A really really really stiff spring...!

O

ohski

Joined
Apr 24, 2009
Messages
387
It puckers my butt when I open and close the knife... Options..?

Thanks, Ski
 
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Please move this to W&C so I can make the appropriate comment...
 
Lol sorry man I just meant to be funny, didn't mean to be rude, my appolgies. Been a long day at work. If I had constructive advice I would have given it. Good luck.
 
You can get one of those nail pull tools,its like a steel fingernail
If some one has a pic,please post it for this fella,TIA
Vince
 
I have a Schatt&Morgan file and wire tested toothpick that I bought a few years back,that has a REALLY stiff spring.I've oiled it and worked the blade open and closed hundreds of times,all to no avail.I've broken my thumbnail several times on that knife.If you find a cure,please let me know.
 
Trade with someone who wants a knife with a really stiff spring.
 
VCM3 said:
You can get one of those nail pull tools,its like a steel fingernail
If some one has a pic,please post it for this fella,TIA
Vince
Click to expand...

Maybe I can redeem myself, here's a pic of one made by Ken Erickson

nail_pull_ken1.jpg
 
Maybe just my own feelings, but if you need a tool to open the knife, then there's something very wrong with the whole picture.

This is something I've wondered about for a very long time; why would any knife manufacturer make a knife so hard to open?

I can remember all the way back to my childhood, there were not that many knives around like that. They must not have been, because our 10 year old fingers could pull open most pocket knives with no problem. For the most part, blade pulls were moderate to a bit 'soft' on most types of pocket knives. Especially the European makers like Bruckman, Hen and Rooster, Herter and Boker. My old Boker 240 had easy springs, I wish I still had it.

To this day I remember Mr. Van, our scoutmaster, telling us to be careful picking out a knife. He told us to make sure we could open it with cold or wet hands and no fumbling.

It seems crazy to me to have a spring so strong in a pocket knife that you struggle to pull it open, or sweat it when it comes time to close it.

Just my opinion. YMMV.
 
It was my understanding that the "knife opener" tools were originally meant for people who open dozens of knives a day, and that makes sense. While I do have some knife openers, I've never used one.
 
jackknife said:
Maybe just my own feelings, but if you need a tool to open the knife, then there's something very wrong with the whole picture.

This is something I've wondered about for a very long time; why would any knife manufacturer make a knife so hard to open?

I can remember all the way back to my childhood, there were not that many knives around like that. They must not have been, because our 10 year old fingers could pull open most pocket knives with no problem. For the most part, blade pulls were moderate to a bit 'soft' on most types of pocket knives. Especially the European makers like Bruckman, Hen and Rooster, Herter and Boker. My old Boker 240 had easy springs, I wish I still had it.

To this day I remember Mr. Van, our scoutmaster, telling us to be careful picking out a knife. He told us to make sure we could open it with cold or wet hands and no fumbling.

It seems crazy to me to have a spring so strong in a pocket knife that you struggle to pull it open, or sweat it when it comes time to close it.

Just my opinion. YMMV.
Click to expand...

I totally agree with the above. I can't imagine the reasoning behind the bear trap springs like the one ohski is dealing with.

If it's a new knife I'd return it and request one with softer springs. I've got a few that I didn't send back and they pretty much sit in the drawer and never get used.

I know of no cure for the stiff spring disease.
 
Although I like really, really strong springs...they are a danger on some blades. In particular, the pen blade on my GEC Barlow was a real threat.

I tried something suggested by another forumite--leaving that blade partially open for several days so the spring was in constant tension. This worked very well, although it did take several days. Obviously, results will vary..but it's worth a try.

Just out of curiosity, what knife are we talking about?
 
I would rather not say the knife maker... It is a custom 4" single blade sliplie... It is even stiff from half way open to full, then back again. I can honestly say I would not let anybody else open/ close it.

So no real options other than
1. return it (not doing).
2. pull tool (no good there either)
3. Live with it..???

Ski
 
Is it possible the maker would be able to ease the tension? I've seen posts around here from a lot of custom makers, and they seem very eager to make sure their customers are pleased with the knife. What causes a spring to be so tight, that it could not be fixed?
 
thawk said:
Is it possible the maker would be able to ease the tension? I've seen posts around here from a lot of custom makers, and they seem very eager to make sure their customers are pleased with the knife. What causes a spring to be so tight, that it could not be fixed?
Click to expand...

Every custom maker I've come in contact with have been happy to go out of their way to make sure their customers are happy.

I can't imagine that an adjustment would be all that difficult and probably wouldn't take more than a couple days (most of that being shipping time).
 
It seems that I remember STR building someone a weaker spring due to this exact same issue. You may contacting him, but first I would see if the maker could help you.
 
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