VIDEOS: 6 ways of closing a CBBL one handed

[vivi]

Interesting post, thanks for sharing! Most of those I've never tried.

I might as well post a video with the ones I've tried.

https://streamable.com/bfd2pw

I always use the first method, and have since I bought a Pkal back around 2008, which was the first CBBL knife Spyderco made.

Previously I had to use the two finger pinch I show in method #3 on non caged ball lock knives like the Dodo and D'allara.

Method #2 is just for fun. Sometimes it bounces back open a bit so I don't find it as reliable as #1.

[Wartstein]

Interesting post, thanks for sharing! Most of those I've never tried.

I might as well post a video with the ones I've tried.

https://streamable.com/bfd2pw

I always use the first method, and have since I bought a Pkal back around 2008, which was the first CBBL knife Spyderco made.

Previously I had to use the two finger pinch I show in method #3 on non caged ball lock knives like the Dodo and D'allara.

Method #2 is just for fun. Sometimes it bounces back open a bit so I don't find it as reliable as #1.

Thanks for the vid!

It´s funny with what a plethora of closing methods people come up with if they just try for themselves.. (and don´t limit themselves right from the start to what they saw others do)

At least in my case I "discovered" all the methods I show in my vids BEFORE I even knew how other people close their CBBLs (and that seemingly many think there would be basically only one method with a CBBL).
I was even more oldschool some years ago than nowadays, did never watch any knife vids and literally knew (and still know) absolutely NO knife people in my "real life" and so over time just figured out myself how to operate locks just while using and carrying the knives.

The above is even more so true with backlocks, which I am a lot more familiar with than with the CBBL.

Funny thing also: I almost never use the "common" drop-the-choil-on-the-finger"-method with BACKLOCKS, but very often with CBBLs...

[Wartstein]

....

I always use the first method...

Added to my post above: YOUR first method actually is one I never used in that exact same way... but it works great right from the first try on.

/ PS: And your vid showing the Manix XL in your hands makes clear why you call the regular Manix 2 "Mini Manix"

[Wartstein]

Interesting post, thanks for sharing! Most of those I've never tried.

I might as well post a video with the ones I've tried.

https://streamable.com/bfd2pw

I always use the first method, and have since I bought a Pkal back around 2008, which was the first CBBL knife Spyderco made.

Previously I had to use the two finger pinch I show in method #3 on non caged ball lock knives like the Dodo and D'allara.

Method #2 is just for fun. Sometimes it bounces back open a bit so I don't find it as reliable as #1.

Thanks for the vid!

It´s funny with what a plethora of closing methods people come up with if they just try for themselves.. (and don´t limit themselves right from the start to what they saw others do)

At least in my case I "discovered" all the methods I show in my vids BEFORE I even knew how other people close their CBBLs (and that seemingly many think there would be basically only one method with a CBBL).
I was even more oldschool some years ago than nowadays, did never watch any knife vids and literally knew (and still know) absolutely NO knife people in my "real life" and so over time just figured out myself how to operate locks just while using and carrying the knives.

The above is even more so true with backlocks, which I am a lot more familiar with than with the CBBL.

Funny thing also: I almost never use the "common" drop-the-choil-on-the-finger"-method with BACKLOCKS, but very often with CBBLs...

[vivi]

Interesting post, thanks for sharing! Most of those I've never tried.

I might as well post a video with the ones I've tried.

https://streamable.com/bfd2pw

I always use the first method, and have since I bought a Pkal back around 2008, which was the first CBBL knife Spyderco made.

Previously I had to use the two finger pinch I show in method #3 on non caged ball lock knives like the Dodo and D'allara.

Method #2 is just for fun. Sometimes it bounces back open a bit so I don't find it as reliable as #1.

Thanks for the vid!

It´s funny with what a plethora of closing methods people come up with if they just try for themselves.. (and don´t limit themselves right from the start to what they saw others do)

At least in my case I "discovered" all the methods I show in my vids BEFORE I even knew how other people close their CBBLs (and that seemingly many think there would be basically only one method with a CBBL).
I was even more oldschool some years ago than nowadays, did never watch any knife vids and literally knew (and still know) absolutely NO knife people in my "real life" and so over time just figured out myself how to operate locks just while using and carrying the knives.

The above is even more so true with backlocks, which I am a lot more familiar with than with the CBBL.

Funny thing also: I almost never use the "common" drop-the-choil-on-the-finger"-method with BACKLOCKS, but very often with CBBLs...

I'm the same with backlocks, I've never seriously used that method either. The only reason I even tried it was seeing it done here.

When I first transitioned from old school lockbacks and slipjoints like Buck 110's and Swiss Army Knives, I'd squeeze the lock release and nudge the blade closed by pushing it against my leg.

Over time, carrying lockbacks with a Spyderhole I developed the first method in the following video:

https://streamable.com/g3pc6r

At this time, like you, I wasn't watching other peoples knife videos. This is simply what felt intuitive for my hands.

