Am I expecting too much?

J

JJK1

Joined
Jan 3, 2007
Messages
7
Hi all – I have been buying a bunch of Stockman pattern knives of late and I can’t seem to get one that has both good solid “snap” and no blade play. I have purchased Buck, Case (many examples), Cannel Street, Boker, Queen, and a canoe from Bull Dog. Some have OK snap but blade play - or no blade play but weak to no snap.
No snap and / or blade play is a deal breaker for me – always has been.
I’m looking for a 3.25” to 3.5” closed stockman. Am I going to have to settle? – Is it the pattern?
Do I need to buy a custom knife?
I have an old buck 703C that is solid with great snap and no blade play but I want a few more with different scales etc.
Thanks
JJK
 
Hi JJK1 and welcome to our little corner of the forums.

Your chances of being happy go up exponentially with the purchase of a custom but of course you are looking at a fairly significant investment there.

I think the problem is one of degree. I, like you am also particular when it comes to snap and blade play but I am willing to make allowances for very slight issues if everything else is in line. I'm talking barely perceptible movement, not wiggle.

I've even recently begun to appreciate some knives with less than the heavy spring tension I've come to desire and expect.

So, in a production knife, I think it's luck of the draw unless you can choose one yourself or get a dealer to do so on your behalf.

On a custom, you have the right to expect the knife to live up to your standards (especially if they've been gone over with the maker).
 
Welcome JJK1. I got to say like you and blues, i dont tolerate blade play. snap is a thing of preference. on production knives i dont think you are expecting too much. all my slippies, all 3 :D, have great snap and little to no blade play. i think you are jsut getting unlucky draws. as for the zedro blade play part, i think you might be expecting too much. i know its a contradiction to myself. but there is a difference in wiggle room adn movement. if it is jsut a tiny bit of movement when you torque it by the tip then it is ok in my books. if you can hold the base and there is movement then it is no good me thinks. as for backsprings, hey that is all up to you. i myself dont like springs with crazy amounts of snap, i tend to cut myself. i jsut think for your tolerences that you might need to move onto custom knives. remember these are all mass produced so i doubt there are very many perfect ones imho.:o
 
How about ordering our Forum Knife? I hear there are still a couple of slots left....
No play in either of my CASE stockmen,fine snap too,same with the Texas Small Jack.Good luck with the search.
 
A small amont of play (small I said) to me is actually perferable in a user knife because it allowes for the small amounts of debri (pocket lint and such) that always get into a knifes action not to bind or slow down the blade snap when closing it. Seems that any knife I've owned (production knives only) with NO blade play always binded after little pocket carry needing constant care and oiling to work properly.,,,VWB.
 
Thanks Guys -
I have OCD - so I'll keep trying to find those perfect knives. I have 2 more Case Stockman knives inbound. Old 2 spring patterns with curved backs. I'm guessing a curve may provide for stronger snap. We will see - Thanks again
JJK
 
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