Hey everyone, thanks for the replies! I've quoted and responded to some of your posts below.
I'll try to explain as it was explained to me at a young age by our scout master. He told us that we never can tell when or how we may need to open our knife. Our hands may be wet, or cold, or both. To his way of thinking, a knife with a very heavy pull was an accident waiting to happen. If we use our knives like they were designed to be used, no problem...
I for one, can't see a single reason for a heavy pull on a folding knife. If you have to rely on a heavy spring or even a blade lock to keep safe, then maybe you should not be carrying a knife?
I understand what you're saying -- it isn't so much that I "rely" on a heavy spring to keep safe; I'm not cutting with the spine of the blade. A strong back spring just feels better to me. The Bullnose was the first traditional knife I carried and used on a regular basis, and I came to appreciate the simplicity, comfortable and utilitarian handle and non-threatening (in the eyes of the general public) appearance.
But coming from carrying locking knives for years, I think it requires a little change in mindset to not think, "It's bad that I can move the blade by pressing on the spine with my thumb." It does, indeed, make sense that you should be able to open a knife with tired, cold, wet or gloved hands; on a smaller blade like the Bullnose, which provides little purchase, can be difficult under less than ideal conditions.
One factor is the blade length. A longer blade gives more leverage against the spring.
This is true.
...I am actually not fond of strong backsprings (hard opening knives). I don’t want them to fall open but a 5-6/10 is about perfect. I have several GEC knives that I love but will give away as I can not open them. My thumbnails fracture way too easy!that is one reason I have been carrying more modern folders for the last few years. I am now also carrying some of my traditional folders, but mostly those I can pinch open.
Luckily I've never broken a nail opening my Bullnose, but I admit that it takes some force. I usually do a combination nail-opening/pinch-opening -- start with the nail nick, then pinch the blade and pull it the rest of the way open. Or use the nail nick as a spot for the pad of my thumb to dig into a little bit.
I like a good, snappy pull. Has nothing to do with it being “safe” or relying on it like a lock. I like Opinels and friction folders, too. But on a slip joint, there’s just something satisfying about a (reasonably) strong pull and good snap.
That said, I picked up two #21s from this recent run, and I wouldn’t describe the pull on either of them as light. Both similar to the #71s I have, perhaps a little easier to open thanks to the leverage of a longer blade, as
GronK
pointed out, but not really all that different.
I agree; for me, part of the appeal of a strong and snappy pull -- the authoritative click as the blade snaps into position, the feeling overcoming the back spring resistance, the sensation of "kickback" that can be felt in the knife handle as the blade opens or closes -- these are all sensorial pleasures I enjoy. They may inspire confidence for entirely non-logical reasons.
I like strong snap. It feels like quality to me. If it’s loose and barely pops into the well or open it feels wrong. Hence, I did not like the 43s. Beautiful but had no horsepower.
For me being able to open a blade or not has far more to do with the depth of the nail nick. I shy from Case for this. That said, once I have patina, I can pinch open 90% of blades.
The #43 was for the same reason a letdown for me, too. I also find a patina increases pinchability.
As my hands have gotten older and the arthritis worse I've gotten pretty handy at putting e-z open notches on my folders that will accomodate them.
A little discrete work with a dremel sanding drum can make a difficult to open knife a lot easier to use.--KV
I've seen some great-looking easy-open notches. Though I think I'd seldom need one, I have considered trying some day; I'd mostly be concerned about placing it so it doesn't interfere with my grip.
Maybe some fellas seldom use their slippie so prefer a stronger spring as it does actually make them feel safer. But....... using a slippie that’s in constant danger of closing on ‘em ain’t using it right imho - if so, carry a locker or fixed.
