Why is having the blade drop closed such a big deal?

[SpyderEdgeForever]

For sure I understand people like the drop shut knives but I want nothing to do with a really, truly sharp knife that drops shut. I don't want it too impeded either. The back locks Spyderco makes are a good fit for me and though they do wear in smoother they don't get dangerous. I'm pretty careful usually but considering I carry at home and while out figuring I have almost 50 years of knife carry already accidents can and have happened. By far though the worst cut I ever got wasn't a knife but a jagged cat food can lid. The edge actually scraped the meat off the bone in one spot. My knife cuts were easy heals in comparison. I'll take all the safety I can get.

Joe

Agreed 100 percent.

[Bloke]

I agree that blade drop isn’t a big thing but it’s a nice option to have if you’re not giving away blade play with the knife locked or unlocked to achieve it.

I see knife pivots in black and white; they’re either right or wrong. Because they are very simple things there are only a few things that make a pivot wrong and they’re easily fixed. It could be a little overburden of thread locker, a bur, a little bit of grit on a thrust washer ...

You can open and close and oil a knife 1000 times while watching TV and it will or won’t get “smoother” but that won’t deal with the root cause and all you’ll really do is shorten the knives life span by 1000 openings and produced ultra fine swarf consisting of thrust washer, blade steel and what ever else may have been there in the first place ... in all the places it shouldn’t be further promoting wear.

In a perfect world the trust washers would never contact the blade because there’d be an ultra fine film of lubricant between them and I s’pose that’s what I strive for and don’t feel I’m being overly ambitious. To date the best and longest lasting results I’ve enjoyed have been using a synthetic fishing reel gear and drag grease and as others have mentioned I too believe that free smooth blade drop, rotation or whatever you want to call it, without blade play is just a symptom of a clean healthy pivot.

[Chris_P_Bacon]

The heart wants what the heart wants. Feels ever so much more fluid letting gravity close a Golden compression lock. No fingers in the way, so no resistance needed, and no safety requirements. I do not figit but it's so safe you don't really have to even think about it. It just feels faster, or maybe less annoying to close. I think it's more intuitive, perhaps the simplest method (to me at least).

I know I grab my Bento PM2 M390 more than any other knife on workdays. It received the Golden treatment. Where as the action on my Caribbean, did not. Great design, but the Taiwan action just doesn't compete with the love the Golden models receive (at least the out of the box action).

Don't let blanket statements like the one below influence you.

"It is only those people who play with their knives that this is an issue."

If sharpening and cutting things is playing, hmmm I dunno.

Had it read;
"I suspect there's a percentage of people that want it free falling so they can figit."

blanketers gon blanket, I s'pose

[Chris_P_Bacon]

Ease of use. I can take out my spydie, use the thumb hole to open it in a single motion, then use the compression lock tab to close it in a single motion. Makes taking it out, making a cut and putting it back in my pocket a quick and fluid motion.

This is useful when your other hand is full, or you'd like to spend more time working and less time opening and closing your knife, especially if you need to take your knife out multiple times while working, but don't have a convenient spot to set it down (other than your pocket) in between cuts. When you have to take your knife out 5 times in 3 minutes, you start to notice a difference between using a back lock and a compression lock, even if they both drop free.

This so much as if you read my mind. Exactly how I use mine, why I want mine free falling, and why I absolutely love Golden compression!

[Chris_P_Bacon]

I like having the ability to quickly open my knife with one hand and quickly close with one hand. When cutting things that can't be set down right away, having a blade that drops shut is a very important feature. Or the scenarios where I need both hands free as soon as possible, after making the cut(s). A lock back could be used, but becomes more of a hassle than it's worth to go through the 2 point closing system. Efficiency is key for me. Why walk, when you can take a car? I own lockbacks and slip joints that get used regularly, just in different roles than my PM2.

While most people may not need or prefer it, some do, so for that reason, it shouldn't be looked at as something strictly for "ninjas", or fidgety types. Of course, there are plenty of "ninjas" and fidgety types who buy knives that drop shut to fill their wants, but who cares if they do? We all love knives, so why does it matter?

Couldn't agree more!

[ZrowsN1s]

.........

This so much as if you read my mind. Exactly how I use mine, why I want mine free falling, and why I absolutely love Golden compression!