Who makes the smoothest folder you've handled? >>

The smoothest folder (liner lock) I ever owned,was from Eddie Baca.It had a jeweled pivot.The pivot system,using rubies,was designed by Jerry Mc Clure & he has a website that describes this pivot system
http://www.jmcclureknives.net/index.htm

-Vince
 
patrickb said:
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
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RJ Martin
 
For me it would be:

Griptilian
SOG Access Card 2
Kershaw Talon (the old one)

All open buttery smooth.
 
I did'nt read this entire thread but I bet that Benchmade's "Mini Skirmish" came up more than a few times. Thats whats cliped on my pocket at the moment. enjoy. edgy:thumbup:
 
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grybsh7 said:
My Korth Amazonas with IKBS is my smoothest opening folder.
As far as production folders go Benchmade's Axis lock knives are hard to beat when it comes to smooth opening and closing imo. Spyderco hit a homerun with the GB for sure,
super nice knife for a buck 35.
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Korth makes some amazing knives. My baby is a Korth Stinger with IKBS. The blade swings shut when pressure isn't on the tang from the lock. If I press the lock down, it'll swing freely. Kinda compare it to a wooden ruler with a pencil through one of the holes (like every little did does).

I seem to post these pictures here a lot.
img0876is.jpg


img0874r.jpg
 
amroc said:
Korth makes some amazing knives. My baby is a Korth Stinger with IKBS. The blade swings shut when pressure isn't on the tang from the lock. If I press the lock down, it'll swing freely. Kinda compare it to a wooden ruler with a pencil through one of the holes (like every little did does).

I seem to post these pictures here a lot.
img0876is.jpg
Click to expand...

I love the clip on this one. I can't imagine how difficult that was to make.
 
roshi said:
My definition of smooth means easily opened with no play, locks up tight in all directions even when opened slowly, lock disengages smoothly with little effort.
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I can live with that. Going by these standards, my CS American Lawman fits the bill, though the lock isn't that easy to disengage. That's ok with me though.
 
the best opener Ive owned was a midtech galyean JYD
that thing is an excellent EDC, felt like it was an auto whenever I flipped it
 
My choice for a production knife is my Umnumzaan.

Custom, tough choice, folder would be Lochsa and flipper is any of my RJ Martin's: Variable, Q 36 or Overkill.
 
The smoothest production knife I have handled is my BM 943. The smoothest custom knife that I have handled was an Elishewitz Ra flipper.
 
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