Thumbhole Method

I flick 'em open with my thumb. I can flick open the PM2 w/ my middle finger, but not so good on my Delica. I think it's because I have small hands and short fingers - maybe, lol.
 
Thumpad, Thumbnail, Middle finger, two hands. I don't favor or stick to one opening method. Now that I think about it, I just do whatever gets my knife open from wherever it is at the time I need it. :D
 
SpeedHoles said:
Controlled openings are the only way to open a knife. If you don't have control over it you shouldn't be operating it.
Learn to middle finger flick like it's instinct and it's perfectly safe. Any operation or motion with a knife has the potential to cut you if you're careless.

Like Cryo said, the middle finger flick results in the knife already being in ready position. While timing is not always an essential aspect of most daily use (other than maybe self defense), but IMO more efficient use of movement definitely is. :thumbup:
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Exactly. Plus for me personally I feel I have the most control when flicking. When using my thumb my knife feels as though it has some play within my hand. When flicking I squeeze with my index finger and thumb on either side of the handle. I don't ever have to put wrist motion into play so am not afraid to fling my knife while flicking. This is like most things a "to each his own" kind of situation. I am all for safety when handling knives and in my experience, for me personally, flicking has been safest
 
I used to middle finger flick almost exclusivitiy but it seems I have about fully transitioned to controlled thumb pad opening.

Sometimes I can't help myself though, maybe only once out of 50 openings. Old habits die hard I suppose.
I have really come to appreciate feeling the knife pivot as I open it. All the little variations in tension, presence of grit or glide. It makes me feel perhaps a little more in tune with the knife, makes the relationship more personal to me.

Except for the Techno, as a lefty my options are few with that one; and every so often the para because it's just so easy and fast to do.
 
Controlled, always...at least in public. :o. I was with a group of folks the other day and an aquaintance had a folding knife. I asked him if I could see it and he pulled it out and gave this huge exaggerated wrist/arm flick, firing the knife out as if he was facing off against a band of evil ninjas. Someone behind him actually had to step back and he got some wary looks from a couple of the females in the group. It was painful to watch and I was honestly a bit embarassed to even accept and examine the knife he had just "brandished". Believe it or not, this guy is well into his 50's. Apparently there is no age limit on dummy. ;)

Not trying to sound judgemental...though I'm surely succeeding. I love playing with all these openings at home on my couch. I have spent many hours flicking mine open in all manner of techniques. I prefer a strong "marble shot" (no wrist) thumb opening btw. :D. I'm simply putting out a public advisory message in case there is anyone who is not sure if it looks cool to perform ninja technique in public for large crowds of NKP. Hehe. ok, flame suit donned. :)
 
^^^ Yeah, I agree on the warning. I usually EDC 3.5" - 4" blades, which become all the more intimidating in public when they snap out from nowhere.

Slow opening is the way to go around people in public. Or my grandmother...
 
Lebowski22 said:
I used to middle finger flick almost exclusivitiy but it seems I have about fully transitioned to controlled thumb pad opening.

Sometimes I can't help myself though, maybe only once out of 50 openings. Old habits die hard I suppose.
I have really come to appreciate feeling the knife pivot as I open it. All the little variations in tension, presence of grit or glide. It makes me feel perhaps a little more in tune with the knife, makes the relationship more personal to me.
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Except for the Techno, as a lefty my options are few with that one; and every so often the para because it's just so easy and fast to do.
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Well said (read stated). Excellent points with regard to handling a knife from someone who must have a good relationship with said knife. :thumbup:

I gather that you don't ' date ' flippers as they tend to be ' cold ' in a relationship. :D
 
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Haha, nice story gringo, I know exactly that guy. :p
Definitely cringe worthy. You were probably on the verge of telling him you were all set on handling it, lol.

My blade use is so seldom in public around unknown people. Typically only at work where it doesn't matter, never with client nor customer, and any other time is out in my personal shop or the forest.
I am always a bit reserved and on the verge of shy in my use in public, unless of course work needs to get done or possibly an emergency I'd imagine...

