One hand slipjoints

[Railsplitter]

I have this old Case 6205R but I don't know if Case makes them anymore.

 

[Hickory n steel]

I have this old Case 6205R but I don't know if Case makes them anymore.

I like that one, as it mostly just looks like a spey blade.

 

[Corwyn_bv]

Wait, there are traditional switchblades?

Aren't Italian Stillettos considered to be traditional? And they are switchblades...

 

[Pomsbz]

I'm actually wondering whether with my lack of dexterity, the method of opening these might be problematic, you would need a pretty firm finger grip on the sides of the knife to deploy the blade on such a knife. Might be worth buying a Rough Rider just to try out the physics in practice before moving on to something better if it does work? I'm afraid that locking blades are not legal carry where I live though I'm wondering if a doctors letter might be enough to provide 'reason'? In any case I do love the look of a traditional. It's just so much smaller for what it does

 

[Chui]

- with increased employment of double-detente, there are now a few slipjoints around that may also fit the bill.

Some of them open as a lip-flipper, and others like a friction folder with a small extended tang.

They're not cheap though - takes real craftsmanship to make 'em

Also, they don't lock, so legal in many places

 

[Pomsbz]

- with increased employment of double-detente, there are now a few slipjoints around that may also fit the bill.

Some of them open as a lip-flipper, and others like a friction folder with a small extended tang.

They're not cheap though - takes real craftsmanship to make 'em

Also, they don't lock, so legal in many places

Could you be a bit more specific please, I have no idea where to look from your post I'm afraid.

 

[Will Power]

A small fixed could be an alternative?

Or, lockbacks such as the GEC 83 are easy to open and don't have a difficult backlock to depress either. Schrade 3OT is another (the current Chinese ones are decent enough quality actually)

 

[Chui]

Could you be a bit more specific please, I have no idea where to look from your post I'm afraid.

- sure, here's one...

https://richardrogersknives.com/models/

Mods and members forgive me, for I have sinned and displayed a non-traditional folder...........it is possible to find similar in friction-folder look-alike styles that occasionally appear in this section.

Another wonderful maker of the above type is Willy De Man from Belgium

 

[Pomsbz]

- sure, here's one...

https://richardrogersknives.com/models/

Mods and members forgive me, for I have sinned and displayed a non-traditional folder...........it is possible to find similar in friction-folder look-alike styles that occasionally appear in this section.

Another wonderful maker of the above type is Willy De Man from Belgium

I'm confused about what is a traditional about that knife? It's a flipper with detents. Looks like a modern folder, doesn't have a spring.

 

[Chui]

I'm confused about what is a traditional about that knife? It's a flipper with detents. Looks like a modern folder, doesn't have a spring.

- there are friction folders shown on here, yes...?

So, what I have sent you is an example, albeit not a traditional pattern/aesthetic, that has the mechanism by which you'd be able to have a one-handed slipjoint.

No, it doesn't have a spring - that's the idea. Instead, it has a double-detente.

I have handled one of these........they're very clever, very neat bits of kit..........beautifully made too.

As with friction folders - as I say, they're featured here too - there are other makers who make the same mechanism as the one above, but with a typical friction folder design..........which is why I mentioned Willy De Man, because that's what he can make, and, I've handled those too (Gembloux Knife Show).

.........you said in your OP that you had a loss of dexterity, so I simply thought the above may be helpful, because anything with a spring may potentially fight your dexterity...

 

[Pomsbz]

- there are friction folders shown on here, yes...?

So, what I have sent you is an example, albeit not a traditional pattern/aesthetic, that has the mechanism by which you'd be able to have a one-handed slipjoint.

No, it doesn't have a spring - that's the idea. Instead, it has a double-detente.

I have handled one of these........they're very clever, very neat bits of kit..........beautifully made too.

As with friction folders - as I say, they're featured here too - there are other makers who make the same mechanism as the one above, but with a typical friction folder design..........which is why I mentioned Willy De Man, because that's what he can make, and, I've handled those too (Gembloux Knife Show).

.........you said in your OP that you had a loss of dexterity, so I simply thought the above may be helpful, because anything with a spring may potentially fight your dexterity...

I appreciate your help Sir. There are some nice non traditional options out there which do not lock, the Spyderco PITS, UKPK, Pingo, Roadie etc and that's just one company. I was looking specifically for a traditional design however. The aforementioned lack so much of what makes a traditional

 

[jc57]

Have you looked at knives with an EZ open notch? Makes the knife blade pinch-able. If you combine that with a longer blade such as a single-blade trapper which gives more leverage, they are pretty easy to open (hence the name).

 

[Chui]

I appreciate your help Sir. There are some nice non traditional options out there which do not lock, the Spyderco PITS, UKPK, Pingo, Roadie etc and that's just one company. I was looking specifically for a traditional design however. The aforementioned lack so much of what makes a traditional

- absolutely, I'm very familiar with all those particularly so in my country where knife laws have been that way for so long.

I know Mike (PITS) very well and also have his Mk1 of the forerunner to the Spyderco PITS - however, they do requite a dexterity of fingers/thumb.

Actually, I think you've hit upon a good point here.........there may be quite a few, particularly some folk with the onset of finger-arthritis, that would welcome your findings and this thread :thumbup:

 

[Pomsbz]

Have you looked at knives with an EZ open notch? Makes the knife blade pinch-able. If you combine that with a longer blade such as a single-blade trapper which gives more leverage, they are pretty easy to open (hence the name).

Unfortunately pinching is just what I can't do.

 

[22-rimfire]

Don't forget about the Victorinox swiss army knives that have the one hand feature. Honestly, most of the knives mentioned aren't one hand openers to me. One hand to hold the knife and one hand to open the blade =two hands.

 

[btb01]

I briefly owned a GEC #15 one-arm opener (ended up giving it to a friend who liked it more than I did). Honestly, I didn't find it very practical to open with one hand. The spring tension (it had maybe a 6 or 7 pull) and the half-stop made opening it on the edge of your pocket seem borderline hazardous, especially if you don't have a good grip on the knife, which sounds like it would be a problem for the OP.

I think a friction folder might be a good option, as you can open it with one or two hands without needing a significant amount of grip strength. Here's an example from Michael Morris.

 

[draggat]

I have to say, I completely agree with btb01. Well, with the exception that I've no intention of selling my one arm knives. They do, however, have a pretty firm pull and if you're not ready for the half stop, they can snap out of your hand if you don't have a firm grip.

I just dug through my collection and came up with something you might be interested in. It's the GEC #72 spear version. It's basically a 73, but without the square joint and its a back lock. I feel like a half stop might make opening more difficult for you and on GEC's Lockbacks, opening is super smooth without much resistance. The spear blade also sticks out far enough that it's very easily pinchable and I also think the shape is pretty non threatening. It's a little larger than the 15 frame, but considering you're having problems with dexterity, that's probably a good thing.

Now, the bad news.... The spear blades might be hard to find. There's a run of 72's coming around September, but these are slated as clip blades. I'm in for a few myself, but they will definitely require use of the nail nick.

Anyway, just another idea for you to consider.

*Cripes.... I just realized that pinching is out and so are locking blades..... Sounds like friction folders are going to be your best bet.

 

[draggat]

Not sure how readily available these are, but I do recall seeing quite a few not too long ago. It's a friction folder made by Hiroaki Ohta. I believe the blade on this one is 3".

 

[Pomsbz]

wow that is beautiful!

 

[Pomsbz]

I should mention to the kind folks here that I am as yet still able to use a slipjoint though it is awkward without having the grip and pinch of a normal person. I am thinking towards the future as I notice the deterioration.