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ken onion's speed-safe mechanism?
- Thread starter shawn
- Start date
- Joined
- Jul 2, 1999
- Messages
- 1,347
Shawn,
I absolutely love these knives. Everything about them is great.
They had alot of problems with them in the begining but I think that is all worked out now. If you do get one, just make sure it is not an older model before you buy it. Not only is it a great utility knife, but it is also a ton of fun to play with
My opinion is that the speed safe's are very under rated and I highly recommend them.
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Louis Buccellato
http://www.themartialway.com
Knives, Weapons and equipment. Best prices anywhere.
-------------
"only the paranoid will survive"
I absolutely love these knives. Everything about them is great.
They had alot of problems with them in the begining but I think that is all worked out now. If you do get one, just make sure it is not an older model before you buy it. Not only is it a great utility knife, but it is also a ton of fun to play with
------------------
Louis Buccellato
http://www.themartialway.com
Knives, Weapons and equipment. Best prices anywhere.
-------------
"only the paranoid will survive"
- Joined
- Nov 12, 1999
- Messages
- 56
Hello Shawn,
I bought a Mini Task, and it turned out to be so bad that I sent it back and purchased a different brand. It was extremely hard to get the blade to start moving out of it's closed position. To add to that, the thumbstud was so rough that after two or three attempts to open the knife, my thumb was raw. In order to get the knife open, I finally had to hook my thumbnail under the thumbstud and then pop it open. This was most definitely the hardest knife to open that I've ever used.
I have since heard about some initial problems with the production of this mechanism, so maybe the one I got was one of those knives. I will say that the cosmetic appearance was great, and the knife was surprisingly sharp for something right out the box. I was greatly disappointed in that the knife didn't work as advertised, and that I had to send it back.
hth,
Phil Reedy
I bought a Mini Task, and it turned out to be so bad that I sent it back and purchased a different brand. It was extremely hard to get the blade to start moving out of it's closed position. To add to that, the thumbstud was so rough that after two or three attempts to open the knife, my thumb was raw. In order to get the knife open, I finally had to hook my thumbnail under the thumbstud and then pop it open. This was most definitely the hardest knife to open that I've ever used.
I have since heard about some initial problems with the production of this mechanism, so maybe the one I got was one of those knives. I will say that the cosmetic appearance was great, and the knife was surprisingly sharp for something right out the box. I was greatly disappointed in that the knife didn't work as advertised, and that I had to send it back.
hth,
Phil Reedy
- Joined
- Jul 17, 1999
- Messages
- 795
I have both a Random Task and a Mini Task, and they are both jewels.I recommend the current versions without reservation.
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AKTI Member #A000934
"The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws."-TACITUS (55?-130?)
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AKTI Member #A000934
"The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws."-TACITUS (55?-130?)
- Joined
- Jul 20, 1999
- Messages
- 574
I purchased a Whirlwind from a fellow here on BladeForums and love the knife. Razor sharp out of the box and easy to keep sharp. Opens very easily and with authority! I carry it everywhere except when I flew to another state. I figured some airport security guard would cut him/herself trying to open it incorrectly..
- Joined
- Aug 4, 1999
- Messages
- 2,596
I also have a Ricochet! I love it. It has one of the best factory ground blades I have ever seen. The CPM440V is great material. The entire knife is finished flawlessly.
I had to take mine apart to see how it worked! VERY INTERESTING! While I had it apart I gave the liners a quick polish and anodized them green!
The knife functions perfectly(even after I took it apart
), snaps open with no blade play. The next thing I would like to do is add a Ti. Clip to match the liners. The Ricochet is one hell of a knife for the money!
I'm not very familiar with the Kershaw line, I know the Random Task is larger. Is there a bigger version of the Ricochet??
Neil
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New Hawkbill Pics!
http://www.geocities.com/Eureka/Meeting/5520/index.html
I had to take mine apart to see how it worked! VERY INTERESTING! While I had it apart I gave the liners a quick polish and anodized them green!
The knife functions perfectly(even after I took it apart
I'm not very familiar with the Kershaw line, I know the Random Task is larger. Is there a bigger version of the Ricochet??
Neil
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New Hawkbill Pics!
http://www.geocities.com/Eureka/Meeting/5520/index.html
another vote for the Random Task. i did a lot of homework on these knives; even had Ken Onion answering some of my questions about them. i love the Random Task that i bought. definitely try to go with a newer one if you can. this has become my favorite daily folder; when i'm not wearing a Lagriffe or Fang and have jeans or dockers on, the RT is right there with me. and damn, is the action smooth and fast!! you can't describe it; you just have to try it...go ahead, you know you wanna....
- Joined
- Nov 15, 1998
- Messages
- 3,126
Neil,
Only one size Ricochet and it is the same knife as the Random Task except different blade shape.
