Friction folders?

cbach8tw

cbach8tw

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Just starting to look more at friction folders, not giant size, and was wondering if anyone has some impressions and experience of how they like a friction folder in general, like lock up, any rubbing or hot spots while holding down tang, does the flipper make it hard to carry or get in the way in carrying in pocket or pocket sheath? I really liked the one JK knives had not long ago. I may get a mini Svord peasant (not limited to that)just to try and have fun with it. I have been thinking more of simplicity and form and function lately, with a look to the traditional.
 
I have a full size svord that I really like a lot. It's my go to knife for yard work. The flipper/tang helps it sit upright in the pocket and it's plenty comfortable in hand. Definitely worth checking out, especially for the price.
 
Thanks, do you think the larger Svord is too big? that is subjective of course.
 
I like the Mini Svord that the Misses has and I only handled a regular once in a store. Both if them have a bit of the tang that stays proud and would rub during extended use.

I have a JK Improved FF on order, and I can't wait for that. He has one up for auction right now, and it ends tomorrow. If you end up with that, you won't have to wait on his books which are in November delivery now.
 
I can't speak specifically to the Svord Peasant, but I used to own a Hiroaki Ohta friction folder and I quite liked it. The backstrap had a recess for the lever, and the lever itself was rounded, making it comfortable to grip. It was tall in-pocket, but most pockets in the pants/shorts I own were deep enough to accommodate it. The lever made it simple to open and close with one hand.

Ultimately I sold it because I didn't see myself continuing to carry it. I disliked that the lever encouraged one specific type of grip, saber, even though that's one of my favorite grips. I wanted a bit more versatility, and other traditionals gave me that. It was a lovely knife, just not for me.

I would say it's one of those things you have to try, with a knife you think you'll like, to see how it works for you. The Peasant is inexpensive enough to make that a pretty wallet-friendly trial.
 
I picked up a Fox/Bastinelli-designed friction folder called the "Slim Dragotac Piemontes" with a black FRN handle.

It comes in grey and orange FRN too, plus a premium wood handle version.

I use it at home only—because I can leagally carry almost any kind of knife in New Hampshire.

It works great for cutting open food packages.
 
I have an Ohta I really enjoy, he provides a pocket slip with them. I think I bought the smallest on his table at Blade show, it fit my large hands the best for me anyway.

Edit to add: The size of my Ohta is less than 1/8" shorter than a GEC 15.
 
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Only friction folder I have is an Opinel #8.
No problems with it, as long as you don't dunk the handle in a liquid.
 
afishhunter said:
Only friction folder I have is an Opinel #8.
No problems with it, as long as you don't dunk the handle in a liquid.
Click to expand...
Good thing micarta doesn't have that "issue".
My JK is coming in 154cm and natural micarta to match my CPK EDC or my Lion Steel Euro-Barlow that it will be rotated with or carried alongside of.

A quality folder that I won't have a thing to worry about. A nice overall camp folder that will not need a bunch of maintenance.
 
I have a japanese one made by IC, it's San Mai, with a V-1 core, opens with a 1cm tab. Holds a good edge, useful. The edge is carbon steel, so you need to wipe it off. I'd never carry w/o a sheath. I made a simple pouch sheath out of deer skin. I was told it's not really carried in the pocket in Japan.
 
Higo No Kami is a friction folder that you probably ought to try.
I kept the Svord Mini Peasant and gave my son the large one. I carried mine for a while until the novelty wore off. I like the fact that they are easily tunable.
MAM friction folders from Portugal are cheap and light. You can get many models with or without a liner lock. They do not have an extended tang to deal with.
 
afishhunter said:
Only friction folder I have is an Opinel #8.
No problems with it, as long as you don't dunk the handle in a liquid.
Click to expand...

Opinel #8 has a decent lock. Very basic and simple but it is still a lock. It is not a friction folder.
 
Ruso said:
Opinel #8 has a decent lock. Very basic and simple but it is still a lock. It is not a friction folder.
Click to expand...


It is a friction folder. It has no spring. The lock pops off easily if you don't want it. Either way, it is a friction folder.
 
Henry Beige said:
It is a friction folder. It has no spring. The lock pops off easily if you don't want it. Either way, it is a friction folder.
Click to expand...

You have a very strange definition of a friction folder. Opinel up to #6 do not have a Virobloc (Opinel locking mechanism) and those are friction folders.
Opinel #6 and up all carry a Virobloc and are not a friction folder anymore. They are locking knives and are treated as such by the law enforcements.
 
Ruso said:
You have a very strange definition of a friction folder. Opinel up to #6 do not have a Virobloc (Opinel locking mechanism) and those are friction folders.
Opinel #6 and up all carry a Virobloc and are not a friction folder anymore. They are locking knives and are treated as such by the law enforcements.
Click to expand...
I did raise an eyebrow at that also. By that definition practically all modern folders are friction folders. No spring does not the friction folder make.
 
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