Friction folders...

stevekolt

stevekolt

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Jan 9, 2007
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I have never owned this type of knife, but I'm thinking about getting a few. Figured I would start with a Douk Douk, brass Higonokami, and probably a MAM and an Ohta. (Maybe a Svord and Antonini on down the line.) My main question, is how do you adjust the tension of the pivot should it loosen up too much? They all seem to be pinned. These would not be carry knives for me, just messing around about the house, in the yard, and in the garage. What are your opinions regarding these knives? Thanks!

Mods - I wasn't sure whether to post this in the general knife forum or the traditional knives forum. Please move as you see fit...
 
The Douk Douk isn’t a friction folder but actually a slipjoint with a relatively stout spring and half stop.
 
The friction folders I own have an adjustable pivot. So if it was to get looser than you prefer, it can easily be tightened up. Pinned folders, I trust, would hold their tightness since adjustment would be more difficult.
 
I would suggest starting with an Opinel friction folder. It has a manual ring lock for the blade which you can use or not. Good steel, will sharpen to a super sharp edge. Easy to mod if you wish. I thin the handles a bit and add a easy opener groove (use dremel or round file/sand paper), restain if you wish - I use Old English furniture polish. Lots of info on this forum about Opinels. Make great slicers in kitchen (No. 7-10).
Rich
 
You can adjust the Svord tightness with a flathead screwdriver. The Mini Peasant is okay.. But it took some modding on my part to make it decent, particularly because the tang had a large burr that inhibited opening the thing fully and the blade hit the bottom chicago screw when closed.

I'd be careful of some Higonokamis. The more poorly designed ones have no stop pin or the like. They just end up hitting the edge against the brass handle when closed.
 
I have a Michael Morris friction folder . . . it's a wonderful knife. So have some others in the UK. Hoping to get another one soon.

By all accounts a real nice guy as well :thumbsup:
 
Sadly, most seem to be pinned and non-adjustable, but you can actually tweak the the Svord tension with your thumbnail. The Svord "micro" is a great watch-pocket sized knife for everyday simple tasks. I'm a fan of friction folders. There's an elegant simplicity that appeals to me. You sort of have to be conscious about using them safely, but shouldn't that apply to ANY knife? Keep that in mind and your fingers should stay intact.

Search the forum for an "old farts and friction folders" thread that's been active lately.
 
Pinned knives are easily tightened with a hammer and the anvil of a vise.
 
To tighten them up, with a wood handle apply moisture and let it swell.
To date, I haven't had to tighten my Opinel Number 8 (with "Carbone" blade) or MAM (large 3 7/8 inch/100mm closed, not counting the fob) "Operario" with stainless sheepsfoot blade.
Sorry, I don't have the Opinel with me.
MAM makes this knife as a straight friction folder, or with a liner lock. This one doesn't have the liner lock.
FWIW they do make a good EDC. I've never had one open at all in my pocket. :)
Lots of folks around the world carry and use ("hard") a friction folder without any issues. They are not a "weak" tool. :)

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Someone told me that on a SVord mini Peasant you can adjust the screw at the bottom of the handle to relieve some of the handle pressure on the blade when opening.
 
I love the svords. You can adjust both screws on them. The one near the blade(when open) will adjust how free it swings when opening/closing while the screw near the end by your pinky can adjust how much it holds the blade while closed.
I prefer the plastic ones by a lot. The wooden ones are “looser” which never felt good to me. The plastic ones kind of grip the screws almost like they’re glued in which just gives it a more solid feel. The wooden ones can be made to look pretty good with a little work though so if you just want one to look at that may be the way to go.

Like was mentioned above, opinels are a friction folder too and if you only buy one type, it should be opinel. It demonstrates where knives should be as far as edge geometry goes. Thin.
 
Can’t go wrong with an Opinel, especially for the price.
You will love the Ohta if you get one, and you should.
Don’t be afraid to edc either one!
 
OK, I need to amend the first sentence in my original post. I have an Opinel #6 in stainless that I just rediscovered in the depths of my desk drawer. IIRC, it was sent to me by a BF member some time ago. VERY sharp, smooth opening/closing, and the original owner sanded it down, and added an easy open notch. So, time to order the OHTA and...
 
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