I have owned both and sold them both for the same reason Phil mentioned, they are just too hard to get started moving, and yes I had the newer version. Although I love CPM440V steel, I feel the ramps to hold the blade shut is too steep on those models. The Whirlwind is much easier to get moving and would be my choice of the Speedsafe models even with the cheaper steel in the blade. I have asked Ken Onion to confirm my suspicions here on the forum that they redesigned the ramps on the Whirlwind to be easier to open but he has not replied.
Only one size Ricochet and it is the same knife as the Random Task except different blade shape.
I have owned both and sold them both for the same reason Phil mentioned, they are just too hard to get started moving, and yes I had the newer version. Although I love CPM440V steel, I feel the ramps to hold the blade shut is too steep on those models. The Whirlwind is much easier to get moving and would be my choice of the Speedsafe models even with the cheaper steel in the blade. I have asked Ken Onion to confirm my suspicions here on the forum that they redesigned the ramps on the Whirlwind to be easier to open but he has not replied.
phillp I understand you partially. Mini Tasks thumbstud is almost sharp. I now have a hardened spot in my thumb but I really like it. The tilted stud is marvellous for speed-safe knife and is definitely better than in my Random T's normal thumbstud.
For me the fact that speed safe needs a reasonable push to open is only a good thing. If it would open easier I wouldn't dare to carry them in my pocket. As a spall knife Mini T could open quite a lot in a pocket, if accidentally opened, and that point would do some nasty damage. Speed-safe is a real safety feature.
I have only handled mini and random T (whirlwind has got even higher thanks) and even my nonknife friends like them(no problem with following the blade with thumb)
I feared that 440V would be bear to sharpen. It wasn't. Compared to Benchmades ATS34 it was easy and three times faster to lower the edge angle.
Because of Tasks I'll be buying the coming Ken Onion Boas too.
For me the fact that speed safe needs a reasonable push to open is only a good thing. If it would open easier I wouldn't dare to carry them in my pocket. As a spall knife Mini T could open quite a lot in a pocket, if accidentally opened, and that point would do some nasty damage. Speed-safe is a real safety feature.
I have only handled mini and random T (whirlwind has got even higher thanks) and even my nonknife friends like them(no problem with following the blade with thumb)
I feared that 440V would be bear to sharpen. It wasn't. Compared to Benchmades ATS34 it was easy and three times faster to lower the edge angle.
Because of Tasks I'll be buying the coming Ken Onion Boas too.
- Joined
- Nov 6, 1999
- Messages
- 2,639
I have a mini task from Kershaw. I love that little knife. I too had some trouble with the roughness of the thumb stud and initial resistance to opening. Then I read that Ken Onion recommended opening Speed Safe knives by thumb pressure IN LINE with the handle. Not swung around in an arc like a normal liner-lock. It Works! Much easier to open and with less risk of running your thumb into the blade. I read this happened to some people. I've never been bitten by this knife. Try opening speed safe knives with an in line downward push instead of the normal arcing motion.
paracelsus, I just tried what you said but vice versa : tried to open it(random t) as ordinary folders are opened (not by me I flip normal folder open with my thumb as speed safes) - really difficult.
Seems that I have opened it correctly from the start. The tilted thumbstud in Mini T gives a clue to the right opening method IMO.
corrected some spelling errors
[This message has been edited by Tommi (edited 01-04-2000).]
Seems that I have opened it correctly from the start. The tilted thumbstud in Mini T gives a clue to the right opening method IMO.
corrected some spelling errors
[This message has been edited by Tommi (edited 01-04-2000).]
- Joined
- Aug 8, 1999
- Messages
- 5,094
Get a Whirlwind or Blackout, they are the most consistently trouble free models.
- Joined
- Aug 4, 1999
- Messages
- 2,596
No, I didn't take any pictures! I was surpised to see how the mechanism worked inside
I have been taking things apart all my life! Started with my dads skillsaw when I was about 8, he had to put it back together
I take all my factory folders apart and give them a general smoothing over and deburring, this usually makes them work a little better than stock. My Ricochet was a little hard to get started also until I gave it the "once over"!
I got into this habbit with guns. A good friend of my dads was a gunsmith. I would watch him take a brand new Colt 45 and go over every part including the frame and slide deburring, smoothing and polishing. The results were amazing from just several hours worth of work.
As long as I have my blue, green and red Loctite, to replace on the screws, I will take every knife apart!
I hope Jim O'Young doesn't read this. OK, I wont touch the SpeedTech when it arrives!
Neil
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New Hawkbill Pics!
http://www.geocities.com/Eureka/Meeting/5520/index.html
I have been taking things apart all my life! Started with my dads skillsaw when I was about 8, he had to put it back together
I take all my factory folders apart and give them a general smoothing over and deburring, this usually makes them work a little better than stock. My Ricochet was a little hard to get started also until I gave it the "once over"!
