Fast Opening Vs. Smooth Opening

R

redfeenix

Joined
May 12, 2011
Messages
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Which do you prefer out of the two?

I love smooth opening knives, I don't need a fast opening knife ....as many tasks that I do that require knives are secondary. So I guess I don't need a fast opening knife, but to me if a knife opens fast and not smooth is like nails on a chalkboard :barf:. To have knives that deploy fast and smooth are not very common in my opinion. The fast opening knives are more than always assisted, very rarely will a knife be non assisted and open fast and utilitarian.

My favorite Smoothies :D

- Spyderco Sage 1
- Spyderco PM 2
- Benchmade 707
- Spyderco Calypso Jr ZDP Black FRN (Orgasmicly Smooth)

My Favorite Fast Openers

- Spyderco Delica 4 FFG
- Kershaw Skyline
- Kershaw OD-2
- Kershaw Centofante
 
I have a Timberline Kelly Worden folder and it virtually glides open. It almost feels like it's just floating inside the handle without the pivot screws. It actually opens as fast as mine CRKT Hissatsu folder. Which definently doesn't open smooth, but extremley fast though.
 
Both, and depends on the knife. My umnumzaan is buttery smooth but i can also flick it out fast, not very fast but it can be flicked out, wouldnt bother me if it didn on that knife though. It might need some break in also since it is new. My zt551 is very very smooth and shoots out like a rocket once the detent is overcome. My rift is super smooth but can be shot out fast if you pull the axis lock back and use gravity. I prefer smooth manuals that can be shot out if needed. I use my knife a lot at work and sometime only have one hand and need the knife quick so it helps to carry something that can be flicked out but i wouldnt give up any quality to have that. I think most quality knives can be smooth and be deployed fast. If i had to choose, id pick smooth.

When i had my PM2 i could get the blade out very fast by squeezing the compression lock and flicking the wrist.
 
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When it comes to opening and closing a blade, I prefer smoothness over speed. One of the best sounds to me is a crisp tight click a lock back or slip joint blade makes when opened. -Tyson
 
How about fast and smooth? Benchmade 730 (or almost any axis lock for that matter) fits the bill. As does the para2. Unassisted zt 0350 is smooth as glass and pretty fast too.
 
Can't it be both? Here's a crappy video of my aluminum CRKT Ripple (the liner lock version.) Despite the poor quality, it still illustrates my point.
[video=youtube_share;YPoK6z1Fsgs]http://youtu.be/YPoK6z1Fsgs[/video]
 
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