Bent Blades - Some More than Others?

[rje58]

How common are bent blades on pocket knives?

I have seen very, very few bent blades on modern folders, but I seem to see a lot more on traditionals. Specifically, British traditional folders seem to have a high incidence of bent or warped blades - is it just bad luck on my part? Or is this a common occurrence?

Having long been interested in modern and traditional folders, I noticed a while back that almost all my pocket knives were made in either the U.S., Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Japan, Taiwan or China - and most other countries were either left out entirely or had very few samples in my collection.

Attempting to rectify that, I started trying to seek out a few knives from the U.K. and other countries. When I was able to view them in person - mostly at knife shows or gun/knife shows - the British blades seemed to have a higher incidence of bent or warped blades than I had ever seen before - causing me to pass on some of the more affordable ones. Then I've purchased a couple online since the first of the year and guess what? Both of them have warped or bent blades! In fairness, one that I bought on the Exchange came with full disclosure. Brands were A. Wright and I*XL on the two that I purchased.

What gives with bent/warped blades on U.K. knives? Is it just me? or are others seeing that as well?

 

[Hickory n steel]

How common are bent blades on pocket knives?

I have seen very, very few bent blades on modern folders, but I seem to see a lot more on traditionals. Specifically, British traditional folders seem to have a high incidence of bent or warped blades - is it just bad luck on my part? Or is this a common occurrence?

Having long been interested in modern and traditional folders, I noticed a while back that almost all my pocket knives were made in either the U.S., Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Japan, Taiwan or China - and most other countries were either left out entirely or had very few samples in my collection.

Attempting to rectify that, I started trying to seek out a few knives from the U.K. and other countries. When I was able to view them in person - mostly at knife shows or gun/knife shows - the British blades seemed to have a higher incidence of bent or warped blades than I had ever seen before - causing me to pass on some of the more affordable ones. Then I've purchased a couple online since the first of the year and guess what? Both of them have warped or bent blades! In fairness, one that I bought on the Exchange came with full disclosure. Brands were A. Wright and I*XL on the two that I purchased.

What gives with bent/warped blades on U.K. knives? Is it just me? or are others seeing that as well?

It's called crinking.
They do this on say stockman's so all the blades can fit next to each other .
Some companies will offset the grinds so they can fit next to each other, but it's often easier to just crink the blades especially with they're thin with ffg without room to offset the grind.

 

[rje58]

It had occurred to me that it was possible it might have been done purposefully to fit the blades, particularly on the I*XL canoe with two blades. But they are just so very bent, that it was hard for me to wrap my head around it being done on purpose.

On the other hand, the A. Wright and some of the other knives I've passed on in person were warped or bent - and single bladed.

It's called crinking.
They do this on say stockman's so all the blades can fit next to each other .
Some companies will offset the grinds so they can fit next to each other, but it's often easier to just crink the blades especially with they're thin with ffg without room to offset the grind.

 

[Hickory n steel]

It had occurred to me that it was possible it might have been done purposefully to fit the blades, particularly on the I*XL canoe with two blades. But they are just so very bent, that it was hard for me to wrap my head around it being done on purpose.

On the other hand, the A. Wright and some of the other knives I've passed on in person were warped or bent - and single bladed.

Hmm, I have no clue on single bladed knives that are bent or when blades are bent in multiple directions.
I would guess it's just a QC issue.

I've got a George Wostenholm I*XL single blade jack from the 40's or 50's which isn't perfectly straight, granted it does have a tapered blade.
I tried but just couldn't get a focussed picture of it.

 

[rje58]

Thanks - I appreciate your input! Anybody else?

 

[Planterz]

Perfectly normal on traditional knives that have 2 blades on opposite ends of a single spring. Stockmans, congresses, whittlers, pens, etc. Swiss Army Knives too.