What's the purpose of the razor pattern?

[GregNYC]

I just talked to a Case authorized dealer, who told me that their version is not a shaving knife. So what's the purpose of that blade? I seem to remember reading that you can open them by hooking the end on a piece of fabric, sort of like the "wave" idea. But I've never seen a photo of a razor-style knife in the closed position.

Thanks!

[Hukk]

Well, it is a blade that can be opened/closed with one hand. At least I can on my Bulldog Barlows that have a razor.

[keithlong]

Hukk hit it I believe, the razor blade was designed for a person with only one arm to be able to open it. I was raised up on a farm, and there was a farm hand that lost one of his hands on the farm. He bought one and it was called a one arm razor. He could take that knife out of his pocket and open the blade all in one stroke.

[philco]

I think Keith and Hukk are correct to an extent. The original idea was to accomodate one handed opening. Forgive my jaded view, but I think most of the "razor bladed" knives being sold today are built with the intention of selling the collector one more variation of a knife they already have several of. I'm very confident that is the primary motive with the Case knife mentioned. The popularity of knives with thumb studs has gone a long way to fulfill any real need for one handed opening capability.

As far as opening a razor knife with only one hand, it is accomplished by catching the curved end of the blade either on the top edge of ones pants pocket or on the side seam of a pair of jeans. With a little practice, it can be done in a flash.

Phil

[rigwelder]

Somewhere i read years ago that a razor pattern(ONE ARMED MAN) pattern was designed during or shortly after the civil war. It was made with the cupped off slightly hooked end so a one armed man could snag the end of the blade one his leather belt, or whatever and open it.

[GregNYC]

Thanks guys, I might try one, though maybe not from Case. I totally get the point about thumb-studs, Philco. But for some reason I'm not crazy about them, not sure why...

[TM]

I like the one armed man/razor knives. The blade is for slicing. Although I like the one Case makes, the 'catch' on the tip is a little too subtle to really open easily with just one hand. Luckily, I have both my hands so I use the nail nick

The razor blades on Queens knives work real well for opening with one hand. They hook onto a belt loop and pop open with no problem.

[GregNYC]

Thanks TM, I'll take a look!

[orvet]

I have a Boker with red bone that opens pretty easily on a seam.
What I know about them goes along pretty much with what Rigwelder said.

Dale

[justold52]

I am playing with this one as an EDC.

I see when I use her in front of others it seems to be a SHOCKER to them.

[jonet143]

have been researching this subject. found example blades with the end hook called razor skinners, one hand opening for game is handy. have also found examples without the opening hook called razor and cane blades. in all of the reference books i can't find one calling it a "one armed man razor" the examples i found were knife/fork combos. one is shown in knife lore. has anyone got documentation for the "one armed man razor" style knife?

[bluerush55]

I love these knives and I read that there where so many men with one arm after the civil war that they patented the shape of the knife.
Now this is one of many of these I own of one armed knife and yes I'M shamelessly showing it of.. Love the red bones