I didn't read the entire thread, but agree 100% with Steelhead that a pocket knife should be able to be opened one handed.
IMO, one of the best utility/duty knives ever made is the CRKT Crawford/Kasper Fighting Folder. Simply a work of art that will open with a flick of the wrist and retailed for under $40.00! I currently rotate between it, a Kershaw Scallion (another fantastic assisted opening knife that sells for under $40.00!), and a Benchmade 2550 Mini-Reflex Auto.
Simply put, Kershaw and CRKT offer a lot of bang for the buck!
