What's easier to open, a nail nick or long pull?

Assuming everything else is the same, I would say nail nick, because a long pull blade usually seems to have a pretty long swedge. It's a matter of leverage though: the shape matters less than the actual location. The closer the nick/pull is to the tip, the more leverage, and the easier it will be to open.

Others are far more qualified to speak to certain patterns having heavy springs and other design features. If you are considering certain knives, I suggest you post pics or share your choices.


Michael
 
I don't think either one is inherently easier, but the farther you can get your nail from the pivot, the less force it should take. Think of the physics of a lever. So it's more about placement than shape. (in my experience)
 
I prefer long pulls, they tend to be easier to open for me. However, as said above there are a lot of variables in play with your question. If you want easy open, then get a EO knife or one where the blade sits high enough to "pluck". Pics of the knife in question would help a lot!
 
I agree with others here about the leverage issue. But many times I find that thhe position of nail nicks are near to where a long pull would be, so in those cases, I don't see a difference. But I just like the look of a long pull. It's a real classy touch to a knife. So I prefer that.
 
thedaver8 said:
I agree with others here about the leverage issue. But many times I find that thhe position of nail nicks are near to where a long pull would be, so in those cases, I don't see a difference. But I just like the look of a long pull. It's a real classy touch to a knife. So I prefer that.
Click to expand...

Agreed 100%. I especially like the look of a long pull whatever it's advantages or disadvantages :) But an Easy Open is top of the bunch!
 
I agree that position is key when it comes to force required to open, but for other factors I like a nail nick functionally. My nails are curved and so is a good nail nick, a long pull is typically straight and I feel it's harder on my nails and causes them to crack/tear more easily. Maybe i just have weak nails, but it's something I notice.
 
I don't think you can make a blanket statement that one is easier than the other. It all depends on the knife. Granted, leverage and position are factors but the backspring sets the pull factor. I've got a few knives that the backspring is so tight it wouldn't matter which style nick the blade had. They're going to be tough to open regardless.
 
I like the long pull best. Aside from looks, you can choose where to apply leverage. They are also easier to pinch open.
 
I def prefer the look of a long-pull, but leverage is nearly always gonna favor the nail nick as they're generally placed further out towards the tip than a LP is. That being said I've never had a problem with the pull on a pocket knife. Some day if my age, etc changes that then obviously that'll become a factor.
 
As others have said, some folks have preference for one or the other, but for most it's just a matter of aesthetics. Personally, I don't have preference.
 
It is a matter of spring tension. On the same spring I don't think that either of them is easier than the other. Personally I prefer long pull only because of the look of it.

Mike
 
I look at a few of my Barlows and I think it depends on the type of blade as far as looks go. I can't imagine my Sheepsfoot Barlow with a nail nick. My Clip point has the nail nick which works well. I thought I liked the long pull on the Clip point but I like the simplicity of the nail nick which gives you more clear blade to look at imo.
 
Depending on what is meant by 'easier', I tend to favor long pulls. More about how much easier it is to quickly locate by feel/touch, as opposed to hunting around for what is sometimes a very narrow and shallow nail nick. I think the wide & deep nature of long pulls also makes them 'easier' to handle without relying so much on thumbnail purchase.


David
 
EO with a pinch or if there's enough blade exposed in the closed position, just a pinch. Of the Nail nick and long pull I like the way the long pull looks. I think the long pull is easier because it allows your pulling point to be where you'd like it instead of a specific point on the blade as a nail nick and it obveously allows you to leverage closer to the end of the blade.
 
Sometimes the depth of the nail nick & the angle of the shoulder to the blade can make a big difference as to how easy a knife is to open.
 
Alot of times you don't have the choice between the two, and lately it seems like there hasn't been any long pulls coming out of GEC.
 
I have several GEC's where I have a Tidioute and Northfield version of an otherwise exact same knife and it could just be coincidence but it feels to me like my Tidioute versions with the nail nick is a little easier to open. I always just attributed it to the fact that is seems like the long pulls tend to be located a little further back towards the tang therefore making it a little harder but I've never put enough thought into it to actually measure the distance on each version. Maybe if I get bored enough tonight I'll do that cause now I'm kinda curious.
 
On my knives, the ones with nail nicks tend to have the nick close to the end of blade while the ones with long pulls tend to have the pull located closer to the tang of the blade. This makes the nail nicks easier to open, but as long as the combination of spring tension, blade length, and opening groove allow for a usable knife, then I don't care.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top