Poll - OH opening for EDC

[ringzero]

My first OH opening blade was a Blackie Collins designed Gerber Bolt Action that I got sometime back in the 1980s.  I was impressed with the ability to pull back on its bolt handle with a thumb, then flick the blade open or closed.

After EDCing the Bolt Action for a few years, I started looking at knives with an eye to their OH capability and noticed Spyderco ads in various outdoor mags.  Actually I'd seen Spyderco ads before, but hadn't payed much attention because the knives were weird looking and fairly expensive.  I do recall almost buying a Spyderco in an outdoors shop, but wound up with a more expensive laminated Cold Steel San Mai Tanto folder without OH capability.  (That CS Tanto was an EXCELLENT knife, which faithfully served and survived years of abuse outdoors.)  Sometime in the early 90s I finally got my first Spyderco and came to appreciate its OH capability and pocket clipability.

Since then my EDC has included a OH opener, usually with a pocket clip.

A few years back I also started to appreciate OH closing capability.  Liner locks, frame locks, or back locks located in the middle or front of the handle, e.g. Spyderco and Al Mar.  Lack of OH closing capability isn't a deal breaker for me, but it is a nice feature to have on an EDC blade.  For several years I stuck with a Gerber AR 3.00 for EDC because I loved its ergos and super easy OH opening and closing.

So, what are your thoughts on the vital topic of OH opening for EDC blades?  ;>

I know that some MTO members prefer slipjoints for EDC.  Although nowdays slipjoints can be had with OH opening capability, some people just prefer the look and feel of traditional slippies or SAKs for EDC.

 
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[Viking]

Absolute necessity for me.

Both my EDC knife (Benchmade Mini-Grip 556) and EDC Multi (Leatherman Charge TTi) are OH opening.

I'm an electrical contractor and many times I'll have a  "live" wire in one hand, and have a need for a knife or pliers.  I can just reach into my pocket and grab it without letting go of the live wire.

There's just not anywhere to "set down" a live wire that you can't shut off.  I suppose I could just say to the guy next to me, "Here, hold this.  Oh, by the way.  It's 277 volts.  Don't touch it."

[DaveK]

I've gone for highly desirable. I could manage without, but why should I?

[Benner]

If the laws weren't what they are over here, I'd carry a mean OH tactical folder every day  as when I can I carry and use a OH folder as I see no reason not to.  I can do without though, but I am usually not happy about it. 

[ringzero]

If the laws weren't what they are over here, I'd carry a mean OH tactical folder every day  as when I can I carry and use a OH folder as I see no reason not to.  I can do without though, but I am usually not happy about it. 

The UK laws suck, but you could still carry an OH slippie like the Spyderco UKPK right?

You don't need to EDC an OH tactical locker to enjoy the benefits of OH opening.

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[Benner]

If the laws weren't what they are over here, I'd carry a mean OH tactical folder every day  as when I can I carry and use a OH folder as I see no reason not to.  I can do without though, but I am usually not happy about it. 

The UK laws suck, but you could still carry an OH slippie like the Spyderco UKPK right?

You don't need to EDC an OH tactical locker to enjoy the benefits of OH opening.

.
 

Very true, but without going through the whole public perception of OH folders again, the knives I like are all lockers.  The UKPK is OK, but someting about it just doesn't grab me for some reason.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I'm quite happy to go down the slippie route

But if we had the option to carry OH then I might well of gone back down that route

[Zed]

doesnt bother me , i have one OH knife but never use it, but i can see the good points,

paul

[ringzero]

I'm quite happy to go down the slippie route

But if we had the option to carry OH then I might well of gone back down that route

Spyderco offers UK legal, if rather expensive, OH slippies like UKPK, Terzoula, and Urban.

CRKT offers a cheaper OH slippy, as does Boker.

So you do have legal options for OH EDC, MickyD.

