Display methods, spring concerns

S

SkipFish

Joined
Feb 18, 2006
Messages
13
I suppose there is a past discussion on this, so point me if that's simpler, but as I start my AllThingsSchrade collection I find the temptation is to display folders with blades partly open, and I see other collections and displays done this way, but have some concern about loss of spring tension over time.

web cabinet.jpg
 
I hope you have plenty of Liability Insurance and Worker's Comp for anyone attempting to dust that area. :-)

Looks impressive!!
 
SkipFish said:
I find the temptation is to display folders with blades partly open,......but have some concern about loss of spring tension over time.
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Yes, this question arises every so often. And with the exception of automatics (which should not be stored under tension), I am yet to see much proof that it matters. Of course, this in just my own opinion. A accomplished custom knife maker recently told me "opinions are like fundaments, everyone has one". This is a much more socially polite way of phrasing the old saying "Opinions are like anal orifices, everyone has one and they all stink but your own".

Some collectors here feel that backsprings are weakened by display under tension, and they may well be right. As for myself, I have never noticed a difference with my knives, and many are displayed that way. I do put them in cabinets and frames though to prevent pilferage and accidental cuts. I strap them in with clear crafting line that looks like fishing line, but stretches. It lets me take them out for playtime.:D

Codger
 
Thanks, Codger ... Noted ...

BTW, no young kids, and there is a simple lock on this old oak cabinet.

I will say its dicey getting to things in the back ;)

Skip
 
I gotta say its a great looking display. Thanks for showing.
Have you see the holders that allow 5 or 6 knives to be displayed together.
Makes moving them about a little easier to reach into the back.
I have a door lock into the mancave.
:-)
TTYL
Larry
 
"Opinions are like a$$holes, everyone has one."

Well here's mine:
I bought a couple of OldTimers that had been store displays and kept half-open, perhaps for years. The springs are obviously weaker than NIB knives. Personally, I would either display the knives fully open or fully closed, never half open.

The real question is, "How long can a knife be displayed this way before the spring is weakened?" I don't know the answer to that. Could be years. But I've also seen photos of knives with ruined springs after being partially opened for only ten minutes for a photo shoot (not Schrade knives, by the way).

Something to think about...
Best Wishes,
-Bob
 
I would think that if there is anything that will really stress and weaken a backspring, it's having 2 blades partially open that are on the same spring.
 
I don't store my guns with firing pins cocked.I have snap caps for most of them,especially the .22's and doubles.
All the more reason to buy fixed blades!!!:)
Just my tendency to rather be safe,than sorry!
Ron
 
Now that you mention it, I have some really nice rigid blade Schrades and Geo. Schrades that date over sixty years old, and none have weak springs.
Codger
 
Hey Codger this may be one of the stupidest questions posted on here but I've never heard of crafting line, where do you get it?

cykc
 
Lot's of opinions on displaying folders partially open. When it comes to my schrades, I'll just say I take my chances on the factory display cases I have, most of them display the knives partially open-- after all, face it, not many Schrades are not easily replaced for under eighty bucks. For more valuable knives, say my stag, abalone and MOP toothpicks, those get displayed either closed or fully open.

One thing to keep in mind, however you display them: Keep out of direct sunlight! I've seen many many delrin and other handle material knives that were on display for too long like that, with one side faded badly.

Some guys go to way extreme, keeping every knife they own in a dark safe, humidity controlled, wrapped in some sort of archival paper. Bear in mind a 'mint condition' knife is actually a very fragile thing.

Just up to individual tastes and values.

By the way... Skipfish.. great looking display!
 
I compromised by closing the secondary blade where two rest on a single spring, thanks Redshanks for that astute remark, and poised the others as near as possible to the end of the spring travel (just prior to the "snap")

I recollect one display set noting that some knives had been "wedged" to hold them slightly open, maybe for a similar reason. I'll work up some small blocks for doing the same, and maybe cycle folders in and out of open display.

I feel that collectors accept some responsibility for preserving the history of our subject of interest. I recently purchased a 300 yr old Japanese Wakasashi blade that looks near new. If generations of owners cared enough to preserve it like that, I feel it’s now my turn to give it the same respect so another generation can enjoy it as I do.


Thanks all - Skip
 
cykc said:
Hey Codger this may be one of the stupidest questions posted on here but I've never heard of crafting line, where do you get it?

cykc
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You've not been here long enough to see us post this, but here it is: There are no stupid questions. When you ask a question, we all learn. Sometimes the very best questions come from the newer members of Uncle Henry's Lost Souls. Sometimes an odd question may send us scrambling through archives, our reference materials, or our collections for the answers, but we all learn from the search as well as the answers.



The crafting line came from.... a crafts store. Michaels' I think. Hobby Lobby might have it too. It was hanging next to those beads that kids like to string into bracelets with their names on them. Small carboard packet with the line wrapped around it. About a buck I think, and one packet mounts ten large fixed blades with two loops each in a 19 x 19 frame. It is nearly invisible when used. They also had stainless wire. I have some to use on really heavy knives. Had brass too, but I'd worry about corrosion with it. I don't display the sheaths with the knives for fear of corrosion. Only the later series with nylon sheaths allow this.

On positioning the blades.... With the master fully opened, and the other two resting at 90 degrees to the spring, wouldn't the spring deflection be nominal? Just a thought.

Codger
 
Codger_64 said:
On positioning the blades.... With the master fully opened, and the other two resting at 90 degrees to the spring, wouldn't the spring deflection be nominal? Just a thought.

Codger
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There must be empirical data from collectors or museums regarding the long term effect of displaying knives in the partially open position. The problem, as Bob W. pointed out, is that the results probably vary from one manufacturer to another, or even within the same brand. I have some British Sheffield knives with back-springs so strong, that it's literally impossible to open 2 blades on the same spring at the same time.

One thing I wouldn't rely on is the use of factory displays by merchants as an indicator that open knife display is harmless. If one of those display knives turns out to be bad, they just get a replacement from their distributor and aren't out anything.
 
textoothpk said:
One thing to keep in mind, however you display them: Keep out of direct sunlight! I've seen many many delrin and other handle material knives that were on display for too long like that, with one side faded badly.
Click to expand...

Good point, Phil.
Florescent lights will also effect some plastics and cause them to fade or oxidize. I have a 18OT that was a display knife at an Excalibur Cutlery store. It is very faded on one side due to the effect of the florescent lights.

From my years as manager of smoke shops, we had the same problem with some pipe stems. The older type Vulcanite pipe stems will oxidize from florescent lights. Some lighting suppliers have plastic sleeves that slide over the fluorescent tubes that helps to slow the process, but in my experience do not completely eliminate the problem.

Dale
 
My wife and I worked out a little compromise when it comes to how I display my knives. I can purchase as may as I want as long as she does not have to see them on display. I keep mine stored inside shoe boxes. Both of my sons wear size 14 shoes so I have some big shoe boxes to store them in. As long as she honors her part of the deal I will honor mine.
 
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