Retractable blade knives-What's out there?

S

shecky

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May 3, 2006
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I've been curious about this kind of knife for a while, the retractable blade non-auto, non-gravity knife. So far I can think of a few. Kershaw Ripcord. Tekna Security Cards. I lump CRKT Rollock into this category, too. But I can't think of any more. The only one I've ever really handled is the Rollock. I like the concept. What else is there out there? Anything worthwhile? Anything not so much?
 
Boker Bokermatic.

Here's an older Rolox:
Rolox.jpg
 
The best of the simple ones would have to be the Christy Knife. My Dad used to carry one. http://www.heimerdingercutlery.com/knives/christy.htm

Cold Steel used to have a series of small manual OTFs with sheepsfoot, spear, and tanto blades. I had the sheepsfoot ER-1 (Emergency Rescue-1). Thin, high hollow grind, tiny CS serrations. Great little slicer on plastic bands and plastic sheets and twine.

And of course, there's always the humble boxcutter.
 
There is also the Funny Folder from A.G. Russell

phpsPQIDI_550-.75x550_75951.jpg


and the CRKT version of the Benchmade Rolox, the Rollock

phpZj2rZN_550-.75x550_90532.jpg
 
Bokermatic for me. It's a particularly odd design and slightly difficult to acquire being discontinued.
Believe they were made at Bokers Argentine plant, and overall I rate them as fairly good quality.

Of course it wouldn't stand severe abuse but for a EDC it's relatively effective.
 
I did buy one of the CRKT Rollocks, hard to pass up at 8 bucks. Arrived very sharp and the action works better than my Benchmade Rolox. The blade pops up with pressure applied to the rear of the blade and will freefall all the way forward, the a gentle press on the back of the blade locks it. Closing is just as easy, press the lock lever and the blade will fall all the way back to the rear and a gentle pressure closes it. Very light weight, it carries nicely in summer weight dress slacks.
 
I have a Kershaw Ripcord, and I like it a lot. Granted, it requires the special sheath to use, but honestly, if you manage to lose the sheath you're knife is already in the extended position. Also, it CAN be engaged and retracted manually buy sliding something through the groove in the handle.

Lock up is nice and tight with the typical slight wiggle that accompanies OTF's of that price range. It's obviously designed as more of a novelty/SD kind of knife than an EDC slicer or whatnot.

My main gripe is that the sheath rides a bit high for my liking. You really have to reach your arm up pretty high for the blade to clear the mouth and for the slot to line up with the peg to disengage the blade lock. I actually made a leather belt loop for mine for horizontal carry so that I could just pull the knife straight out and sheath it a little more easily.
 
yeah, I have a Rollock, and it is pretty nice, with a simple, but clever retracting system.

I think the AG Russel Funny Folder isn't really a retracting blade, but it folds sideways. I have a cheap little knife that operates similarly. Kind of difficult to describe the operation in words. The cover swings where most folders pivot, and then the blade swings laterally on a vertical pivot around into the rectangular skeleton handle. This mechanism doesn't have an actual locking mechanism, but once deployed, it seems near impossible to close the blade accidentally, other than breaking it.

I kinda remember the Christy knife being around. I might have seen knock offs, as my impression was that they seemed pretty cheaply made.

There have to be more decent retracting blade knives out there.

Interesting about the Ripcord "system".
 
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