"Smoothness" in Pocketknives: The Nick Shabazz Guide

[@n0148813]

"Fallshuttiness" : expanding my vocabulary with every video, nick. Well done, sir

[@bbridges100]

So if one were to commit a crime with a Grimsmo Norseman, would they be considered a smooth criminal?

[@gavinreddig3969]

Bridges Cutlery 😂😂😂

[@NickShabazz]

+Bridges Cutlery :D

[@moose99moose]

Great video - the William Henry T-09 Kestrel was the first time I felt this smoothness, and I’ve looked for it ever since. Lovely distinction between the ‘hydraulic’ feeling and the ‘fallshuttiness’. Thanks Nick!

[@mitchelldelmar9682]

Smooth is cool and cool is smooth. Love the collection.

[@ryanschweizer9686]

I wish there was some way to explain our insanity to the non knife people

[@BirdShotIV]

haha right!

[@csquared4538]

@@BirdShotIV I'm kind of addicted. In an unhealthy way. I need to stop mine now because I'm spending more on knives than I can support financially in the long term. I just ordered 2 new expensive knives that will be the crowns of my collection but if I go any higher from here it will be to the point of absurdity. Despite the pocket clip I really wanted a spyderco drunken and I found one for $340 on ebay. That's like 3 days pay for me though, it's not something I should be buying, even if I do have relatively high disposable income.

[@beefcurtainz69]

Greatest reviews on YT! Now I have a new addiction thanks!

[@daeholm]

Great video as always Nick. I'd be interested in a rundown and comparison of all the different kinds of locks showing the relative strengths and weaknesses of each.

[@CalebMcFadden]

I got a 45 dollar knife at a gun show and it is the smoothest knife I own. It has a drop shut action similar to the ZT. I think I got really lucky. I believe it is called the viper tech copperhead.

[@RonBrumleve]

So, a knife can be smooth upon opening but not smooth enough to drop shut? Why is whether it can fall shut a concern?

[@magicdave93]

Some good points nick, I think as you collect more and more knives you expect more from them. When I started collecting all my knives were under £30 and I thought they were fantastic and in some cases they still are, smooth or not.

[@TheFiendRacer]

I’d say there are different types of smoothness. Like a zt 0562cf and Brous blades mini division are both extremely smooth and fall shifty. Something like a hinderer on washers or Sebenza can be smooth too but in a different way

[@pineapplej7310]

I have a R2D2 with the black coated blade, Ive spent hours working the action and now it's drop shut smooth. The detent is perfect and you can use it to close the knife just as fast as it opens. I hope all other rat model 2's are capable of this

[@kyiangr7552]

great video Nick very informative, thanks for sharing!

[@justin76kocaj14]

Great collection, I’ve been trying to score a tilock.

[@samdungan03]

I took my rat 1 and 2 in D2 apart and sanded the washers and liners down with a very high grit wet sand paper. Now it's fall shut. I did lose a little bit of detent but it's far from a problem

[@briantaylor9266]

Smoothness is wonderful. But I think viewers may be left with the impression that you have to pay hundreds of dollars to obtain it. A well tuned axis lock (even a Chinese version) can give you all the smoothness the average person could wish for much less. Of course those high end knives have other things to offer in addition, but that's another video :-)

[@NickShabazz]

The Buck Marksman is a great way to get incredible smoothness for cheap.

[@jacobs.7205]

Brian Taylor If your talking Ganzo haxis lock then it's not that great. I thought I didn't like axis locks until I handled a Benchmade.

[@briantaylor9266]

I agree that most Ganzos aren't that great out of the box. But if you're willing to do a bit of tweaking they can be exceptionally smooth. I have several. But there are no guarantees in life, nor in Ganzo knives. With some of them, no matter what you do they still don't give you a 'drop shutty' action.

[@E1337N3SS]

Hilariously enough one of the smoothest knives I've handled is the CRKT Wrinkle, of all things. It's such a weird little sucker. Ugly as sin and the clip makes me want to cry, yet I still end up carrying it over my high end stuff half the time because it's such a joy to open and close, and has such great ergos with a matching blade.

[@tully667]

I was expecting the song Smooth Operator to kick in at any moment.

[@kevola5739]

Sounds like the Z Hunter needs a disassembly video if in fact it can be disassembled. Maybe we will all be surprised what a good cleaning can do to the action of a knife. Would love to see a Andre Thorburn knife disassembly/review as well. The extremes of your viewers requests such as this must have you pondering the sobriety of their thought process.

