Fastest One Hand Folder

AlphalphaPB, sorry if I confused you. What I should have clarified better was that the BM 710 has stronger springs than the BM 742 and this was probably because it had a larger diameter wire used for its spring than those on the latter. As you may already know, the omega springs in the axis lock do not propel the blade open as with the usual auto opening mechanisms. Rather, stronger springs used with the axis lock will inhibit the blade from flicking open more so than weaker springs. To make it clear: "softer" (weaker) springs means a smaller diameter wire.

I have not personally done it but I read where some others have replaced their omega springs using piano wire (which I suspect may be stiffer than the stock 710 spring) out of necessity when the original springs had broken (I think BM does not sell individual knife parts). However, if you could find another source of wire material (e.g., the appropriate gauge stainless steel fishing leader?)it could be possible to rig a spring with the tension to your liking. I don't think this is an easy operation for the unskilled but it should be doable for some of the adventurous few that participate in these forums. I hope all of this makes more sense.
 
Great, thanks for the clarification. I haven't yet tried the zip-tie trick yet, but my AFCK pivot screw tension is at the perfect position, allowing the blade to flop around when the axis button is pulled back. I guess that it would be loose enough for the wave to work properly.

I draw the AFCK out of the pocket with the index finger at the very tip of the clip. Once out of the pocket, the index finger pushes on the clip to move the knife backwards until the thumb is on the axis button. It's the quickest knife I've got, and people sometimes ask me to demonstrate how I "got that knife open so quickly".

But for speed, nothing beats a fixed blade. That's why my folder is really my non-emergency utility knife.
 
I find it interesting that the two most respected knife fighting trainers in the Southwest, maybe the US, have differing opinions about the need for speed. The folks at GUNSITE TRAINING CENTER teach that speed isn't that critical and you will have time to deploy your folder. Mad Dog McClung told me he wouldn't carry a folder cause it's too slow, only prescribes fixed blades for defensive carry.

I compromise and go for fast opening folders. I think they are more realiable than autos. I've found I can get a good folder (that's spelled Benchmade) open faster thatn I can find the button on my auto.
 
1. Emerson Commander--The Emerson Wave feature allows for this knife to be the fastest, IMO, hands down. When the Commander clears my pocket, the blade is automatically opened and locked into "at the ready" position.

2. Spyderco Military--The enlarged Spydie hole allows for one to "pinch" it and with a flick of the wrist, the blade flies open and locks into place in a flash. Takes a little practice, but IMO, the Millie comes in at a very close second place as the fastest folder. ;)
 
Let me also throw in the Buck alpha hunter. I saw a guy with limited mobility in his right hand fling that thing open with ease. I would say that is pretty quick.
 
From the pocket to the hand and ready for action? W/blade hole it's a tie between AFCK and Endura II (the Endura is opened via bladehole pinch and the AFCK by flicking the bladehole with the thumb)W/ thumbstud, the quickest in my humble little collection is a Gerber Air Ranger. Of course the assisted openers are likely quickest of all. The only assisted opener I have is a Kershaw Chive and it has that wierd little safety thingie.
 
I'll have to go with my Endura II and Delica II. They are both very fast via the aforementioned "hole pinch". Just remember there is no substitute for an alert pair of eyes and ears. If you don't see "it" coming it doesn't matter how fast your knife may be.
 
BM mini-griptilian, just grab and flick. takes 1 second, if that.
But it's no match for my wedge necker with the safety button broke off, I just grab it and yank...... That sounded bad:footinmou
 
Fun thread and some good posts. I truly think it's a toss up for quite a few models.., and although I think the "Wave" is a fun design.., it is not the direction I want to be moving if I need to get a knife open fast. "The Fastest" to get open.., definitely (when it works)..., but the motion needed for deploying the blade negates any speed advantage IMO.


"Hunters seek what they [WANT].., Seekers hunt what they [NEED]"
 
"but the motion needed for deploying the blade negates any speed advantage IMO. "

motion? you pull it from your pocket, it's that simple..., like ANY OTHER knife, except, the wave blade is ALREADY open when it comes out:)

have you checked out the links to the emerson video of the wave? i have thumb holes, spring assist, axis locks, arc locks, autos, thumb studs and various other designs, HOWEVER, the wave is by far the fastest, you pull it out, it is already open, compared to the others, INCLUDING autos, there is at least one more step to opening the knife, be it pushing a button, flicking your wrist, pushing the stud/hole, etc. the ONLY other design that compares is a fixed blade. if you have not tried the "wave" design AND practiced a few times to get the hang of it, (yes, like everything else, to get "profecient", you need to practice.
 
2002 Emerson Commander. It flicks open VERY easily. Mine has the wave, but I prefer to flick it open.
 
I don't think there is a folder which opens faster than an Emerson Commander in a Emerson quick deployment sheath. This is the fastest, foolproof combination for all out speed. You can always count on the wave working with this sheath and no other folder opens faster.

In fact, the use of the quick deployment sheath makes the wave work even faster and quicker than pulling the Commander out of your pocket.
 
havnt had much experience with most the knives in this thread

but the fastest opening knife i got is the benchmade 940. i guess you just have to get used to opening a knife, cos once you do, most probably wouldnt take that long to open

basically, you pull the tab back while flicking your wrist. blade is out in an instant. and the good thing is you can do the same with closing it, unlike a liner/frame/lockback

Daniel
 
I'd like to suggest that there are too many personal biases involved in asking which particular knife is the fastest. I think a fairer question is which "type" of knife is the fastest to open WITH MINIMUM EFFORT (i.e. no violent wrist snaps). In general, I would say it's fair to conclude:

1. Fixed blade

2. Emerson Commander "Wave"/homemade "waves" - although someone did suggest (and rightly so) that it won't work reliably in all circumstances.

**I'm not going into autos or spring assists because it is too dependent on individual knives, styles and manufacturers but one could argue they have minimum effort to deploy.

3. Liner-locks w/thumbstud or opening hole - Fastest of the conventional/non-modified folders since -- generally speaking -- they tend to have less inherent resistance/drag against the blade than the last two categories which are...

4. Bolt action lock - has some resistence (though somewhat negligible) due to omega springs.

5. Lockbacks w/ thumbstud or opening hole - tends to have much more resistance (generally speaking) than the others due to the backspring of the lockback.
 
Full Tang Clan is right IMO but:

Blade geometry and balance can make a difference. A commander for example does open faster by applying the same force on the thumbstud (no waving) than most other liner-lock folders. The arc that the blade has to follow is more efficient than other designs. Of all my knives, I think the fastest liner I have is a Gerber Applegate Covert :eek: . A very suddle upward push on the stud causes an almost miraculously fast blade deployment, even faster than my Commanders. Nevertheless, waving the commander is still a bit faster. And so is flicking open Axis folders by momentarily pulling the axis down and releasing before it closes.
 
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