For those who use their knives one handed...

I'll use one hand closing for an axis lock, but generally use two or a leg assist for anything else. For most of my knife applications, one-handed opening and closing is fun but hardly a necessity.
 
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Maybe it's just me, but I don't see that using a leg to assist really changes if it's one HANDED. A leg is not a HAND.
Semantics maybe, but, imo it's still one handed so long as the other HAND is not used.
 
All my knives are opened 1-handed - even my slipjoints.

Of course I'm a disabled vet and have no use of my left arm/hand so that might have something to do with it... :)
 
100% of my use is one-handed. I don't always need one-handed, but it is more convenient for me and I always do it that way. Sometimes I do need one-handed.

My EDC rotation contains knives that are liner lock, frame lock, compression lock, axis lock and BB lock. I can easily operate all of them one-handed. The knives that I use the most when I seem to really need one-handed operation are my Manix 2 models. Once I learned how to close these one-handed, they became my easiest to use one-handed. Just today I was using one of mine to break down about 25 boxes that we received floor tile in.
 
Franciscomv said:
Some autos might require two hands to make sure the blade locks back into place (although I usually just use my leg)
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I don't have any autos, not legal in nj. Is this a common issue? I would think that the fact that I have to check would be enough of a deciding factor for me to buy something with an axis or other fast and sturdy manual...

As previously mentioned, most of my knives that aren't traditionals can be fully operated with one hand, and I prefer that.
 
Shrub said:
Maybe it's just me, but I don't see that using a leg to assist really changes if it's one HANDED. A leg is not a HAND.
Semantics maybe, but, imo it's still one handed so long as the other HAND is not used.
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That's a good point and I think I agree.

bdmicarta said:
100% of my use is one-handed. I don't always need one-handed, but it is more convenient for me and I always do it that way. Sometimes I do need one-handed.

My EDC rotation contains knives that are liner lock, frame lock, compression lock, axis lock and BB lock. I can easily operate all of them one-handed. The knives that I use the most when I seem to really need one-handed operation are my Manix 2 models. Once I learned how to close these one-handed, they became my easiest to use one-handed. Just today I was using one of mine to break down about 25 boxes that we received floor tile in.
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I was starting to enjoy traditionals and there's still a couple of them on my list but for the large part of my uses, a one hander is just more convenient. A two hand opener like a traditional does seem to be less alarming to use in public though.
 
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That's the most difficult compression lock closing I have seen most fall closes when the lock I pressed out of the way. I do both all one handed if carrying a one hander but often carry slip joint.
 
Shift said:
That's the most difficult compression lock closing I have seen most fall closes when the lock I pressed out of the way. I do both all one handed if carrying a one hander but often carry slip joint.
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I'm used to closing lockbacks one handed, I just went with approximately the same technique.
 
onojoe said:
Interesting question. It really brings up the issue of what is really one handed opening and closing. Is using your leg to help close the knife really one handed??? I have found that most liner locks or frame locks require some help to get the blade closed, I usually use the thigh on the side that I carry the knife to help close it. The only knife that I feel is truly 1 handed closing is the Benchmade axis lock.
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Shrub said:
Maybe it's just me, but I don't see that using a leg to assist really changes if it's one HANDED. A leg is not a HAND.
Semantics maybe, but, imo it's still one handed so long as the other HAND is not used.
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I haven't run into any blade that I couldn't open and close 1 handed except for Nail Nicks. I believe it's just a comfort and dexterity factor that determines how easy it is for each person. I let my friend mess with my Leek for a bit the other day, first time he tried to close it he closed the blade on this thumb. No blood, but it surprised me because I have been closing it without a thought 1 handed for years; it no longer requires any brainpower for me to open or close.

Also using your leg still counts as 1 handed. If not your leg it could easily be a stump, twig, counter top, building corner, etc. Sometimes wearing gloves just cuts out enough maneuverability that you need to close it against a surface.
 
I'm also a one-hander from pocket to work back to pocket. That's one of the major reasons to purchase a modern folder as opposed to say, a Queen or a Case TrapperLock.

There are a couple that are still difficult, but more because they haven't broken in that for any serious design issue. The Cold Steel Hold Out II has a solid lock, but it's sticky and requires two hands sometimes. It'll get better the more I use it.

On the other hand, my ZT 0561 will open and close so very easily, and without any help at all on the close--just unlock it and get out of the way.

I do sometimes use the side of my leg to finish closing an assisted opening knife, like the 0770. But, that still leaves what I'm cutting in the control of my other hand, which is the intent, after all.
 
Pretty much all my folders are used one-handed except my SAKs. I find it a better option to have OHOs for emergencies in particular when your other hand may be required to hold or secure something.
 
n7titan said:
I haven't run into any blade that I couldn't open and close 1 handed except for Nail Nicks....

Also using your leg still counts as 1 handed.
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There is a lot of use that can be technically one-handed, but it takes extra time or care for the operation. I've tried closing lockbacks with one hand before, one time involved a lot of blood so I stopped doing it. More recently we got into arguments about lockbacks so I did some careful experimenting with my Delica and Endura. I found that I can close them one-handed, but if my hand isn't positioned precisely there will be blood again. Also since they are both FRN knives, there is a lot of friction in the blades and I have to use a leg or something else to get the blade to start closing.

When I'm thinking one-handed, I'm thinking thumb and fingers only, preferably an operation that you can do without looking. I have a few knives that I can close without looking but others that still require a bit more care.
 
bdmicarta said:
When I'm thinking one-handed, I'm thinking thumb and fingers only,

preferably an operation that you can do without looking. I have a few knives that I can close without looking but others that still require a bit more care.
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Technically, yes.

Imo, there comes a point when you get used to a specific knife and what it takes to operate without much thought. It's like an old door lock that only lets the key turn if you push it just so..

I guess I could broaden my statement to "I haven't run into any blade that I couldn't open and close 1 handed after getting used to it; except nail nicks"
 
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