Hey guys... I recently visited my grandfather and he's got parkinson's disease... He's an old-timer, loves his knives and guns... he taught me to whittle and to shoot. Anyway while I was visting him he was trying to open up a package with his case xx stockman, he loves case knives and traditional pocketknives in general... anyway due to the parkinsons it took him about 3 minutes to open up that little pocketknife. I felt so bad for him but I didn't want to do it for him thinking it may make him feel bad... anyway I thought I would try to get him a small traditional looking pocketknife that he could more easily open up and close w/o cutting himself... any ideas?
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Gift for grandfather... one-hand opening traditional knives.
- Thread starter skippz
- Start date
Morrow
Don't make this weird
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What about an easy open slip joint?
There is an example of custom in this thread...
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=822117
You can find a variety of similar production models from several different companies.
There is an example of custom in this thread...
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=822117
You can find a variety of similar production models from several different companies.
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As I was looking through my own knives for something that might work, I started thinking the same thing. A pattern that can be pinched and eliminate the need for trying to find the nail nick.
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How about a so-called 'one-arm razor' (maybe called 'one-arm jack'). Built like a traditional trapper or jack, with a 'hook' in the end of the blade, to catch against clothing or whatever to open.
Just an idea. I'm pretty sure Case has such a pattern, maybe other makers too.
Edited to add:
Here's a pic of an example from Case (pattern #62005RAZ SS):
Just an idea. I'm pretty sure Case has such a pattern, maybe other makers too.
Edited to add:
Here's a pic of an example from Case (pattern #62005RAZ SS):
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Case also has the 'TrapperLock' pattern #6154L (thumbstud & liner lock, on a trapper pattern).
Edited to add:
Here's a pic (vendor pic, kinda large, but it's a good look at it):
Edited to add:
Here's a pic (vendor pic, kinda large, but it's a good look at it):
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Some good ideas so far. I would also suggest looking at a Buck 55. It is small and pocketable and should be easy enough to pinch open, as long as he can work the lockback.
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A small sodbuster seems perfect here.
Bingo, that was my first thought. Tight pull, but I always find myself ignoring the nick and pinching it open.
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I would take him to a good knife place and let him try some out, the mid Folding Hunter, Russlock etc. Some of these have pretty good springs and or may be awkward for him!
Daniel Dorn
Gold Member
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The Case Russlock has the sort-of-like a friction folder tab that stick out IICR. That is about as easy to open as anything.
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Case RussLock is the answer. One handed opening and closing is the overall functional design idea with this old traditional pocket knife but she is also a great liner-lock blade to boot. Making her the perfect traditional that folks that are becoming disabled or who are disabled will appreciate!
I was thinking the same thing.
Campbellclanman
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I just checked out the Case Russlock on youtube, as I dont know much about them, ...this looks to be the one for your Grandfather...(good advice given there guys) :thumbup:
I think its very noble of you to think of your Grandfather in this way, and he will be real proud of you when you hand him over that knife, well done to you for your very knid thoughts.
I think its very noble of you to think of your Grandfather in this way, and he will be real proud of you when you hand him over that knife, well done to you for your very knid thoughts.
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I would also be inclined to go with the trapperlock myself if I was in a situation like that.
I would probably talk to him about it myself instead of trying to surprise him. I know its hard to help someone out, but it also seems hard not to offend them in this situation.
Maybe someone who actually owns a trapperlock can chime in and tell you wether or not it is a recommended knife. I havent handled one before and my personal concern would be wether or not the trapperlock still has a back spring in it or not. I am kind of referring to the way an SAK Trekker is. Its got a lock, but there is still a back spring and my own personal trekker is still hard to open.
Just food for thought.
Edit:
Just another thought. The trapperlock might be easy for him to open, but you might also want to be concerned with wether or not he'll be able to disengage the lock or not.
I would probably talk to him about it myself instead of trying to surprise him. I know its hard to help someone out, but it also seems hard not to offend them in this situation.
