One hand opening/flickability quotient?

M

MHall52

Joined
Oct 18, 2008
Messages
92
Since I don't know how to explain this exactly let me at least try.
I have three CRKT folders. One of the things I like so much about them is how easy it is, with just a flick of the wrist to fling the blade open. In fact it is so easy and so fast that one ignorant person claimed I had a full auto switchblade.
Now, here is the question. I am thinking what are some other choices in a 3.5 - 4 inch heavy blade knife which I can open the same way? I was wondering if the Buck Strider would be the same. I tried a Spydie but couldn't get it to open that way.
Any suggestions on other heavy duty blade knives, which can be had for not more than a $100.00 tops? Same dimension blades I mean, and can be found in anything other than Tanto points?
 
The Benchmade 710 will do that that very well with the right pivot adjustment and with the Axis Lock you could even better that by disengaging the Axis Lock and flicking your wrist to open it lightning fast. Not that you want to do that all the time but it's sure doable.

My 710's open fully with a slight nudge with my thumb with no wrist whip and they can be had for under $105.

A step further in size is the Benchmade Skirmish. That knife also fully deploys with a slight nudge of the thumb and no wrist whip is reguired at all but this is going to cost you $160 and up.
 
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Which 3 CRKT knives are you talking about?

I own a couple of CRKT Assisted Openers that open lightening fast and I own some CRKT knives w/ carson flippers that I can open fast
 
anything with an AXIS lock will open mighty fast Nutnfancy has a video on youtube where he talks about how fast the deploy on the BM 940 is and from what ive seen its one of the fastest manual knives out there, also if your into assisted the Kershaw leek goes above and beyond for speed and ease of open. the CRKT m16 series has a damn fast flipper but by the sounds of it you already might have one of those. from my short experience with a buck strider it had a relatively good ease of open but it took some unexpected extra tension. also ive seen guys open several Spyderco models pretty damn quick with some combined slight thumb pressure and a slight flick of the wrist.

LEEK

Spyderco police

BM 940

CRKT m16
 
I would be able to deploy my Benchmade 740 Dejavoo pretty easily. After doing it long enough though, I'd have to retighten the pivot screw every month or so.
 
Axis locks are great for flipping open. Just adjust the pivot until it's as loose as you can get it with no side-to-side blade play, pull back on the axis bar, and flick!

Some large axis locks would be:

BM 710, a classic
BM 610/615, rukus/mini-rukus. The rukus is huge (for a folder at least) and even the "mini"-rukus is still fairly large.
 
you can flick most knives open quickly if you hold it by the blade and flick the handle down into your hand. This is especially easy with spydercos and other knives with an opening hole.
 
jetsrb32 said:
Which 3 CRKT knives are you talking about?

I own a couple of CRKT Assisted Openers that open lightening fast and I own some CRKT knives w/ carson flippers that I can open fast
Click to expand...

One is Crawford Kasper, and the others are the M16 series
 
The Buck Strider is harder to flick open with your thumb, but if you give it a good flick holding the scales, it opens right up on its own.
 
Practice makes perfect. IMO Brand loyalty is ridiculous. Keeping my money at home is practical. Benchmade (Blue or Black class) Most Kershaws (I don't like many or the designs, especially the blade shapes.), and a few Spydercos & Bucks. The affordable US made options are ever narrowing, and the less we support them, the less there will be... affordable, that is.

Of course you realize that any knife that fits your description COULD be considered a "Gravity" knife. If a cop sees you open a knife with the flick of the wrist, you could get into serious trouble. In Colorado, Gravity knife says "can be opened with centrifugal force." If you use that method, you may have just bought a ticket to jail. The swinging motion of the wrist, usually part of "flicking" is considered "centrifugal force." Don't draw attention to yourself, or use the method in public, and it should not be a problem.

Again... practice makes perfect. Almost any (non slipjoint) knife is capable of flicking open...even backlock spydies. If that's really what you want, I would recommend a Benchmade "axis" folder. Honestly, I say buy whatever appeals to you, and learn to use it. Do us all a favor, and try to buy a USA made knife. The Kershaw Blur is also a GREAT bang for the buck! My #1 recommendation (sub $100) would be a Benchmade Griptilian.
 
Some of the CRKT's have teflon-coated blades and I think these tend to be smooth-openers. I have an old M-16 03Z with an uncoated blade and it does not open very smoothly, so I think it's the teflon coating that makes all the difference with these knives.

Anything IKBS (Ioma-Korth Bearing System) is just the ticket for what you describe. While there is nothing available for $100, I think it's just a matter of time before production makers offer a knife with a bearing system. These things always start with small custom makers and eventually are copied by the big companies.
 
Kershaw for the assistedness, Benchmade for the axis.
I, however, own many more Kershaw's than Benchmades.
 
Kershaw all the way.

Groove or Junkyard Dawg II (preferably composite blade) if you want a manual flipper.

Cyclone/Blue/many more if you're looking for AO.
 
My Strider SNG's flick open with a very solid and loud click. With practice its second nature when pulling the knife from my pocket.
 
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