Finger Guillotines?

[BitingSarcasm]

After reading about the locking mechanism of the Bushman, I put it in the "buy only if I want to JB weld it open" list. But the one that makes the dangerous closing list for me is the Black Talon 2. I use it to destroy boxes and for anything a hawkbill does well, but that long tip spike with a strong closing spring bites surprisingly deep if you don't pay attention.

 

[DocJD]

After reading about the locking mechanism of the Bushman, I put it in the "buy only if I want to JB weld it open" list. But the one that makes the dangerous closing list for me is the Black Talon 2. I use it to destroy boxes and for anything a hawkbill does well, but that long tip spike with a strong closing spring bites surprisingly deep if you don't pay attention.

Great knife , but one to respect . That hook can grab you too . If you open the knife to ~90 degree angle , when not in use , it may help relax the spring . Works for me on all my big CS folders .

 

[NJBillK]

Traditional knives, no. I often use two hands to close them

Framelocks on bearings can be bitey if closed with the blade, edge down and north of 45°.

 

[Impulse600]

A good IKBS folder will come down with some force.
My A2 when freshly sharpened has tried to get me a couple times

 

[hlee]

I got careless closing a Northfield (GEC) congress and sliced the skin (to the meat) from the tip off my little finger. It eventually grew back but hurt like heck for weeks. I’m extra careful with that little f-er now.

 

[katanas]

Watch out for the "Russlock"; make sure it is ALL the way open before relaxing. I learned the hard way.

 

[Sosa]

Sounds like I need a pocket bushman

 

[afishhunter]

Thanks guys ! I can now cross off both all slip joints and the Bushman form my wish list . Saving both $$$ and fingers .

Bah! I've used tradorional slipjoints for over 56 years, and have yet to be bit when closing one.
My great grandfather taught me how to close them:
1) NEVER have a finger or thumb over the blade well when closing. (Really, there is no reason to have any part of you above the edge of the handle by the blade well when you are closing a slipjoint.)
2) Place the spine of the blade against your pants leg. (or arm), gripping the knife between thumb and forefinger and second finger.
3) Swing handle to close the blade.

Two hand opening, one hand closing.

 

[Insipid Moniker]

Yeah, I honestly don't really get caught by slipjoints or backlocks very often due to years of learned caution. The two knives that nip me far too often are my Buck Marksman and Freeman 451 BLF. Both blades are almost frictionless and will simply drop closed once the lock is disengaged. Makes them loads of fun to cycle, but if you're not paying attention they can be nasty. If I hand one of those to you without a verbal warning and demonstration it probably means I don't like you much.

Weirdly, these are two of my favorite folders, though.

 

[19-3ben]

There are only two times it happened to me.
Once was when i was about 12 or so, and didn't get my fingers out of the way of my very first SAK and got cut across the first joint of index and middle finger.

Then again about 3 yrs ago. Just a moment of inattention with a Buck 110. Cut in the same place as twenty years prior.

It was because of my error with the SAK that I've determined that when my sons are old enough, their first knives will be friction folders like an Opinel or a Svord peasant or some such...

 

[DocJD]

Bah! I've used tradorional slipjoints for over 56 years, and have yet to be bit when closing one.
My great grandfather taught me how to close them:
1) NEVER have a finger or thumb over the blade well when closing. (Really, there is no reason to have any part of you above the edge of the handle by the blade well when you are closing a slipjoint.)
2) Place the spine of the blade against your pants leg. (or arm), gripping the knife between thumb and forefinger and second finger.
3) Swing handle to close the blade.

Two hand opening, one hand closing.

Sorry . My post was meant to be a JOKE ! That's why the "" .

 

[afishhunter]

Sorry . My post was meant to be a JOKE ! That's why the "" .

Sorry. I missed the ""

 

[FullMetalJackass]

I guess Buck 110 and SAKs must have the highest finger biting rate considering their popularity and their vicious nature.

 

[hlee]

Bah! I've used tradorional slipjoints for over 56 years, and have yet to be bit when closing one.
My great grandfather taught me how to close them:
1) NEVER have a finger or thumb over the blade well when closing. (Really, there is no reason to have any part of you above the edge of the handle by the blade well when you are closing a slipjoint.)
2) Place the spine of the blade against your pants leg. (or arm), gripping the knife between thumb and forefinger and second finger.
3) Swing handle to close the blade.

Two hand opening, one hand closing.

Yep, that’s what I did. However I was just sloppy enough that my ring and pinky fingers were hanging just over the blade recess. Just enough to cleanly slice the ends from both.

 

[hlee]

I guess Buck 110 and SAKs must have the highest finger biting rate considering their popularity and their vicious nature.

Nah, they both have round ends. Try a slip joint with half stops. They are the real biters.

 

[Riz!]

I sharpened up an old gerber, i think it was called a paraframe. Harsey designed, green annoed alluminum scales. It has a similar profie to a Fantoni harsey model and the Saprtan Blades Harsey Folder. It was hair whittlin sharp andwhen i closed it the tang hung up on the liner lock ball, then it gave way and snapped shut. It amputated the tip if my right thumb. Cut a 1/8 inch thick by 1/4 inch around disc of skin right off! Bled like you wouldnt believe.

 

[BilboBaggins]

Just watched a video on the Bushman as I hadn't seen one before. Scariest movie ever. Right up there with the Shining.

 

[katanas]

Actually, I found it quite easy and safe to operate once I got the knack of closing the handle onto the blade instead of the blade into the handle; kind of right to left, upside down instead of left to right (I'm a righty) Give it a try.

 

[Steely_Gunz]

Nah, they both have round ends. Try a slip joint with half stops. They are the real biters.

Half stops get me quite often too. It's usually when I'm opening them like a slippie without them and expect the blade to keep rolling instead of, ya know, stopping. A careless finger or palm meat sometimes continues the path of running into them.

I don't mind half stops, but I only really LIKE them on tool implements and not on knife blades.

 

[B.F.U]

Strong springed slip joints tend to have much more snap that modern knives, especially non back locks. I've had one or two close on me since I was an adult, all of which were due to absentmindedness.

This has happened to me also, especially on oily blades:

Half stops get me quite often too. It's usually when I'm opening them like a slippie without them and expect the blade to keep rolling instead of, ya know, stopping. A careless finger or palm meat sometimes continues the path of running into them.

I don't mind half stops, but I only really LIKE them on tool implements and not on knife blades.

My worst cut of the sort was from a modern knife. It was new and I was just getting into knives and I stabbed it into a frozen gallon water jug. It was a Spyderco Native FRN. I don't know if I pushed down the lock too much or if the lock failed, but it closed HARD on my middle finger and I still have a good scar from it.