One-handed opening: does it matter?

D

DangerZone98

Joined
Dec 7, 2019
Messages
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How important is one-handed opening to you? The folding knife market has numerous options for whipping out your bad boy with just one hand: thumbhole, thumbstud, flipper, thumbdisk, thumbplate, your dog’s eyelid, etc. Does it really matter? I love one-handed deployment, but I can’t think of any practical situation where one-handed offers an advantage over the good ole nail nick.

As for me, I’m usually a one-handed opening, two-handed closing kind of guy. No particular reason other than it feels cool to slam that Tri-Ad lock home singlehandedly.
 
Yes, 90% of the time I'm holding something in my off hand that is going to get cut.
 
If I am pulling out a SAK or traditional, it's because I want to open a blade two handed and do some sort of menial task. If I pull out a folder, it's likely that my other hand is full. 9/10 times, while I carry a SAK and folder, I reach for the folder.
 
For the longest time I had no restrictions on what I could carry so I mostly went with one-handers with pocket clips. Then I started working a retail/office job where I really could only get away with a smallish pocket knife so I pretty much went with Peanuts, Pens, a Small Stockman or even an Alox Soldier or Pioneer. Now that I can carry whatever I want again I’ve mostly gone back to one-handed pocket clippers (don’t tell the folks in the Traditional forum...:D)

ETA: I also have a Vic Classic on my keyring in case I need to use something a little more discreet.
 
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If i'm using a folder I can open with one hand, I want to close it the same way. I typically carry both a modern folder (pocket clip, one hand opening) and a traditional (usually a Buck 501, or a GEC slipjoint). I'm probably a little more likely to use the traditional; unless the situation requires single hand use.
 
I consider one handed opening to be a convenience. Definitely something I prefer in a folder. As others have stated, the other hand is usually busy holding the object to be cut. This happens to me a lot with rope for example. The spyder hole gets it done every time.
 
DangerZone98 said:
How important is one-handed opening to you? The folding knife market has numerous options for whipping out your bad boy with just one hand: thumbhole, thumbstud, flipper, thumbdisk, thumbplate, your dog’s eyelid, etc. Does it really matter? I love one-handed deployment, but I can’t think of any practical situation where one-handed offers an advantage over the good ole nail nick.

As for me, I’m usually a one-handed opening, two-handed closing kind of guy. No particular reason other than it feels cool to slam that Tri-Ad lock home singlehandedly.
Click to expand...
How about on a boat?
 
Yes it’s a must for me. I have tried traditional but it’s the one handed opening that sends me back. On a ladder.. one hand, holding something... one hand, driving (shit happens)... one handed, injured... one handed, gloved... one handed, etc. spyderco whole works the best for my needs.
 
As I answered in the last one-hand opening thread, and the one before that, etc....

Yes, easy one hand opening and closing are important to me. It is why I prefer a modern locking folder. I enjoy using the many SAKs and the few traditionals I carry. However, often times I'm already holding what needs cutting with one hand so a modern OHO knife makes tasks much easier to complete for me. Add in being in a precarious setting like a ladder or in a soaking rain and I am very happy to be able to just whip out, cut, and put my knife safely back in pocket with one hand.
 
I come from Germany and to sum up our knife laws you have basically three options here:

1) Two hand opening knives are fine.
2) Fixed blade shorter than 12cm are fine.
3) One hand opening knives are also legal to carry but only as long as they don't lock. However, this exception isn't common knowledge even among cops, attorneys and judges.

So yes, I usually carry two hand opening knives. Would I also carry them if I could carry one hand opening knives? Yes! I am not somebody that uses his knife as a fidget toy. I also usually don't have to use a knife when one of my hands is holding something. But I'd probably mostly carry one hand opening knives because they can come in handy.
 
I can clearly see where having a one hand opening knife is beneficial and a practical option. There is a whole world of knives that are essentially in between semi-auto/auto and say a slip joint (essentially a two hand opening knife) and very practical. Many of these are designed for one hand opening but more than likely they are opened with two hands in most cases. These tend to be the ones I gravitate toward (examples Spyderco Native, Delica, Benchmade Mini Presidio II, etc.) . I have done the easy one hand opening thing (flippers, AO's, and switch blades) and don't see it important to my life.

Added: I often pack a One Hand Opening Vic Trekker on hikes. I could choose the regular model but I choose the one-hander due to potential emergencies where I might only have one hand that is functional.

It's nice to have options.
 
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