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assisted opener storage
- Thread starter SIRGALANT
- Start date
- Joined
- Dec 27, 2003
- Messages
- 1,983
SIRGALANT, I have had a Flash II for about three years and always keep it closed.
I don't think it hurts anything to keep the spring "loaded" all the time.
Of course there will be some who say no, open.
Robbie Roberson
I don't think it hurts anything to keep the spring "loaded" all the time.
Of course there will be some who say no, open.
Robbie Roberson
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2000
- Messages
- 3,769
I'll start out by saying I'm not an engineer. That being said........
For most automatic knives, the spring IS under load when in the "closed" position.......and NOT under load when in the "open" position. For these knives, storing for any lengthened period of time would be ideal in the "open" position.
I don't recall if SOG's "assisted technology" has the spring under load when closed. My "educated" guess (recollecting my understanding of the "coil" spring system) is that it is NOT under load when closed...thus, storing it opened/closed makes no difference.
Perspective (this is my own opinion): Regardless of this, I ask myself what the maximum age is of my automatic/assisted knives? 3 years....5 years....10 years...a little more (certainly not "dramatically" more)? Unless it's a top-end manufactured or a custom-made knife, it's likely to be between 5-10 years under moderate (+/-) use: you might end of losing it before it reaches its "twilight years." So, whatever "passive" wear that happens which is obviously measurable to a spring in this scenario will likely match or exceed its average life expectancy. In other words, at least more me, this topic is likely a "non-issue." If you have this type of knife as a "collectors" knife, play it safe and store it open, blade covered, oiled, and in a safe/secure climate-controlled location.
I'd certainly welcome being corrected.
I store all my knives in this category in the "closed" position and have had zero problems with springs.
I hope this helps.
For most automatic knives, the spring IS under load when in the "closed" position.......and NOT under load when in the "open" position. For these knives, storing for any lengthened period of time would be ideal in the "open" position.
I don't recall if SOG's "assisted technology" has the spring under load when closed. My "educated" guess (recollecting my understanding of the "coil" spring system) is that it is NOT under load when closed...thus, storing it opened/closed makes no difference.
Perspective (this is my own opinion): Regardless of this, I ask myself what the maximum age is of my automatic/assisted knives? 3 years....5 years....10 years...a little more (certainly not "dramatically" more)? Unless it's a top-end manufactured or a custom-made knife, it's likely to be between 5-10 years under moderate (+/-) use: you might end of losing it before it reaches its "twilight years." So, whatever "passive" wear that happens which is obviously measurable to a spring in this scenario will likely match or exceed its average life expectancy. In other words, at least more me, this topic is likely a "non-issue." If you have this type of knife as a "collectors" knife, play it safe and store it open, blade covered, oiled, and in a safe/secure climate-controlled location.
I'd certainly welcome being corrected.
I store all my knives in this category in the "closed" position and have had zero problems with springs.
I hope this helps.
I actually sent SOG an email regarding this question and they said that its fine to store it closed. They didn't say that the spring is/isn't under pressure but they said that its covered under the lifetime warranty so they'll fix/replace it for free if it loses tension.
yeah, even if the spring is under tention, it won't hurt it...spring "set" is a bit of a myth...not to say that you can't wear out a spring, but overcompression/undercompression are far worse for a spring than anything else. Springs usually wear out from actually being used....so you can keep a spring compressed for 50 years or uncompressed for 50 years and it won't change the way that spring works at all...if you USE a spring constantly then it's certainly going to be tired well before 50 years is up
Depends on the spring's temper, Case. I wouldn't go so far as to dismiss spring "set" as a myth, myself. I doubt too many collectors of auto knives selling in the four digit price range would, either.
"so you can keep a spring compressed for 50 years or uncompressed for 50 years and it won't change the way that spring works at all."
ummm... you've got a cite on that? Metal is metal. Keep it under a load (i.e. compressed) long enough and it will bend (i.e. take a set).
Better to play it safe than to be sorry, especially for long term storage (and time has a way of flying by).
"so you can keep a spring compressed for 50 years or uncompressed for 50 years and it won't change the way that spring works at all."
ummm... you've got a cite on that?
Metal is metal. Keep it under a load (i.e. compressed) long enough and it will bend (i.e. take a set).Better to play it safe than to be sorry, especially for long term storage (and time has a way of flying by).