Police XL Talk

[vivi]

It's funny (and I'm only speaking for myself), I prefer to have the choil/kick fall on my finger as I close the knife. I know this sounds weird, but it feels like the most "natural" way to close the knife. But, if I step back and think about it, I actively put my finger in the path of a closing blade. Wasn't that very fact an impetus to develop locks like the Compression lock and the Axis lock? Not passing any judgement here. I just never really put much thought into my own actions.

Thats my feeling on it. It's the fastest, most natural, don't have to think about it or adjust my grip way to close a backlock. It would be annoying to me to do it differently, but that's me.

How many times have ya'll tried it different ways though?

Closing comp locks for me, my most natutal feeling way was press the lock release with my index finger and swing the blade shut with my thumb.

I developed muscle memory to press the lock tab and swing the blade shut with inertia with my Military 2.

You practice a different method enough it can become second nature.

I used to use the method others do to close lockbacks. Then I figured out that doesn't work well on a lot of good lockback designs, like cold steel voyagers.

So I came up with a method that lets me close nearly any lockback, even a Buck 110, one handed.


Does it work perfectly with every single lockback ever?

Nope. As I noted in my Catcherman review, it's not so great with that knife. The Sirens forward guard also gets in the way a bit.

No biggie, I tend to use different methods with those designs. They also get carried less frequently, this being one reason why.

Don't be afraid to be adaptable.

I use different methods depending on the knife. I close my Police the way I show in my video. I close sirens by pushing the lock release with my index finger and swinging the blade shut, like I showed in another video with a Police 3. I usually close Buck 110's against my leg.

Each method has its pros and cons. I choose the one I feel suits each particular knife the best rather than keeping myself locked down to a single way of doing things.

[Jeb]

This is a great discussion here guys... No body here is going to offend me either, ever. So don't even give that a second thought.

We just don't all want/need the same things guys. No biggie. Sometimes you get chicken, then Sometimes all you get are the feathers lol.

Feathers are a win too, just as long as the Game Warden let's us keep our feathers lol...

This is a great thread, truly great work in progress if you ask me.

[TimButterfield]

I just noticed yet another method I use for closing my larger backlocks like the Native Chief and Pac Salt 2. I still use my thumb to release the lock as with smaller backlocks, but when I do release it, my index finger is already in the spydie hole to guide the drop. Then, after the blade has moved some, I rotate the handle and continue my closing of the blade with the same index finger. With the Police XL being another long knife, I wonder if I would do the same with it.

Edit: I finally watched the video linked by vivi above and realized this is similar to what he showed.

[Wartstein]

How many times have ya'll tried it different ways though?

Closing comp locks for me, my most natutal feeling way was press the lock release with my index finger and swing the blade shut with my thumb.

Thats my feeling on it. It's the fastest, most natural, don't have to think about it or adjust my grip way to close a backlock. It would be annoying to me to do it differently, but that's me.

Great points, Vivi!

For the longest time I had no idea how other people operate various locktypes, and so had to come up with my own "natural" ways from scratch.

It honestly would never even have occurred to me to let the blade drop on my finger with a backlock, and even less to operate a comp.lock in that - as I felt - pretty weird and un-secure (concerning how the knife sits in hand) "pinch grip fingers out of the blade path" way...

Now I am NOT (!) saying that the above mentioned methods would be "bad" or "inferior" (though to me personally they are)!
I´d just like to point out, that what method feels "fastest and most natural" to folks, is probably not inherently and objectively just that for everyone, but rather what folks are most used to, cause they saw and learned from the get go that "this is how people do it" and so have a ton of practice.

The first two old vids below are showing two of the methods I use with backlocks (shown one time slow, than regular speed) - pretty quick and natural, at least for me (!! the second one NOT the most secure, pretty similar to the comp.lock pinch grip thing!)

....I actively put my finger in the path of a closing blade. Wasn't that very fact an impetus to develop locks like the Compression lock and the Axis lock? ...

I don´t think that this was actually the main impetus - ?

