Hi all:

I'd like to ask the other seasoned forum members who own Nitrous-assist knives to perform an experiment with theirs, but only if they feel comfortable doing it. It involves rapidly drawing the closed knife from its standard clipped position, e.g., on the pants' pocket, waistband, or wherever you typically clip your knife, and then rapidly opening it to the ready as you'd do if you were going to use it for self-defense. I find that when I do this manuver, the pressure from my hand gripping the knife sometimes creates so much friction on the Torsion bar that prevents it from completely deploying the blade. I own a 913D2, have used Tuf-Glide to adequately lube the parts, and have exercised the knife, opening and closing it many many times to work it into a smooth state. I have no trouble opening the knife with a calm, normal grip. Only when gripping the knife hard, as you would in deploying it during a serious encounter, does this behavior manifest. Can anyone else replicate this issue?

Thanks to all in advance.

I own the 907D2. I don't have any trouble opening mine. It was a little tough to open when I first got it, but after a couple hours of opening and closing it, it opens easily now.

I'm not into martial arts. The greatest tension I have is when I'm making a sandwich...I have read that we operate differently when under duress and can't find things the way we do in real time.

The person to give his expert opine would probably be Mark.

BUT, I just took both my 913 and 907 knives out and have been able to do at least what I THINK is my version of a fastdraw and esp. the 913 fires really easy.

I do see flex on the scales and frame when squeezing the thing hard but it still deploys with a flick of the thumb.

All my knives are tuned to be able to flick them open. Thats one of the reason's i dont own any spydercos as i cant get them to flick open.

All i can think of is that something caught on the giant rabbit ears of the thumbstuds when i was reaching in my pocket for something.

It wouldnt be an issue with tip up pocket carry and i have never had a problem with the at least 50+ knives i use, or have used for EDC carry.

Nothing like reaching into your pocket only to have the knife fire into your hand. I was bleeding, the knife was thrown, and after some cussing that was the end of that.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Benchmade Nut,

Welcoem to the forum Edgealong.
I have found a few time on different Strykers, (AO and non AO) that if you grip the scalse very tight it can hamper the opening of the blade. But I have not had the problem of the blade not locking.
You may want to consider EDCing an auto or a fixed blade for self defence. Mark G. will fill in all the blanks for you there. As Joe said he is the man to answer.

Welcome to the forum. I too can flex a stryker so that it won't open fully. Without going into detail about my experience, I will say this and apologize in advance for hurting anybody's feelings.

Knives pose a special problem in a self defense encounter. Unless the person that deploys it has enough training (and experience), they should leave it in their pocket.

My point is this: The scenario described suggests that it is less the fault of the knife than an issue of technique. If this is true, it would be irresponsible to suggest that simply switching to another type of knife will solve the problem.

If you deploy a knife, you can guarantee that you will be cut, and you don't know your opponent. This you do know, he will react to a life-threatening scenario. You had better be prepared for the consequences before you take that step. I do not subscribe to the thought that you avoid conflict by "brandishing a weapon".

I like knives, but they are a close contact weapon of last resort, with huge legal implications. It is better to be prepared (trained) to avoid or end a conflict before it ever gets to that point.

I hope I helped and didn't offend. I have seen too many people think that the mere possession of a knife, and the ability to pull it out of their pocket quickly, somehow made them safer on the street. The simple fact is that is doesn't.

Brian

Good advice, Brian... and well said.

+1, Thanks Brian. Very well said. I wonder what could be done to stiffen the frame of these Nitrous models? My older 910 doesn't flex like these do and is almost as fast to open.

Thx to all for your feedback. (I wasn't sure I was going to get any!)

rwsnc, Tiny, Nut, and j_k, thanks for sharing your experiences and advice.

Brian, I also appreciate you sharing your experience and it certainly hasn't bothered me. I agree 100% with your appraisal on the ramifications of using a knife.

If you would, I'd value it if you come back to the specific topic and address it more fully. Have you (or any of the forum members) been able to train with the 913D2 (or something very similar) and overcome the issue of flex preventing the deployment of the blade during a rapid draw? Is there a suggestion they can give specifically regarding this issue that will assist another's quick-draw practice?

Thx again,
Edgealong

Yes, I have "practiced" with an auto stryker (much prefer the 910 though).

My suggestion is: SLOW DOWN!!!!!!!

You are exerting too much pressure with your grip. You are flexing the handle and the blade will not reliably deploy. Stop doing that.

To get good at a "fast draw", you need to do it slowly first. When it is perfect, do it a little faster and then a little faster until you can consistently do it quickly with no tension in your hand.

Hope this helps.

Brian