First Spyderco - Flicking Issue

[Furiosa]

I got my first Spyderco Knife this past Christmas. It's a Para 3 lightweight but I'm having lots of issues with flicking the knife open and closed. I can do it without the flicking but I figured that's part of the perks of having a Spyderco. I've watched multiple YouTube tutorials but just can't get the hang of it.

I've even gotten cut twice while trying to flick - once in opening and once in closing. Both times on my ring finger and despite the cuts being shallow, I bled a long time.

Any suggestions?

[Michael Janich]

Dear Furiosa:

Welcome to the Spyderco Forum.

Stay safe,

Mike

[WilliamMunny]

I got my first Spyderco Knife this past Christmas. It's a Para 3 but I'm having lots of issues with flicking the knife open and closed. I can do it without the flicking but I figured that's part of the perks of having a Spyderco. I've watched multiple YouTube tutorials but just can't get the hang of it.

I've even gotten cut twice while trying to flick - once in opening and once in closing. Both times on my ring finger and despite the cuts being shallow, I bled a long time.

Any suggestions?

Opening:

Keep your fingers around the pocket clip area, thumb to flick the knife.

Closing,

Pinch the compression look with your thumb and pointer finger making sure your other figers are clear of the blade and it should just drop shut.

You may way to slightly loosen the pivot screw to help the blade move easier.

[vivi]

what do you need to flick it open for in the first place? doesn't seem worth getting injured for.

you could try pinching the lock tab all the way shut then swinging the blade open instead of flicking the blade.

[TkoK83Spy]

I would definitely stop trying to flick the knife open if you are repeatedly injuring yourself, we're talking about a sharp knife edge here, not a fidget spinner! There's nothing wrong with a using your thumb to roll it open, then maybe once you're more familiar with the knife, it's ergonomics and lock, then maybe you can become the ultimate flicking machine!

[WilliamMunny]

what do you need to flick it open for in the first place? doesn't seem worth getting injured for.

you could try pinching the lock tab all the way shut then swinging the blade open instead of flicking the blade.

Good advice, I will add they should maybe start two a hand opening and closing the knife until they are more comfortable with it.

[Switchback]

Nice gift!

I’m having trouble imagining how you are cutting your ring finger but at any rate, if I was in your shoes I would try taping the edge with some thin tape like painters tape and then keep practicing.

It’s difficult to help without seeing what’s actually happening but you will figure it out with some practice.

[SaltyCaribbeanDfly]

I would definitely stop trying to flick the knife open if you are repeatedly injuring yourself, we're talking about a sharp knife edge here, not a fidget spinner! There's nothing wrong with a using your thumb to roll it open, then maybe once you're more familiar with the knife, it's ergonomics and lock, then maybe you can become the ultimate flicking machine!

[RustyIron]

I've even gotten cut twice while trying to flick - once in opening and once in closing. Both times on my ring finger and despite the cuts being shallow, I bled a long time.

On the bright side, you've demonstrated that the knife is sharp.
When you're learning any new trick you can expect to fail plenty of times before you get it right. Ask any Cirque de Soleil performer, Red Bull Rampage rider, magician, or ballerina. Becoming a knife-spinning ninja is no different.

[Evil D]

Is it a technique problem or does the pivot seem too tight?

[bobnikon]

Reminds me of the old Smith and Dale skit "Doctor it hurts when I do this..."

If you decide to continue, it sounds like the pivot may be tight. The more force you have to exert, the more likely you are to have something slip into the blade path.

Good suggestion above to tape the blade while you practice.

Cheers

[Bill1170]

I guess it’s just me being old and utilitarian, but I don’t see value in flicking a knife open. It’s more of a party trick. Does knife flicking help you do anything that cannot be done by opening the blade deliberately? With time and practice the opening will become smooth and easy.

[Wartstein]

I got my first Spyderco Knife this past Christmas. It's a Para 3 but I'm having lots of issues with flicking the knife open and closed. I can do it without the flicking but I figured that's part of the perks of having a Spyderco. I've watched multiple YouTube tutorials but just can't get the hang of it.

I've even gotten cut twice while trying to flick - once in opening and once in closing. Both times on my ring finger and despite the cuts being shallow, I bled a long time.

Any suggestions?

Welcome!

- I flick my Spydies (almost all backlocks) open more often than slow rolling them.
But actually cause I happen to find that a bit quicker, more convenient and also a tad safer - and not "for fun", though there is nothing wrong with that too.

