Folding knife for one-handed opening

B

BuckMulligan

Joined
Oct 19, 2008
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Does anyone have a recommendation for a general-use folding knife that can be easily opened one-handed by someone with smaller or less muscular hands? My husband has an assisted-open Mini My Tighe that I like as far as size, but I just can't seem to get the leverage or power to open it with one hand.

I've seen other folders with unusual opening methods, like CRKT's Fulcrum, but can't tell if they're really meant for normal use or just gimmicky. Any thoughts or recommendations?
 
Welcome. :)

Spyderco is just one of many excellent manufacturers of one-handed openers. Many people, myself included, find the "Spyder Hole" easier to use than a thumbstud (but then again, I'm sure many do not). Check them out, they even have their own sub-forum here at Bladeforums.
 
I would recommend a Benchmade with an Axis lock. They are very easy to flick open with the thumbstub once you get the pivot tension right. Plus they are even easier to flick open if you pull back on the axis lock and flick your wrist.

Or you could look at one of the Kershaws with a flipper. You just apply a little pressure to the flipper on the back of the knife and the blade pops out. This is not an "automatic" or illegal knife though, as there is nothing but your pressure on the flipper to open the knife.

*edit* unlike markksr I find a thumbstub to be easier to use than a spyderhole. I would recommend you try both before deciding which to get.
 
Welcome to the forums.

My better half is 5' nothing 105 lbs. She can open and close her Kershaw Scallion, Leek, Needs Work and Ti Bump one handed. She can also flick open her Spyderco and Benchmade non-assisted openers but has gotten spoiled by her Kershaws. She used to carry a small fixed blade and on occasion still does. Your best bet is to find a shop where you can handle various brands to find what fits you best.
 
I also think the round holes are the easiest to open:

The Benchmade Mini-Griptilian, AG Russell FeatherLite, and the KaBar Dozier folders are available with opening holes.
 
:thumbup: Kershaw Leek. I have given two to my gal and has no problem using them. Heck, even my 13yr old sister does not have a problem opening a Leek, you really have a hard time beating them for ease of open.

However, like it has been said before, if you do not want an assisted opener, i highly recommend Spyderco Delica or Benchmade Mini Griptilian. I just picked up a pair for Pink Spyderco Natives for myself and my gal, it is a great EDC and Spyderco donates a portion of the revenue to breast cancer research.
 
One more for Spyderco holes, when You get the knack for it it is very easy, and there are other brands with the hole also if You find Spyderco wrong for other reasons. I have for example a Tenacious linerlock which is very smooth and not expensive.
 
BuckMulligan said:
Does anyone have a recommendation for a general-use folding knife that can be easily opened one-handed by someone with smaller or less muscular hands? My husband has an assisted-open Mini My Tighe that I like as far as size, but I just can't seem to get the leverage or power to open it with one hand.

I've seen other folders with unusual opening methods, like CRKT's Fulcrum, but can't tell if they're really meant for normal use or just gimmicky. Any thoughts or recommendations?
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Welcome to BladeForums, ma'am!

You may actually find that the problem is the "assisted open". At the beginning of the opening movement, you are compressing a spring that will finish opening the blade farther on in the opening motion. You may be having problems with compressing the spring. I think you will find that an unassisted blade, whether one with thumbstuds or holes, will be easier to open.

I might note that my 17-year old daughter (who is petite) tells me that, while she can open any of my unassisted blades (hole or thumbstud makes no difference to her), she finds that liner locks are easiest for her to close. So maybe you want to be looking for an unassisted liner lock. Just a thought.

Kershaw makes a very fine linerlock. Some are assisted open and some are not. Spyderco and Benchmade also make good linerlocks.
 
I'll agree that a hole is easier than a stud for one-hand opening. Also, assisted openers by design are harder to open - you have to overcome more resistance to receive your assistance!

I would also say that a liner or frame lock will tend to be easy to open than a lockback, in my experience.

I would recommend a "flipper" knife as well - a non-assisted opening knife that uses inertia. There are tons of those out there - off the top of my head, the Carson Design CRKT M16/M21 lines, the Kershaw Tim Galyean JYD and Kershaw RJ Martin Groove have "flippers" which allow for instant, effortless one-hand open.

I've played with a mini My Tighe and agree, there is way too much resistance. Some other assisted openers are easier, as well. Kershaw's Leek models snap open with just light finger pressure on the back flipper nub thing. Same with the Scallion.
 
Try a Spyderco Cricket. My wife loves hers, I mean mine, you know what I mean!!! Great knife for small hands....You may want try a Buck Mayo Waimea, Great little knife!!!
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Buck Waimea
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My wife had some trouble with opening thumb-stud and thumb-hole folders, so I got her a waved Spyderco Endura 4.

She loves it!

Good luck,
Allen
 
I agree with several posters here that Spyderco is a good choice.
However, if possible, try a few in a shop, as you'll quickly know which model "feels" best.
Chooosing a Spyderco: next to the Delica, in roughly the same size factor check out the Centofante 3 and 4 which are better slicers, and also check the all-round excellence of the Caly 3. More dressed-up compact yet elegant knives are the Kopa and the Kiwi.

A very, very smooth operating alternative is a knife by Mcusta. Often stylish, and always high quality.
 
Emerson mini CQC-7, easy to open, legal nearly everywhere, wicked sharp and rugged as all get out.
 
Lots of good knives have been mentioned already that can be easily opened one handed.

I'm not sure if it matters (it does to me), but closing a knife one handed is important too. Knives like the Delica or Endura while easy to open one handed, are nearly impossible if not down-right dangerous to try to close one handed.

Thats one reason I like the Axis-lock so much. It's easy to open and close one handed.
 
Wow, thanks for the great response, everybody! I really appreciate your suggestions, links and photos -- I'll look into all of these. Thank you for your help!
 
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