How do you open your folder?

B

Bob Irons

Joined
Oct 14, 1998
Messages
1,573
I just purchased my first SOCOM M/A and have been playing with it a bit. I thought a few months ago when I decided to buy the SOCOM I would just use the thumb stud to open it. Now that I have opened it a few hundred times, I find I will be using at least 2 different methods. For normal utility use, I will use the thumb stud. When in the presence of other people, I will normally use the thumb stud. When I want to open it in a hurry, I will be using a wrist flick. It's extremely fast and can be done in one pull and flick motion. It's scary fast. I love it!
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Ok, call me a newby flicker. I haven't been able to reliably wrist flick any of my other folders. The SOCOM apparently fits into this category quite well. It's almost like a tuning fork when it goes thunk upon being flicked open.

I find I normally prefer the hole to the thumb stud now that I have owned and used both for several years. However, neither is needed when you flick.

So, the follow-on questions are:

Do you use the flick? Do you use it for more than just the occassional emergency opening? Is there a consensus on the use of the flick? I don't suppose a hard flick is particularly good on the lock, but I can't imagine the few I do having any appreciable affect on the SOCOM lock (I suppose time will tell).

Also, which other folders will flick as well as the SOCOM? Is the flick hard on their locks? I know this can of worms has been opened before, but it's got to be a topic near and dear to many of you.
 
I wrist snap most of my knives in private, and only do so in public if there's a need (rare).

Besides being faster (and harder on the stop pin), the snap/flick lets me open and use the knife without having to shift my grip ... sometimes that's quite useful.

My 710 Axis lock flicks open the smoothest. Also found out that it can be made to "catch" on the front of my jeans pocket during a draw (ala the Wave). My BM 330 is the hardest, tho that may just take some practice (it's a small blade) and some WD-40.

I think it's been mentioned already that the new Combat Knives issue has a big article on knife openings, including several variations on the wrist snap. His (Janich) standard inertia opening differs from one that I use (copied from another BF member).
 
I open my folders with my hands. "Sorry" couldn't resist.I do flick on occasion and also use the thumb stud,disc or hole.All depends who I am with and where I am at the moment.
Bob
 
I flick all my folders that will open that way. My best sounding Flicker is the Spyderco Civilian. I keep one mint and the one I fick all the time is a user. I have also replaced pins in it!! I also flick my Stryker and AFCK. The Stryker will be the next one for new pins and a detent ball. I think that Flicking folders is like riding old Harleys.... The time you spend riding them equals the time working on them! But it's all fun!
NEIL

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Yep. Flick in private, or amongst close friends; thumb stud amongst casual acquaintances or strangers.

Then, of course, there's those guys with the Wave.

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It's always Dark. Light only hides the Darkness.

 
Never flick.
The Military I grasp the thumb hole and drop the handle.
The Sebenza, I use the thumb lug.
Call me boring but the only knive(s) I have flicked were an old Gerber bolt action and a few Bali-songs.

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The greatest thought that has ever entered my mind is that one day I will have to stand before a Holy God and give an account of my life.
*Daniel Webster

Rev 20:12

 
LOL - me too (other) Bob.
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My hands come in handy!
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Thanks Neil, I can see that flicking can be bad for the pins.

What about the lock? Is flicking harder on some locks than on others? Will it cause a liner lock to wear out or work its way over to the other side faster? Do I need to use a kinder, gentler flicker OR as Scarman says none at all?

Chuck,

I'll have to use my PC at home to check out your videos. Thanks for posting them.
 
I "drop" my Spydercos and Impulse, and either thumb open (public) or flick the others (private) that will open easily that way.A few are tight enough-not broken in- that they must be thumb opened all the time.

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AKTI Member #A000934
"To grow older is inevitable.To grow UP is optional"


 
I have to admit: I'm a closet flicker. I don't flick amoung the hoi polloi, although I do it in private all the time. I've heard it's bad on any number of knife components, but it's a lot of fun.

[This message has been edited by cerulean (edited 26 October 1999).]
 
Bob,
I just had a thought regarding "flicking" the socom. Being as this knife was designed from the ground up as an auto I believe that flicking would pose no long term harm here. When the button is depressed on the auto version it surely will slam the blade home with equal authority as when you flick it. Therefore I say flick it all you like. I flick my socom regularly and have been for over a year with no problems to speak of. Just my $.02.


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Al


 
Peg or hole in the presence of sheeple. Wrist flick on occassion in private or where I need it in a hurry. (That seldom happens.)
Axis is the smoothest flicking folder in my care, Spydies upper end models are good flickers too. Smooooth...

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The individualist without strategy who takes opponents lightly will inevitably become the captive of others.


 
No I don't flick, I have a BM 710 and with my grip and large hands my thumb is already on the stud and my index finger rests on the release. No change in position to open or close.
 
Hi-my name is Paul, and I'm a flickaholic. It began with my old Gerber Gator-that solid old workhorse flicks open with a gratifying "SNICK!". Now I do it with my CQC7 and Carnivour, the latter being greasy-smooth when you depress the rolling lock slide. I practice the flick when drawing out of pocket. The C7 is the fastest so far (that is one sweet knife)-but I'm still working on the Carnivour. My little Spydie Rookie opens so nicely with the hole that I don't have a need to flick it-it's fast enough. Besides, the bigger blades are always more fun to flick!
 
For fast opening, I'm a big-time convert to "the drop" with "the hole."

In public, I try to open slowly with both hands and palm as much of the knife as possible while using it.

I do flick, but just for fun. Any linerlock should be a great flicker if properly tuned (many other locks, too, but none quite as well). I don't go for speed or "clack," I try to get the knife open with the smallest possible twitch. Really makes folks look twice
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-Drew
 
personally i use the holestud to flick the blade out quickly. it's not quite as fast (but nearly so) and doesn't look as "cool", but it gets it done. as some have mentioned there is the chance that it may leave your hand if you are sweaty, wearing gloves, etc. i'm not concerned about wearing out my knives, but i like to baby them. and you don't have to remember where you are when you open them. just my opinion.
 
Thanks for the link David. Good stuff there!
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Drew,

I've pretty much got the drop with the hole down now thanks to my Spydies and BM Ascent. The drop works well, but the flick also works well. I think it's good to know every practical opening method available for every knife you carry.

 
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