- And as a sidenote: It is no problem to also close a backlock with fingers out of the blade path, see the third vid below
- (And if one looks at what actually counts (not "is the finger in the path of the blade", but "can the finger get hit by the actual cutting edge") - things change anyway and suddenly a linerlock with a good fingerchoil gets the safest in that regard...)

[Wartstein]

Added to my post above:

Now why is it even of any importance what particular method people use to close a backlock?

Well:To me generally not at all, but as said:
In this particular case the fixation on the "let the blade drop on the finger" method entirely prevents that we can see knives like the Caribbean (maximum cutting edge), but with a backlock (cause as it is, a part of the blade always has to remain unsharpened to accomodate that ONE closing method (and again: I am aware that a backlock does need some kind of a "kick" anyway, but this could be pretty short and less edge-consuming)

[sal]

But like Vivi above I find it sad that this to me not really understandable fixation on ONLY this way of closing also seems to be the main reason why we never see a backlock Spydie with maximum edge length..

Centofante.

sal

[sal]

Interesting discussion on "how to close a mid back-lock knife.

sal

[ZrowsN1s]

It's also an added safety for a knife with a strong spring assisted bias to close. Not just about a preferred closing method. Why remove safety for blade to handle ratio. Pick your blade length and enough ricaso for safety, make the appropriate handle size to match. It can still be handle forward.

[Wartstein]

But like Vivi above I find it sad that this to me not really understandable fixation on ONLY this way of closing also seems to be the main reason why we never see a backlock Spydie with maximum edge length..

Centofante.

sal

You´ve got me there, Sal!

... And I even had a Centofante... (and really liked it)...

[p_atrick]

How many times have ya'll tried it different ways though?

Fair point. Bike’s in the shop, which means I’ll work from home where I can fidget with the Police throughout the day. I’ll see how it goes.

[Wartstein]

It's also an added safety for a knife with a strong spring assisted bias to close. Not just about a preferred closing method. Why remove safety for blade to handle ratio. Pick your blade length and enough ricaso for safety, make the appropriate handle size to match. It can still be handle forward.

I see your point... but I don´t think that a backlock is more likely to close on the fingers than other locktypes (like comp., liner, ballbearing).

I even feel like blades on a backlock knife are less "loose and floppy" when the knife is partly opened than it is the case with many comp. or linerlocks... so a backlock knife is by tendency less likely to close on the finger...
(where I 100% agree with you though is when it comes to the last few mm of the closing path: HERE a backlock "sucks" the blade in earlier and often stronger indeed than it is the case with other lock types).

Anyway: People love for example the Caribbean as an option for a Millie cutting edge in a PM2 sized folder...
and in return probably accept the still very low risk of hitting the finger with the edge when closing the knife.
... Just would be nice to have such an option also with a backlock Spydie (ok, ok, there IS the Centofante! ).. since closing it in an alternative way to that "dropping" is really no problem..

[vivi]

It's also an added safety for a knife with a strong spring assisted bias to close. Not just about a preferred closing method. Why remove safety for blade to handle ratio. Pick your blade length and enough ricaso for safety, make the appropriate handle size to match. It can still be handle forward.

Because I don't need a safety built in for something that is never an issue for me.

Ever remember me posting about how I cut myself closing X knife one handed here?

Me neither

More edge is useful to me. Kid gloves on a pocket knife aren't. I want full cutting edge on every knife.

You can even still close knives like this by dropping them. You just need to tilt it a bit.

https://dubz.link/v/9ab8bf

[ZrowsN1s]

It's also an added safety for a knife with a strong spring assisted bias to close. Not just about a preferred closing method. Why remove safety for blade to handle ratio. Pick your blade length and enough ricaso for safety, make the appropriate handle size to match. It can still be handle forward.

Because I don't need a safety built in for something that is never an issue for me.

Ever remember me posting about how I cut myself closing X knife one handed here?

Me neither

More edge is useful to me. Kid gloves on a pocket knife aren't. I want full cutting edge on every knife.

I hear you. Different priorities. I carry a 1911 because besides being awesome, they have two safeties. You'd have to mess up pretty bad to AD or ND. I also carry in a vertical shoulder holster so the muzzle points at the ground and not behind you like most do. Because I follow the 'don't point it at something you're not willing to destroy' principle, even in the holster. My buddy carries a glock appendix pointed as his valuables all day. Neither of us have shot ourselves and you and I haven't lost a finger.