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[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I'm quite happy to go down the slippie route

But if we had the option to carry OH then I might well of gone back down that route

Spyderco offers UK legal, if rather expensive, OH slippies like UKPK, Terzoula, and Urban.

CRKT offers a cheaper OH slippy, as does Boker.

So you do have legal options for OH EDC, MickyD.

.

Trouble is, cost aside, they just don't look anywhere near sheeple friendly enough to stay out of bother on these shores

[Benner]

I'm quite happy to go down the slippie route

But if we had the option to carry OH then I might well of gone back down that route

Spyderco offers UK legal, if rather expensive, OH slippies like UKPK, Terzoula, and Urban.

CRKT offers a cheaper OH slippy, as does Boker.

So you do have legal options for OH EDC, MickyD.

.

Spydies - real expensive
Boker - Just a poor mans Spydie (you'd always regret not getting the real deal) and still expensive
CRKT - Just bloody nasty!  (Ok they aren't that bad)

They should have never discontinued the Spyderco Pride.

[ringzero]

I'm quite happy to go down the slippie route

But if we had the option to carry OH then I might well of gone back down that route

Spyderco offers UK legal, if rather expensive, OH slippies like UKPK, Terzoula, and Urban.

CRKT offers a cheaper OH slippy, as does Boker.

So you do have legal options for OH EDC, MickyD.

.

Trouble is, cost aside, they just don't look anywhere near sheeple friendly enough to stay out of bother on these shores

Nonsense!

The Urban is inoffensive looking and sheeple friendly - blade is barely bigger than a Dragonfly blade.

.

[Benner]

Oooooo this old argument....

[ringzero]

Oooooo this old argument....

I'm not trying to start an argument, but can't see why UK people persist in saying they have no OH EDC options.

Don't several UK MTO members EDC UKPK or similar?

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[ringzero]

I'm quite happy to go down the slippie route

But if we had the option to carry OH then I might well of gone back down that route

Spyderco offers UK legal, if rather expensive, OH slippies like UKPK, Terzoula, and Urban.

CRKT offers a cheaper OH slippy, as does Boker.

So you do have legal options for OH EDC, MickyD.

.

Spydies - real expensive
Boker - Just a poor mans Spydie (you'd always regret not getting the real deal) and still expensive
CRKT - Just bloody nasty!  (Ok they aren't that bad)

They should have never discontinued the Spyderco Pride.

IIRC, Sal has announced that a less expensive FRN version of the UKPK will be availble soon.

I'd rather have it in FRN anyway, rather than G10, regardless of price.

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[Benner]

Oooooo this old argument....

I'm not trying to start an argument, but can't see why UK people persist in saying they have no OH EDC options.

Don't several UK MTO members EDC UKPK or similar?

.

This often comes up and you get 2 sides, those that have no probs carrying a UKPK for example anywhere as it's legal and that's enough for them, and those that still see the tacticalness of the UKPK and the Terzoula as a limiting factor because of it's unsheeple friendly appearance.  I'm in the second camp BTW as I believe that the public (and the coppers) perception of what the thing looks like is as big a factor as the actual legality of the blade (lock etc).  Some people agree and some don't.  Doesn't matter either way it just comes up from time to time.

Oh, and I'd hardly call 4 current models a huge range would you?

[Styerman]

I don't care about OH opening on a multi. Multi's suck as knives. I currently EDC an Alox Soldier and an OH Soldier , the Soldier gets the lions share of the work. I do use the Alox Soldier for delicate tasks , beer bottles , and high Sheeple emvironents.

Chris

[nuphoria]

Well I'm in the highly desirable camp too... or at least SWMBO says I am

I like to carry the UKPK and would prefer to have a OH blade given the choice. They are expensive, but they are also really nice IMO. I often find it useful to have the other hand free for whatever I'm doing, but I'm happy to just have a decent slippie or a SAK to hand if that's the only option. A dedicated blade is always preferable too.

[ringzero]

Oooooo this old argument....

