Photos by: Patrick Vuong
Let's take a closer look at “pocket-opening” folding knives. Like overly excited male teens, these models whip out their pointy ends as soon as you pull them from your pants.
Upon hearing the term “pocket-openers,” most of you will no doubt think of the father of this genre: Emerson Knives' wave-shaped opening feature. But not everyone will know that, like many of history's innovations, this patented feature was actually created by accident. In the late 1990s, knife-maker Ernest Emerson was tasked by some Navy SEALs to create a “knife-catcher,” a little hook on the spine of a blade that would bind an opponent's knife. (For more, see his Zeroed In profile in Issue 22.) He quickly found that it snagged on his pocket as he pulled out the knife, opening the blade in the process.
The advantages of such a knife are pretty obvious. They let you get a live blade into action quick-like with one hand. There's no fiddling with a thumb-stud, finding a button, or digging your fingernail into a nail nick.
But there are cons to consider. Confined spaces can impede a pocket-opener's draw. It's possible to partially open the blade in your pocket if you don't seat it properly. (It's also best to keep these types of knives in a dedicated pocket and move your keys to another one). Plus, you're liable to cut anyone standing behind you, such as a loved one you're trying to protect, because you need to pull the knife up and back so it snags just right on your pocket. And the type of pants you wear could affect the opening; jeans seem to be the best, while you might get varied results in chinos, slacks, and other trousers with different-shaped pockets. Also, martial artists who like to use the Filipino grip (thumb on as much of the blade's spine as possible) will find the hooks and nubs of this type of knife get in the way, forcing you to use a hammer grip or saber grip.
However, a pocket-opening folder can be an excellent weapon or a helpful everyday-carry (EDC) tool. Check out the models in these pages and see if there's one that can't wait to jump out of your pants.
MAKE: Kershaw Knives
MODEL: CQC-3K
OAL: 6.5 inches
BLADE LENGTH: 2.75 inches
BLADE MATERIAL: 8Cr14Mov stainless steel
WEIGHT: 3.8 ounces
MSRP: $53
URL: www.kershawknives.com
MAKE: FOX Knives
MODEL: The DART
OAL: 7.38 inches
BLADE LENGTH: 2.5 inches
BLADE MATERIAL: N690Co stainless steel
WEIGHT: 3.5 ounces
MSRP: $179
URL: www.theultimateknife.com
MAKE: DPx Gear
MODEL: HEST/F 2.0
OAL: 7.63 inches
BLADE LENGTH: 3.1 inches
BLADE MATERIAL: D2 tool steel
WEIGHT: 5.1 ounces
MSRP: $219
URL: www.dpxgear.com
MAKE: Browning Black Label
MODEL: Speed Dial Pocket Deploy Knife
OAL: 7.69 inches
BLADE LENGTH: 3.63 inches
BLADE MATERIAL: 8Cr13MoV stainless steel
WEIGHT: 4.4 ounces
MSRP: $55
URL: www.fullkittactical.com
MAKE: Emerson Knives
MODEL: CQC-15
OAL: 8.9 inches
BLADE LENGTH: 3.9 inches
BLADE MATERIAL: 154CM stainless steel
WEIGHT: 4.8 ounces
MSRP: $250; $255 (shown)
URL: www.emersonknives.com
MAKE: Cold Steel
MODEL: Talwar
OAL: 9.25 inches
BLADE LENGTH: 4 inches
BLADE MATERIAL: CTS XHP Alloy
WEIGHT: 5 ounces
MSRP: $170
URL: www.coldsteel.com
MAKE: Southern Grind
MODEL: Custom Bad Monkey
OAL: 9.38 inches
BLADE LENGTH: 4 inches
BLADE MATERIAL: 14C28N stainless steel
WEIGHT: 4.97 ounces
MSRP: Starting at $250; $260 (shown)
URL: www.southerngrind.com
What happens when Kershaw Knives gets it on with Emerson Knives? They give birth to blades like this puppy, a Kershaw production model designed by Ernest Emerson himself. It's ideal for blue-collar users who can't afford a $250 Emerson, but still want a lightweight EDC tool with his patented wave-shaped opener.
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CONS:
The Direct Action Response Tanto (DART) was designed by Doug Marcaida, a kali expert and a judge on History Channel's TV show, Forged in Fire. It combines a karambit-style handle with a folding straight blade and Emerson's opening mechanism. Made in Italy by FOX Knives, it's ideal for those who practice Southeast Asian martial arts.
PROS:
CONS:
The cutout in the blade's spine is actually a bottle opener, but it can snag a pocket and deploy the blade just the same. Add that to a litany of its other integrated features, including a hex driver and jimping that doubles as wire strippers. Available in various configurations. Assembled in Italy from U.S. and German materials.
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This mash-up of a karambit, modified tanto blade, and pocket-opening mechanism (the patented SNAG System from Krudo Knives) was designed by Russ Kommer with input from Jared Wihongi, a combatives master and RECOIL contributor. It'll please practitioners of kali, silat, and similar fighting systems.
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Who wouldn't want to go straight to the source? This Emerson knife — with authentic Emerson wave-shaped opener — lives up to its lineage. A combination of the CQC-7 and the Commander, this model is available with various upgrades at additional costs. You can also get a stonewash finish for $5 less. Made in the USA.
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Though just shy of being the biggest cat in this pride, it's certainly the most fearsome looking. Inspired by sabers from ancient India, it features a flat-ground curved blade with a sharp edge along its 4 inches. I comes with G-10 scales, a Tri-Ad lock, and Andrew Demko's thumb-plate. Comes in various configurations and blade lengths.
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You can construct a Custom Bad Monkey from various profiles, handles, and blade coatings — kinda like Build-A-Bear, but without bratty kids annoying the stuffing out of you. There are more than 40 configurations, all made in the USA. Our test sample features a plain-edge drop-point blade with a black PVD coating and a G-10 jade ghost green handle.
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