Why de-assist?

[Spydesense]

Resurrection of this thread I just happened to run across. I have de-assisted two recently acquired Blurs and like them MUCH better. You don't realize how smooth the Blur's action is until you take the torsion bar out...it's actually amazingly smooth and functions as if there was never a torsion bar in it to begin with. Using a "normal" thumbstud opening technique, it flies open just as fast and consistent as it did assisted.

 

[Spyder59]

I pondered this question too.

 

[lai77120]

I see that people frequently de-assist their assisted-opening knives. Since I own a couple of Zero Tolerance 0566s, I'm curious about why. I know it's a personal preference, but what does one gain by de-assisting?

Here is a video of my de-assisted 566.
I can't speak for other zero tolerance models, but the 0566 is better this way (much better 😊

Beside since you have multiple of it, why don't you give it a try. If you don't like it, you can always just reinstall the torsion bar

https://vimeo.com/161339214

 

[T.K.C.]

If you are going to dessist it, then why bother buying it in the first place?

 

[22-rimfire]

If you are going to dessist it, then why bother buying it in the first place?

That is my belief as well.

 

[A-MAC]

If you are going to dessist it, then why bother buying it in the first place?

Because you like everything about the knife except the assisted action. In the cases above, the Blur and ZT566, both are excellent knives and there isn't a whole lot out there that feel like they do in the hand. As far as knives go, these two are two of the best knives ever produced in my opinion. I love the way the ZT566 fits my hand but am turned off by the assisted action.

 

[22-rimfire]

Once you own the knife, you can do anything you like to it. For me, I just choose something different. For example, I dislike Titanium or metal scales, and I choose my knives accordingly.

 

[UDIVER]

I de-assist every single assisted knife I get within 5 mins of owning it, assisted knives feel like shit, rattle and eventually the spring breaks.

They just really need to stop making them.

 

[T.K.C.]

Assisted knives are great for people who have arthritis and other disabilities, or have weakened hands.

 

[lai77120]

Assisted knives are great for people who have arthritis and other disabilities, or have weakened hands.

I always wonder about that. If your are too weak to open the knife unassisted, wouldn't you struggle to close them as well? (against the spring tension)

 

[Spydesense]

Assisted knives are great for people who have arthritis and other disabilities, or have weakened hands.

I have Bursitis in my knife dominant hand. It actually bothered me more when my Blurs were assisted, I felt as if I had to grip them harder to handle the "recoil". I also agree with possibly having trouble closing with the spring tension if someone has trouble opening a non-assisted knife. To each their own, my Blurs are so smooth now I could probably open them with my feet with a little practice.

 

[robgmn]

I always wonder about that. If your are too weak to open the knife unassisted, wouldn't you struggle to close them as well? (against the spring tension)

Speaking from experience with my own knives: it depends.
The non-assisted ones have tension on the blade pretty much to the point of lockup (not the liner or frame lock ones though).
The assisted ones have tension only until open about 1/4", then the spring takes over.

On a non-assisted liner or frame lock, I think overcoming the detent would be about the same effort as overcoming the spring that holds the blade closed.
An additional diffeence might be in the effort to pinch the blade for opening, or manipulate the thumb to use the thumstud.

Even without arthritis, I find it easier to use the flipper versus the thumbstud to open a smaller knife.

 

[Stays Sharp]

I avoid AO like the plague, just a matter of preference. I can open a manual knife just as fast without it and can close it quicker. I like full control all through a folder's range of motion.

Also, I'm not disabled, I do not need assistance.

There has been a few assisted opening KAI models that are too good to pass up, so I make it work for ME and deassist.

KAI reps in the past have discussed this openly and they know that some dislike AO. They have stated that they made some models capable of being deassisted. My CF 154cm Blur, and ZT566 being prime examples. It took me three 770's to get an acceptable one that doesnt easily flop out....But it is doable.

It is a bit asinine to criticize those who deassist with the logic of "Why not just dont buy it". Like they never in their lives made adjustments to something they buy to suit their needs. In this case being knives, a model is very appealing; steel, grind, aesthetics, handle materials, ergonomics... If I can make it work for me you are damn right Ill do it. KMA

 

[brancron]

I'm unsure of why people tend to start disfavoring assisted opening knives as they become more experienced with knives, but it's a trajectory most seem to have. I certainly do. Assisted opening is pretty much a deal breaker for me, as are semi serrations, black coating, and a few other things. One exception (if I could afford it without guilt) would be one of Ken Onion's full custom knives with his assisted opening. The ones I've handled at knife shows have had a completely different feel than your standard assisted openers. Very cool stuff.

 

[full flat grind]

I'm not a big fan of assisted opening knives, but I don't mind it on the Leek for some reason. Maybe because it's small and light. The sudden "thwack" is not so loud, and it gets the job done. Also, it's a flipper, and flippers are made to open quickly and suddenly like that, assisted or not.

OTOH, I think the Blur could be a better knife without the assisted opening because it's not a flipper, and I would probably enjoy it more if I had the option of either opening it slowly or flicking it open quickly with the thumb stud.

 

[W_cole]

On less part on the knife to fail. However, I personally never deasissted a knife due to the factor of some knives just don't flip as well as others. In my opinion, I would rather have a knife open every time then one that opens half way open every other time.

 

[rschuch]

I like both AO and manual, but the only knife I ever de-assisted was the Hissatsu, and only because the torsion bar was so tight in the closed position it took a lot of effort to get it to the point when the spring would take over. After filing the edge of the bar to make it more smooth, keeping it oiled up and bending the bar (or trying to) in the opposite direction, I have since re-assisted it and it's a lot better. It's still LOUD and shakes your hand when it opens, but at least my thumb doesn't slip off the disk now trying to force it to open.

 

[T.K.C.]

I always wonder about that. If your are too weak to open the knife unassisted, wouldn't you struggle to close them as well? (against the spring tension)

I have heard people tell me this, that they REALLY liked the assisted opening mechanism due to a variety of issues.

 

[Hotshot10]

I'm unsure of why people tend to start disfavoring assisted opening knives as they become more experienced with knives, but it's a trajectory most seem to have.

Yeah, it seems to be kind of like revolver enthusiasts who despises MIM parts in handguns. I didn't even have any idea what MIM parts were when I purchased my first revolver, but there is a lot of hatred for them out there.

 

[mjpgolf1]

As stated before in this thread, To me AO knives just remind me of a cheaper, gimmicky type knife that appeals to the guy that doesn't know any better and thinks it's cool like a switchblade. When I first started with knives I was into all the cheaper Kershaws on the market that have this opening mechanism, then I bought my first Spyderco and Benchmade and found out what quality was and that if a knife is built to certain standards there is no need to have any "help" getting the knife open and if the AO is there it's more for show if nothing else.