Two handed locking knife?

T

Tom1983

Joined
Jul 1, 2016
Messages
61
I was discussing international knife laws with a friend in Germany and he told me that he gets to carry a one handed opening knife which does not lock or a locking knife which opens with two hands. This got me thinking whether I even know a locking knife which was designed to be opened with two hands and that's what we're looking for here. So no thumbhole. A removable thumbstud or axis/compression lock (flicking it) would be a legal gray area. Do you have any recommendations? I know that Spyderco makes the UKPK and DK for regions with strict knife laws, but he is not looking for another slipjoint.
 
Seems to me that any traditional lockback (like a buck 110) would fulfill those criteria.

~Chip
 
Something simple like an old school lock back would work. I have the Benchmade big summit lake and it is a very nice knife. A buck 110 or a Falkniven TK3 also come to mind.

Here is a pic of my benchmade. I added an aftermarket shorty clip from southern grind. Benchmade makes a small summit lake as well





 
The Gerber Gators are also available in nail nick versions. Kershaw's Lone Rock folder looks like it might fit the bill, but I'm not sure if the grooves on either side of the blade could be used like thumb studs. Cold Steel discontinued their Lone Star and Mackinac folders a little while back, but they are still available here and there, and they both came in nail nick versions. None of these are small knives. Is there a length restriction?
 
Many Boker knives come in a Germany legal configuration, they add 42 to the name to signify it being a Germany legal knife. Foe example a Boker Nano would be a Nano 42.

The number "42" refers to § 42 WaffG (German weapon law)
 
Last edited:
If I couldn't have a locking one handed opener, I'll definitely be rocking a TC Barlow....to heck with the lock... :)
 
No size restrictions for folders. What I've seen from the Boker 42 series so far are mostly slipjoints.
 
I bought a Victorinox Rucksack with a slide lock many years ago when traveling through Europe that I think would qualify. I think the Outrider and some other current Victorinox models have the same lock, although they don't have a picture of the lock on their website.

I think the larger Wenger and Victorinox Rangergrip series without a thumbhole might also qualify. I believe it is a push button lock which deactivates a liner lock (don't know for sure though).

I would assume that any "nail nick" knife would qualify regardless of the type of lock.
 
Living I Germany myself... So I know the feels.
BTW carrying an up to 12cm blade length fixed is also legal ;)
Many options have been mentioned already, the question is what you would like to carry. Modern options are far and between (I looked), one would be the small or large summit lake from benchmade. The only problem is that they are sort of hard to get and carry a steep price (so do your friend a favor and send him one from the states,i am still looking for one decently priced over here).
Of course there is also the French opinel and laguiole, manly makes a similar one with modern blade steel options too.
The maserin consoli might be an option as well.
Some of the larger victorinox have nail nick versions and one handed available.
And of course you could go custom.
BTW this law basically also rules out most modern Leatherman.

Gesendet von meinem SM-A310F mit Tapatalk
 
Buck 110, buck 112, bucklite Max series ( available with or without thumb studs ) case mako, case copperlock, and then there's the opinel.
The buck 110 is the best though.
 
Some beautiful knives you guys have mentioned. I knew we'd find something traditional, it's interesting to see how much play there is for modern designs (Manly Comrade did come to mind, but that's a sturdy slipjoint). I know that some people remove the thumbstud from the knife, but that way it still remains a legal gamble. Depending on whether or not you can still open it with the thumb. Or maybe an officer tries to wrist flick it and then you are screwed, anyway. But that should not be the worry with a knife that has no thumbhole/stud to begin with. Otherwise, I'd call that law enforcement bullying.

I know for a fact that Spyderco tried to gather ideas for a locking GPK (German pen knive) of sorts some years ago, but I'm not sure whether they have actually been testing something or how that would work if the Spyderhole was omitted from the design.
 
I would go traditional. Slip joints or friction locks. I know I have heard rumors of cops in New York City doing everything in their power to flick pocket knives open so they could file a charge and confiscate. So, I'd want to stack the deck in my favor.

Also, I wonder if those Cold Steel Paradoxes or black rock hunters are still available? Those are definitely two hand openers and would be something different.
 
Yeah. I know he wanted to carry an Ontario Rat, but reviews online say that the blade just flicks out buttery, even with a tightened pivot. Which is not a negative feature! But thus making it a "gravity knife" according to some laws.

One thing I just remembered. A friend of mine owns a Ka-Bar Dozier folding knife, which I borrowed. One of the AUS-8 lockback models that are still available on their website. When you remove the thumb stud (torx screw), it truly becomes a two handed knife, there is no way the blade can fall out. Look how close the thumbstud is to the handle. I think this knife can be described as meeting needs halfway, it has traditional, but also modern aspects.

KA4064-d.jpg
 
Those ka-bar doziers are good knives too. I think that would fly.

Unless someone is doing something stupid, the police won't ask about a knife in the first place.

Are fixed blades legal to carry? Or is it a only while hunting or camping deal?
 
I've heard and read so many good things about the Gerber gators mentioned above.
Even though I always look for OHO folders, I was offered one yesterday at a bargain price and after reading 90% very positive reviews I had to get it!

So it might be worth a look
 
Take a look at the Opinels. They require two hands to open, but the lock system works on both open and closed (if you want).
 
I just wanted to mention that most knife enthusiasts here in Germany often do carry one hand opening a d locking folders. It is not like you can get searched easily. But still, it is a hefty fine when you do get caught.
Me, I have never had an issue with this. But having recently become a father I decided not to take the risk. Not necessarily because of being more law abiding, but because 250€ fine would just hurt.
So back to fixed knives and and slip joints.
But I am really interested in the options mentioned here, so thanks everyone for contributing.

Gesendet von meinem SM-A310F mit Tapatalk
 
Oh, absolutely. A confiscated knife is both an emotional and a financial loss, not to mention the possible consequences of getting caught more than once. I'm not sure if fines would rack up or if a jail sentence would be next. I don't spend money on knives which I don't feel comfortable carrying, either. If that "gravity knife" check were not done regularly, I too would be getting a RAT in D2.

If I understand correctly, it's not locking knives that are the issue, but knives which lock upon opening. Thus making any Opinel legal to carry, or one of those nifty CRKT Journeyer pivot screw makeshift locks.
 
Moki and Fallkniven both make some very nice locking knives that require two hands to open. The workmanship has been very good. I have some American traditional knives, but I have had to send too many Queen and GEC knives back to the manufacturer to get blade play fixed. My experience was better with Queen.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top