Maybe someone who actually owns a trapperlock can chime in and tell you wether or not it is a recommended knife. I havent handled one before and my personal concern would be wether or not the trapperlock still has a back spring in it or not. I am kind of referring to the way an SAK Trekker is. Its got a lock, but there is still a back spring and my own personal trekker is still hard to open.
Just food for thought.
Edit:
Just another thought. The trapperlock might be easy for him to open, but you might also want to be concerned with wether or not he'll be able to disengage the lock or not.
Case also has the 'TrapperLock' pattern #6154L (thumbstud & liner lock, on a trapper pattern).
Edited to add:
Here's a pic (vendor pic, kinda large, but it's a good look at it):
i agree with this one. also get one for each of you and tell him i got myself one and loved it and know you enjoy knives like i do and thought maybe you'd like it as well. so here ya go.
i got my grandpa a buck stockman knive, he loves buck knives. didn't buy him it for any reason, just saw it and thought he would love it, so bought it and sent it to him, and he loves that knife and is always bragging how i bought it for him.
hes the same guy that always makes sure he buys me dinner, goes outta his way for everyone all the time. and always has helped me out and will not take no for an answer, so thought hey i wanna do something nice for him.
and we love our knives!
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I would approach this a bit differently than some of the already mentioned good ideas. They all seemed pretty good, but in this case I would go with what he would want.
My dad is 85 and in assisted living. I have watch not only his manual dexterity go away, but his sense of masculinity as well. His pride is pretty hurt at this stage of his life, knowing that he can't do very simple things anymore. I showed him my Queen Barlow when I got it, and he couldn't open it at all, and in fact broke his nails trying to do so. Same with a couple of others. Thumb studs, long nicks, light pulls, nothing seemed to help if there was any resistance at all. He can't get his nail in the nick, and they are so thin they break anyway.
He can't operate a thumbstud as he can't keep his thumb centered on it well enough and the force consistent enough to make it work. Forget a liner locks, 99% of lockbacks, NO frame locks of any sort... he can't operate them. This is a man with no time to waste on "break in periods".
I found out he couldn't open any of his own knives either, and in disappointment and disgust, he gave me all of his old knives. He really wanted a knife, though.
I checked out a million knives at a gun show and looked for the ones that had the easiest to grip blades, and the easiest to open. No regard for brand or origin, just something he could open.
Of all surprises.... I found and old USA made Schrade LB7. This old rascal probably started with a light feel to it, but a few thousand miles later, it is like butter. The
knife cleaned up to near new, and he loves it. It is big enough to really annoy my Mom (which for an 85 year old man married for 60 years to the same woman is wonderful) and the SIZE makes it easy for him to handle.
He had such a problem holding onto my smaller knives, trying to manipulate blades (impossible!) and using nail nicks I finally just asked him what he wanted. He wanted something he could easily hold onto (check), large enough he could use both hands easily since one is partially paralyzed (check!), one that was easy to operate (check!), one he wouldn't be likely to lose (check!) and something manly enough to make him feel good again. That LB7 hit the mark in spades. It was a really clean knife, and I am not sure with his eyes that after a cleanup and buff he didn't think it was new.
He LOVED the "Made in USA" stamp. He was delighted at its manly size, too.
Even the light lock isn't bad for him as he rarely closes it; he knows he could if he wanted to, and that is enough. It sits on the table next to his recliner so he can open mail, medicine and packages. I know it is like killing an ant with a sledgehammer, but he likes everything about that big, heavy knife.
So if I was in your shoes skippz, I would ask what he wanted, what he felt was important and then go shopping for him. Let him handle a few of your easier to open knives and that will let you know what kind of pull will work for him. Smaller knives, even up to my large stockman were just too small for my Dad's shaky hands to handle. He likes the fact that unless he drops that big Schrade, he won't get cut as it won't snap shut on his fingers. Personally, I wouldn't have picked that knife for him in a million years.
