Nail Nick - Opening Systems

Nail Nick Info

Description

Nail nicks are probably the oldest form of knife opening system that was widely used in production knives. Everything from the venerable Buck 110, to Swiss Army Knives to Custom Tommy Overeynder knives have nail nicks, and they continue to be a popular opening method for high end interframe folders.

Nail nicks aren't commonly used on tactical folders because they are difficult to open one-handed. It is possible to open many nail nick folders one-handed if there is enough blade to grip onto when it is closed by performing a "Spydie Drop", which is where you hold onto the blade and try and flick the handle open from it, usually with the help of gravity. This works very well with heavy knives such as the Buck 110.

The list of custom knifemakers using the nail nick is extensive, but mainly consists of high-end art knives such as interframe folder makers and slip joint makers such as Jess Horn, Tommy Overeynder, Frank Centofante, Tim Britton, Joel Chamblin, W.D. Pease and many more. Normally with nail nick folders you will find that they use a lock back system or slip joints.

Nail Nick Examples