My better half only has her right hand and has decided she wants a knife to carry in her purse. Just for the 'normal' things us guys use knives for!

I bought her a nice Solingen lever knife but it doesn't work just right for her!!

Now I'm thinking about an Out-The-Front knife as she would only have to hit the button forward - no chance of the heel of her hand getting in the way.

Suggestions???

I have been impressed with both Microtech HALO III and Scarab.

Check out BladeHQ on the web. They have them from $20 up.

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First, a spelling issue. Were you trying to spell Solingen? It's not a brand. It's a city in the Ruhr, famous for cutlery for hundreds of years. If a knife has only the city name, I'd be suspicious of the quality. Usually, they have a brand name , like Puma, Henckels, Kissing Crane, etc.

I've never heard of an "out the front knife." Might you be referring to an assisted opening knife? Kershaw has some good ones. Mine is a Model 1550ST. It's a good knife, but I'm reluctant to carry it in a pocket, lest the spring assist activate if the blade gets rubbed on something. When I carry it, it's in a Cordura belt pouch. Usually, it lives in a bookcase.

I'm not sure if I'd suggest it to a one-handed person.

Have you considered the Swiss and German military folders by Victorinox? These went into production about 2008, replacing the prior issued models. The main blade has an opening that can be used like a Spyderco blade, to pivot the blade open one-handed.

If by your term, you mean a blade that slides out of the handle point first, like the German paratrooper knife, they're generally illegal, banned as a gravity knife. Probably also a little large for your lady.

Is it legal to carry a small sheath knife where you live? The Buck Model 102 or 105 or the Puma Hunter's Pal, or the Fallkniven F-1 would be good choices. Fallkniven also has a Woman's knife that may be just what's needed. The Mora firm in Sweden offers many good, inexpensive knives, from maybe $20-25. Although both are Swedish, they are a far cry from the much more expensive Fallkniven line. Fallkniven holds a Royal Warrant of appointment to the King of Sweden for knives, and the F-1 model is the official Royal Swedish Air Force pilot's survival knife. The S-1 with five-inch blade is one of the finest all-round sheath knives ever designed. There are several sheath options.


Have you looked at Spyderco's lockblade folders? I have a Delica and a larger one, I think an Endura. I use both and they've been very satisfactory. My Spydercos have partially serrated blades, but other versions have normal edges.

A person with one hand is going to be pressed to operate any folding knife, especially one with a lock. I really think the answer is s small sheath knife, if legal.

An out the front knife, if I understand the terminology correctly, is a switchblade knife in every jurisdiction. Texas legalized them a couple of years ago but not every state is okay on switchblades. Check the Iowa weapons law.

Personally, and I own at least one OTF knife, I think they're too risky to carry in anything but a sheath. Loose in a pocket or purse and eventually that button is getting pressed and the spring will send that point into something you didn't plan to stab. So let's be careful out there.

Men carry knives as tools, that is true, and it is often said that a gentleman always carries a pocket knife. Assuming no illegality, for the things we generally use knives for a Swiss Army Knife is the best choice I can think of. If it's a tool, and not a weapon per se, that's what I'd give a woman. The one proviso is that she needs to know it's not a lockback. If that's a problem there are some multi-tools around that are not too big and the blades lock.

I'm voting for a one handed opener, like a Kershaw Leek.
Bottom knife is the Leek.
Somebody mentioned The Blur.
That's the top knife.

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I thank you all for your inputs.

I fixed Solingen............I didn't have the knife in front of me to get the "brand" from.............

The brand has nothing to do with my question about OTF knives but it has HUBERTUS Solingen; GESCHMIEDET ROSTFREI GERMANY on the blade (photo attached)

For those who recommend a sheaf I don't believe my wife would look just right carrying a sheaf knife around while wearing a skirt and blouse!!!

Again, I appreciate your inputs and concerns. Thanks

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Check out a Sog Trident Tanto. Blade does not pop out from front but is a spring assist type and works great. Can usually score em for $50-60. Tanto blade is awesome.

She doesn't necessarily need an automatic. Many knives are one hand opening. If you want something with a spring look at the Kershaw Blur or other SpeedSafe knives, they are not automatics so you don't have to worry about legal issues. I think there is an exception in the law about automatics and those that only have the use of one hand.

There are so many one hand opening knives that it's hard to narrow the list down, but I would look at Kershaw, Spyderco, and Benchmade first.

