One hand slipjoints

Pomsbz

Pomsbz

Joined
Jul 31, 2015
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Rather interested in looking these up, I think I would find it helpful as I mix my love and appreciation for the slipjoint with a gradual loss of dexterity in my fingers due to a nerve condition.

I'm referring to the blades with a semi circular cuttout at the tip for opening the blade one handed using a trouser loop or similar for leverage. I believe they were first designed for people with only one hand.

Is anyone currently making them? Is there anywhere I should be looking and I'd love to see some fine examples that you gentlefolk no doubt have!
 
Indeed there are Pomsbz

GEC makes a couple. The one's I know of are the "one-arm" openers in the 15 and 85 (a bit more rare) pattern.
I don't have any examples myself but there are "GEC one-arm" openers available at some of the sponsored dealers on bladeforums

There are other companies that have made "one-arm" openers but the reason why I recommend you pick up a no.15 one arm is because if I recall correctly...Charlie Campagna went through several designs and iterations before he came upon the proper hook that opened on your pants crisply without any half openings.
 
Todd davison has made them in the past. There aren't many out there. I'm pretty certain he would make you one if you contact him.
 
Case has made Barlows with this type of main blade. Some nice examples out there, not always hard to find.
 
Dave Curtiss makes one and it's very well built and the quality is the best I've seen. Also takes care of his customers 100%
 
Sorry to hear about your loss of dexterity! As has been mentioned, the GEC #15 will probably be the easiest to find and since I own a few, I can personally tell you that they work very well. I usually use my boot heel to open them, but you could use your pants if you wanted.

These were made in a few different configurations; one arm (razor) single blade, razor main with pen secondary (both were made as Barlows as well, but good luck finding one) and a few short run crown lifters like the one pictured here.

I know a few dealers have the single and two blade varieties still. Go through GEC's dealer list to find them. They are probably the least popular version of the 15 made, so they shouldn't be too hard to find.



Next to a #66
 
Thank you for all your suggestions! They are remarkably ugly blades aren't they but in that lies a decided advantage of being the least worrying shape of any blade I've ever seen. The threat level of a traditional, already at zero, just became a minus. :)
 
If you would like some inexpensive versions and don't mind Chinese made knives, Rough Rider has a couple of different one arm models.

RR530
RR530.jpg




RR307
RR307.jpg
 
The one hand jack are very interesting, but I could just never get past the looks.

I believe that in most states it's legal to carry a switchblade if you have the inability to operate a manualy opening folder. But you'd probably have to get some sort of card.
Quick draw sheaths may also be legal in your state.
( originally made for the buck 110 , you put the knife in partly open and a peg that sits between blade and handle makes it open when you draw it )
 
Case Russlock is a 1-hand opener with a liner lock that still has a backspring. Though depending on your dexterity issues it might be difficult to operate.
 
Hickory n steel said:
The one hand jack are very interesting, but I could just never get past the looks.

I believe that in most states it's legal to carry a switchblade if you have the inability to operate a manualy opening folder. But you'd probably have to get some sort of card.
Quick draw sheaths may also be legal in your state.
( originally made for the buck 110 , you put the knife in partly open and a peg that sits between blade and handle makes it open when you draw it )
Click to expand...

There are a lot of one hand operation moderns that are not switchblades that would fit the bill. Everything from assisted opening to Spyderholes, to flippers.
 
Pomsbz said:
Rather interested in looking these up, I think I would find it helpful as I mix my love and appreciation for the slipjoint with a gradual loss of dexterity in my fingers due to a nerve condition.

I'm referring to the blades with a semi circular cuttout at the tip for opening the blade one handed using a trouser loop or similar for leverage. I believe they were first designed for people with only one hand.

Is anyone currently making them? Is there anywhere I should be looking and I'd love to see some fine examples that you gentlefolk no doubt have!
Click to expand...

This being the Traditional forum let's limit the discussion to traditional knifes please, as the OP requested in his first post.
 
I've always wondered if they can actually stab you in the pocket, that hook looks lethal....:eek::D

Probably have to carry them in a pouch or slip I suppose.
 
A.G. Russell makes a couple of lockbacks that have interesting nail nicks. They are cut very deep and are designed so that you can push the knife open with either hand and are totally ambidextrous. It's a nail nick that works kinda like a thumb stud but it's totally traditional looking. They come in gunstocks and hawkbills. Check it out!
 
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