Flicking open a Spyderco Tenacious with thumb tension

T

ToneGrail

Joined
Aug 4, 2006
Messages
235
After watching Nutnfancy's, and Cutlerylover's reviews and seeing both of them do it effortlessly, I still can't do it without some wrist action. The only way I can do it somewhat is if I loosen the pivot to a point where there's a significant amount of horizontal blade play.

So whats the trick? What am I missing?

I have no problem with my Benchmade Axis lock.
 
Why flick it? It opens perfectly fine if you just open it all the way, that's the way your supposed to do it.
 
Dr Heelhook said:
Why flick it?
Click to expand...

Because it looks fun.

I want to flick too, but I don't have the mad skilz to do it.

I think it entails using more of the end of the thumb (like flicking marbles) as opposed to the pad of the thumb. And just a little wrist action at the right moment, like when you open a Kershaw Skyline. But since I can't do it, I'm not really qualified to comment.


:thumbup:
 
the trick is to flip your thumb up rather than out(parallel to scale rather than perpendicular)
 
Just as PowerNoodle said, flick it just like a marble. Using this technique the Tenacious is the fastest opening Spyderco I have. A broken-in Endura is right behind it.

Vin
 
Or simply use your thumbnail, just build up pressure with it and then let the blade shoot out. Hard to explain, but becomes totally natural after getting used to it:)
 
I can't flick my open using the meat of my thumb.

I put the tip of my thumb in the hole. Imagine if someone said, "Try to stick your thumb through that hole." That's the direction I put mine in. Then just flick(like flicking a quarter) parallel to the handle scales. Like others have said, flick up not out.

My Tenacious will zip out with zero wrist action doing it this way.
 
I tried that but it still doesn't quite open all the way.

Maybe my thumb is just too weak? I dunno.

:confused:
 
a broken in endura is definitely the best flicker, definitely takes a bit of skill to master, just keep trying, you'll get it
 
I couldn't master the thumb flick, it feels awkward to me. I use my middle finger to flick open. I can catch the nail or the finger either one in the spyderhole and she flies open.....It just seems to happen more effortlessly like that for me??????
 
ToneGrail said:
I tried that but it still doesn't quite open all the way.

Maybe my thumb is just too weak? I dunno.

:confused:
Click to expand...

You need to load pressure before firing. The same as snapping your fingers, and all the other examples given.

Be warned, the reason you need to be sure to flick your thumb away from the knife, is that if you keep in going straight with the blade, you will jam your thumb into the edge.

Now, stick the tip of your thumb into the opening hole, and apply pressure toward the pivot pin. The blade should not move, and you can actually load more or less pressure depending on how much "snap" you want.
With the desired amount of tension loaded on your thumb, slowly move the direction of pressure away from the pivot pin. At first it will scare the crap out of you, but it gets less scary with practice.
If the first few shots don't open all the way, apply more pressure.

It's the same with flippers and studs.
 
Some knives will eventually develop play after a lot of forceful flicking. But as some stated here, load tension and I find it works best it I push straight forward on the hole or stud. Toward the front of the knife, not out.
 
tricker said:
the trick is to flip your thumb up rather than out(parallel to scale rather than perpendicular)
Click to expand...

miro44 said:
Or simply use your thumbnail, just build up pressure with it and then let the blade shoot out. Hard to explain, but becomes totally natural after getting used to it:)
Click to expand...

Pretty much what I do. I'd probably phrase it as useing the nail and tip of the thumb, but works easily and reliably with the Tenacious. Most of my other spydies don't seem to have quite the correct geometry for my hand to do it reliably.....or maybe I just didn't care enough to keep trying. :D

Dr Heelhook said:
Why flick it? It opens perfectly fine if you just open it all the way, that's the way your supposed to do it.
Click to expand...

In my case, it's just to see if I can. Don't ask me why, but I alwasy give it a try with any new spydie (except for the Street Beat ;)).
Basically I find the "normal" way of opening (thumb to hole and rotate blade) works fine and is fast enough.
 
Well you know, after trying for a long time, I was able to flick yesterday for the first time.

For me, the keys are:

- using a smooth opening knife with a fairly loose pivot
- holding the knife in such a way that gravity either assists - or does not impede - the last half of the blade's arc. In other words, for me it helps if the blade is moving towards the floor during the last half of the arc.

Now, except for the chicks and the cash and the fame, I'm as cool as Cutlerylover and Nutnfancy.

I used this beater Endura that has a nice, smooth pivot:

enduraSE1.jpg
 
powernoodle said:
Well you know, after trying for a long time, I was able to flick yesterday for the first time.

For me, the keys are:

- using a smooth opening knife with a fairly loose pivot
- holding the knife in such a way that gravity either assists - or does not impede - the last half of the blade's arc. In other words, for me it helps if the blade is moving towards the floor during the last half of the arc.
Click to expand...

I actually didn't have to loosen the pivot at all. Just a nice big drop of oil did the job. Now it deploys smooth as butter. I just made sure I worked the oil in really well by opening and closing the knife until is was sufficiently spread around the washers.
 
Just be aware that Flicking, Especially agressive flicking will eventually most likely damage the stop pin. I'm not sure about Spyderco, but some companies consider this non warrantable abuse.
 
Since I figured out how to do it, I've been flicking all day. To the point that my flicker is almost sore. :p I would not have thought so, but my Militaries are probably the easiest for me to flick.

I actually didn't have to loosen the pivot at all.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I didn't mean that I needed a loose pivot. Just one that smooth and an easy opener. :thumbup:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top