[@NickShabazz]

There's a "Cheap vs Inexpensive" early video where you get to see the inside of the Z-Hunter.

[@BirdShotIV]

Fun video Nick, excellent perspective

[@VfletchS]

I love a smooth edc (ZT452cf as of late), but "smoothness" matters much more to me when I'm spending money on a custom or a high-end midtech or production knife. It reflects the effort and care that went into the knife's engineering and tolerances. A smooth knife makes me appreciate the knife (and the knifemaker) more. It makes the knife more valuable to me.

[@ctheo13]

Great video Nick, very informative 👍

[@RealBushMonkey]

you should try to get your hands on a Lionsteel TM1, it wil blow every thought you ever had about back lock smoothness out of the water. When I got mine I simply couldn't believe it was possible

[@HaesslichG]

For the record, I have a Dragonfly Tattoo which falls shut as soon as you release the lock. Back locks can have that smoothness, but it's not the norm. And I've a Mcusta which us pretty hydraulic in feel as well, quite like the Sebenza and Inkosi knives I've handled, despite having Teflon washers. It's surprising how much of smoothness depends on the tolerances and design, versus just the materials. And unfortunately, not even bearings can save a lot of Spyderco flippers from being... well, kind of rough compared to Zero Tolerance, circa 2014. I only managed to salvage my Mantra 2 (making it drop shut readily) with a lot of tinkering ad some serious lubrication.

[@NickShabazz]

Teflon does a great hydraulic action when done well.

[@HaesslichG]

Nick Shabazz I just wish it wasn't misused in so many cheap knives. The design is the key to a smoothly operating knife, along with good manufacturing tolerances. I just picked up another ZT today (the 0450) to use when the blacked out finish of the 0450CF looks too aggressive, and it's amazing how readily it falls shut when you get the detent ball onto the blade. I haven't even lubricated it yet, and I'm not sure if I need to in the near future. It bit me the second time I closed it... but that's always happening with the 0450 family because they're just that smooth. I can't get the Mantra 2 there, but it's about 75% of the way to that level. If it was ZT smooth, I'd not have gotten another ZT. I just with Shirogorov knives weren't as hard to get a hold of as they seem to be.

[@NickShabazz]

Agreed, HaesslichG. Teflon *can* be done well, but it almost never is. And even at its best, it's not better than real washers.

[@HaesslichG]

Nick Shabazz They work, but they're definitely not perfect. I'll take them or phosphor bronze washers over bearings anytime I'm not using a flipper (and they CAN work for flippers, but again, the tolerances have to be nearly perfect). I just find them more reliable, and easier to clean in less than perfect conditions. Not every knife needs to fall shut without effort... but it's a nice feeling when you get a knife that CAN do it. Especially if it was a but resistant to doing do before (like my Valet when I first got it).

[@dkompolt1234]

When can we expect a review on the Kershaw? Smooth video

[@1130jawz]

Great video, as usual, my kershaw nura 3 inch came smooth and way more drop shutty than that one. Again commenting from the future Nick😆

[@choppergirl]

You should review things other than knives, you have a definite knack for seeing the real world real use practical pros and cons of something, whether its even important or not so much so, and not be as taken in (self deluded by themselves) or hoodwinked by bells and whistles and marketing hype, as others might be. A lot of people really end up bidding up and inflating the price on some items because someone once upon a time said it was the cat's meow in a forum, and like lemmings everyone followed and now nothing else will do.

[@barrylevitt1170]

Good Day Nick, You may want to take a look at the Real Steel model T101 Thor, the blade drops free due to a ball bearing pivot. This knife is addictive as a play item. Kevin Cleary has a video on it. Keep up the interesting videos. Barry L.

[@SeSoKi]

Years later, the koenig arius walks in to claim the throne

[@gammarayburst4763]

Hey Nick I thought let you know about 2 knives that are really smooth as well. The kevin john venom concept which is a Chinese knife. Another one is crkt ikoma sampa which is a sub 100 knife which is really smooth. Don't kow if you heard of them but would love for you to do a review on the crkt sampa..

[@jdmbeaner182]

can't you polish the washers to get them smoother?

