- Joined
- Dec 29, 2003
- Messages
- 339
I pose the question "smoothest you've handled" rather than a blanket "who makes the smoothest folder" because it's impossible for someone to have owned or used all the brands out there.
My collection is limited, and I've handled far fewer than many folks here. However, I quickly developed a fascination for a smooth opening folder once I handled a knife by Mike Obenauf. Since handling one late last year, I've since bought three, all Model 2's. A small S30V bladed framelock, a small Damascus bladed framelock and a mini S30V bladed liner lock. What they all have in common is an amazingly friction free, effortless, glassy, fluid-like smooth action. All three were manufactured at different times with different materials, but they all share the indistinguishable, consistent opening action.
I've felt a similar action in folders by Carson and Mayo and my Lochsa comes real close, but in my experience, [admittedly limited experience], the Obenauf is the smoothest.
Note, my definition of smooth may differ from yours. For instance, if I loosen the pivot on my BM Axis folder, the blade drops out with just gravity. That's not the kind of smoothness to which I refer. The Obie's have a hint of resistance, but their action is so uniformly smooth, it's addicting.
When talking about smooth folders, a few names seem to pop up on many collector's lists. Just curious who makes your list...or if smoothness is even a factor for your knife purchases. For me, it's one of the biggest.
-pb
My collection is limited, and I've handled far fewer than many folks here. However, I quickly developed a fascination for a smooth opening folder once I handled a knife by Mike Obenauf. Since handling one late last year, I've since bought three, all Model 2's. A small S30V bladed framelock, a small Damascus bladed framelock and a mini S30V bladed liner lock. What they all have in common is an amazingly friction free, effortless, glassy, fluid-like smooth action. All three were manufactured at different times with different materials, but they all share the indistinguishable, consistent opening action.
I've felt a similar action in folders by Carson and Mayo and my Lochsa comes real close, but in my experience, [admittedly limited experience], the Obenauf is the smoothest.
Note, my definition of smooth may differ from yours. For instance, if I loosen the pivot on my BM Axis folder, the blade drops out with just gravity. That's not the kind of smoothness to which I refer. The Obie's have a hint of resistance, but their action is so uniformly smooth, it's addicting.
When talking about smooth folders, a few names seem to pop up on many collector's lists. Just curious who makes your list...or if smoothness is even a factor for your knife purchases. For me, it's one of the biggest.
-pb
