Okapi knives

I've been trying to open mine one-handed for weeks now, with no observable improvement. :p
I'd be very interested to get an in-person demonstration on how it's done... Guess I'll have to find an old Jamaican rude boy and ask. ;)
 
I made some progress today. I opened it fully twice and about half way a number of times. Has to do with the wrist. I've been holding it with a reverse grip, as the guys here in Cape Town do, and quickly twisting my wrist in order to turn the knife in a clockwise direction (bear in mind that I'm right handed). The turning of the knife flicks the blade open, with the edge facing away from my body. I'm sure there are other ways to do this too but at least I've made a start.
 
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Aha! You're doing it blade-down, or "ice pick grip," while I was trying to do it the other way 'round. Have to try that way after work (for some reason I didn't bring mine today).
 
I've tried mine numerous ways.. even following instruction on youtube clips.. The rachet on mine is SUPER tight, even if I manually get the blade 1/2 way out or 3/4 out it still won't snap, and I can easily do this with a lock blade, my Mercator too. For practical reasons I'm glad it's super tight, but it would be cool to snap it open.
 
Bought my Okapi in Hargeisa 1958 and it's still in use great value at about 12p.Stays sharp cherry hadle still perfect only
the chrome finish has worn from the mechanism .
 
I got this for my sister a while back . It was in a terrible state but cleaned up well. She had one exactly the same in the 70s when she was a GG.
It actually says "made in germany" as well..
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I found mine on the bay. I've seen them at my local flea market before (just never bought; maybe next time).

These are really interesting knives and there are a lot of different styles...definitely will keep my eye out for others. Picked this one up recently:

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Wish I had a better camera, the color of the grain is really interesting on this side.
 
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