Difference is I have a safety net, and I like it that way. Not having one on a backlock isn't 100% a deal breaker, but it's huge minus for me, and definitely reduces my interest.

I bought a Siren in the second sale, I realized it was a finger biter and I've carried it maybe twice since then because of that.

But that's me, this knife is being made for everyone, if everyone wants max blade length, saftey is for kids, then that's what will get made I'm sure. Seatbelts and airbags have saved my life, some people never need them, my preference is for saftey AND for ease of closing.

[VashHash]

I'm good with a 6" lw folder that isn't cold and steely. Something made to slice and slim in the pocket.

[vivi]

It's also an added safety for a knife with a strong spring assisted bias to close. Not just about a preferred closing method. Why remove safety for blade to handle ratio. Pick your blade length and enough ricaso for safety, make the appropriate handle size to match. It can still be handle forward.

Because I don't need a safety built in for something that is never an issue for me.

Ever remember me posting about how I cut myself closing X knife one handed here?

Me neither

More edge is useful to me. Kid gloves on a pocket knife aren't. I want full cutting edge on every knife.

I hear you. Different priorities. I carry a 1911 because besides being awesome, they have two safeties. You'd have to mess up pretty bad to AD or ND. I also carry in a vertical shoulder holster so the muzzle points at the ground and not behind you like most do. Because I follow the 'don't point it at something you're not willing to destroy' principle, even in the holster. My buddy carries a glock appendix pointed as his valuables all day. Neither of us have shot ourselves and you and I haven't lost a finger.

Difference is I have a safety net, and I like it that way. Not having one on a backlock isn't 100% a deal breaker, but it's huge minus for me, and definitely reduces my interest.

I bought a Siren in the second sale, I realized it was a finger biter and I've carried it maybe twice since then because of that.

But that's me, this knife is being made for everyone, if everyone wants max blade length, saftey is for kids, then that's what will get made I'm sure. Seatbelts and airbags have saved my life, some people never need them, my preference is for saftey AND for ease of closing.

Getting a papercut from a folder biting you is a lot different than a head on wreck with no seatbelt, or shooting the family jewels.

I carry AIWB no safety fwiw. No issues.

To me building in a safety in case of lock failure doesn't exactly scream confidence. Just make a good secure lock.

[Jeb]

V,

What do you carry, a .40?

[ZrowsN1s]

@vivi It's not just a paper cut. You could do real damage with edges as sharp as mine (and most of ours are). And it's not always lock failure, user error happens too. Failure to open fully, careless closing, as slip when closing. I have actually accidentally closed a backlock on my finger and had to use my other hand to free it. I've also experienced lock failure. It's very rare out of a hundred plus knives and 20 years, but it has happened. And unlike 20 years ago, my edges do not forgive now.

[vivi]

V,

What do you carry, a .40?

.380 or 9mm depending on the day. I carry tiny guns like the S&W bodyguard 2 or M&P Shield 2.

[David from NC 2]

Agree with all this!

Heck, I'm down for a couple just long as they are bigger blades. I want them in something really hard like Rex121.

Then please drill the lanyard hole even if I need to drill it out for my paracord tug strap. The current sprint run Police4 's never was drilled at all. You drilled the Endura4 sprint runs, to small but easy enough to drill out bigger.

Might be the right model to use a Tanto blade design, you make this blade longer, cut a blood groove down the length of each side 5/16" below the top of the spine. Got to have my 14mm thumbhole too...

I

Make this a lock blade of some kind, not really fond of the old style liner locks, but the new compression lock is great. The back lock is great and I must say after modification of the few Manix 2's I have, I like that lock style once modified.

[Jeb]

V,

What do you carry, a .40?

.380 or 9mm depending on the day. I carry tiny guns like the S&W bodyguard 2 or M&P Shield 2.

My cousin carries a Sig 365 in 9mm that really shoots well. All my handguns are big heavy hammers lol.