Anyone ever do a spine test on a vantage pro?

[draftpick]

Just started carring my vantage pro everyday now for about a 2 months and today decided to do a spine test against my steering wheel. And 2-3 hits and it closes. I'm not hitting it hard and the steering wheel has a lot of rubber and no marks are on the back of the blade from hitting. But everytime I hit, I can see it walk and 2-3 times it closes. And looking at the locking area with the blade closed, and the liner only makes contact on the blade about 1/8". Looking at the knife with blade open the liner is a square cut but where the liner makes contact with the knife is on an angle back to the piviot. Not sure if this normal to have a 1/2" tall or so liner but only make 1/8" contact on the blade. Any thoughts? Is this a warranty problem?

 

[Bill Keys]

The angle on the blade is ground intentionally, in fct, it is a compound angle to help with "lockup" and eliminate up and down movement. The face of the line is square to the sides of the liner; we do not touch the end of the liner once it is blanked or laser cut. Without seeing the knife, I cannot tell exactly where the liner is contacting the blade and whether or not it is doing so correctly.
We do tap test the knives at the end fo teh productin line, but it is not impossible that a marginal got through. We try to catch everything but we do miss a few. If you would like to send it to Buck to my attention, and I would be more than happy to have it inspected and fixed or replaced if it seems suspect at all.

Bill Keys
Director of Manufacturing and Engineering
Buck Knives, Inc.
660 S Lochsa St
Post Falls, ID 83854

 

[imafritz]

Well found draftpicks experience to be very surprising and Mr Keys' answer to be very reasonable. But since I have a couple, I thought I'd try it on my own. I used my computer desk chair as my anvil.

I started whacking the spine of my 347 Pro from about 7 inches away.

I figger if I was pounding a 10 penny nail, I was using enough force to drive it into a 2x4 with around 6-7 whacks(just a reasonable guess on that). On whack 15, the blade closed and caused this.

about a 3/8" slice.

the blade locks like this-rt side lockup

I used the same test(basically) with a 345 select oiled blue dymondwood and struck it over 3 times without failure. Granted I may have been a little easier and held it differently cause I didnt want to get cut again. I did my best to use the same force and think I did, but who knows--I aint mythbusters.

The 345 locks up dead center

and the linerlock is noticably more stiff.

My 347 was an early production model that did experience many of the problems people were concerned about.

In the end, I dont know if 15 strikes to the spine is a pass or fail mark. I doubt if I would have it in a position where this kind of test would prove to be an issue....so whats it mean and whatayall think?

 

[runninmike]

I'm thinking that testing the knife like this only proves how many times you need to hit it in the wrong direction of the cutting edge to try to make the locking device fail..... like the safety on a firearm, a locking device on a knife is only a mechanical device prone to failure when not intended. We don't throw cocked and loaded guns with the safety engaged to the floor to purposely see how many times it takes for the thing to trip, and we might not want to whack things with the back of our knives since it seems we inadvertently might cut ourselves when not wanted. Maybe my thinking is silly. My 347 locks real tight, but I never thought to try to make the liner disengage by applying force in the wrong direction, although I don't consider it a weapon, maybe that purpose would make it more important to some? I mean, the liner lock is to stop the thing from folding on our nubs while working keeping in mind we are being careful in using our precision cutting instrument. I've rambled to far here...goodnight

 

[Plumberdv]

I think the test proves only one thing. If someone abuses any well made and designed safety device enough with the express intention of making it fail, they will succeed sooner or later. Most safety devices are put into place to protect us from our own stupidity and nothing mechanical is fail proof given enough abuse. Under normal and intended use they work fine and as intended. I can just see the disclamer on the knife boxes now:

"Repeated hammering on the back of the blade can cause lock failure and well deserved injury to the person doing the hammering"

 

[ohen cepel]

I smacked my Vantage a few times on it's spine out of curiousity a few days after I got it. Nothing happened with mine.

I'm with Dave on this one. It means little to me. I don't know of a case in use where this would happen. Plus, as someone who carries slippies a lot I treat a knife as if it may close if used wrong.

 

[draftpick]

I went home and looked a the 2 other liner lock knives and did the same test and I could not get either to fail and I hit both 30 times against my steering wheel. And looking at the lock up on the other 2 knives the angle/cut of the liner matches the angle/cut on the knife and the angle/cut on the vantage pro liner does not match the angle/cut on the knife. I really like the knife, but Im a little worried about the safety of it now c that 2 other knives of the same design passed.

