Recommendation? Looking for pocket knife for a someone with RA

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TrueBlade1

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Mar 22, 2014
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Hi, it's been a while since I have been here.
A friend of mine has RA in her hands and is looking for a knife that she can open and close easily. I thought of slip joint knives, but she can't pull the nail nick, and also I think she would like a modern folder. Any suggestions?
Thanks
 
If a slipjoint is what you’d prefer to get her, Spyderco’s Urban could be perfect. Instead of a nail nick is has the Spydie hole which is a lot easier to pull open with two hands or with one. It’s a bit more modern than most other slipjoints in function and looks.

As for a locking modern folder.. I don’t know if an Axis Lock would be easier to disengage or a Compression Lock, both require some coordination, but if you check both out there’s an abundance of knives that utilize each and you could ask which would be easier for her(unless it’s a suprise).
 
I’m buying a Spydreco UKPen Knife for my father for similar reasons. Due to age and arthritis,he has difficulty with locking mechanisms. Two handed opening with the Spydie Hole should be easier than a nail nick traditional.

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TrueBlade1 said:
Hi, it's been a while since I have been here.
A friend of mine has RA in her hands and is looking for a knife that she can open and close easily. I thought of slip joint knives, but she can't pull the nail nick, and also I think she would like a modern folder. Any suggestions?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Spyderco Roadie
 
If looking for a modern folder, id go AXIS over compression.
The compression really only has one comfortable way to close it, while the axis allows multiple ways. Better to have more options since her strength and dexterity are limited.
 
An axis lock, with a button lock as a second choice. You will also want to make sure the handles are large enough to be comfortable. Arthritic hands and small handles don't always get along well.
 
An automatic might be a good choice too! The recent Gerber one looks good; better specs than we're used to from them.
 
I don't know about the auto...my first thought was abot managing the kick when it opened; but, depending on the degree of debility, the button could be difficult to press, as well. Having had issues with my hands in the not too distant past, opening and unlocking knives can be frustrating and/or painful. I actually had more difficulty with modern folders than traditionals; but I also chose to use a fixed blade more often than I normally would.
 
hhmoore said:
I don't know about the auto...my first thought was abot managing the kick when it opened; but, depending on the degree of debility, the button could be difficult to press, as well. Having had issues with my hands in the not too distant past, opening and unlocking knives can be frustrating and/or painful. I actually had more difficulty with modern folders than traditionals; but I also chose to use a fixed blade more often than I normally would.
Click to expand...

Overcoming the spring tension while closing may be troublesome too. Same goes for assisted openers.
 
TrueBlade1 said:
Hi, it's been a while since I have been here.
A friend of mine has RA in her hands and is looking for a knife that she can open and close easily. I thought of slip joint knives, but she can't pull the nail nick, and also I think she would like a modern folder. Any suggestions?
Thanks
Click to expand...
You should take her every knife you have and see which ones she can open.
 
I have hand disability with extremely limited pinch ability and strength and the axis lock is impossible for me to use at all. I find a frame or even liner lock worlds easier. Your hand is already holding the knife in that position. A back lock might be easier to use with a two handed operation. To be frank I've learnt the hard way was D Danke42 said above. Everyone has their own specific limitations, usually you can't know whether it will work in the real world until you try.
 
Smaug said:
An automatic might be a good choice too! The recent Gerber one looks good; better specs than we're used to from them.
Click to expand...

No. The jolt of an auto would hurt someone's hand that has RA. Nothing assisted either.

An Axis lock would be my first suggestion, something like the button lock on the Freeman folder depending on the persons level of RA and ability to push a button would be my second choice.
 
halflife78 said:
No. The jolt of an auto would hurt someone's hand that has RA. Nothing assisted either.

An Axis lock would be my first suggestion, something like the button lock on the Freeman folder depending on the persons level of RA and ability to push a button would be my second choice.
Click to expand...
I disagree. My ex wife has RA, and it would not have been a problem for her.
 
Danke42 said:
You should take her every knife you have and see which ones she can open.
Click to expand...

^^ For the win. ^^

I will only add that a guy I knew on another knife forum was a huge slip joint collector. RA took away his ability to manage the slip joints. He moved to an Opinel that was modified to have an easy-open indent to allow for easier pinching of the blade. This combined with the lack of spring on the blade made this a knife he could use without issue. Not a modern as requested but thought I'd toss that out.
 
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