[Pokey]

I use method 6 with my Manix 2, and method 1 as Plan B when I look like a bumbling idiot and 6 goes less than spectacular.

[JuPaul]

I have a pretty hard time using a cbbl with just my thumb, so it's #1 or #6 for me. And definitely the "regular" #6 way feels more natural to me. That's why I like a relatively free-swinging blade on a Manix.

You mean "free swinging" when the blade is partly closed and the lock is released, right?

Cause for me one of the good things of the CBBL is exactly, that when the blade is partly closed, but then you put the fingers away from the lock (so it engages partly again), the blade stays in place where it is and does not get "floppy"

Oh yes, definitely. I mean that the blade drops shut freely when the lock is fully disengaged.

[M Sea]

Ok, I have been trying all 6 ways today much to the inquisitive smirks from my boss...but #6 is working well

[ChrisinHove]

#6 for me! I find the XL much easier and more satisfying than the standard version I had.

[vivi]

....

I always use the first method...

Added to my post above: YOUR first method actually is one I never used in that exact same way... but it works great right from the first try on.

/ PS: And your vid showing the Manix XL in your hands makes clear why you call the regular Manix 2 "Mini Manix"

Compare the Manix XL in my hands to a Delica or Para 2 in JuPaul's and its pretty obvious why the models we each like work well for us. I've said it before but I'm jealous of people with smaller hands that work for a wider range of Spyderco models. The XL looks a little small in my hands even

Additionally when the Manix first came out it was the C95 "Manix." The next version was called the "Mini Manix" and is the knife the "Manix 2" is based on. When the Manix XL came out they switched the labels, calling the C95 sized version the "XL" rather than the "Manix." Having been around for the original duo, those names stuck with me.

Now, back to the ball lock. I used it in various models like the Dodo and the Phoenix. Then when the caged ball lock came out I perceived the sole purpose of the cage as facilitating one finger operation. When I bought my Pikal it took some getting used to using method #1, but I was unwilling to use a lock that I perceived as designed for single digit operation with two fingers.

My closing method witht the CBBL is very close to how I close liner locks, both feel very easy and natural to operate for me.

[cycleguy]

Thanks for posting this! Just the other day I was wondering how others close their CBBL Manix (LW).

I'm a modified #6 ... 3 point method! Only 3 points of contact: the thumb on one side of the CBBL, the first finger on the other side of the CBBL, and the heel of the handle pressed into my palm. The force to move the CBBL by the thumb and first finger presses the heel into the palm so it remains firm in hand. My other three fingers are out and away from the knife so all is clear when closing, and my palm doesn't bulge up and into the swing of the blade when closing. It is just a small flick to drop the blade and I suspect it will free fall soon after some use. I guess my hand is of the right size to do this with this model.

CG

[Bloke]

My other three fingers are out and away from the knife

[cycleguy]

Duplicate post

[cycleguy]

My other three fingers are out and away from the knife

Ha Ha ... thought I heard someone order up fingers for Halloween props???

CG

[Cycletroll]

I must be boring, I'm #6 every time haha. My fingers aren't the longest so it takes some fiddling and more adjustments to get my finger into the Spydie hole to close it other ways. Definitely the fastest, most natural way for me.

I'm a #6 guy too. Only way that makes sense to me.

[Enactive]

My other three fingers are out and away from the knife

Perfect!

[nerdlock]

Good stuff Wartstein!!! I wish I could just close a Manix one-handed. I know I'm not the only one with the dilemma...

[Albatross]

I mostly use #4 and #6, but have used most of them.

Side note: I often close compression lock knives with my thumb, drop the choil on to my index finger, then close with the thumb or index finger. Same as my back lock method.

Maybe that's why #4 is one of my more used closing methods.

[DSH007]

# 6 for me too, with the slight variation that I angle the handle vertically underneath the pivot while fully depressing the cage, allowing the blade to fall to closed with a much less aggressive flicking motion.. it's really more of a free-fall to shut, especially on my Manix LW. I like this method because my fingers are out of the blade path at all times.

#s 1, 2,4, and 5 seem overly complicated to me, given how easily I'm able to manipulate the CBBL using #6.

#3 just seems unnecessarily dangerous to me given the precarious two-finger grip during the exaggerated flicking motion.. I'm not saying "I couldn't do it," or that "you shouldn't".. rather, for me personally, it's not a method I'd like to get used to using as my primary means of closing a knife.. in my head, out of all possible closing methods, this one seems like it has the greatest likelihood of my knife flying across the room..

[bdblue]

I'm always #6- thumb and first finger operating the lock. I hold the knife horizontal pointing away from me, activate the unlock, and let the blade drop. My past work knife is an old M4 version that is well used. The blade drops freely, almost has enough inertia to close completely. My new work knife is the LW Rex45 model. Its pivot is fairly stiff so the blade doesn't drop at all. I can give it a quick shake and the blade will drop a bit then I close it the rest of the way with my first finger.