Favorite Fondling Knife?

zunedog31 · #1

What knife would you say is your favorite :spyder: to mindlessly flip open and closed while watching tv or when online? I am looking for a knife for this purpose. Also what modifications did you do to it to make it perfect ie. oil, loosening the pivot screw etc.

Evil D · #2

It's hard to beat a Manix 2 for this...the ball bearing lock is awesome to play around with. You can open and close that knife without ever touching the blade. I'm honestly a little jealous that the Para 2 (which i prefer over the Manix 2) doesn't have the ball bearing lock, even though the compression lock is plenty awesome itself. I've gotten really good at opening my Para 2 with my ring finger in a reverse grip which is pretty fun. I didn't really have to do any modifications to it...it's one of the smoothest opening Spyderco knives i've owned, but i do lube the pivots of all my knives with White Lightning Easy Lube.

zunedog31 · #3

Evil D wrote:It's hard to beat a Manix 2 for this...the ball bearing lock is awesome to play around with.

:eek: Dude you need to tell me how to do this because I have the Manix2 and I have a tough time enjoying the ball lock. I guess i need to get used to it but that ball lock is not easy to manipulate for me at least.

rg02 · #4

With my para 2, I can just push the compression lock and flick the blade open switchblade style. Or just open it with the thumb hole super fast because it is like butter.

phillipsted · #5

Evil D wrote:It's hard to beat a Manix 2 for this...the ball bearing lock is awesome to play around with. You can open and close that knife without ever touching the blade. I'm honestly a little jealous that the Para 2 (which i prefer over the Manix 2) doesn't have the ball bearing lock, even though the compression lock is plenty awesome itself. I've gotten really good at opening my Para 2 with my ring finger in a reverse grip which is pretty fun. I didn't really have to do any modifications to it...it's one of the smoothest opening Spyderco knives i've owned, but i do lube the pivots of all my knives with White Lightning Easy Lube.

I'm with you, Evil. Hard to beat the Manix 2 or the Para 2 for "pure fiddlin' pleasure".

I also like the UKPK or Terzuola non-locking knives as well - you can crank them open and closed with out having to fiddle with the lock. The thumbramp on the Turzuola is especially good for flippin...

TedP

Pneumothorax · #6

Used to be any liner lock type, but since I got my Para2, nothing else is my favorite to flip open and closed. Mainly because, it can be open and closed by flipping in both directions. Of course, one time, I did nick my pinky while flipping it closed...my son was watching the demonstration and laughed at me...

Douglas · #7

Sage 3.

MIL-DOT · #8

My harem is still fairly humble, but I like to goof around with my native 5, but after that I have an odd affinity for my black Delica combo-edge. The heavier hollow-grind blade somehow makes it feel more substantial than my FFG Delica.

The Deacon · #9

Lignum vitae Stetch, fun to open and close, and I find it calming just to rub my thumb on the smooth wood.

Mako109 · #10

Lately it's been the Zowada. Not the easiest to manipulate due to the small Spydie hole, but I've gotten fairly used to it and can open it quickly into a saber or hammer grip. To me the sound of the solid lock up and silky texture of the contoured handle makes the Zowada feel like a precision instrument...almost intoxicating.

I also like the Para 2.

Evil D · #11

zunedog31 wrote: :eek: Dude you need to tell me how to do this because I have the Manix2 and I have a tough time enjoying the ball lock. I guess i need to get used to it but that ball lock is not easy to manipulate for me at least.

If you pull the lock back when the knife is closed, it'll let the blade fall freely open. If you get the timing just right you can pull the lock and let the blade swing open and then shut it just in time to lock it, then do the same in reverse to close it. I actually prefer the action of the ball lock over the compression lock, because you have a better grip on the knife when operating the lock.

SQSAR · #12

I agree with EvilD, , the Manix is hard to beat. I'd say a Para2 would be 2nd with the GB coming in a close 3rd.

BDNX · #13

As far as Spydies go its probably gonna be the Para 2 for me as well....that or something like my Tasman just because I've had it so long and its so broken in....find myself "fondling" that one quite a bit actually. The Balance is fun to mess with too....I've been at work just playin' round with that one all night at times.

Blerv · #14

Zdp189 FRN Stretch. I like the others but few match it in comfortable slicing.

Sithus1966 · #15

Currently my newest blade I cannot open, it's a Schempp Rock. But I love holding the thing.

SpyderNut · #16

All of them. :)

brayou85 · #17

SAGE 3. i dont own a manix but id say they are close. Hugely underrated knife. And good fun.

Adriaan · #18

My spyderco poliwog g10 (discontinued) , Böker Special Run Leopard III Damast DLC and CRKT m16 13LE (discontinued).

wrdwrght · #19

Superleaf.

rodloos · #20

In spite of my owning 7 or 8 Manix2's, I'm not as fond of the caged ball lock for just idle open/closing -- in order to close it one-handed, I have to use both my thumb and forefinger to pull back on the lock while bracing the butt of the knife against my palm, which doesn't allow me to control the blade - I just have to make sure my fingers are clear when gravity pulls the blade down!

My smoothest-opening knife would have to be my Chockwe, absolutely butter-smooth.

As for fondling a knife without continually opening/closing, I really like the feel of the polished CF on my Michael Walker. Just rubbing my fingers up and down the CF, and then occasionally cycling it open/closed, I really like the feel of it.