What is your definition of smooth?

whitty

whitty

Dealer / Materials Provider
Joined
Aug 25, 2005
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We have a number of customers that come in the store that like to show us their personal knives. They like to show off their own modifications, or the things they did to make XYZ knife smooth. Smooth is a word in the knife world that I don't think anyone has truly defined. 10 different customers can hand us the same model knife and all 10 will ask us to notice how smooth it is. The problem is that all 10 will be different in the way they open, close and lock up. Some are fast, some are hydraulic, some are tight and some are loose. There is never any consistency in the use of the word from what we have seen.

So the questions is: What is your definition of smooth when it comes to a folder?
 
I'm not sure I can put it into words what smooth is to me ... but as you stated I think smooth is relative to what each invidual has had experience with.

They may have never owned anything that cost over $25.00 and then get a $100.00 knife that opens with ease or can be flipped open and they are amazed ... up until they feel a ZT flipper or a Hinderer and again be amazed ... and some will say the ZT or a CRK aren't smooth at all because they collect Shirogorov knives.

Kind of like defining "sharp" it's different for almost everyone.
 
First of all, smooth rules out serrated knives entirely. o_O

Other than that the entire thing is subjective. At least until the Grand Exalted Overlord Counsel of Knives and Every Thing Cutty, (GEOCK ETC) publishes the official definitions and standards - Which as we all know had the release date set back indefinitely due to that unfortunate group stropping accident.

That being said, I predict the counsel will at least rule that smoothness is a function, not of lubricant, but of polished metal to metal contact as determined by lack of vibration or hesitations in said movement.

I also predict they will continue their past performance, and heavily favor cat at the next lunch buffet, and that they intend to bet heavily on the Yankees to win, place, or show in next week's Super Bowl.
 
Well a regular Emerson sounds like an old screen door and feels of grit. They break in good though
 
Tough to really define but for me personally the smoothest action award goes to my Reate K-2. It flips everytime no problem, always locks and the ways it closes on it's own in that hydraulic fashion it just incredible. I love my ZT's and they all flip really great, but on the closing it's either not as smooth or finger guillotine for the most part. It's not a huge difference but enough of a noticeable difference that I give the crown to Reate for now and very much tempted by the sirens song of a K-1. TLDR: Strong flipping/deployment that works every time, slow closing on the weight of the blade alone without just falling shut.
 
Consistent in resistance all the way. For instance, a lot of people describe the Sebenza as smooth but flippers as smooth as well.

The thing they have in common is that they need the same amount of force to move the blade no matter which stage of the opening they are. That as far as I can tell is what smooth means.
 
LX_Emergency said:
Consistent in resistance all the way. For instance, a lot of people describe the Sebenza as smooth but flippers as smooth as well.

The thing they have in common is that they need the same amount of force to move the blade no matter which stage of the opening they are. That as far as I can tell is what smooth means.
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I'm with you. Consistency is key
 
There is no one definition of smooth because smooth is a feeling. When you yank out your knife, whether it be a flipper or not, and the blade glides out and locks into place, you get a slight joy out of that. A smile may appear and you might whisper, "Damn!"
THAT is "smooth" to me.
 
I think "smooth" is a personal thing once you get your knife adjusted to your liking. There are people out there that will tell you Kessler whiskey is smooth as silk.
 
I don't know about the consistency, necessarily . . . my peanut with a half-stop seems smooth to me, but I guess someone else might not say so.

I think a bit of tension in the pivot/resistance to opening and closing can make a knife feel smoother.

I think "Not gritty or stiff . . . But not flapping around like a fish either" is a pretty good operational definition!
 
From the dictionary:

smooth
smuːð/
adjective
  1. having an even and regular surface; free from perceptible projections, lumps, or indentations.
    "smooth flat rocks"
    synonyms: even, level, flat, as flat as a pancake, plane, flush, unwrinkled, featureless; More
  2. (of movement) without jerks. "the trucks gave a smooth ride"
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Have many bearing flippers and the most friction free would have to be this ceramic bearing, CKF. It just has no perceivable friction and while all bearing flippers seem smooth enough, it simply glides open and shut.
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Think of smooth, like spreading peanutbutter (the smooth type) ;) .
It's not gritty, nor does it fly (like an auto).
You got complete control while opening the knife.
Assisted knives and some bearings may open faster - speed is another dimension.
 
Smooth is like a boker kwaiken on bearings, or the old school ZT 560? On bearings. Those are super smooth as far as the opening action.

Not smooth is like... every emerson, ever.
 
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