[@mountainmanwatchreviews8081]

Fall-shutiness sums it up perfectly

[@HotBrass-Lead]

Hey nick my benchmade 940-2 is insane smooth drop free buy my benchmade mini grip 555-1 isn’t no matter what I do . If I loosen the pivot to the point it’s drop free I have blade play is this typical of a mini grip ?

[@striker3706]

As usual, a great commentary. Thank you Nick. Have you ever felt the action of an EnZo Birk 75/S30V F/Carbon fiber? It's the most unique in my collection. Feels assisted but it is not.

[@notsoprogaming9789]

Imagine the norseman with a compression or axis No finger in the blade path fun af

[@roningraves6563]

I have a ZT 0804CF and it’s ine of the smoothest and nicest actions in my collection.

[@perrysteve1960]

very interesting learned a lot

[@VfletchS]

Fallshutiness is a beautiful thing.

[@Zelrick42]

Neat Vid Nick. I would argue that a lock back can be smooth though, it's more a hydraulic smooth, I have some Spyderco Calys and a Chaparral on the desk at the moment and after cleaning and a little lube. They are smooth and consistent with that excellent snick when they lock.

[@inhalantabuse8387]

hey Nick, I thought you got rid of the Uetsler custom?

[@The_Great_Whodini]

MixedMeats he records and has quite a backlog of videos, this annickversary event where he is posting daily is pushing through a backlog, as seen with the k2 review having a different background

[@NickShabazz]

Yep, Whodini knows the score. My Stretch review (on Tuesday) was filmed in May!

[@inhalantabuse8387]

Ah, I see

[@CanadianCuttingEdge]

Ahh your Nura isn't as nice as mine, mine is quite smooth, not high end but smooth. I guess that means an inconsistency in manufacture and QC

[@TheReligiousLeft]

Check out the the Ruike p121, highest smoothness to dollar ratio IMO

[@treycemccrery7581]

Great video nick

[@sanghyunkim9864]

Where would some of Kizer's knives, like the Gemini or the Mini Flashbang, land in this spectrum of smoothness? Somewhere slightly below the ZT0452 and the Graham Razel?

[@dubglock2312]

smoothness drives my life!!!

[@randyparker8009]

I have the Spyderco Nishijin in zdp and it will drop freely. But a lot more knife than the plain dragon fly. Hope all have a blessed day.

[@beardedbassist8347]

Hey Nick, in a lot of your videos you mention "office friendly" knives. Knives that don't scare people. Is this really an issue? I'm from a small town in GA. where even your grandma carries a knife and you're "strange" if you don't carry a knife.

[@briantaylor9266]

I too live in a community where a pocket knife is normal part of life and boys are encouraged by their fathers to carry one. But sadly I agree with Dr. Nick that there are places that are not so enlightened.

[@The_Great_Whodini]

Bearded Bassist I live in central New York, definitely not the south, and there are very few people that actually carry knives if it is not for their job. I see them as tools, the media has portrayed them as weapons, and there is a sense of fear in many places... it is something to consider when traveling or going places where it could be out of the norm

[@The_Great_Whodini]

Bearded Bassist I live in central New York, definitely not the south, and there are very few people that actually carry knives if it is not for their job. I see them as tools, the media has portrayed them as weapons, and there is a sense of fear in many places... it is something to consider when traveling or going places where it could be out of the norm

[@NickShabazz]

Up North here, it's fine in a rural area, but in cities, people look at you very oddly. People get very scared of tools.

[@beardedbassist8347]

America is becoming a country of wusses

[@SneakyCaleb]

Just get a 0801 if you on a budget and want something high end but super smooth

[@quentinguenter]

i think the Norseman has an assistet closing system ;-)

[@purpledc1]

The thing that surprises me is that you never touch on what is really creating that smoothness. Sure you talk about the pivots but that is not where most of the resistance comes from. The key to having the guillotine smoothness is a combination of the detent and lockbar. Ceramic detent ball vs. steel detent ball. Round face detent ball or flat face detent ball. Heavy lockbar pressure Vs. Light pressure. Also the finish of the blade as the finish is going to determine how the detent ball glides on the surface. All in all plenty of washer knives can have the guillotine effect. And many bearing knives can have a hydraulic feel. Most of those knives with some tweaks can have that guillotine drop closed effect.

[@NickShabazz]

Absolutely, great point. But dialing those things in (without a weak detent or lockup) can be very tricky.

