Sal: why no "assisted opening" or "flipper" Spydercos?

scotchleaf

scotchleaf

Joined
Oct 23, 2006
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I've got a thumb injury on my right hand that makes opening a knife one handed difficult without use of the index finger. I love my Spydercos, but I'd enjoy them even more if I could open with one hand!

Thanks,

Charles
 
You know you don't have to use your thumb to open it, just use your index finger instead. It might take a bit of practice to get used to but not overly difficult.

I don't like flippers or assisted knives.
 
...same here, cut my thumb last week pretty good.

most of the Spydies are ambidextrous, so im working with my left hand right now, works like a charm...
 
When I was at the Spyderco Factory Outlet, I was talking to someone (I forget her name...) and she told me that Ken Onion actually approached Spyderco before Kershaw with the speed safe idea. Spyderco passed on it. Their rational was that it blurred the lines between an auto and a manual knife, and that they'd never do it. This topic has actually come up a few times before and this is always the answer I hear.

If it cuts your thumb, file it or sand it down just a tad to smooth out the rim.
 
;-)

No, I split my thumb open with an Vic, the Spyderhole is actually quite comfortable for me...even if it needs a little getting used to, operating it with the left hand.
 
Why should Spyderco complicate the most foolproof opening system ever devised? My thumb in the Spyderhole is the only assist I need. Leave the spring loaded kiddie toys to other makers.

Paul
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My Personal Website ---- Beginners Guide to Spyderco Collecting ---- Kiwimania ---- Spydiewiki
Dead horses beaten, sacred cows tipped, chimeras hunted when time permits.
WTC # 1458 - 1504 - 1508 - Never Forget, Never Forgive!
It's easy to grin when your ship comes in and good fortune and fame are your lot, but the man worthwhile is the man who can smile with his shorts twisted up in a knot. - Morey Amsterdam
 
Sorry to hear about your injury. My take on it is similar to Deacon, the hole is foolproof. This does not mean it is perfect for everyone though. In this case someone with an injured thumb or even severely arthiritic hands finds opening it or any knife a painful endeavor.
 
Use the middle-finger flick if you can, or maybe get a Waved model (or do the zip-tie thing).

Maybe find a way to get an auto Spydie?
 
I have a few AO knives, i don't carry any of them. They are fun to play with but i prefer non AO knives for general use. If you are having problems opening your knives due to injury why not get a waved delica or endura?
 
The Deacon said:
Why should Spyderco complicate the most foolproof opening system ever devised? My thumb in the Spyderhole is the only assist I need. Leave the spring loaded kiddie toys to other makers.

Paul
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My Personal Website ---- Beginners Guide to Spyderco Collecting ---- Kiwimania ---- Spydiewiki
Dead horses beaten, sacred cows tipped, chimeras hunted when time permits.
WTC # 1458 - 1504 - 1508 - Never Forget, Never Forgive!
It's easy to grin when your ship comes in and good fortune and fame are your lot, but the man worthwhile is the man who can smile with his shorts twisted up in a knot. - Morey Amsterdam
Click to expand...

My thoughts exactly, just something else to break. Just like automobiles, the more fancy crap, the higher your repair bill when something breaks. Trust me I work in the industry.
 
morrowj_98 said:
This would almost be funny if it wasn't so insulting to a number of quality companies.
Click to expand...

I don't find it insulting. Maybe a bit of hyperbole. I'd say gimmick more than toy. The big AO company makes a very substantial "most" of its sales from AO knives--they laugh all the way to the bank. But, just because people buy a gimmick, doesn't mean it is a good plan (take sunroofs for example!).

I have a few AO knives. They never did anything for me after the first few minutes of play time.

Or maybe I'm just old fashioned (I am a wheel gun guy!).

SPRINGS GO BAD. PERIOD. END OF STORY. I feel the same way about Autos. Most all knives have springs of some sort, but a spring that merely holds a lock in place is a lot different than a spring that throws a blade open.
 
not one of the AO's I can think of would be unusable if the spring went. Spyderco is known for something different - which is fine for me. If you want an AO - KAI is your team, if you want a good lockback design with a hole opener, Spyderco, you want Axis lock, go BM. There are plenty of flavors out there, and no one said you have to pick just one, or to bash another to justify your choice. Sal said once he was proud to compete with such a good company as Kershaw. I take that attitude at face value, and live by the general sentiment.
 
amroc said:
When I was at the Spyderco Factory Outlet, I was talking to someone (I forget her name...) and she told me that Ken Onion actually approached Spyderco before Kershaw with the speed safe idea. Spyderco passed on it. Their rational was that it blurred the lines between an auto and a manual knife, and that they'd never do it. This topic has actually come up a few times before and this is always the answer I hear.

If it cuts your thumb, file it or sand it down just a tad to smooth out the rim.
Click to expand...

I agree with Spyderco. I have some manual knives like the OD-1 by kershaw "non assisted" and I gave my son a little auto and then we raced. The OD-1 with the little round flipper on the top. If he beat me it was not by much.

Right now I do not see much difference in some manuals that are so easy to open I would never see why one would want a assist knife. For me I think they are slower. You have to push some so far out I would have my little kershaw out way before the assisted and the resistance on some assisted knifes give on the first little push are way more than many manuals I have used. And therfore slower in my opinion. So I guess I would agree with the ones that do not like assisted. I like knives like granpa used to carry anyway. Some of these so called knives "These Days" look like they are made to plow a field and some to pick your nose or something. :p

Point is I think manufactuars are playing with fire. If they go messing around to much we will end up like the UK. Slip Joints only. Which I can say I do not mind but when freedoms are taken away one by one, then one is no longer free.

Daniel
 
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scotchleaf said:
I've got a thumb injury on my right hand that makes opening a knife one handed difficult without use of the index finger. I love my Spydercos, but I'd enjoy them even more if I could open with one hand!

Thanks,

Charles
Click to expand...

I empathise with digit dexterity issues.

I ended up buying some autos and balis for annoying days.

I notice few have addressed the issue of flippers. I could see a Spyderco design with one, especially since Spyderco makes knives with the "wave" feature.

Not a big fan of assisted opening knives. I'd rather just have the usually simpler full auto.
 
morrowj_98 said:
This would almost be funny if it wasn't so insulting to a number of quality companies.
Click to expand...
And you just insulted a number of companies that make high quality toys.

Paul
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My Personal Website ---- Beginners Guide to Spyderco Collecting ---- Kiwimania ---- Spydiewiki
Dead horses beaten, sacred cows tipped, chimeras hunted when time permits.
WTC # 1458 - 1504 - 1508 - Never Forget, Never Forgive!
It's easy to grin when your ship comes in and good fortune and fame are your lot, but the man worthwhile is the man who can smile with his shorts twisted up in a knot. - Morey Amsterdam
 
J_Curd said:
So you only use fixed blades because the springs in the locks aren't worthy of trust either right? ;)
Click to expand...

Chandler69 said:
I don't find it insulting. Maybe a bit of hyperbole. I'd say gimmick more than toy. The big AO company makes a very substantial "most" of its sales from AO knives--they laugh all the way to the bank. But, just because people buy a gimmick, doesn't mean it is a good plan (take sunroofs for example!).

I have a few AO knives. They never did anything for me after the first few minutes of play time.

Or maybe I'm just old fashioned (I am a wheel gun guy!).

SPRINGS GO BAD. PERIOD. END OF STORY. I feel the same way about Autos. Most all knives have springs of some sort, but a spring that merely holds a lock in place is a lot different than a spring that throws a blade open.
Click to expand...

You wouldn't be asking if you were to quote the entire post.
 
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