I don’t know how it became the “New York Drop” either, all things named after New York being cool I’d assume. In addition, a would-be guru out there has tried claiming it for himself going so far as to apply his name to the technique. I find both of these as odd because we were doing this technique, as kids in Chicago, many years ago. Now that I think about it, a friend of my fathers showed it to me so it goes way back. Unfortunately, we never thought to apply a name to it, it was just a convenient method of opening a knife one-handed (assuming it worked on your particular knife).

Much depends upon the type and style of knife used. As a youngster, I carried a Hawkbill knife for years and, after breaking it in, with practice, I could get the knife out and open rather quickly. Remember, these were the days before pocket clips and thumbholes and studs. Done at full speed, the hand is safe and easily winds up back on the handle…though it is a technique that is obsolete nowadays.

Take Care and Stay Safe,
Ken (kilogulf59)

“REMEMBER – What works for you may not, necessarily, work for me. Keep an open mind!”

Sound reasoning based on solid premises and the ruthless application of logic; or hell, just basic critical thinking skills: There are few domains were a commitment to critical thinking is more important than that of self-defense.

Unfortunately…well, you know.