With Damaged, Bandaged, Numb Hands Which LOCKING Folder ?

[dogrunner]

Has anybody here tried to do with cracking skin in hands/fingers during winter by using those oxidative hand-warmers to improve circulation?

i live in a cold climate, am outdoors a lot, have chronic deep splitting in my thumb and index fingers at least, and have also tried every topical ointment my wife puts in front of me. Ointments make no difference. I go through a LOT of bandaids!!! I also have Raynaud's. Finger tips get very painful, particularly if handling metal (no metal handles or even exposed tangs on FBs please!). And to your question - I use a lot of chemical handwarmers in my mittens and muks (toes get shut off too). Chem handwarmers are a life saver for avoiding frostbite and keeping my hands (and toes) functional, but they do not improve finger tip splitting. I don't think it is a circulation problem, it is a cold and dry skin cracking problem for me. I suppose the two might be related, but the splits only happen in winter and the Raynauds can cause problems any time of year, other than hot weather.

On the original question - I also like the Contego (have the M4 and M390) and find the axis easy enough to operate, but not as controlled as the spyderco military opening hole and liner lock. One huge benefit of the mili is the finger choil - if you have a finger there when you release the lock, the blade won't close on your fingers. Not so for any knife without that configuration, including the Contego.

 

[Riz!]

Spyderco Military is intended for use with gloved hands and works flawlessly in that role. I figure it would work for the OP and he is familiar with the blade profile and the Spyderhole

 

[KAEDC]

Full disclosure, I didn’t read thru the thread, maybe a Spartan blade Pallas might solve the issue? Button lock flipper

 

[Chris "Anagarika"]

Did no one mention Balisongs yet? Does it count as a locking folder?

Ah yes, Balisong is another good option if it’s legal in Mr Bagger’s area.
Used to own some, they tend to be thick and not very good slicer.

 

[whp]

I've found the compression lock on my Para 2 one of the easiest to work, but a liner lock might be as good.

I ve also been using a PM2 because I find the compression lock less injurious to my cracked thumb tip. The opening hole is the best also.
A Griptilian is also pretty well tolerated.

 

[Bill1170]

Backlock like the Endura would be my vote.

 

[James Y]

I haven't read the entire thread, but along with button locks, I would suggest one of the BM Axis locks. Some have a lighter pull than others.

I don't have any cracking, but for years, every winter I used to get a condition, that I now know is chilblains, on my toes and sometimes my fingers. For years, I thought it was some type of seasonal fungal infection on my toes, like a form of athlete's foot, but that wasn't the case. Doctors couldn't figure it out. I finally solved it with an Internet search of my symptoms. It described my situation to a T. I learned that chilblains is inflammation caused by exposing overly-cold feet and hands to too much heat at once, which can cause blood to leak out of the small blood vessels into the skin. It can cause redness, swelling, pain, intense itching, blistering, and even a purplish coloring. So in wintertime/colder weather, I'm careful that my feet and hands are already pre-warmed before going in to take a shower, etc. Don't put your cold hands and feet right in front of a heater, either. I rarely get chilblains anymore, and on the rare occasions I do, it's very mild and goes away quickly due to my precautions.

Jim

 

[marcinek]

I would think an opinel or a friction folder would be the best option.
They're usually very easy to open and don't require much dexterity to operate.
They require 2 hands to open, but you did ask for the best.

An Opinel?!? How is that easier to open than any one handed opener?

 

[GermanyChris]

My hands crack all winter to but for me it's from the dry heated air and I know that because they crack after a week or so in the desert. I'm also missing the end of my right thumb from a meat slicer incident when I was 16 so my hands are pretty beaten up. Last winter I carried my Pro-Tech TR4 when it was really bad this year I just two handed everything when it got bad

 

[sabre cat]

Back lock...use the crotch of your thumb's knuckle to depress the lock bar rather than the tip of your thumb.

This.
I was thinking the Ka-Bar Dozier #4065. About twenty bucks. Your not out much if it does not work for you.

 

[Kels73]

You don't own too many Cold Steels I would bet.
With this Ti Boker the crotch of thumb works but then so does the thumb tip because it is easy to depress; I depress it and close the knife like this all the time. (old photo).
View attachment 812119

These two Cold Steels, often carried together; forget it. Even though the larger one is easy for a Cold Steel I still couldn't depress it with the crotch of my thumb (and I been resting up all day).
The little Cold Steel ? It is difficult enough, even with no splits, I have to carry a trampoline with me just so I can get enough hight so I can jump on the release hard enough.
ha,ha,
Though I know what you mean. On the little one I use the bony side of my thumb bone to depress the lock because even my thumb pad won't do it.

My 110 was possible with the crotch of my thumb.
View attachment 812139

Actually, I've owned quite a few Cold Steels, and that's exactly what I had in mind when I made the recommendation. The crotch of the knuckle is the only part of the thumb that I use to depress a Triad lock bar. I can easily exert more pressure using this method, and I find it to be very comfortable. I don't enjoy depressing a Triad lock bar with the tip of my thumb.