Friction Folder?

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Tank20

Joined
Mar 14, 2012
Messages
234
Are they safe? What advantages/disadvantages are there compared to a framelock design? Any other info is much appreciated. Also the knives I'm looking at are high end warren thomas knives not cheapo pos's. Thank you.
 
Thanks brother. so you feel they are just as safe as framelock designs? has there ever been a time when you were holding it in the open position and felt the spine / lock tang of the knife want to come up?
 
For the first 20 years or so of my life, the choice was slip joints or fixed blades. A lock on a folder is a little like the safety on a firearm. Useful device, but the "safety" is between your ears. Learn safe handling techniques and don't depend on a mechanical device to save you from bad habits. I carry a slip joint and a locking folder every day. And some of my firearms don't have safeties.
 
I usually carry a chris reeve sebenza on my pocket and a neck or boot knife. trying to get a warren thomas credit card knife for my wallet as well. came across the friction lock they seem great ive just never had the pleasure to handle and use one myself just want to gather opinions before i buy
 
Just keep in mind, it is not a "friction lock". There is no lock. It forces you to use a knife properly, by only putting pressure on the cutting edge. I know some feel that a lock is necessary for safety, and that any non-locking knife is completely unsafe. If you feel this way, son't get a friction lock or a slipjoint (like a SAK). Of course, locks do fail sometimes, and since they fail when a lot of pressure is being put on the spine, they are then more dangerous than a non-locking folder. You always need to be careful with a sharp piece of hardened steel.
 
I believe timberweasel has a very rad Friction folder made someone who's name escapes me ATM Hopefully He'll chime in. I really like friction folders. they are much easier to open, cut and close than anything else i have used.
 
I like my Higonokami, but I wouldn't use it that hard. Locks are a nice feature to have; not necessary most of the time you're using the knife correctly, but they save your fingers the few times you aren't. You can't really stab hard with a knife that doesn't lock, for instance.
 
You mean this one? :D (thanks for the compliment, Seelow123!)

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Fellow forum member Defaultuser made it for me. I absolutely love it and it remains in frequent rotation... the tang has a built-in cap-lifter which is fantastic for those summer BBQ & beer days!

The only other friction folder I have is the Svord Peasant. Great knife, especially for the price... I dig the L6 steel.

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I have no worries about using a folding knife with no lock. Sure, they will bite you if you do something stupid. Just slow it down a bit, pay attention to what you're doing, and you should have no problems. :thumbup:
 
Most friction folders have a tang extension that facilitates one-hand opening, and serves as a thumb rest/blade retainer. As long as your thumb is firmly planted on the rest during use the blade isn't going anywhere.

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If holding a Svord Peasant Knife in a hammer grip there's no way the knife can close on you. The tang extension is super long. Totally safe.
 
Tank20 said:
Thanks brother. so you feel they are just as safe as framelock designs? has there ever been a time when you were holding it in the open position and felt the spine / lock tang of the knife want to come up?
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A guy with your knife experience, i wouldn't worry, you have to think of course, cutting down is never a problem, but when you pull it out you might feel the tag work if it' tight. I'd take my jk ff anywhere i'd take a locking folder but i don't use a locking folder on it's own if i think hard work is a-coming, they are generally backups if i go camping/hiking etc.

it does focus the mind sometimes, makes you think about your knife use and habits, but i kinda like that.

p.s thanks for the thread because its stimulated some great picture responses :D
 
Of course it is not as safe as a framelock design as they don't lock at all. But, they also have an old fashioned charm and are ok for all lighter cutting tasks.
 
Damn. Warren thomas always blows me away. That is a very nice knife indeed. The blade (If you didn't notice) is made out of titanium and won't rust but won't hold an edge as long as most steels out there so it's a bit of a contradiction.

:Edited to add: You may want to try a cheaper friction folder like the previously mentioned svord peasant that runs about 15 bucks before dropping that kind of dough on a design you've never tried before.
 
I just love warren thomas's knives they just continue to blow me away. Im sure id love a friction folder so im not afraid to drop some dough. Even if I didn't like it id just add it to the collection.
 
Tank20 said:
I just love warren thomas's knives they just continue to blow me away. Im sure id love a friction folder so im not afraid to drop some dough. Even if I didn't like it id just add it to the collection.
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Right on:thumbup: Please let us know how you like it when it arrives. And of course, congratz!
 
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