Easy opening big folders

[MTHall720]

What patterns other than large toothpicks are are usually very easy to open and close? I am having a very hard time with arthritis fairly often now so don't want to get something with a lot of snap.

Thanks much

 

[JohnDF]

GEC #43s have a pretty easy pull. It's a big knife and easily pinchable.

 

[Prester John]

What patterns other than large toothpicks are are usually very easy to open and close? I am having a very hard time with arthritis fairly often now so don't want to get something with a lot of snap.

Thanks much

I would suggest a Case trapper or sod buster, depending on how many blades you want. The Buck 301 stockman is pretty easy, too.

 

[Stelth]

I was going to suggest a Sodbuster. Lockbacks are usually easy, too.

 

[Jeff_R]

Sir,

You might want to look at an Opinel. They’re very easy to open.

Best,
Jeff

 

[TX Traditional]

GEC #43s have a pretty easy pull. It's a big knife and easily pinchable.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
This. And it’s a great knife.

 

[Hickory n steel]

Sodbusters for one.
And most of all folding hunters, like of course the venerable Buck 110.

 

[MerryMadMonk]

Case Tribal Locks - 4 1/16 inches closed

Case Back Pocket - 4 5/8 inches closed

 

[Elgatodeacero]

GEC 97’s are large and very easy to open.

 

[LastRodeo]

I find sodbusters to have a heavy pull, as it is meant to be a work knife.

 

[LastRodeo]

Sir,

You might want to look at an Opinel. They’re very easy to open.

Best,
Jeff

This is a good suggestion, as I suspect many of the lockback knives are going to be hard to unlock with arthritic hands.

 

[JB in SC]

All the Case sodbusters we have are easy to pinch open. The Bose Tribal lock as well. The Backpocket is a little harder to open for me just because the nick isn’t as easy to access.

 

[LastRodeo]

All the Case sodbusters we have are easy to pinch open. The Bose Tribal lock as well. The Backpocket is a little harder to open for me just because the nick isn’t as easy to access.

I think I jumped the gun when I replied about the sodbuster, I only am familiar with the sodbuster Jr.

 

[Stelth]

I think the larger Sodbuster is actually easier than the Jr to open because the longer blade gives more leverage.

 

[Buzzbait]

Lockbacks often have an easy pull. As others have mentioned, the Case Tribal Lock is buttery smooth and easy to open. So is the Case Copperlock.

For the record, both of my GEC #43's have relatively stiff pulls. Definitely a 6 or 6.5 out of 10.

 

[PirateSeulb]

What patterns do you enjoy? What size range for the knife and/or blade do you want to stay within? For a good smaller blade the Viper EZ Open is great if you don't have an aversion to more modern construction and a detent blade retention system.

 

[JohnDF]

LastRodeo Good point about having to unlock the lockbacks.

 

[Will Power]

A Hawkbill or Pruner are more than easy to open, many of them are huge....

Lockbacks are very individual, most of mine have very easy to depress locks, so I'd go for the CASE Tribal as well.

 

[5K Qs]

LastRodeo Good point about having to unlock the lockbacks.

I agree! I don't have arthritis in my hands yet, but I often have difficulty with the lock release bar on lockbacks, even though opening them is usually easier than opening a slip joint for me. (FWIW, if I have a golf pencil or the shaft of a screwdriver or basically any non-compressible little cylinder with diameter smaller than that of the release notch, it makes releasing the lock FAR easier than using only my thumb. Don't know why.)

Having said that, I have a Case Tribal Lock and have never had a problem releasing that one.

- GT

 

[Shurke]

The 2018 forum knife has a pretty easy pull. I've got arthritis also, and of all my knives, it's probably easiest on my fingers.