Most useful innovation on folders?

UffDa

UffDa

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In a previous post it was asked, "What does your folder gotta have?" It got me thinking about the innovations to knives in the last 10 to 15 years. Personally, I think the pocket clip is the most useful thing to be added to folding knives.

The blade lock is important, but it has been around for most of the last century in one form or another. All the new blade steels are great, but there is nothing wrong with the steel used in Case, Puma, Henkels, etc.
The pocket clip keeps the knife in a position for easy access. You don't have to fish around in your pocket for it. (Of course, for some guys that may the best part of their sex life.
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) I have also noticed that the knife doesn't seem to collect a lot of lint and other junk.

I vote for the pocket clip.
 
Well, I’m going to disagree with you about the clip, I hate the darned things. But I will nominate another innovation popularized by Mr. Sal Glesser and Spyderco Knives; the one handed opening blade.

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James Segura
San Francisco, CA
 
To my surprise, I've been moving away from pocket clips lately. It isn't the best way to carry some knives and you can always get a pocket clip sheath made to do the same job or buy one from Allen Elishewitz if the size is right. Anyway, it's a useful innovation, but I don't think it's the most significant one.
I was tempted to say the locking mechanisms are no. 1, but I still have my qualms about liner locks, which seem to predominate, and there are so many different kinds of locks being used that it's hard to choose one or think that we've got a fully evolved idea yet. Besides, does the lock really change how you use the knife that much? Maybe backslashes become possible but we're not all fighters and not all fighters backslash.
On balance, it's a really simple thing that takes first place: the thumb stud or hole for one hand opening. It gets around the legal restrictions on auto and gravity opening but still gives one hand use and convenience for both utility and tactical. It beats the hell out of the nail groove.
That's my $Can.02.
 
I agree... one-handed opening... especially the Spyderco hole.

AJ
 
I was away from knives, knife collecting (although not knife using) for about 15 years. I was absolutely enthralled by the two major (to me) innovations of the pocket clip and one hand opening. But, choosing between the two:

One handed opening - especially Spyderco's hole. For me much more solid, sure feel than the average thumb stud.

Dean

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"All is well. And all will be well - in the garden." Chance the Gardener
 
Not including locks I would have to say one hand opening.

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Dennis Bible
 
Geometric tanto blades!



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Chang and the Rebels of the East!
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Southern Taiwan Will Rise Again!
 
Dang! I didn't even think of one hand opening. My favorite knife that I carry about 95% of the time is a Spyderco Wegner Jr., but I usually open and close it with two hands. I don't know why. Just habit I guess.

OK, I change my vote for one hand opening with the pocket clip as runner-up.

By the way. One hand opening has been around for a long time. When I was a kid we used to carry those large Case single blade folders.
We would open them be gripping the blade point up between our thumb and first finger and flip the knife with our wrist. If we did it right the handle would snap open. If we didn't do it right, the knife would go flying.
 
UffDa,

I grew up with the Cases, too. SodBuster & SodBuster, Jr. I think the innovation Spyderco made was one handed openers that didn't go flying 50% of the time (LOL). Although, if you try you can fling a Spyderco pretty far!

Dean


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"All is well. And all will be well - in the garden." Chance the Gardener
 
One hand opening, but I also think some of the newer materials such as Titanium, G10 and Teflon( for the blade pivot point), make for stronger, lighter and much easier to open knives.
 
I have to go with the one hand opening feature also, the Spyderco hole being my favorite. Pocket clip is in second place.
 
I would like to add that as far as pivot's go Larry Chew's bearing pivot would top the list of innovations,smoothest action in a folder that I seen yet,no blade play in any direction,

Kevin
 
Question for all you one hand voters : I, too, think that is a great innovation, but if you have to dig in your pocket for the knife what is the advantage?

I would have to vote pocket clip over the one hand opener because if it is a smooth, well made folder, you should be able to "gravity open" it by some method.

Either way, you have to admit Spyderco as being one heck of an innovative company: Sharpmaker, clip, hole, serrations (useful), polymer handle.........................

Good job, guys.

-Bart
 
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