I'm not the guy who goes to the mall with a Military and flicks it out to pick my fingernails for half an hour, lol.
 
Totally. In a wholly unknown or suspected unfriendly environment sometimes I will use two hands to open my blade like a buck 110 style opening.

I have never understood why so many people equate the speed of the blade deployment with lethality and danger level. As if I would not already have my blade at the ready if my intentions were devious.

I don't even understand the concept of a knife as a defensive weapon except in a last ditch, no other options life depends on it situation. Much better tools in a free state for that duty.


SpeedHoles said:
Haha, nice story gringo, I know exactly that guy. :p
Definitely cringe worthy. You were probably on the verge of telling him you were all set on handling it, lol.

My blade use is so seldom in public around unknown people. Typically only at work where it doesn't matter, never with client nor customer, and any other time is out in my personal shop or the forest.
I am always a bit reserved and on the verge of shy in my use in public, unless of course work needs to get done or possibly an emergency I'd imagine...

I'm not the guy who goes to the mall with a Military and flicks it out to pick my fingernails for half an hour, lol.
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CryoGuy5272 said:
Exactly. Plus for me personally I feel I have the most control when flicking. When using my thumb my knife feels as though it has some play within my hand. When flicking I squeeze with my index finger and thumb on either side of the handle. I don't ever have to put wrist motion into play so am not afraid to fling my knife while flicking. This is like most things a "to each his own" kind of situation. I am all for safety when handling knives and in my experience, for me personally, flicking has been safest
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Have you cut yourself while thumbing a knife?

SpeedHoles said:
Haha, nice story gringo, I know exactly that guy. :p
Definitely cringe worthy. You were probably on the verge of telling him you were all set on handling it, lol.

My blade use is so seldom in public around unknown people. Typically only at work where it doesn't matter, never with client nor customer, and any other time is out in my personal shop or the forest.
I am always a bit reserved and on the verge of shy in my use in public, unless of course work needs to get done or possibly an emergency I'd imagine...

I'm not the guy who goes to the mall with a Military and flicks it out to pick my fingernails for half an hour, lol.
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You must be a mall secret agent then. :D
 
singularity35 said:
Riiight....
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In this entire thread you've seemed a bit of a jerk when other people state that they use a method other than you. I have not once said flicking is better or that because you don't that you are lesser. I believe I've made bit pretty clear that it is my personal preference and what works best for me. The point of this thread was for people to give their preferred way to deploy their knife and the reasons behind why they do it. Not to become a debate on the best or even safest way to deploy.
 
CryoGuy5272 said:
The point of this thread was for people to give their preferred way to deploy their knife and the reasons behind why they do it. Not to become a debate on the best or even safest way to deploy.
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And ( not trying to be a jerk ) there is the differance. You see I do not "deploy" my knife, a Military. I take it out of my pocket, open it, use it, close it, and put it back. ;)

Most non-flickers don't "deploy". But to each his or her own.
 
I tried learning the middle finger flick after reading about it here. Ended up flipping the knife into a wall and chipping the edge :o.

Slow and steady thumb opening when using it (especially in public). Thumb flick when I'm just feeding the addiction (while sitting in traffic, usually).
If someone asks to borrow it, I let them open it, unless they ask me to do it for them. Same thing for closing.
 
singularity35 said:
Riiight....
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Leeeeeeeffft....




Todd21969 said:
And ( not trying to be a jerk ) there is the differance. You see I do not "deploy" my knife, a Military. I take it out of my pocket, open it, use it, close it, and put it back. ;)

Most non-flickers don't "deploy". But to each his or her own.
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I don't label any of my movements. Free like water, move without resistance. Lol, getting all deep with it. :p
...kidding around. :D



Some people might even utilize their blade, instead of harnessing the powers of their sabre... or store their folder, instead of placing their cutter into holding...
They're all just words of the English language.
 
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