Easy Open Traditional Knife options for an 'Older' Gentlemen.

M

Merovingian

Joined
Aug 23, 2013
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I am looking to get my grandfather a knife for Christmas, he is an older gentlemen and I think he would benefit from an 'easy open' variety. My budget needs to stay under $85 if at all possible.

I just purchased a, #85 EO Jack, with the spear and Coping blade for myself and love it. However, I think the small coping blade would be a bit much and difficult for him to open safely, but the main blade would be perfect.

I LOVE the 2011? Forum knife with the screwdriver and bottle opener, I wish that was an option on more of their knives.

Id like to stick to either GEC or Case brands.

So Im coming to you guys for 'easy open' options.

Also, am I allowed to post in the 'want to buy' knives section? Thanks.
 
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GEC's lockbacks are easy to open in my experience. Some will have a blade that's pinch-able for more of an assist but just using the nail nick they're still smooth operators.
 
Nate makes a very good point, i have a 72 lockback, it opens verrry smoothly. With the clip point its easily pinchable, if you got the spear bladed version then he could definitely pinch that bad boy open.
 
A good option is the #15 easy-open sheepsfoot Scout that was recently released. Comes in ebony or red bone.
 
Coopsta said:
A good option is the #15 easy-open sheepsfoot Scout that was recently released. Comes in ebony or red bone.
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It also come in Nifebrite Acrylic and Antique Yellow Jigged Bone. :) I have one in Rust Red bone and it is very easy to open.
 
Just a thought, Ebony Opinel #8 is a lovely folder with no spring, so they are very easy to open. They also lock open and closed with no effort. I only mention it because I bought one for my 7 year old son when he could not open his first GEC.

There are other woods that are really nice too.
 
the collector's knives SFO #85 is a single bladed EO, it has a linerlock though, so that might be less easy to manipulate with old hands.
 
What sized knife (closed) would suit your grandfather best? For some, a 72 or Opinel 8 is just right; for others, those would be way more knife than they'd need or want. When I think "old gentleman," I think peanut sized up to 3.5 inches.

-- Mark
 
Case Copperlock. Comes in two sizes mini and full. My full size is very easy to open and is so thin it disappears in my pocket.
 
I just want to add some food for thought.
I think that older people (or people with weak hands, or people like me, who are just not used to fight against backspring tension) usually benefit from a mild pull, more than from the EO feature. Think about it.
If you think that the EO feature is the answer, then the GEC #15 EO scout would be a great option.
If you're after a mild pull, GEC is probably not the answer to your question. In this line, a friction folder could work perfectly, so I also second the Opinel suggestion (depending on the size of knife you're after, you could pick some of the "exotic" wood models as well.

Fausto
:cool:
 
There is a GEC #15 radio knife coming out soon with the screwdriver/cap lifter combo.
 
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This 85 would be a great choice.
 
Thank you for the discussion, I really want to stick with GEC or Case and knowing my grandfather the 'pinch' aspect would be the easiest for him to have that option.

Does the EO Scout come in a single blade spear or clip blade? Wood would be great.

I really like the idea of the radio knife, I may try and pick up two of those one for each of us. How do I go about reserving 'in progress' knives?
 
fatcorgi said:
the collector's knives SFO #85 is a single bladed EO, it has a linerlock though, so that might be less easy to manipulate with old hands.
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If anyone finds out without a linerlock, holla! :)

But I just received a 15 EO in ebony. Absolutely perfect
 
Merovingian said:
Thank you for the discussion, I really want to stick with GEC or Case and knowing my grandfather the 'pinch' aspect would be the easiest for him to have that option.

Does the EO Scout come in a single blade spear or clip blade? Wood would be great.

I really like the idea of the radio knife, I may try and pick up two of those one for each of us. How do I go about reserving 'in progress' knives?
Click to expand...

Just a suggestion....
Here's a list of paying BladForum dealers; http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...t-of-BladeForums-Paid-Dealer-Members-********.
Here's a link to the GEC website dealer list http://greateasterncutlery.net/blog/our-gec-distributors/.
If it were me, I'd check one against the other and see which BF/GEC dealers will reserve for you.
 
Merovingian said:
Does the EO Scout come in a single blade spear or clip blade? Wood would be great.
Click to expand...

To date, the Scout has only been made with a sheepsfoot main. But you might be surprised at how versatile it is. It was also made in a 2-blade version with a pen secondary.
 
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