Lock friction and flickibility?

T

Trailer_Ape

Joined
Jun 22, 2017
Messages
271
I am looking at a Para 3 and a Dragon Fly 2. I have played around with a Para 3, that I just bought for a close friend, but have never handled a DF2.

What I am trying to figure out is - will the fact that the DF2 is a lock back create more friction on the action and make it more difficult to flick open? I would already be giving up some "fidget factor", in regards to closing, but was concerned that it (the lock back) might also mean it takes more to thumb fick it open. It is for a child so requiring more wrist to open would make it less appealing. I know my AD10 takes more to open but that is a Triad so I was hoping the Spyderco lock back would not be as bad.

Thanks
 
Yes, it almost certainly will. I don't own a DF2, but I own other Spydie lockbacks around that size (Ladybug is a bit smaller, Delica/Salt 2 is a bit larger, etc.). The only Spydie lockback I own that flicks open easily is my Pacific Salt, which has a fairly large blade.

In my experience, the flickability and fidget factor of a compression lock > lockback by a pretty wide margin.
 
I have found size to be key in how a knife can be flicked open

For me the bigger the knife the easier it is to get it to flick open.
 
None of the Spyderco/Byrd back-locks (13) that I own are "fidget friendly".
I stopped wrist flicking my Spyderco backlocks a long time ago.
At the time quite a few Youtubers were agreeing that the repeated tang to back-lock "hammering" (flicking) was not good for the back-lock, and could eventually result in up and down blade play.
I don't know if it is true, but felt like it wasn't worth taking a chance.
 
Last edited:
Lockbacks tend to get gritty. They're harder to keep clean and smooth, my experience. You also will lose that fidget factor. Pure utilitarian. The knife looks great though!
 
My DF2 is a slow roller, but still fun to fidget with.
You get good at rolling the blade out and one hand closing.
Of course the only correct answer is to eventually buy them both.
 
mwhich50 said:
None of the Spyderco/Byrd back-locks (13) that I own are "fidget friendly".
I stopped wrist flicking my Spyderco backlocks a long time ago.
At the time quite a few Youtubers were agreeing that the repeated tang to back-lock "hammering" (flicking) was not good for the back-lock, and could eventually result in up and down blade play.
I don't know if it is true, but felt like it wasn't worth taking a chance.
Click to expand...

I do not doubt that. My BM 710 McHenry and Williams was gifted to me, when they came out (1999 I believe). That knife has about 16yr of pocket time AND considerable edge to spine blade play.


JohnDF said:
My DF2 is a slow roller, but still fun to fidget with.
You get good at rolling the blade out and one hand closing.
Of course the only correct answer is to eventually buy them both.
Click to expand...

I could use that as justification - I had my daughter playing with the Para 3, that is being shipped to a friend (as a "thank you") and she tended to "roll" the blade out. On the other hand, it also means it will take even longer for her to learn to snap that thumb. As for getting both, yea that is what I decided between the Yojumbo and either the Manix 2 XL or PM2 (for myself). Already have the Yojumbo (awesome knife btw) and will get one of the others soon.

My logic was - buying a little pink DF2 makes so much more sense that buying a black handled Para 3 AND then buying some pink micarta scales (significant price difference once it is complete) buuuut, it will take her longer to outgrow the Para 3 and will probably get her to play with it more (which I believe builds familiarity).

Thanks, guys, for confirming my suspicions. Was hoping you wouldn't, hoping y'all would be like "nah man that Dragon fly is super quick to open, I think that is why they call it that". It is what it is, tho, credit card time. A guy (who was employed) once told me "It's only money, they're giving me more next week anyway" :D
 
My delica can be middle-fingered without wrist motion, keep your finger in the hole a little longer (hmm that sounds all kinds of wrong) to build up momentum, like swinging a fishing pole.

The compression locks are "flicks" and gives that satisfying snap when closed.

I have a pacific salt 2 that must be rolled open, that friction is way to much for my middle finger, time to do some middle finger pushups.
 
Trailer_Ape said:
It is for a child so requiring more wrist to open would make it less appealing
Click to expand...

Maybe I'm just weird but if I was buying a knife for a child I certainly wouldn't be teaching them how to wrist flick a knife open. I'd actually prefer them to roll the blade out slowly like they'd likely have to do with the Dragonfly. I also think the Dragonfly is a more appropriate size for a child.
 
Sharp Guy said:
Maybe I'm just weird but if I was buying a knife for a child
Click to expand...
You're not weird, I was thinking the same thing... but it aint my kid.
I'd also add that I'd buy the best knife for the situation and not purchase one based on its "flick-ability"... at least not for a kid just starting out.
 
Someone posted something about knife for kids a few weeks ago and I mentioned how when I started out I closed a lockback on my finger :p

I endorse locks that keep your fingers out of the guillotine!
 
Dergyll said:
Someone posted something about knife for kids a few weeks ago and I mentioned how when I started out I closed a lockback on my finger :p

I endorse locks that keep your fingers out of the guillotine!
Click to expand...

I sliced my thumb open on my dad's victorinox when I was a kid. I didn't know any better. Teach safe handling practices no matter the knife. Open and close with 2 hands if necessary. Man did my thumb bleed... Lol
 
My question, would be.. How old is the child? What skill level? Much time spent handling a knife?

At 8, my daughter had a purple Ladybug.. at 11, a purple Dragonfly 2.. for her 12th bday, I just gave her a Maxamet Para 3, factory 2nd with purple scales..

I already have the Purple PM2 and purple Manix scales, set aside for her..

My son(15) got his first spyderco at 8 and moved up as well.. His first was a ZDP Delica with Boomer52 lizard/dragon scales.(I put it somewhere safe, which it is still safely unknown, where it is) He has an Ikuchi, Maxamet Para 3(2nd), DLC Cruwear with Boomer52 Lil Para Delica scales.

My nephew, almost 17, just got his first knife. Foliage Green g10 DF2! For Christmas, by me..
Makes for an unhappy sister! Lol

So it's all in skill level.

My late grandfather started me at 8 and I learned from bloody experience, how Not to go about using a knife!
 
I have a Delica 4 that I bought new a couple of years ago. It seems to be getting harder to open instead of getting smoother. I took it apart today, cleaned, looked for broken pieces etc. Re oiled it lightly, and reassembled and it's still just as tight as it was. There is no blade side to side motion and the blade is centered. I have tried adjusting the blade pivot pin and the adjacent one, nothing I have tried yet helps. Any ideas, suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Have a blessed day,

Leon
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top