I have a Microtech Troodon {yeah, it's spelled right...by the way "sheaf" is actually sheath} it is one of the best OTF knives out there. At about $450.00 it's also one of the most expensive. It is considered a switchblade or automatic knife and while not illegal to own, it is illegal to carry in my state and probably most states.
Suggest you look at the Spyderco Endura with the "wave" feature. It is not a switchblade but opens one handed even faster than any switchblade made, and it's completely legal. Well maybe not in California or Massachusetts...everything is illegal in those states!!!

Take a look at Benchmade. I have a model #154CM assisted opener.
Just under 3" blade, one hand operation plus it has a lock to prevent accidental opening. I use it one handed all the time. Excellent knife.
They also have a line of OTF auto's, if they're legal for her.
Disregard that model number, my error was pointed out.
That's the blade metal.
It's actually #5855BK Mini Barrage
They, of course, have many models and sizes to choose from.

154CM is the steel alloy of the blade, I don't think it's the model number of the knife.

Too bad she can't use the Hubertus. Those are nifty little knives I've always liked. I might pick up the next one I see.

Maybe she could work with it a bit more to see if she could get used to it?

Cooter, is is a very nice knife, BUT, her hand is huge and the knife is just too small. She needs a knife with a handle at least 4.25 inches. You should see her trying to buy bracelets!!!!

I think you're on the right track with an OTF. I had a huge reply ready to post and lost it,.......not gonna write it again, but OTF knives have a few advantages. They don't pop open unless you want them to pop open. No way it's going to open in a pocket or anything. You can also have a firm grasp on it while opening, unlike a side opener. There's also no chance of losing fingers if it closes inadvertently, not that it will. The locks on these knives are very strong. Only problem is that most tend to be designed as fighting knives, being too large for a lady and not really designed for general work. Still, she'd probably love one of the smaller Microtechs. BTW, you're going to want a double-action OTF, not a single-action like the Halo. You need two hands to retract a single-action. The spring loaded firing button on a DA OTF both fires and retracts the blade.

Even though they look pretty vicious, a DA OTF blade isn't under spring tension while closed. All the firing force comes from your thumb when sliding the button forward, so they're very safe to carry. Almost all come with a pocket clip and are meant to be carried unsheathed. The blade on a SA OTF is under considerable spring tension when closed so that's another reason for wanting a DA. Most DA OTF knives don't have enough power to fire through a single sheet of paper,......except in the movies.

The Microtechs start at around $200. If you would like to start out lower to see how she likes it, a Taiwanese Lightning for around $30 is still a good, reliable OTF(just not as pretty). There are also a ton of Chinese clones for around $30 that are also very good knives and they even have the smaller models available to try.

What a helpful post, kaveman - thanks, I learned a lot!

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Oops, my mistake.
Try 5855BK Mini Barrage
Blue class

Thanks for pointing that out

Also look at the Heckler & Koch OTF line of knives. These are made by Benchmade. They are more affordable than the Benchmade infidel or the Microtechs.

I have several OTF knives.Benchmade Infidel and a micotech are a little high in price but with OTF you get what you pay for.If your wife is limited to one hand they are a great option because the button that opens them also closes them.

Thanks for correcting his spelling of "sheaf". A sheaf is a bundle of wheat. Some here also have problems spelling "knives" and write "knifes."

"Troodon" is spelled that way because it's named after a dinosaur of that name. It was a nasty little brute, with a mouthful of dental knives. I think it may have also had a big foot claw for disemboweling prey animals. If memory serves, that also applied to similar species, like Deinonychus. (sp?) I haven't read about them in years; would have to check the spelling of the latter. Look 'em up: interesting predators of their day.

If you watched the syndicated TV show, "The Lost World", the "raptors" on it were representative of such smaller dinosaurs. I have read that the Jurassic Park movies messed up and used a smaller one, misnamed. (Velociraptor was really smaller.) I haven't seen those films, beyond the first.

Someone should name one of those tactical folders the Tiger Fish. Looks a lot like our striped bass, except for the arsenal in its mouth. Can reach at least 80 lbs. in some sub-species, but nasty at any size.

Any Kershaw with the Speed Safe feature.
There must be 20 or 25 different models around.
Economical and easy one handed operation. I have about 8 different ones , from small to large.
The one that most often goes with me, in fact I just took it out of my pocket, is the Ken Onion designed Leek #1660. It has a 3" blade, with anodized aluminum scales, thin light, good blade profile. Sharp as the dickens too.
Look at them all, but be careful...they are addictive.
I have no idea what OTF stands for, but the kershaw speed safe knives can be used with one hand.
Gary

That's correct. The late custom maker Bob Loveless discovered 154CM for use in cutlery and it became the super steel of the time. It was originally developed for use in jet engines, I think on the 747 passenger plane.

