Do you close your blade gently or let it drop hard (Slipjoints or similar)

[calm]

So, after re-reading the French knife threads, I realised that I always, naturally, close the blades of traditional knives (Slipjoint knives, backlock knives..) gently, holding the blade until it is nearly fully closed.

This is something I always remember doing and it applies to all my traditional knives, including Swiss Army knives.

I just feel that I am taking care of the knife more and I avoid having the blade snap closed onto a finger.

I only think that I have one knife that if the blade is dropped hard it touches the backspring, and it has a flat spot on the edge from before I got it (new, but someone must have played with it in the shop). So, in theory, I could let all my blades drop hard, but I do not.

fun Poll, not life and death matter

 

[jc57]

I close it gently until the backspring finishes the job, usually, which is generally the last quarter of the way. There's a pleasant sounding click/ping as it closes. The "talk" part of walk-and-talk. Assuming your blade does not bottom out in the blade well, seems fine to me. That is what the kick is for.

 

[cbach8tw]

I close normal on all regular knives except My French knives where there is no kick.

 

[davek14]

I usually close reasonably slowly, I let it snap the final little bit.
However, a quality slipjoint should stand up to letting the blade snap shut full tilt boogie. I consider it a pretty big flaw if you can't
Sometimes, you have to close the blade one handed by pressing the spine against your leg. A slipjoint should take that and keep on tickin'.

 

[Just Tom.]

Sometimes, you have to close the blade one handed by pressing the spine against your leg.

This is an ingrained habit for me. I usually close all my knives one-handed, with or without pressing it on my leg. With knives where the blade rests on the blade well, I stick a piece of leather down there to cushion the impact. This old Case I carried for years makes the most satisfying noise you let it fall shut under the full force of the spring:

 

[Jolipapa]

Since young you're taught to close the knives carefully two hands. French knives are usually longer than US knives and it would be a nonsense to snap a 12cm or more (up to 30!) blade.
Many French knives have no kick but there's often a well in the spring, other have a quarter stop. A sayin' is : a good knife must open like a breeze and a hell to close.
There's no W & T tradition. On the contrary, the "clic" of an opening blade would refer to an automatic, like those used by hooligans.
Anyway, even with an apropriate kick, repeated shocks are probably no good for the blade and spring steel. Maybe a clue for the relatively higher frequency of broken springs in the US?


You can see the impact point of the tang and the well. Usually if you push on the closed blade there's some slight spring effect, due to the "poncetage" preventing the blade to rest on the spring without a kick. Unvisible but efficient.

 

[meako]

When I was a kid...we all seemed to get new first bikes for xmas...there were the kids who rode through the puddles and those who rode around...I was the latter....and I'd still have that bike if werent for my meddling parents.

 

[Alex.Y.]

I drop it hard, then check if there's a dent developed anywhere on the edge. If not - no change of closing style required.

 

[black mamba]

I'm a snapper, love the walk & TALK!

 

[mrknife]

after just finding blade rap on my S 14 wormy post wood TC, i think i learned my lesson. Spent like half an hour sharpening that out last night. the 2018 14 smooth white bone snaps like a gator no issues. but I think the 2022 run of 14s was plagued by weak springs, just like the 92. When the pull is weak, dont slam the blade in the well sadly.

 

[Old Hunter]

I'm a snapper, love the walk & TALK!

Me too Jeff. If it don't snap, it don't get carried! OH

 

[Nature Boy]

When I have two hands, I close slowly. When I don’t, I use my thigh to close it however it may land.

 

[dantzk8]

Anyway, even with an apropriate kick, repeated shocks are probably no good for the blade and spring steel. Maybe a clue for the relatively higher frequency of broken springs in the US?

The snap shut of the blade causes the shock of the kick on the spring. This shock produces a vibration which spreads throughout the mechanical system as it dissipates. It is possible that this can cause spring breakage but also cracks in the handle covers.
Fortunately there is no known example where this vibration resonates with the knife as it happens with a guitar. But sometimes unexpected and undesirable effects may occur.

That's why I close my knives carefully.

Dan.

 

[ferider]

Usually close it without much attention on my thigh. Except my Laguioles.

 

[Peregrin]

My dad taught me to close my pocket knife gently. I didn't do everything he taught me, but I've done that.
Quote from Mark Twain: “My father was an amazing man. The older I got, the smarter he got.”.

 

[Locutus D'Borg]

I'm older so I don't need or want a blade to fall shut or make a Ting sound.

 

[mrknife]

I'm older so I don't need or want a blade to fall shut or make a Ting sound.

yeah but those knives are fun too, especially if they make click clack sounds, or sssshkt

 

[Jolipapa]

The snap shut of the blade causes the shock of the kick on the spring. This shock produces a vibration which spreads throughout the mechanical system as it dissipates. It is possible that this can cause spring breakage but also cracks in the handle covers.
Fortunately there is no known example where this vibration resonates with the knife as it happens with a guitar. But sometimes unexpected and undesirable effects may occur.

That's why I close my knives carefully.

Dan.

In 1838 the collapse of the Basse-chaîne bridge on the river Maine at the passing of a marching troop resulted in the death of 220 infantrymen.
Since no more suspended bridge was built in France and all the military troops have to disband when marching on a bridge.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

I have a nice custom lockback from a well-reputed maker - spent maybe $300 or more for it. Years ago, when I first bought that one, I thought it had the coolest 'ting' sound upon closing. I didn't let it snap hard from full open, but would release the blade from my fingers at maybe 1/4 open and hear that ting. Didn't realize until later, that cool sound was coming from the thinly-ground edge in the belly portion smacking against the lockbar. That cured me once and for all, for those 'cool' sounds from blades snapping shut against steel springs or lockbars. Blade rap against the spring or lock bar has become probaby the #1 pet peeve of mine since then, and I ALWAYS check for that when inspecting a newly-acquired knife for the first time.

Some inexpensive knives I have, with nylon or other plastic handles and spacers, I do allow them to snap shut knowing with certainty the edge won't be damaged (and I still look for that, to be sure). But I won't do that with any knife having any steel in the aft end of the handle.

 

[rishma]

I had to think about this, actually pull out my knife and open and close it. Then think about it a minute more while drinking coffee. Here is what I concluded….

I mostly carry small knives, often 3-3/8” (84mm) closed length. I close these small knives one handed, with my index finger. These little blades do snap shut the last 25% or so. I admit I like the sound.

I close a larger knives two handed, more slowly. Closing a bigger blade with a stronger spring with just my index finger in one hand would be awkward. Two handed is more comfortable. Probably safer.

I had never thought about this before. It just do it.

Thanks for giving me something to ruminate on as I caffeinate.