Clean & Square Joints

[Easyrider]

Thank you everyone for educating me. I did not know that my GEC 73 joint
Was different from other half stops.

I am glad to learn something new.

 

[Jack Black]

But what is the advantage of Square End construction? It does keep the grit and muck accumulation at bay but it also makes oiling a messier/trickier business.

I'm not sure if there is any technical advantage Will, but I agree with Christian below. This type of joint was a point of pride with old cutlers, and I'm so glad to see them still around today :thumbup:

Now you understand why I always say the #73 is one of GEC's finest patterns. The clean and flush joint is an incredible detail on a production knife. It's not flashy, but seeing them gets me excited. They're an excellent demonstration of the cutler's art.

Spot on Christian :thumbup:

Cool topic Jack.

Thanks pal, I'm really glad it didn't fall flat!

 

[Jack Black]

Oops! Double post. First time I've managed to do that!

 

[kamagong]

I hope everyone can appreciate how difficult it is to make the bolsters, tang end, AND SPRING all flush AND make the back of the spring flush with the liners in all three positions . I'm happy if I can get the tang end flush with the bolsters and back spring flush in all three positions. (See mine below, same knife in avatar) Making the spring end flush as well is HARD TO DO.

Making a knife with half-stops has a PITA Factor of of 10, whereas a cam-end knife is a 7. Flush the joint and the PITA Factor jumps to a 12 or 13...just sayin (and that's on a single blade knife )

....but I still like em.

Old knives ROCK! They were made to be used not to win any dang contests! The flush joints on the knives in the 3rd image are SCARY FLUSH! This is the kind of thing that truely inspires a great knifemaker.

- Christian

 

[Jack Black]

Thanks for posting those Christian, they make fascinating reading :thumbup:

Jack

 

[kamagong]

My pleasure Jack.

 

[wagglebee]

Thanks for posting those Christian, they make fascinating reading :thumbup:

Jack

Yes they do, awesome pictures Christian and great thread Jack.

 

[knowtracks]

I been looking all over for that pic Christian! I thought it was posted in the "Old Knives" thread but so far I haven't been able to find them. It looks like they were in my bucket all along!

Dave

 

[kamagong]

I love that pic Dave. The knife on the left is incredible. Should you ever tire of it feel free to send it my way.

- Christian

P.S. I found that pic in a thread you started. Might want to start your search there.

 

[knowtracks]

And here is a 2 blade oldie!





Dave

 

[knowtracks]

I love that pic Dave. The knife on the left is incredible. Should you ever tire of it feel free to send it my way.

- Christian

P.S. I found that pic in a thread you started. Might want to start your search there.

I Thank You Christian! You just saved me a lot of searching.... I was only at page 42 of the Old Knives thread! And there's quite a few pages to that thread!
I believe this is the knife on the left...


Dave

 

[Jack Black]

Thanks guys, great pics, really pleased there's been some interest in this

I guess I better see what I've got in the cupboard myself! :thumbup:

 

[redbike]

The timing on this thread is perfect, although my reply to it is somewhat past the point of real interest. I received my 73 on Friday and then promptly left town for the weekend. As one does, I spent some time examining my newest knife and noted to myself how crisp and squared everything was. Then home to see this thread...

IMG_1565 by redbike2013, on Flickr

 

[Sonnemann]

Thought I would take a comparison shot. From left to right:
Round bolsters and half stops; square bolsters and half stops; clean and square joint.

 

[Cory Hess]

Thought I would take a comparison shot.

Very good idea. When I started reading this thread I had to do some searching to find out what "clean and square" was referring to. It really is impressive that manufacturers take the time to work out the dimensions that everything has to be to make the tangs flush up and keep the springs flush in all positions. I never thought about it before this thread. Man, I love this forum.

 

[Will Power]

Very good idea. When I started reading this thread I had to do some searching to find out what "clean and square" was referring to. It really is impressive that manufacturers take the time to work out the dimensions that everything has to be to make the tangs flush up and keep the springs flush in all positions. I never thought about it before this thread. Man, I love this forum.

I think it's only custom makers like Kerry Hampton who can get these flush in all 3 positions and the spring end flush. My 73 GEC's are not flush at half-stop and I don't expect them to be.

These are not Old Squares but a right Bunch of Squares nevertheless One double blade stainless and two liner-locks (that must take some doing)
Thanks, Will

 

[alexG]

Wow , those Ford & Medleys are just great , Dave . I have a couple , both with square joints , one is a 4" lamb foot and the other a smaller sheep foot and I'm always looking out for more . I wonder if F &M specialised in this type of joint or perhaps they are all the work of one very skilled cutler ? - We'll never know I guess .

 

[oldtymer]

I think it's only custom makers like Kerry Hampton who can get these flush in all 3 positions and the spring end flush. My 73 GEC's are not flush at half-stop and I don't expect them to be.

These are not Old Squares but a right Bunch of Squares nevertheless One double blade stainless and two liner-locks (that must take some doing)
Thanks, Will

Hi Will, my Case Teardrop is flush at all 3 positions & even with the bolsters, guess I got lucky with this one.