ATS-34 is a Japanese equivalent.

My Benchmade that has a 154CM blade is Model 710. There's a smaller version, Model 705. I don't know if the Axis lock can be manipulated by a one-handed woman. But it'd sure be easier than operating most blade locks.

Does this woman have a prosthetic hand that can help? To what degree?

Can someone post a picture of a typical OTF knife? I'm not sure I understand the term.

As for his wife wearing a sheath knife on her belt, I thought the OP said she would be carrying in a purse? Some purses will accommodate the knives I mentioned. The safest purse carry may be with some Fallkniven sheaths that closely resemble the old Buck sheaths with a flap.

However, I have one of their Woman's knives with a fitted Kydex sheath that should be safe. I think it's been replaced with a different Zytel sheath, though.

"Out The Front"

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You get what you pay for, but are you wanting to pay $200 for a status symbol or $30 for a knife? That's a pretty tough $30 knife,.......

Two quick remarks:

1. My out the front knife is spring operated. I press a button and it comes flying out hard. If it was to strike flesh it would cut it. Maybe not deeply enough to be lethal or critical but it will hurt and it will bleed. If the OTF knives y'all are referring to are somehow different then I am unfamiliar with those. They are probably not switchblades if your thumb has to push the blade all the way out.

2. The sheath I was referring to was to hold the knife in a purse or pocket. I was not referring to a belt sheath. I have several knives in leather sheaths that do not have belt loops because they are designed for pocket or purse carry.

I don't know what kind of OTF knife you've got, but perhaps it is a single-action. If you just depress a button to fire the blade out but need to manually retract the blade the full length to stow it then that is probably the case. There's a pretty fair spring(or two)inside that deploys the blade.

With a double-action OTF the firing button is actually a spring loaded slider. I've got over a dozen different models and they all work the same. The blade sits on a carrier inside the handle and the carrier is sprung both fore and aft with fairly tiny springs. There is a series of tripping/locking sears that allow the blade to function(four iirc). The slider only moves about 3/8" to either deploy or retract the blade. The blade is operated with just the smallest amount of spring force. If I didn't already own one of these knives I'd run right out and buy one just to be able to take it apart and see how it works. I consider myself to be a pretty intelligent guy, but it's mildly upsetting to know that there's someone out there who's enough smarter than me to be able to design the thing. Pretty ingenious,..........I'm still baffled that it works as well as it does.

The slider puts 3/8" of tension on the deploy spring until the release sear trips, the blade flies out and is held by the locking sear. Pulling the slider back puts 3/8" of tension on the retract spring until another release sear trips and the blade snaps back into the handle. It all seems to happen with a vengeance, but it's all controlled by two tiny springs and a bunch of delicate looking triggers. That's why I posted the vid clip above,.......it amazes me that something so seemingly delicate can take such abuse. I have five examples of that exact same knife and not a one of them will puncture a piece of paper when fired, not to mention the fact that it's physically impossible to 'accidentally' deploy the blade. Moving the slider takes a fair amount of deliberate effort. Snick snick! Try it once and you'll fall in love with it.

The reason that the single-action design exists is to overcome that one small issue with double-action OTF,.....the small deploy force. A single-action OTF has a slight reliability advantage. IT WILL DEPLOY NO MATTER WHAT. That big spring is gonna force that blade out. It'll poke you right smartly.

Thanks. That's what I thought. Most will qualify as a "dirk, dagger, poniard, or stiletto" under laws here. Illegal.

I don't even wear my Gerber Applegate-Fairbairn folders off my premises much these days. The big one says Combat Folder on the blade. Probably not what you want a cop to read there. I do wear them at home.

In public, I usually rely on my Benchmade Model 710 or a Puma that looks like a Buck model 110 or something similar, like Puma's Model 0921 that received an award from a Stuttgart design council. Or, repros of Remington's old knife, Model R-1306. Queen Cutlery and others have those. Remington themselves repro'd it about 1990, the knives made for them by Camillus.

But none of these is suited to a one-handed woman.

Like Indiana, Texas just changed their law to allow switchblades about two years ago so you might want to check to see what's currently allowed. OTF knives are generally lumped in with any other spring powered blades. If it's the double edge that's a problem, then no problem,........the OTF's are available with single or double edge, tanto, etc.

Erich and kaveman are doing a "sharp" job here, so just my .02 worth-

The Microtech knives are wonderful OTF DA automatics, but I didn't like what I perceived as a kind of spindly blade. For strictly self defense, sure, but if you want tasks done, maybe not. I also didn't care for the tri-wing fastners, but you can get the drivers if you need to perform maintenance. I had a Troodon and sold it, and only occasionally miss it...