 

[Brennanscott]

Still can't fathom the real world application of spine whacking a knife. If anything I think alot of guys on youtube just want to discredit knifemakers or something.

These are folders for God's sake. If you actually come across a real need here, all of these companies make great fixed blade knives as well.

 

[Plumberdv]

Still can't fathom the real world application of spine whacking a knife. If anything I think alot of guys on youtube just want to discredit knifemakers or something.

These are folders for God's sake. If you actually come across a real need here, all of these companies make great fixed blade knives as well.

And hammers and pry bars and screwdrivers etc., etc.

 

[pjsjr]

...like the safety on a firearm, a locking device on a knife is only a mechanical device prone to failure when not intended. We don't throw cocked and loaded guns with the safety engaged to the floor to purposely see how many times it takes for the thing to trip.

FWIW and FYI, runningmike, the 'repubic of kommiforina' does do this to any firearm that it's manufacturer submits for sale in the state. I'm sure if you interested and google the subject you can find the test and see what is done to/on the firearm.

I agree with Brennanscott and others that believe this kind of 'testing' counter-productive. Tools have purpose and limitations, should be used as such and that is as it should be. Preston

 

[imafritz]

I am just like Ohen, I whacked it out of curiosity and I agree with Dave and all who say, why would you use a knife like that in the 1st place. I guess I desereve the gaping gash in my hand I have always said I have all confidence in the liner lock of this and all other Buck liner locks that I own. The issue with tests like this to me is that, isnt that what killed the Sawby, a failed spine test?

 

[Plumberdv]

FWIW and FYI, runningmike, the 'repubic of kommiforina' does do this to any firearm that it's manufacturer submits for sale in the state. I'm sure if you interested and google the subject you can find the test and see what is done to/on the firearm.

I agree with Brennanscott and others that believe this kind of 'testing' counter-productive. Tools have purpose and limitations, should be used as such and that is as it should be. Preston

Most of the stuff is done so that those who either don't possess or refuse to use common sense are protected from themselves.

 

[skyhorse]

If you bang on a folding knife in the wrong direction,(SHIFT HAPPENS).

 

[imafritz]

I've decided to sue Craftsman cause the hammer claw I used to cut a nice piece of leather tore it very badly and unevenly

 

[Plumberdv]

I can just forsee a new permanant etch in all knife blades sold in the USA due to lawsuits stemming from misuse.

"Knives are shipped puposefully unsharpened to prevent injury to purchaser. Sharpening and use will void warranty and relieve manufacturer of all responsibility for injury."

 

[runninmike]

FWIW and FYI, runningmike, the 'repubic of kommiforina' does do this to any firearm that it's manufacturer submits for sale in the state. I'm sure if you interested and google the subject you can find the test and see what is done to/on the firearm.

this is a well known and painful fact to Californian gun enthusiasts, so not news to me as a longtime Ca citizen-but thanks for the kind reminder. I was just stating what is taught to most, never trust a safety to save one's lack of common sense.
I'm a happy new resident to TX since I relocated to Cedar Creek at the end of August from SoCal-but my heart will always go out to friends and patriots in Ca with the battles they have to fight there on many different political/social fronts. Keep your blade honed:thumbup:

 

[pjsjr]

I'm a happy new resident to TX since I relocated to Cedar Creek QUOTE]

Sorry Mike, I didn't need to rub salt in wounds.

Glad you've moved and wish you nothing but the best and the same for those you've left in CA. They do have a steep hill to climb!

A hammer, knife or gun as mentioned does have limitations...you bought out another important fact that the operator also has limitations...which can not be corrected by legisation. Preston

 

[draftpick]

I guess you guys think I'm bashing here. But I'm not. To me a spine test is the only way to test to the lock. My other 2 liner lock knives I was not able to make them close, so maybe there is a problem. Even Mr. Keys said they do it in the factory. I'm not bashing, so can we please keep the whole why would you do that and no real application down. I was just asking a question if this was normal. I will send it in to Bill.

 

[imafritz]

I for one didnt think you were bashing DP, the spine test is a legitimate test, being an industry standard, and so your question is valid. I just dont see the test being helpful since I personally cant think of an occasion that would replicate that type of use/abuse. Questions always are a good thing.

 

[chevy_racin]

Because of this thread I tried my Pro. I smacked it 15 times on a chair arm. And a few more times (approx 5 to 8 times) on a small piece of wood. I did not swing it like a hammer, because it's not a hammer. It didn't close on me. Don't plan on doing this again soon, but I had to know.