One hand opening slipjoint - Sturdy with a 3.5' or longer blade

Wasty

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Aug 3, 2015
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Hi,

most of my knives are fixed and I like them very much.
However, SAK knives are also my daily EDC. The only downside is the "two hand opening", that is required.

I already have a Spyderco UKPK and like it very much. It's just a tad small, has a fingerchoil, and is not as sturdy as I'd like it to be.
The beautiful Spyderco PITS is also a bit short bladed and shelling out 400 bucks for it - I don't know.
If there was an equivalent of the Endela with a slipjoint, I'd be all over it - but there isn't. I looked into converting a backlock, but that's not something I want to pursue right now.
Are there any one handed sturdy slipjoints you would recommend? I will not give a price bracket, as a good solution may include a custom.
 
If you like SAKs you may consider the Hunter pro wood OHO - not a slipjoint.
 
Hi,

most of my knives are fixed and I like them very much.
However, SAK knives are also my daily EDC. The only downside is the "two hand opening", that is required.

I already have a Spyderco UKPK and like it very much. It's just a tad small, has a fingerchoil, and is not as sturdy as I'd like it to be.
The beautiful Spyderco PITS is also a bit short bladed and shelling out 400 bucks for it - I don't know.
If there was an equivalent of the Endela with a slipjoint, I'd be all over it - but there isn't. I looked into converting a backlock, but that's not something I want to pursue right now.
Are there any one handed sturdy slipjoints you would recommend? I will not give a price bracket, as a good solution may include a custom.
There's a Canadian Pen Knife coming. Bigger than the UK edition.
 
Considering your mentioned a couple Spyderco that you like ...
By Spyderco a few to at least look at - PITS, Roadie, Pingo, HoneyBee, Urban, Kiwi, Bug, UK PenKnife, Squeak, GrassHopper, Spy-DK, Squeak, Balance, and their somewhat recent Friction Folder (like '15-'16). Possibly more ...

I tried the Roadie and Pingo, but wish I had tried the Friction Folder :-/
 
I might look at a friction folder, as opposed to a slipjoint, because then you've got at least a manipulable nub on the end of the knife. Svord Peasant?
 
BRB, going to make an auto slipjoint
I wonder if a non-locking auto would be legal. Lots of people buy for the "cool-factor". If you marketed them in Europe, ierno.

As for the thread... You can open a Higonokami pretty easily with one hand, a normal one is 4"... Beefy blade for what it is. It isn't like thumbstud quick, but it's good, and comes in a variety of steels, from simple SK and Aogami Blue to VG-10 and "Shirogami White" which I assume is a better carbon steel.

Have you considered a Victorinox knife with an opening hole like a Spyderco? Ya could just take out the liner-lock, way easier than filing down a backlock? I
View attachment 1889919
 
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I wonder if a non-locking auto would be legal. Lots of people buy for the "cool-factor". If you marketed them in Europe, ierno.

As for the thread... You can open a Higonokami pretty easily with one hand, a normal one is 4"... Beefy blade for what it is. It isn't like thumbstud quick, but it's good, and comes in a variety of steels, from simple SK and Aogami Blue to VG-10 and "Shirogami White" which I assume is a better carbon steel.

Have you considered a Victorinox knife with an opening hole like a Spyderco? Ya could just take out the liner-lock, way easier than filing down a backlock? I
View attachment 1889919
If you take out the liner lock, what's keeping the blade in the open position and not flopping down on your fingers? Is there a detent which holds it in place?
 
View attachment 1889944
I have a Real Steel Luna slipjoint that has an aggressive enough nail nick that you can open one-handed.

It has a fairly weak backspring with a partial stop. You might have to work it to break it in, but once you do, you can jam the meat of your thumb into the groove and push the blade open.

Because of the partial stop, it can also close one-handed too.

It’s only a 2.75” inch blade though…

There are some double detent slipjoints that might work for you also.
 
Thanks for all the info and ideas :)

I live in Germany and our knife laws are a bit on the stupid side. In the general public one may openly carry a locking folder, that's opens with two hands, or a one hand knife that does not lock.
You may "transport" locking folders that are one handed, but only in a closed and not easy to open box...
Fixed knives are allowed up to 4.72inches, you can carry them legally concealed or open, whatever you prefer.

If you go hiking, you can carry whatever you like, exceptions are balisongs and or daggers or gravity knives (they are defined as weapons and are illegal)

I have "unlocked" a SAK Sentinel (with the thumbhole) by getting rid of the linerlock.
It is a slipjoint, so the blade is held in the open position, albeit with a very weak backspring.
It works, but its not a proper solution.

I also have the Victorinox Hunter Alox and that is a good knife, but also with a backlock.

Regarding Spyderco, I do like my Spydies very much, as I think the thumbhole opening is the bees knees, when it comes to opening a folder.
You use the blade for its full length without snagging on anything. They also have great ergos.
I actually forgot that a Canadian Pen Knife is in the making, that's something to look forward to :) -> Thx for the reminder.

The Kansept Weasel looks good, I may need to look that one up, as well as the other double detent flipper knives...
 
The 3.5" blade requirement really narrows it down. Have you considered an Opinel with clamp-on thumbstuds? The #9 has a 3.51" blade, you can use it as a friction folder 99% of the time, and the collar lock is rather stable if you decide to use it. Might need to modify the handle a bit but not much of a worry on such an inexpensive knife.
 
C Carboniferous : That is the exact issue, I'd really like a fairly big slipjoint, comparable in size and shape to larger modern folders.
Opinel knives are amazing for what they are, cutting like a laser and part of every camping kitchen:)
 
The Buck 110 light is not a slipjoint, but though not designed as a one-handed opener, can be easily opened one-handed by pinching the blade and flicking the handle out with a wrist motion. It is light enough for right front pocket carry. It can be closed one-handed too but not very easily. Not sure if you would be open to something like that or if it is legal.

Dii5eGJ.jpg


For me, the one-handed CLOSING ability of the slipjoint is far more important. It is rare for me to find myself unexpectedly needing to cut something and only having one hand free, but once I have cut something I am left holding the thing I just cut in my left hand, so being able to fold a slipjoint closed against my thigh is a big advantage.
 
You can open this type by catching the end on your pocket. Don’t tell Ernie Emerson.
View attachment 1889659

Look up "one arm pattern knife" for a history of these knives allegedly developed for amputees. Truly a one hand opening slip-joint.





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