But I do have a couple of Benchmade Infidels, the mini and the full-size. They are much beefier, but being double edge, again not suited for the more mundane tasks. The are great knives, and I won't be getting rid of mine if I can help it.

The Lightning is a clunky but seviceable DA OTF, and like the man said, you get what you pay for. But I have a couple, and they can serve as using /work knives. Not what you want if you demand high quality, but for $25 to $35 it's hard to go wrong.

And, for the naysayers- Oregon, at least, has a law that permits handicapped individuals to have and carry automatic knifes. You can look up your own state's laws here: US Knife Laws | KnifeUp

Oregon also is pretty liberal on its knife laws in general, which is why I can find and own automatic knifes fairly easily if I want to. No accident, perhaps, that Benchmade, Kershaw, ZT, Gerber and others are based and/or have manufacturing here.

Good luck on your search!

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Oops, forgot a link I meant to include above:
Blade Play - Benchmade Knives, Boker Knives, Italian Knives, Butterfly Knives, Automatic Knives, Switchblade Knives, Spring Assist Knives, Military Knives, Law Enforcement Knives, Collectible Knives

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Which of you fine, Internet-savvy men will post pics of the dinosaur Troodon? Take a good look, and you'll see why they named a sharp knife after him.

One rake from those jaws would lay an arm open to the bone...

Here ya go, Tex- better than an artist's rendering-


Troodon

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Road Rat,

A quick read of IL knife laws in Knife Up Magazine's site that 2 Hawk posted a link to indicates that all of the OTF knives discussed so far are illegal for you to own. If there is an exception for handicapped individuals it is not mentioned.

I think the best answer is a thumb stud opening liner lock that is large enough for your wife to easily manipulate. I find locking knives of all types more convenient to open and close one handed when they are made larger. There are lots of full size thumb stud knives. One that I find especially easy to open and close one handed is Buck's Alpha Hunter. They are more common with gut hooks but are also made without them. I like that the design does not pretend to be a weapon. You could have her handle one in an Ace Hardware.

The problem with trying to stab something while the blade is in motion to open is that it may not lock. Then you might be in a knife fight with a noodle in your hand. Go ahead and use it that way if you want, but for me I think I will pass. It only takes a fraction of a second to fully open and properly lock, none of which serves the opponent at all other than to unnerve and intimidate...another fraction of a second and he is cut.
I do agree that if thumb pressure is what opens it then the knives that work this way should not be considered a automatic or the dread "switchblade" {oh my god no!!!!} but I don't know of any place where they are not. It's even more ridiculous when you consider that a knife with a wave is opening when you draw it...automatic knives have to be drawn and then opened.

Unless IL and IA have merged during the night, I think he would be OK in Iowa. The only restriction I see is against ballistic knives and concealed carry without permit of switchblades and OTF knives. Purse carry apparently would require a permit unless the knife could be carried in an outer pocket with the clip showing. IANAL, but it's my understanding that if the pocket clip shows the knife is not concealed.

I don't see any exception for individuals with a handicap, but it may be in there a little deeper. No exception required since carry and possession is not illegal for anyone. The handicap might not allow concealed carry of the knife just as it would not allow concealed carry of a handgun.

The Benchmade mini barrage is assisted open knife with the axis lock mechanism that allows one handed closing without getting the hand in the way. It also has an additional lock mechanism on the frame.

You said she has a very large hand. A SOG Flash II assisted-opener is not expensive, but is well made for the money, with decently heat-treated AUS-8A steel. It's not an OTF, but is very useful and a good fit for a large hand. I have one I sometimes alternate with a Spyderco Endura for daily carry, I gave one to my sister, and she loves it.

The SOG has a clip that would allow it to ride at the top of her purse for easy access. It has a safety, though I don't use it on mine and it has never opened when I didn't want it to.

If she doesn't care for it you can buy something more expensive and keep the Flash for yourself.

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Oh well, what the hell.

Bought a Kershaw for a friend. It had a spring open feature that opened in his pocket. Got a nasty cut when he reached into his pocket. Newer models have a lock feature to prevent opening by accident. Sharp little devils.

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As you probably know, Kissing Crane knives are now made in China.

What about a Leatherman Skeletool? Its a multi-tool with an outside accessible cutting blade that is opened with the user's thumb.