I got into this habbit with guns. A good friend of my dads was a gunsmith. I would watch him take a brand new Colt 45 and go over every part including the frame and slide deburring, smoothing and polishing. The results were amazing from just several hours worth of work.
As long as I have my blue, green and red Loctite, to replace on the screws, I will take every knife apart!
I hope Jim O'Young doesn't read this. OK, I wont touch the SpeedTech when it arrives!
Neil
------------------
New Hawkbill Pics!
http://www.geocities.com/Eureka/Meeting/5520/index.html
I agree, Anthony...and I will go further to
suggest the Blackout. It doesn't have those
funky lookin holes in the blade, has great
ergonomics, very light-weight, and just the
right size for everyday pocket carry. My
Blackout and whirlwind both came razor sharp
right from the box (wish my BM's did).
suggest the Blackout. It doesn't have those
funky lookin holes in the blade, has great
ergonomics, very light-weight, and just the
right size for everyday pocket carry. My
Blackout and whirlwind both came razor sharp
right from the box (wish my BM's did).
- Joined
- Dec 1, 1999
- Messages
- 452
Wow!! This place is awesome. I was just reading the March 2000 issue of Tactical Knives. Chuck Karwan has an article on "almost automatics." The Ken Onion design really caught my eye. I was going to do a search on it but decided to scroll down the current topics just in case. Lo and behold, this was only 5 places down. Once again, this place is awesome! I looked over the different models and decided the Ricochet fits the bill for me. I think it would do fine as a defensive piece, but also pull double duty as a backup hunting/skinning knife. Nifrand, be sure to let us know how it works for you and your lucky friends. Any chance I can make your Christmas list next year?
Does anyone know of any plans to make one with a longer blade?
Take care, (AND a big knife)
Jim
Take care, (AND a big knife)
Jim
- Joined
- Jul 2, 1999
- Messages
- 1,347
A note to all potential speed-safe buyers:
I have let LOTS of people play with a few speed-safe's and have noticed that any problems they experienced with opening the knife were ALL due to improper opening method. If you have a good current model, there is nothing difficult about opening these knives. I have never seen a knife open so easily and smoothly. I even like it's action better than my BM auto. Also, once you have the technique down(No dissrespect to ayone, but I don't see how you can do it improperly.) it is impossible to cut yourself while opening. I have heard so many stories of people getting "bit". I purposely tried to cut myself and it just can't happen if you open it right. I think the best piece of advice against getting "bit" is; your thumb should never leave the handle.
Here is a walkthrough, follow this and you will have flawless opening every time:
When your thumb is on the stud it should be bent so your thumb knuckle is pointing up. It should not be resting flat on the stud. Contact should be made with front part of the thumb, just bellow the finger nail, not with the large flat portion. Now simply slide your thumb forward as to straighten it out so it is now lying flat. once the blade snaps open
The ball of your thumb(underside of knuckle) should be making firm contact on the handle and the tip of your thumb should be arched upward. Make sure you never change hand position, the ONLY movement should from sliding your first thumb digit forward. After practicing this method about ONCE, you should be a pro. Good luck.
------------------
Louis Buccellato
http://www.themartialway.com
Knives, Weapons and equipment. Best prices anywhere.
-------------
"only the paranoid will survive"
I have let LOTS of people play with a few speed-safe's and have noticed that any problems they experienced with opening the knife were ALL due to improper opening method. If you have a good current model, there is nothing difficult about opening these knives. I have never seen a knife open so easily and smoothly. I even like it's action better than my BM auto. Also, once you have the technique down(No dissrespect to ayone, but I don't see how you can do it improperly.) it is impossible to cut yourself while opening. I have heard so many stories of people getting "bit". I purposely tried to cut myself and it just can't happen if you open it right. I think the best piece of advice against getting "bit" is; your thumb should never leave the handle.
Here is a walkthrough, follow this and you will have flawless opening every time:
When your thumb is on the stud it should be bent so your thumb knuckle is pointing up. It should not be resting flat on the stud. Contact should be made with front part of the thumb, just bellow the finger nail, not with the large flat portion. Now simply slide your thumb forward as to straighten it out so it is now lying flat. once the blade snaps open
The ball of your thumb(underside of knuckle) should be making firm contact on the handle and the tip of your thumb should be arched upward. Make sure you never change hand position, the ONLY movement should from sliding your first thumb digit forward. After practicing this method about ONCE, you should be a pro. Good luck.
------------------
Louis Buccellato
http://www.themartialway.com
Knives, Weapons and equipment. Best prices anywhere.
-------------
"only the paranoid will survive"