friction folding knife??

deltablade,

Hi! A friction folder has neither lock nor spring. The blade simply folds open and closed. While closed, it is held in place by friction of the scales against the sides of the blade. When open, finger or hand pressure against a tab/extension on the the back of the blade keeps the blade from closing.

Examples are the Japanese Higonokami and New Zealand's Svord Peasant knife, if you do a Google search. (I apologize for not having pics of them handy.)

The tab, such as with the Svord, can also down in the back of the handle and provides a measure of friction to keep the blade from closing, as well.
 
Blaine gave an excellent answer.

There are also friction folders without tabs, like Opinel knives under size 6. The blade is held in position simply by friction of the wooden handle against the tang. These knives are only for cutting. Putting pressure on the spine will make them close. Here is a no. 5:
opinel-5.JPG


Larger Opinels have a rotating locking ring.
 
Holy cow - how could I forget about the Opinel?! Massive brain derp on my part! Thanks for adding that, dogstar!
 
I believe the locking ring on the Opinel didn't even make its debut, until like 1955. Hard to imagine IMHO. It's the attribute I find most interesting.
 
Sorry man. I just ran across this little factoid a couple of days ago, and thought it was kinda interesting. Got a little bit excited. Just scrolled down and saw a pic of a an Opinel without a lock and jumped the gun.
 
i love friction folders, but there isn't much to choose from in production knives.
guess i'll just have to wait until i can dish out for a Perceval L-09.
 
Svords branching out a bit with the mini-peasent, as well as the full size peasant being offered with a zinc handle and even in buffalo horn. Michael Morris does the style well, for a pretty good price.
 
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whetrock said:
Sorry man. I just ran across this little factoid a couple of days ago, and thought it was kinda interesting. Got a little bit excited. Just scrolled down and saw a pic of a an Opinel without a lock and jumped the gun.
Click to expand...

Whetrock, my post was not directed at you! I did not mean to sass you there, bro.

What I meant was, some purists don't see the need for the locking ring; they believe the Opinel works fine just on friction alone. If you are careful about knife handling, the lock is added peace of mind some folks consider overkill.

I'll try to be more careful about how I word my posts.
 
LOL, I catch your drift now dogstar. I'm probably the one who needs to work on my reading comprehension a bit. Shouldn't have posted a response so quickly. As to the Opinels that are sans the vibroloc I've got to say that all of my locking Opinels have loosened up to the point were I can flip them open and I have to lock them closed. I dunno how well a friction Opinel would fare, before loosening up. Still even at that I want to own the commemorative model that lacks the lock just to own one. Might use it a time or two, who knows.
 
whetrock said:
LOL, I catch your drift now dogstar. I'm probably the one who needs to work on my reading comprehension a bit. Shouldn't have posted a response so quickly. As to the Opinels that are sans the vibroloc I've got to say that all of my locking Opinels have loosened up to the point were I can flip them open and I have to lock them closed. I dunno how well a friction Opinel would fare, before loosening up. Still even at that I want to own the commemorative model that lacks the lock just to own one. Might use it a time or two, who knows.
Click to expand...

You can snug them up very easy. Take off the lock ring, and lay the knife's bolster on a hammer, with the rounded head of the rivet down against the one hammer that is going to be the anvil. Then take another hammer, and tap the end of the rivet to peen it over a bit more. Go gently and try it after every couple of smacks. When you have ti where you want it, slip the lock ring back on.

Or just drop it in a glass of water for 20 minutes.:D

I run my Opinels on the snug side, and use them most of the time as a strait friction folder. Only use the lock for heavier work.

Carl.
 
Here's a couple I made. Grizzly claw friction folder and one in curly maple.

Best regards

Robin
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Interesting Carl. I've never even thought about removing the ring, and peening the rivet. It would be easy to do on a friction version, and I imagine it was commonplace in the past. I actually like mine kinda loose, it's easier to open in a pinch. Still it's good to know for someone interested in the 05s and smaller or the friction versions.
 
This is a friction folder with the option of locking by removing a grub screw.Made by smokepole.
RANGER75.jpg
 
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