These are both schrade otf out the front models. The are spring loaded single action. They will spring out but need pulled back in manually. The smaller one has a glass breaker on the end. The large one is heavier made. The small one I carry most of the time. The single action style are considered spring assist. So if a true automatic in/out is illegal the might be legal in your area. The run 45-60 dollars and are very durable. They have a safety lock on each one and the blades will not pierce through something until extended for the lock to catch. You can put it flat to something and release it and the blade will not force extend.

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For a utility or general use knife, my EDC knives tend to be half serrated - nothing better for cutting rope, in my opinion. I have arthritis in my hands, and that has robbed me of quite a bit of manual dexterity and strength. As the Great State of Texas now allows the carry of automatic knives, I prefer one of the two knives pictured, below. The smaller knife (the one with the pink fob), is a S&W brand. It's small and light, I think it cost around $25.00. The larger knife is a CRKT knife. It is a straight cutting blade - no serrations on the blade. The handles are stag, and it is easily the most elegant, and handsome knife I own (I think I paid around $40.00 for it). Both are equipped with safeties, and to preclude premature opening in my pocket, I carry them in a small, nylon belt pouch. I tend to carry the S&W blade more often, as the blade tends to be a bit easier to retract than the CRKT knife. Also, the CRKT lacks a hole for a lanyard, which I greatly like on a pocket knife.

I know nothing about the weapons laws in your area, but if permissible, here needs might be better met with a small fixed blade dagger or knife. The Cold Steel Push Daggers, or the Ka-Bar Back-up knives would, I think serve her well. I wish I could get away with carrying one here, but you cannot legally carry one of these in the Great State of Texas.

I hope this information is helpful to you and your wife.

Best of luck,

Dave

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Okay, game over...

We went to a local gun show today and she tried out every knife that fit her hand.....she cannot open the OTF knives!! I had no idea her hand strength had got so bad!

She tried many different sizes, shapes, and styles and finally got a Gerber with a half serrated blade that is about 3 inches long and a handle that is about 4 1/2 inches long. It opens with one finger by flipping a small nub on the back of the knife - flip and it opens..
right now she is a happy camper.

Thanks to all who provided input on this little saga!!

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I don't have an out-the-front knife that I carry. I really like my Benchmade "Mel Pardue" 154CM assisted opening knife. The blade is 7.5 centimeters or a fraction under 3 inches long.

The blade release is positive and quick, and just low enough that it doesn't open inadvertently when in my pocket. It also has a lock on the spine that will lock the blade open or closed. The button is also low enough that it is not inadvertently activated.

The pocket clip is held by three screws that can be reversed to suit your carry style. Ridges on the handle are angled in from each end to help give a secure hold.

Glad she found what she likes.
Now just be ready for at least 10 more purchases this year.
Knives are addictive.
This years kick for me is the CRKT line of knives.

Addictive,.....yes they are. I never had any interest in knives. The first fifty-some years of my life I actually had a mild dislike for them. Hated all the wasted space at the many gun and 'knife' shows I attended. If a table wasn't full of guns it was just taking up space.

Then Indiana changed their knife laws to allow 'automatic' knives on July1, 2013. I spent several months leading up to the change monitoring a couple of knife boards and that got me interested in the different types of knives that were soon to be available. I'd bought a hundred knives by the end of the year. Before 2014 came to an end I learned about OTF knives from one of my gun discussion forums and picked up my second hundred.

I was good in 2015 and didn't buy ANY knives,.........until this thread opened up and I relapsed. Two more OTF's I don't need and another on the way. Yes,........it's addictive.

Although I like them, I'm not much of a knife guy but this is an interesting thread. And not to hijack but can some owners of the cheap but decent quality OTF knives (ie; microtech clones, etc) post some recommendations or links?
Thanks

Here ya go, Jack:
Out The Front Automatic Knives for sale - Knives - Blade Play

Truth be told, my first "knife enthusiasm" was for Benchmade Axis locks. They can be flipped open or closed with manipulation of the lock studs. First rate quality through and through, excellent edge holding and strong as the dickens. Priced like a top-shelf item, because it is.

But lately I've been a sucker for the Kershaw flippers. Relatively inexpensive, good enough for work, and some nice designs and steels are available. But, OTF's are kinda cool, if you like knives. Kaveman's story should serve as a cautionary tale, or source of envy depending on your admiration of well-designed cutters. Good Hunting!

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Glad your girl found what she want Road Rat. Had I seen this thread earlier I would've suggested a flipper/spring assisted knife.

Along with some of my fixed blades some of the flippers are my fav to carry.

The one on the right is an HK Turmoil OTF knife though. The springs are really strong on this one.

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