Safeties

mkent20 · Aug 17, 2006

I have a folding Trident and a Flash II and I LOVE both knives, but I have a problem with the safety on the handles being locked while in my pocket, so when I go to use the knife it won't open quickly, I have to readjust my grip to unafe the knife, then open it.. I find this VERY annoying to say the least. Can the safeties be removed easily without causing any problems with the knife??

Thanks in advance for any advice you can lend!

Cosmic Superchunk · Aug 23, 2006

Why not just carry the knife with the safety off? That way you can draw the knife and quickly deploy the blade. Although, I bet you'll appreciate that safety if the knife ever accidentally opens in your pocket.

Personally, I like the idea of the safety, especially while riding around on my motorbike or moving about. Just position your thumb on the safety switch and flip it up as you pull the knife from your pocket, then move your thumb forward to open the blade. It doesn't take but a second to move the safety switch and deploy the blade.

Guardrail · Aug 24, 2006

My folding Trident is my EDC and clips nicely to my right hand jeans pocket. I've never had it lock accidentally nor has it ever opened. Also, I usually only use the lock when I'm using the groove.

Cheers!

Cosmic Superchunk · Aug 24, 2006

I've been sporting a Flash II for a couple of days now and I haven't had any negative issues with it, but I have had a Kershaw Leek open in my pocket while playing a bit of volleyball with my kids because I didn't have the safety engaged. Accidental openings are not likely to happen during random everyday activites, but they can happen. I was fortunate not to get cut with my Leek, but I should have known better and engaged the safety while at the park. That's why I'm glad the Flash, Twitch and Trident folders as well as other assisted openers have a safety device. Now, if you feel that the safety gets in the way, then don't use it.

moonwilson · Aug 24, 2006

I just got a Flash 2 and the safety is in a very awkward spot on the knife. You do have to change your grip significantly to disengage it, and it would be very easy to drop the knife while trying to thumb off the safety one-handed while under stress. Because of this I wouldn't recommend a Flash 2 as a defensive knife. Just as a regular, everyday knife it's fine. I'm not real fond of the clip though... too wiggly.

Cosmic Superchunk · Aug 24, 2006

I really never thought of the Flash II as a "defensive" knife, but as an everyday utility knife it's great. It takes a little practice, but I can disengage the safety as I pull the knife from my pocket, then move my thumb towards the thumb studs to open the knife. As I stated before, it takes but a second to do, although some folks prefer to carry the knife without the safety engaged.

I'm not sure what you mean about the clip being too wiggly. The clip on my Flash II is on tight. Have you tried tightening the screw that holds it in place?

Ron Andersen · Aug 24, 2006

I have had the safety engage itself, but not often. Anytime I carry my Flash II, I do so without the safety engaged and have never had it open in my pocket.

I would not recommend removing the safety for I think it is integral to the primary action mechanism.

If you find it irritating or if it is doing this frequently, it might be defective and need to be "tweaked" (or replaced) by SOG's warranty department.

If you don't want to see SOG's assistance, you might want to consider gluing it in the "unlocked" position. But keep in mind that making any modifications to a SOG knife will void its warranty and may effect its function and the knife's overall safety. So, you would be taking ultimate responsibility for your actions (no, I'm not a "lawyer").

mkent20 · Aug 25, 2006

Cosmic Superchunk said:
Why not just carry the knife with the safety off? That way you can draw the knife and quickly deploy the blade. Although, I bet you'll appreciate that safety if the knife ever accidentally opens in your pocket.

I do not carry it safetied.... It accidently engages itself I guess. Drives me nuts. I don't see how it could come open accidently.... Blade has a LOT of resistance just before it opens to keep it closed while in the pocket. The Trident has MORE resistance than the Flash II does.