Exposed pin question?

[FarmKid]

What's the deal with the exposed pin on the queen workhorse series of knives? I actually like them but just wondering why they did this.

 

[thatotherguy]

Supposedly so it's easier to tighten up with pliers or a ball peen hammer when it gets loose.
That's what I read somewhere.

 

[FarmKid]

It makes sense but, would it work loose quicker?

 

[thatotherguy]

I wouldn't think so. The pin is "mushroomed" out on a solid bolster (on the one I saw- a congress) so there's actually more brass (or nickel silver, or steel, whatever the pin happens to be made of) holding the thing together than in a standard hidden pin. I'd think it would take longer to loosen up.

 

[Will Power]

Cheaper to make and finish, I suppose?

 

[Mink]

Cheaper to make and finish, I suppose?

That too.

 

[puukkoman]

They should hold up just fine. Many other types of folding knives use exposed pins, with great success. The flush-ground pins used in most American traditionals are kinda odd-ball, compared to much of the rest of the world's cutlery.

 

[MT Damascus]

Custom makers still do it, as in my Jerry Halfrich Rounder.

Kris

 

[brownshoe]

It may be cheaper and easier, but it is a really good feature. I have it on some knives, and when the knife gets loose with wear (especially nickel silver and brass frames/bolsters) a little tap with a hammer using the anvil of a vise and all is well again.

I had a custom slipjoint with a flush pivot pin that got loose and sent it back to the maker with $20. I asked him to put in domed pins so I could tighten it up myself in the future. He said "repairs are free" and sent back my money with a "repaired" knife. However he didn't give me a domed pin but took out the pivot pin and put a single washer in instead (A metal washer in a nickle silver frame/bolster sway back custom trapper???). Of course it loosened up again.....not all customs are well made (maker is "old and experienced") and not all makers are "with it."

 

[FarmKid]

Thanks for the info guys! I'll be ordering the stockman. I like anything that's easy to fix.

 

[jth250]

I ordered two of the stockman and both have a lot of blade play from side to side. I have not tried to tighten them up but I am very dissapointed with them.