[@randallkelley3599]

You have created several new words, Bar bl(bar bell), pocket pecker(poorly designed flipper), fall shuttiness( ease of blade movement toward closed). Murdery(bad ass knife), I would expect nothing less from The Nick!!

[@gonerydin4225]

Nick, watching your videos has expanded my limited vocabulary.

[@harpomarx7777]

Try the Civivi Elementum .. fifty bucks .. ball bearings and D2 steel. That's one bargain knife and it's smooth.

[@tyroneshoelaces9742]

Drop shut? Wait until you try the Kizer Sheep Dog. Grimsmo, you have a contender!!

[@NickShabazz]

I've got one on my table now. It's nice and smooth, but Grimsmo wins!

[@tyroneshoelaces9742]

Nick Shabazz wow that is impressive!

[@Glenn056]

Nick Shabazz Perhaps it's partially due to the Norseman having a very light lockbar tension?

[@tehloling1]

Nick, I tell ya, if you can get that nura apart you will not be sorry. Best of luck with it.

[@Epulor1]

Now that was some smooth talking.

[@OLMmedic]

Stay smooth buddy

[@Stantonv]

Smooth Video!

[@williamjc7195]

prices?

[@NickShabazz]

They're constantly changing. Google will get you a better price than I could :)

[@chef_nick3022]

Nick, i really respect your privacy. Maybe you didn't know but at around 7:40 when you were reviewing the "kodiatz custom" that mirror polish kind of showed your face off lol its a blessing and a curse i'd imagine.

[@chef_nick3022]

FlamQ Dbltap no he doesnt show is face for privacy since i would imagine being a knife and gear head he would scare his coworkers. I dont blame him so thats why i told him.

[@MrGeerbear]

Nick- good ifo. ZT 0450 is even better than ZT0452 and more to your preference size wise.

[@jacobmanalang8162]

i own both and the size difference is crazy! not even interested in the nura anymore

[@hgncbdfx]

You should make a knife to open other knives, by shaping down a dull blade into a prepriatairy screwdrive.

[@NickShabazz]

Lol. That would just encourage them.

[@messmer777]

I may be in the minority, but I really don't like knives that open and fall shut with no resistance. Especially shut, I'm accident prone and my ZT 0450 is definitely going to cut me one of these days, while my Sebenza will not. De gustibus non est disputandum.

[@davidwatson3035]

Smooth video. :)

[@KnifeKrazy.]

Damn we're smooth.

[@poisoncobra7]

what are you talking about Nick? the z-hunter is the smoothest thing in the universe xD

[@hgncbdfx]

poisoncobra7 my balls are smoother.

[@atomedgesharpening]

Strange enough I don't see gas stations with knives where I live but smoke shops.... oh my god, fantasy knife city. (not as cool as it sounds)

[@NickShabazz]

+Maxwell Super (Atomedge Sharpening) You'd have to be high to buy some of those designs. Makes sense.

[@OnTheEdge5950]

The Grimsmo is the king.

[@OnTheEdge5950]

Robert Rivera Definitely one that you either love or hate.

[@CombatBanana]

its funny watching this now when you can get fall shut knives for 30 dollars

[@lucasanderson9143]

top smooth knife under 200$ is a 40$ crkt fossil

[@sheepborg]

Nick you kill me every time you say 'glass on glass smooth' .. Glass on glass isnt smooth without trapped air between two plates. Otherwise there is quite alot of friction... bleehhhhh

[@Ryomichi]

glass on glass with grease in between is what i understood. although he dint say that.

[@NickShabazz]

Well, sure. But glass on mineral oil on glass is spectacular.

[@crashdashpatrol]

Get a Benchmade period. You will play with it everyday all day.

[@jwfraga]

Yep, just got my 1st BM, the new g10 grip, Im super impressed. I have been a Spydo guy, this BM is THE most fun to play with, cant keep it out of my hand!

[@The_Great_Whodini]

jabbronx yeah, you just have to get lucky and find one with good tolerences, benchmades quality control has failed to prove itself multiple times... but if you get a good one, absolutely a joy

[@NickShabazz]

They make some good designs. I hope they get their quality control up to par soon so they become more enjoyable :)

[@TheFiendRacer]

Stxn obviously don’t use his knives, bm has one of the best heat treats.

[@Sugardaddy501]

I really don't care that much about smoothness long as it works. I have a svord and I feel they are TOO smooth sometimes and I've nailed my fingers twice with my svord peasant.