Spyder-drop versus other opening methods

M

mdarby

Joined
Apr 10, 2005
Messages
87
Hello,

I recently purchased a Spyderco Native. I was practicing the "Spydie-Drop" after reading about it recently, which is a fun move. But then I tried opening it about 1/6 of the way with the thumb hole and flicking it open the rest of the way to fully open and locked.

For people who practice these things, which is the fastest way from pocket (sitting in my rear pocket since I don't use the clip) to gripped in hand ready to do a task? It seemed the drop might involve some extra movement of the rist up then down then up.

Thanks,
Michael
 
There is nothing faster or cooler than the thumb flick. It's also the most difficult to master. A correct thumb flick involves no movement of the hand, wrist or arm. Only the thumb. If done correctly, it looks like the knive is an auto.

The Spyder drop is useless and cumbersome if you ask me.
 
The spyderdrop is useful mostly because of the poor action of lockbacks....but if you're using a modern lock, there's not really any particular reason to use it, outside of fun and coolness. It's also useful to draw a tip down knife by the spyderhole and spyderdrop it...I do that with my para for stuff when I just cut something small and put it back up.

The thumb flick I personally don't find difficult to all and it works really well...it's also something you can use nearly across the board with knives, whereas spyderdrops only work (safely--you can do it with thumbstuds, but it's difficult to grip), for the most part, with Spydercos.

The wave is pretty quick, but I do have a technique that I've developed that's faster.

There's the conventional torque opening, which is about impossible to explain, but I'll try...this one is easier than the one that it leads up to, so start here.

Hold the knife tip down, like you might if you were to flick a thumbstud to open it...I like to move down on the handle a bit because the pocket clip's depression makes for a good grip.

Then point the tang of the knife (still closed) in towards you, so your fist is at a diagonal holding the knife..

Now comes the opening...you're going to turn your hand all the way over, really quickly...it helps the folks I teach this trick to try and hit their side with their elbow when they do it (elbow's out at the beginning, into the side at the end)....with opening tricks, it's all about the sudden stop.

Anyway, this is a powerful and fast way to flick it open (remember not to touch the blade here...). Most of my techniques don't even require a thumbstud or spyderhole.

Okay, the version of this that's faster is the exact OPPOSITE. It's outside to in. The reason why the second way is so much faster is that you can actually cut while opening...the opening IS the cut if you do it right. Looks REALLY cool too.

I've got a dozen more...I've been wanting to make some short how to films, but I never get around to it.

Here's an easy one for you though. Hold the knife closed in your hand upside down (tang down)..then do a wrist flick. You can open it upside down really easily and quickly this way. Also looks cool. Good beginner trick.
 
out of pocket, I think the plain old thumb opening is the fastest, since you could begin the opening technique before the knife has left the pocket.

pete
 
I don't find the spyder drop to be very practical, the heavier Spydies are easier to drop open than the Native. My Endura4 for example seems to open reliably with this method. I find myself getting the blade open a bit, then flicking it open like you do.
 
Artfully Martial, your 'technique' (a flick, as far as I can tell) is in no way faster opening than the Wave. You have to draw from your pocket, then flick open. The Wave opens the knife while you're drawing. How can yours in any way be faster ?
 
Zwaplat said:
Artfully Martial, your 'technique' (a flick, as far as I can tell) is in no way faster opening than the Wave. You have to draw from your pocket, then flick open. The Wave opens the knife while you're drawing. How can yours in any way be faster ?
Click to expand...

What? What do you mean? These three steps are hardly even steps at all-

Step 1:
"Hold the knife tip down, like you might if you were to flick a thumbstud to open it...I like to move down on the handle a bit because the pocket clip's depression makes for a good grip."

Step 2:
"Then point the tang of the knife (still closed) in towards you, so your fist is at a diagonal holding the knife.."

Step 3
"Now comes the opening...you're going to turn your hand all the way over, really quickly...it helps the folks I teach this trick to try and hit their side with their elbow when they do it (elbow's out at the beginning, into the side at the end)....with opening tricks, it's all about the sudden stop"

Grip, draw, point, pop, and cut; instantantly!

:o
 
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