- My tip:
With the thumb in the opening hole don't imagine you'd push the blade "outwards", perpendicular awayfrom the handle, but rather imagine you'd try to "shoot" the blade out of the front end of the handle - so a motion more parallel to the handle

[Furiosa]

Is it a technique problem or does the pivot seem too tight?

How can I tell if pivot is too tight? Is there a simple test I can do?

[nerdlock]

Is it a technique problem or does the pivot seem too tight?

How can I tell if pivot is too tight? Is there a simple test I can do?

If you need to exert a certain amount of force in order to overcome the detent in opening your knife.

[Evil D]

Is it a technique problem or does the pivot seem too tight?

How can I tell if pivot is too tight? Is there a simple test I can do?

Well you need to eliminate the controllable variables, so if the blade won't swing freely like a pendulum with the lock pressed in, loosen the pivot until it does. You may end up with some blade play but that's ok, we're trying to learn about flicking and we can deal with blade play later.

Nother thing you can do is get a tooth pick and put a little dab of grease inside the knife on the detent ball on the lock tab. If you don't have any grease then even a little drop of oil will help. This will just minimize friction and is one less thing that can slow down the blade during opening.

[Jeb]

I like to use just the very smallest amount you can get in the blade pivot and the lock bar bearing with Slick50 oil treatment.
Just don't over do it with whatever you lube it with. I tell everyone that I try to help them around here, with things, ("sometimes you just get the Slick50 bottle out and show it to your knife") lol. Same way for fishing reels and my firearms I work on, just need to show'em the bottle every now and then.

[Wartstein]

what do you need to flick it open for in the first place? doesn't seem worth getting injured for.
you could try pinching the lock tab all the way shut then swinging the blade open instead of flicking the blade.

Good advice, I will add they should maybe start two a hand opening and closing the knife until they are more comfortable with it.

I agree with both Vivi and William.

While as said I personally just came to and happen to flick my Spydies open cause I find it practical (or/and it´s just a habit I am used to), I don´t think you should actually take injuries for that!

If you still want to learn "flicking" (everyone should enjoy their knives the way they like):
- Make sure none of your fingers is ever in the path of the blade, but always somewhere on the handle away from the gap the blade goes into when closed.
- And, again: It might seem counterintuitive at first glance, but you don´t want to imagine that you accelerate the blade away from the handle but rather parallel, to the front of the handle with your thumb

[Furiosa]

Is it a technique problem or does the pivot seem too tight?

How can I tell if pivot is too tight? Is there a simple test I can do?

Well you need to eliminate the controllable variables, so if the blade won't swing freely like a pendulum with the lock pressed in, loosen the pivot until it does. You may end up with some blade play but that's ok, we're trying to learn about flicking and we can deal with blade play later.

Nother thing you can do is get a tooth pick and put a little dab of grease inside the knife on the detent ball on the lock tab. If you don't have any grease then even a little drop of oil will help. This will just minimize friction and is one less thing that can slow down the blade during opening.

Hmmm that may be the issue., My blade won't swing freely with the lock pressed in; it won't even drop down. I have to manually open the knife halfway to even do the pendulum test. Do Spyderco knives usually come out of the box with pivot that tightly screwed?

[Evil D]

Is it a technique problem or does the pivot seem too tight?

How can I tell if pivot is too tight? Is there a simple test I can do?

Well you need to eliminate the controllable variables, so if the blade won't swing freely like a pendulum with the lock pressed in, loosen the pivot until it does. You may end up with some blade play but that's ok, we're trying to learn about flicking and we can deal with blade play later.

Nother thing you can do is get a tooth pick and put a little dab of grease inside the knife on the detent ball on the lock tab. If you don't have any grease then even a little drop of oil will help. This will just minimize friction and is one less thing that can slow down the blade during opening.

Hmmm that may be the issue., My blade won't swing freely with the lock pressed in; it won't even drop down. I have to manually open the knife halfway to even do the pendulum test. Do Spyderco knives usually come out of the box with pivot that tightly screwed?

It varies. Unless something has changed, last I heard they're hand assembled and yours may just be one that someone got a little more heavy handed with. I think they use wee little torque drivers but we're dealing with tiny screws and tolerance variables so sometimes they come tighter than others, it's usually very simple to tweak to your liking.