finger flick (no wrist), is it a bad idea?

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I don't want to hurt lock engagement, but was under the impression that a finger flick deploying the blade, with no wrist action... was not an issue. Do I need to do the whole slow, guide to the end opening?

I searched.. and didn't find a specific thread. I know its kind of a choice, but wanted to hear your thoughts on it. Thanks.
 
Well I don't think it can do the stop pin or lockbar any good to slam the blade into it repeatedly. A controlled thumb opening is hardly slow, you should be able to rotate it out in under a second.
 
I think doing it slow is the way to go unless your are deploying your knife for a defensive reason and then you want your blade out fast and in a very controlled manner.

http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/5B6tFyoXL4A/

this guy has it down to a science, about 34 minutes into the video he goes through step by step how to deploy a folding blade for self defense.
 
all 41 + 14 all said:
Flippers, assists, and autos get "flicked" all the time. I don't know why flicking is such a faux pas for some people.
Click to expand...

All too true,

I have been using and abusing knives for over 20 years flicking them open the whole time without a single issue evolving from it. My LH Millie gets flicked with wrist snap almost every time and still locks in the same position as when new. I have a wave delica and endura that obviously use the wave feature which put a lot of stress on the lock and they too are fine after years of opening.

The spidie drop on the other hand could seriously hurt a lock, my endura for example will jump back out of the locked possition if opened this way with a hard wrist snap.
 
I know no reason that it would be bad for the knife. I really never do it myself. An oven door hinge cut the tip of my thumb off 6 months ago, and the nail grew back a little brittle. Using my nail to flick messes the nail up, so I use the tip of my thumb.

I did try it on my Sage just now. It's cool, but not all that much faster than a controlled thumb opening. I tried on my Endura, and it bit me. Just a little bandaid cut, but it would have made me fumble in a critical situation.

I saw a quote in a pistol forum that probably applies to knives also: "Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast". It took a little thinking for me to really understand it.
 
So, while this is a totally unscientific statement with respect to damaging a knife by opening it in a more violent/faster method than another.

HOWEVER

I will say this. IF you carry a blade for defense, you better be TRYING to destroy it by drawing and opening it in your spare time. Muscle memory makes fast and accurate. Not slow controlled openings, not a particular technique (so long as your technique involves the fewest and shortest movements to achieve a task), flicking, buttons, springs, assists, what have you.

So long as you have a quality folder that is properly maintained, you should be able to achieve about the same speed of deployment. HOWEVER, if you think you can baby your baby and at the same time get good at deploying it in a defensive situation.............you are gunna be the one who gets bitten. Practice like you mean it, or don't bother.

That being said, choose a method that feels most natural to you. Then do it 50 times a day, refine the movement each time. That will produce results you can put to work.

As better (but more expensive) alternative, I would suggest picking up spyderco's trainer that suits you the best. That way you won't be beating on your sharp knives, and you won't risk cutting yourself.
 
The "fast draw" is over rated, and might make you drop your knife. A bad situation is not the time to show off.

Using situational awareness lets you know something is about to come down. Move away from doorways and alleys. Slowly and unobtrusively draw your knife and hold it down by your leg where it won't be seen (you do have a black blade don't you?).

At this point, your first objective is simply to get away from where you are. If you get rushed, the BG should never know you have a knife till he's already cut.
 
minimize said:
I don't want to hurt lock engagement, but was under the impression that a finger flick deploying the blade, with no wrist action... was not an issue. Do I need to do the whole slow, guide to the end opening?

I searched.. and didn't find a specific thread. I know its kind of a choice, but wanted to hear your thoughts on it. Thanks.
Click to expand...
I doubt that thumb flick opening with no wrist/arm action would harm any well built knife. OTOH, I also doubt it's as reliable as a guided opening even with warm, dry, bare hands and suspect that reliability drops dramatically if one or more of those conditions are absent. Tend to think it's not a whole lot faster either, at least not for a Spyderco with a decent size Spyderhole.
 
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