Blade too close to back of handle?

C

Cosmodragoon

Joined
Jan 1, 2019
Messages
340
I've recently handled a few knives where the base of the blade gets pretty close to the edge of the handle when closed. I've only seen it on knives with a choil and in those cases, the spot where the choil meets the blade forms a little point just below the line of the scales. The Kizer Vanguard Velox 2 is a prime example.

Yeah, I know we probably shouldn't be pressing flesh against the back of the handle but it is just below the flipper. On the off chance that someone biffed it with the flipper, they could hit it. I've accidentally touched that point on the Bestech Beluga a few times just going in and out of the pocket but never hard enough to hurt me.

How common is this? Does anyone bother altering the base of the blade to correct for it?
 
I know some of the boker kwaikens have this issue. There are many variants of that knife, so not sure if it was ever addressed with later releases.
 
Cosmodragoon said:
How common is this?
Click to expand...
I don't think it's very common but it's something makers need to freaking stop. It's more of an art knife than a user and the maker or designer does not care. They just put designs to paper and say give me the money. A likely half the knife community does not use them but saves them in a safe or never complains about a thing cause there so connected to the thing they bought.
 
Cosmodragoon said:
I've recently handled a few knives where the base of the blade gets pretty close to the edge of the handle when closed. I've only seen it on knives with a choil and in those cases, the spot where the choil meets the blade forms a little point just below the line of the scales. The Kizer Vanguard Velox 2 is a prime example.

Yeah, I know we probably shouldn't be pressing flesh against the back of the handle but it is just below the flipper. On the off chance that someone biffed it with the flipper, they could hit it. I've accidentally touched that point on the Bestech Beluga a few times just going in and out of the pocket but never hard enough to hurt me.

How common is this? Does anyone bother altering the base of the blade to correct for it?
Click to expand...

Honestly it is a pain but it will probably eventually wear down from sharpening. I think it is messed up how often this kind of thing gets overlooked by supposed experienced designers.
 
It really is a shame. I thought the Vanguard Velox 2 was otherwise an ergonomic and attractive knife. I think VG-10 is great for anything I need out of a pocket knife. This just killed it for me.
 
I've seen this on a number of popular knives, most notably the Boker Kwaiken. I even cut my thumb on a Spyderco Gayle Bradley 2 because the tip is so close to the end of the handle. Just reaching my thumb into my pocket and having it slide against the knife was enough to do it.

After that incident, if a knife can easily cut me when it's closed, I'm no longer interested in it.
 
I didn't notice until I watched a review and this was mentioned. During normal use I don't see this as an issue. If you drop your finger between the liners when closed you can feel the edge just barely. Maybe it would be a problem if you have long skinny fingers?
 
If you really use your knives they will get dirty, and anything that can cause a dirty blade to cut you is a serious concern. No matter if it's an iffy lock, rickety design, an exposed edge or tip, poor blade retention, sharp grip areas, etc. it's not acceptable and should be addressed.

If you take a step back to look at the bigger picture, the whole point of a folding knife is less about keeping the blade open, and more to keep the edge and point enclosed when it's not in use. Open construction has its risks, removing the back spacer requires the blade to be recessed a little for safety purposes, otherwise it's a bad design choice by the designer/manufacturer.

To answer your question, I would be taking it up with the manufacturer rather than doing any self modifications. If the edge is level with or exposed through the back when closed, that's something that should never have been released from the factory.
 
arrowhd said:
I didn't notice until I watched a review and this was mentioned. During normal use I don't see this as an issue. If you drop your finger between the liners when closed you can feel the edge just barely. Maybe it would be a problem if you have long skinny fingers?
Click to expand...

Depending on the individual knife, it might be more or less of a problem.

My hands are relatively large, and I still managed to cut myself on a pocketed knife just by reaching my hand in my pocket.

It's even worse if the area just behind the flipper tab is exposed, and you ever miss a flip on that knife...
 
I cut myself like that on my closed Sebenza I sent it in for a re grind. I can still just about touch the blade, but it is safer.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top