Smooth closing large toothpick knife. Any suggestions?

[MTHall720]

I was looking at some big Case xx Toothpicks today. One was very smooth closing. Some others I looked at were not so smooth. I want to buy a large blade toothpick like around 3.5 inches or bigger for my Dad who has arthritis so it must close as smoothly as possible. Any suggestions? I might even like one myself but know nothing about these knives really.

 

[Josh Carrasquillo]

You might consider renaming this thread, most people will probably see compression lock and think modern tactical folder.

 

[MTHall720]

Thanks Josh. I may be using the wrong term. Sales person called it a compression lock.

 

[MTHall720]

I was looking at some big Case xx Toothpicks today. One was very smooth closing. Some others I looked at were not so smooth. I want to buy a large blade toothpick like around 3.5 inches or bigger for my Dad who has arthritis so it must close as smoothly as possible. Any suggestions? I might even like one myself but know nothing about these knives really.

 

[jujigatame]

There are so many knives to pick from it's hard to point out one just based on how smooth it might be. As you experienced it can vary widely on the same model from one maker and it can be affected by several things. Sometimes it's dead on out of the box. Other times it isn't but maybe a good cleaning of the joint will get it there. I'd think you'll probably want to avoid a knife with a half stop so there's no interruption in the walk.

If you think your dad would like the toothpick style blade and handle and you can personally pick one out with a nice smooth action then that would seem to be most of the battle won.

 

[Peregrin]

I've merged these two threads for you. Good luck with your search.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Without actually handling a knife, it's virtually impossible to know which knives will be smoother closers (I'm assuming that means lighter pull). But, generally speaking, Queen has earned a bit of a reputation for tuning the pull on many of their slipjoints to a pretty good sweet spot, based on posts I've seen here. I don't have a Queen toothpick, but I do have a large stockman from them that's about as 'just right' as any I own, in terms of the closing pull on the clip blade (and the other two blades are also pretty darn good). There's a noticeable drop-off in tension as the blade is moved to closed position, but the pull is still smooth and inspires confidence that the blade will close fully. If you can't find a Queen toothpick to put your hands on, asking the dealer to check out the pull on a knife can't hurt, before shipping one to you. Be sure to explain your Dad's situation to the dealer, which should lend them some perspective in what you're looking for.

With a large folder, you might also pay close attention to the placement and accessibility of the nail nick, and also if there's enough blade above the handle to 'pinch' open & closed. Good thing about a large folder is, a larger blade can afford more control & leverage when opening & closing, if the rest of the ergonomics are right. And a nail nick that's placed in the forward half of the blade (nearer the tip) can also make a difference. Putting the nail nick too far back (nearer the tang) sometimes doesn't afford as much leverage on a very stiff opener.

 

[MTHall720]

Great ideas. Thanks everyone. This small search for my Dad has made me think I have been missing something by not looking at traditionals since I was a kid.
There are some nice looking blades out there.

 

[quattromori]

Maybe it's not what you are thinking of but...did you consider getting him a Laguiole? it's really close to a toothpick in shape and size, usually smoother than American knives, more expensive but more "stylish" (it's a matter of taste, of course) and presumably with a better F&F.

Fausto

 

[Will Power]

I agree with the Laguiole suggestion. It's an old classic from France. If you can afford more cash then do check Fontenille-Pataud. Very high quality finish, smooth as butter openers and interestingly, many lock. These Laguioles appear to have narrow handles, but the scales are thick and so well radiused/turned that they feel substantial and comfortable in the hand. Some of the best made knives I've ever used.

 

[quattromori]

Glad I'm not the only one considering the Laguiole a good toothpick option....here goes a pic:

Speaking of Fontenille-Pataud, they have two evrsions: one is a slipjoint and the other is a lockback. Both are very smooth, and, as you can see in the picture, quite easy to pinch. As Will pointed out, the roundness of the handle makes it comfy even though it's narrow. And, on a pure aesthetics side, it's way more elegant than any toothpick I've seen so far (of course it's more expensive too).

Fausto

 

[knarfeng]

Maybe it's not what you are thinking of but...did you consider getting him a Laguiole? it's really close to a toothpick in shape and size, usually smoother than American knives, more expensive but more "stylish" (it's a matter of taste, of course) and presumably with a better F&F.

Fausto

The Languiole is an excellent suggestion. Beautiful knives.

 

[MTHall720]

Maybe it's not what you are thinking of but...did you consider getting him a Laguiole? it's really close to a toothpick in shape and size, usually smoother than American knives, more expensive but more "stylish" (it's a matter of taste, of course) and presumably with a better F&F.

Fausto

I didn't know about that brand. Will check it out.

 

[Will Power]

Lot of scale choices from Fontenille-Pataud, woods,horn,bone etc.

Another suggestion for a smooth opener that's easy to pinch open would be a CASE Copperlock or Mini-Coperlock, good lock up on these that are not difficult to close either.

 

[puukkoman]

I didn't know about that brand. Will check it out.

Keep in mind... Laguiole isn't a brand, it's a type of knife (which is named after a region of France). There are several companies who still make them; a little googling will show you plenty of results.

 

[Humppa]

I own just one Laguiole, it has a mighty snap is everything other than smooth closing

An in-hand-pic. I think a Toothpick is a nice pattern for EDC. Perhaps you should go to a local store and try it out how smooth the closing really is.

Kind regards

 

[neeman]

I have a Queen Amber Stagbone in D2
It is extemely smooth opening and closing
Very easy
But there is not enough blade for pinch opening
you have to use the nail nick

there is the sweet point half open where there is a pause of no tension

 

[MTHall720]

Keep in mind... Laguiole isn't a brand, it's a type of knife (which is named after a region of France). There are several companies who still make them; a little googling will show you plenty of results.

Thanks for the tip. I am so new to this type of knife I thought it was a brand.

 

[MTHall720]

I own just one Laguiole, it has a mighty snap is everything other than smooth closing

An in-hand-pic. I think a Toothpick is a nice pattern for EDC. Perhaps you should go to a local store and try it out how smooth the closing really is.



Kind regards

Love the looks of that blade! Do you recall where you got it?

 

[Humppa]

Well, I got it in a weapon store in the bavarian-austrian border. I don´t know which wood the handle is, but it´s a nice knife. I´m sure you can find some in one of your local stores around.

I´m glad that you like the shape. Imo that one is a little big for EDC. I prefer smaller knives, but that´s just my thought.

Kind regards
Andi