Opening folders

R

Rubber Ducky

Joined
Sep 7, 2001
Messages
647
I'm obviously not an experienced knife knut, as you can tell by the question to follow:

If flicking a folder open is not the way to quickly open a folding knife, what is the proper way?

I own a Spyderco Endura, and I flick that sucker constantly. I haven't noticed any problems because of this, but if there is a better way to open a knife one-handed that is also fast, I'd rather learn that way.

Thanks,

Pierre

PS: I'd also never flick someone else's knife without their permission. Especially not one for sale.
 
Just open it with thumb pressure. If the situation demaneds faster opening, do what ya gotta do.

Paul
 
Flicking a folder open with a strong wrist action is not recommended because you'll just wear it out. Sure you can do it once in a while or in an emergency but making a habit out of it will eventually ruin your knife. Hey maybe you don't care because you wanted to buy a new knife anyway:D, but don't ever do it at a maker's table at a show.

The flipper style knives are an exception. They're just meant to be played with. I bet they'll wear out prematurely though.
 
I own lots of tactical folders and have stayed away from flicking them open, for reasons as stated in this thread.

However, if you want to have the fastest opening folder, buy an Emerson wave. It is open when you pull it out of your pocket. Simple, legal (?) and faster than lightning! You never have to use the thumb disk or flick it in an emergency.
 
Flicking your Endura isn't too hard on it. Being a lockback, the locking cam and the blade meet at a flat surface that are of equal hardness, and the zytel handle will absorb alot of impact.
You can always push against the hole in the blade with your thumb also. With a little practice its fast without the high impact.
The spyderco drop is good too. Using your thumb and index finger, grab the hole in the blade with the point, pointing away from you. snap your wrist downward to flick the handle out. Its basically the same as flicking the blade only the handle doesn't weigh as much ( on the zytel models) so theres less impact.

The knives you really don't want to flcik alot are linerlocks and frame locks. The stop pin has very little surface area toughing the blade. As the blade slams into it, it gets flattened out and allows blade play. There are exceptions though, like all the knives with assisted opening and or flippers.
 
Ok, thanks for all the info. I really appreciate it.

I guess my next question is what is the proper, and fastest, way to open a tactical folder?

I'm guessing that the answer is something similar to "in advance" :)
 
Learn how to and practise using your thumb to open the knife. You will be surprised how fast you can open a knife by just using the thumb, no wrist should come into the picture. In a defensive situation, you will maintain better control of the knife and not put yourself in a position of losing it.javascript:smilie(':mad:')
mad
 
Let's put an end to "flipping guilt." If it's fun to flip it open... then do it. Over and over and over. After all it's my knife.
 
Try Reverse flicking.
otherwise known as the Spyderco Drop.
You pinch the hole on the blade with thumb and forefinger
and flick the handle open.
It takes a little practice, but it's very cool, and
more fun than flicking. And it damages the knife much less.
 
The info's been good. Thanks folks.

Re: The Spyderco drop. I have tried this a couple of times, and I don't really get it. It also seems to leave me with the blade in my hands :confused: I'll still practice it, because what the heck...

As for flipping/flicking, I still do it :) The Endura is a lock back and nice and thick. I remember, as a kid, doing the same thing with the knives we generically referred to as "lockblades"; cheapies with faux wood handles (I want to get one of those again, just for grins); and I don't remember them having much of an issue with it. Of course we also threw them at trees :)

Pierre
 
I'd like to suggest you get yourself a Kershaw/Oniom Chive. You want fast? It's fast, and meant to be opened fast. Just press the little lever on the top of the handle (don't use the thumb stud) and out it pops. I don't know if you can wear it out, I suppose you can, but at $30 or so who cares. Have fun! ;)
 
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