Buying my Dad a knife at this stage of his life (that he liked!) was a really special thing for both of us. So much so I am probably going to give him my NIB Queen gunstock for Father's day. The fit and finish is nearly perfect, but the kicker is that on a 1 - 10 range of blade pull, this one probably is about 2 1/2. I have never felt a smoother opening folder, but in truth it is too light for me. I like a healthy snap, and this doesn't have it. But it should be perfect for him. The master's top of the clip on the spine even sticks out a long way from the case so he can grab it easily without worrying about the nail nick.
Enjoy your grandfather while you have him. And while this could sound wrong if you took it that way, think of the wonderful memory of that knife you will have if you get it back, knowing he liked it and carried it. You will keep it forever.
Best of luck!
Robert
My dad is 85 and in assisted living. I have watch not only his manual dexterity go away, but his sense of masculinity as well. His pride is pretty hurt at this stage of his life, knowing that he can't do very simple things anymore. I showed him my Queen Barlow when I got it, and he couldn't open it at all, and in fact broke his nails trying to do so. Same with a couple of others. Thumb studs, long nicks, light pulls, nothing seemed to help if there was any resistance at all. He can't get his nail in the nick, and they are so thin they break anyway.
He can't operate a thumbstud as he can't keep his thumb centered on it well enough and the force consistent enough to make it work. Forget a liner locks, 99% of lockbacks, NO frame locks of any sort... he can't operate them. This is a man with no time to waste on "break in periods".
I found out he couldn't open any of his own knives either, and in disappointment and disgust, he gave me all of his old knives. He really wanted a knife, though.
I checked out a million knives at a gun show and looked for the ones that had the easiest to grip blades, and the easiest to open. No regard for brand or origin, just something he could open.
Of all surprises.... I found and old USA made Schrade LB7. This old rascal probably started with a light feel to it, but a few thousand miles later, it is like butter. The
knife cleaned up to near new, and he loves it. It is big enough to really annoy my Mom (which for an 85 year old man married for 60 years to the same woman is wonderful) and the SIZE makes it easy for him to handle.
He had such a problem holding onto my smaller knives, trying to manipulate blades (impossible!) and using nail nicks I finally just asked him what he wanted. He wanted something he could easily hold onto (check), large enough he could use both hands easily since one is partially paralyzed (check!), one that was easy to operate (check!), one he wouldn't be likely to lose (check!) and something manly enough to make him feel good again. That LB7 hit the mark in spades. It was a really clean knife, and I am not sure with his eyes that after a cleanup and buff he didn't think it was new.
He LOVED the "Made in USA" stamp. He was delighted at its manly size, too.
Even the light lock isn't bad for him as he rarely closes it; he knows he could if he wanted to, and that is enough. It sits on the table next to his recliner so he can open mail, medicine and packages. I know it is like killing an ant with a sledgehammer, but he likes everything about that big, heavy knife.
So if I was in your shoes skippz, I would ask what he wanted, what he felt was important and then go shopping for him. Let him handle a few of your easier to open knives and that will let you know what kind of pull will work for him. Smaller knives, even up to my large stockman were just too small for my Dad's shaky hands to handle. He likes the fact that unless he drops that big Schrade, he won't get cut as it won't snap shut on his fingers. Personally, I wouldn't have picked that knife for him in a million years.
Buying my Dad a knife at this stage of his life (that he liked!) was a really special thing for both of us. So much so I am probably going to give him my NIB Queen gunstock for Father's day. The fit and finish is nearly perfect, but the kicker is that on a 1 - 10 range of blade pull, this one probably is about 2 1/2. I have never felt a smoother opening folder, but in truth it is too light for me. I like a healthy snap, and this doesn't have it. But it should be perfect for him. The master's top of the clip on the spine even sticks out a long way from the case so he can grab it easily without worrying about the nail nick.
Enjoy your grandfather while you have him. And while this could sound wrong if you took it that way, think of the wonderful memory of that knife you will have if you get it back, knowing he liked it and carried it. You will keep it forever.
Best of luck!
Robert
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