Slipjoint for my old lady. Suggestions?

harkamus

harkamus

Joined
Apr 23, 2007
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My mom was born when WWII ended. I love her dearly. She's battled breast cancer and won. She's also got osteoarthritis. Her grip strength is weak, though I'm working on that having her do weight training, but that's a long term goal. Little things make her happy. Lately she's mentioned wanting a knife for "in case she needs to cut her steak," which is her way of saying she's getting old and wants a knife for when she's too weak to cut food with a spoon (this is how we were raised...cut food/steak with a spoon. This is still how I eat unless my steak or whatever is super tough that my spoon can't cut it. Just a cultural thing). She mentioned liking classic materials like bone or mother of pearl, something she did not care for when she was a youngin. She then mentioned it was just a product of her growing older that makes her like those materials now. Something about how Grandpa used to have a knife with those materials. Anyway, to make a story shorter, she wants a slip joint, but not just any slippy. This is where things get complicated. She would like one that she can clip to her keychain, which means the knife shouldn't be too large when closed. The closest thing I found was a Spyderco Ladybug, but 1) it's made of steel and not bone or mother of pearl and 2) it's not a traditional shape. The slippy doesn't need many blades. Actually 1 is fine. Also, she's all of 4 foot 8 or so. Larger folding knives scare her.

Is there any slippy remotely close to what I'm looking for? Thanks guys.

EDIT: She does not favor SAKs. We have a few around the house. They never get carried.
 
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How about a Case Pen Knife, that has a bail? It has the bail, scissors, a main blade, and is not too large. My wife carries one, with the purple jigged bone.

CA-258.gif
 
That's pretty neat. I may have to get one of those for her if I find nothing else. Are there similar models without the scissors from other brands? I checked Case's homepage. They only have versions with scissors.
 
My business partner carries a Case baby doc in purple bone and a vic classic that I handled with gold lip mop on her key chain.
 
I guess I should have said she doesn't fancy SAKs. I just found a Peanut with two blades and the bail, but it has a peace sign on it and is made of delrin, so no go.
 
harkamus said:
Ooooh. She may love that. My question though is how sturdy is the twist-lock mechanism and pivot for that matter on an Opinel of that size?
Click to expand...

I'm probably one of the few here that hasn't owned one, but the reviews folks give them are terrific. They are almost an iconic knife
 
harkamus said:
That's pretty neat. I may have to get one of those for her if I find nothing else. Are there similar models without the scissors from other brands? I checked Case's homepage. They only have versions with scissors.
Click to expand...

There were Case versions with a bail that had a pen blade in lieu of the scissors in MOP and I'm pretty sure I remember seeing them in stag/bone as well. Also, IIRC, there was a 3" half congress equipped with a bail. ETA: You might also find something suitable by searching for "watch fob" knives.
 
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harkamus said:
Ooooh. She may love that. My question though is how sturdy is the twist-lock mechanism and pivot for that matter on an Opinel of that size?
Click to expand...

In my opinion the twist lock is pretty dang strong. Used to carry a Opinel #10 everyday for 2 years when I worked at a gas station (owner did not allow knives at work but didn't mind the Opinel, very non-threatening). Cut all sorts of things, heavy cable ties, boxes of product, twist ties, packages of all sorts, and the twist lock held up great.

Don't know for sure on the Keychain model, the one I handled was a gift for someone. The little bit I handled the Keychain, it felt like a solid knife despite it's small size.
 
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The keychain opinel doesn't look if IIRC. Opinels 5 and down are non locking models. 6 and up are the ones that feature twist locks. Hope that helps and if I'm wrong someone can correct me.
 
Queen make a Senator in Abalone
3 1/4" closed with a spear blade
SS for food

Delightful and pretty knife
Purchased one for my daughter as a graduation present

If you want a link PM me
 
She might like these. Moki Knife Pliant Quince Wood Handles. They did make one model as a slipjoint but I'm not sure its still available.
09053typequince2.jpg
 
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If her arthritis is progressed, a "slipjoint" that is small or has strong springs may be difficult to manipulate. A friction folder like the Opinel is a pretty good idea. The 4 may be a more practical size than the 2. The 4 is also available with a keychain. But the first thing that came to mind is an "easy opener". Ken Coats has made a few. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/661797-Ken-Coats-Slipjoints?p=9893144#post9893144 It's not a keychain knife but she could keep it in her purse.
 
Here's a photo of the Opinel 2 and 4 keychain knives next to a Opinel 8 and a Sodbuster. The Sodbuster is another easy to open knife... though not particularly pretty.

2-4-keychain-size-comparison.jpg
 
Hi,

I have to agree with Jake, if she has arthritis in her hands and a weakening grip, a slip-joint may not be a good choice for her. She runs a real risk of slipping on opening or closing it.

I would look at the friction folders like the Opinels or maybe the Okapis.

Though the best choice maybe something like a small pocket sized fixed blade like Carl was toting for a while before the doctor tuned him up a bit.

Dale
 
+1 to the Opinel suggestions. If that ends up being the choice, I'll add this:

1.) Get a stainless model; it minimizes any issues of maintenance, especially if it's used for food. My carbon No. 08 became a bit stiff in the pivot, after a little fruit juice seeped into it.
2.) Give some thought to choosing a size that comfortably fills her hand. A knife that's too small places a premium on fingertip strength to manipulate it, which might be problematic for arthritic hands (my own mother has trouble with this; her hands are arthritic, especially in the joints near the fingertips). Being able to grip the knife with at least 3 or 4 fingers adds some significant leverage.
3.) Opinels are easy to modify & shape. Even if the chosen size isn't made for a key ring, it'd be simple enough to drill a hole in the handle for a loop/bail/lanyard. And a larger knife can be sanded down to a more pocketable size quite easily. Not to mention, it can be shaped to almost any preference for grip & comfort. And they are very, very light. Even my No. 08s are almost unnoticeable in the pocket.
4.) The note earlier, about the smaller Opi's not having a locking ring, is accurate. Sizes 5 & lower are non-locking. The locking models are sort of hit-or-miss, in terms of the stiffness of the lock. And even on the same knife, it can vary with changes in humidity; same as with the pivot itself.
 
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