I'm not trying to start an argument, but can't see why UK people persist in saying they have no OH EDC options.

Don't several UK MTO members EDC UKPK or similar?

.

This often comes up and you get 2 sides, those that have no probs carrying a UKPK for example anywhere as it's legal and that's enough for them, and those that still see the tacticalness of the UKPK and the Terzoula as a limiting factor because of it's unsheeple friendly appearance.  I'm in the second camp BTW as I believe that the public (and the coppers) perception of what the thing looks like is as big a factor as the actual legality of the blade (lock etc).  Some people agree and some don't.  Doesn't matter either way it just comes up from time to time.

Oh, and I'd hardly call 4 current models a huge range would you?

No, not a huge range, but still better than nothing.

Although I don't have a UKPK, I've observed unfavorable reactions of sheeple to similar 3 inch Spydies.  It's on the borderline of being sheeple unfriendly.

However, must say that I really like the look of the Urban and have considered getting one for EDC in sheeple environs. 

Urban looks pretty darned inoffensive to me due to the smaller blade.  My Dragonfly never seems to bother the sheeple, and Urban is just a tad bigger.

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[Benner]

I do tend to favour the Urban and would feel happy to carry that around, but for the price point I'd sooner have the lighter and far cheaper (£35 compared to £107 IIRC) Dragonfly to it.

What I want is a nice, simple lined, gentlemans, thumb stud OH slippy.

[P35]

I've gone for highly desirable. I could manage without, but why should I?

+1 carried a OHO every day since I found my first Spyderco, in the 1980s

[DaveK]

Oooooo this old argument....

I'm not trying to start an argument, but can't see why UK people persist in saying they have no OH EDC options.

Don't several UK MTO members EDC UKPK or similar?

.

Hell yes

Take no notice of grumpy and grumpier

I couldn't care less about people's reaction to my UKPK - it's legal and that's what I tell them.

I have a CRKT Edgie too. It's no UKPK sure, but it's decent enough

[Benner]

Am I grumpier, or just the regular grumpy? 

See what you have started RZ?! 

[DaveK]

Hey, if the cap fits.......

[Benner]

Won't fit me mate, the hair do is way too big...

[ringzero]

I do tend to favour the Urban and would feel happy to carry that around, but for the price point I'd sooner have the lighter and far cheaper (£35 compared to £107 IIRC) Dragonfly to it.

What I want is a nice, simple lined, gentlemans, thumb stud OH slippy.

Get a Kabar Mini Dozier Folder for 15 bucks or so.

Take it apart and then file on the locking notch in the tang with a diamond file.  Round off the corners of the locking notch to the point it'll no longer lock.  There's pics of how to do this over on British Blades.

Reassemble and you've now got a nice looking, lightweight (1.2 oz), FRN handled slippy with pocket clip and OH opening thumbstud.

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[Mate]

One handed opening for me,but one handed closing is not neccesary .

[David Bowen]

I thought for the longest time that I NEEDED a knife that had a one hand opening blade. Since getting back into traditional slipjoints I saw the light and realized all I really needed was a sharp blade. Does matter if it's clipped to your pocket or riding deep it's all the same to me. Traditions are said to have personality or a "soul" if you will and I am starting to believe them. The feelings you get when you hold and use an old timey pocket knife are not the same as when I carry something sleek and fast and using the latest materials. Plus I appreciate the roots that all knives come from and carrying a slippie is like going back to basics. Our grandfathers and men of long ago did not need a one hand opener and they got by their entire lives with just one blade in their pocket. We have become to high tech and fascinated by what modern manufacturers can crank out that we forget the simplicity of it all. Ok I have rambled enough, guess you know my standing on this. Does this mean in the end that I won't carry OH knives or get rid of all the cool ones I have? Nope it won't, just gotta make carrying a slip a priority. 

[Craig]

I rarely carry OH openers as all mine have locks - it is a great feature though.

[yud]

Don't need it and have never had need of a OH blade