe try it on a Opinel (wood handle, easier to do to get experience).

Rich
 
Fingernails are a nonissue for the large Douk Douk. (or the small one for that matter.)
33_B90149-72_FE-4908-9_F26-613_BD68_EF807.jpg
 
Maybe you can find a beer scout? Otherwise you could slipjoint a backlock(by grinding down the lock surface) this way you can tweak the pressure needed to release the blade the way you want
 
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