Blade play and half stops

[Magus]

Being somewhat new to slipjoints just curious about blade play with knives with a half stop.

Got a few GEC and Case barlows which of course have half stops. Of the 4 GEC's I have, one has play at half stop....but keep in mind, it's the only one I've been using/carrying thus far. Some of the Case knives I have with half stop have blade play in the half stop position, some don't.

Just wondering really if blade play at half stop is cause for concern or is it just kinda the norm with some use on a production knife as they wear in? In the fully open position, the ones with half stop play lock up like a bank vault just fyi. Thanks.

 

[TLARbb]

I wouldn't be at all concerned about blade play in the halfstop position as long as it is good in the full open position. Slip joint knives have moving parts which means there must be clearances built in or you couldn't move it. I'm sure that's not news to you or anybody else, but as knives wear in they are going to loosen up a bit. As long as it is not excessive (a personal judgement comes in here) then you will be good. They can be "adjusted" to remove play if necessary, but a new knife from the factory should be reasonably tight and smooth with very minimal blade play at fully open. (IMO)

Ed J