For Person With Arthritis In Both Thumbs ; List Some Good Knives

Wowbagger

Wowbagger

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My partner says her brother now has arthritis in both thumbs and she actually asked me a knife question . What could she gift to him ?
Of course when I tried to demonstrate some wave opening knives she totally freaked and said get away from me with those . ENOUGH !

My first thought was wave but then , while mulling the question today, I realized one has to unlock them and that seems to take some thumb one way or another .
My Spyderco Pattadeses open almost with no effort with thumb but is a liner lock . . .

I did search and some said spyder holes and flippers were good.

How about best lock release ?
SORRY 'BOUT THE EDITS .
He is a hunter so he has fixed blades .
Talking strictly folders here .
He has significant property to care for so I was thinking waved Endela but any input would be greatly appreciated !
 
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If his thumbs are the problem, maybe a compression lock by Spyderco? It thumbs open really easily without having to roll the joint. It closes with a flick by using the pointer finger.

I have grown very fond of the Para 3 for EDC.
 
A good lever lock would be easy to manipulate (especially the Italians), and require next to no dexterity.

Sam⚔️⚔️
 
I have arthritis in my hands including thumbs. I do really well with my Enduras. I can have a problem with smaller knives when I'm cold so the Delica stays home. I have carried Enduras of one version or another since 1992 so I have adapted pretty well as the arthritis progressed. I can still get mine out and open faster than any of my autos due to the muscle memory. On bad days I can accidentially drop stuff out of my hands due to clumsiness but never have trouble with an Endura due to the design and familiarity..
 
Wowbagger said:
My partner says her brother now has arthritis in both thumbs and she actually asked me a knife question . What could she gift to him ?
Of course when I tried to demonstrate some wave opening knives she totally freaked and said get away from me with those . ENOUGH !
Click to expand...
*Wants to gift a knife*
*Refuses the most viable options*

That's her issue... it's like she wants you to tell her to give him something else...

It's her brother who'll have it - not her...

Just give him a fixed blade at that point.
 
A Spyderco of some sort will work. Between compression and button lock and the spydie hole, they are easy to open. Some have hooks on the blade to snag open. I’d download the catalog and send it to her, then give your +/- advice on whatever she asks about.
 
Would he be able to operate a Buck 110/112, or are we talking about one hand opening knives only?
My Spyderco PM2s, Natives, and Manix2s open pretty easily, and the locks on them shouldn't be a problem.
 
I would recommend a traditional lock back knife. They open fairly easily (two hand, easy to pinch the blade and little resistance to opening) and lock up solidly. When it is time to unlock it, and index or middle finger can be used to depress the lock. All in all I think they are the easiest to deploy and put away, unless one handed operation is required. In that case, I am thinking a flipper is going to be the best option, or maybe a button lock.
 
Automatic knives were originally made for people who had trouble opening the knives of the day. Protech side openers if auto's are legal where he is, otherwise the Protech button lock flippers are a good alternative. I like Spydercos, but there is a lot of thumb movement to open one. It greatly depends what movement hurts. Only the he can tell you that.
 
Demko are a good call. With a spydie hole (instead of thumb stud - they do both) to open with index or middle finger.

Most Spydercos can be opened with index or middle finger. Compression locks can be closed with index finger - no thumb required.

I often close frame locks with the index finger by turning them around, so any frame lock flipper should be ok as well, if the OP is open to this unconventional closing method.
 
Synov said:
Shark lock? Doesn't even need to use his thumbs.
Click to expand...
Index finger then ?
Pretty low spring resistance ?
That would be odd for Cold Steel they seem to be all about heavy duty "over load" springs in every thing. I have to take apart and tame every thing I buy from them .
No Shark lock in my Stables yet so I am clueless there .
Thank you for the suggestion .
and Thank you every one else for your suggestions !
 
Ironbut said:
Would he be able to operate a Buck 110/112, or are we talking about one hand opening knives only?
My Spyderco PM2s, Natives, and Manix2s open pretty easily, and the locks on them shouldn't be a problem.
Click to expand...
See that is what I don't know . I am not feeling what he is feeling .
I just assumed a nail nick would be out . Heck my partner HATES nail nicks and she doesn't have arthritis .
How are 110 / 112s for those of you that have arthritic thumbs ? ? ?
Other wise two hand opening closing should be OK .
 
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