folder handles, blade dullers?

[Bookworm]

While I've wanted one for years, I've finally decided to go out and get myself a knife-knife. I've loved my swiss army knives, gerber and leatherman multitools (gerbers are better), and their kin, but I've never had a single-blade knife.
So I went out on the hunt for a knife, and I often talk with my good friend Jeff about knives. His garage is a DIY haven, he even has his own welding equipment! A family of boy scouts (with several eagles), avid shooters, diy everythingers, and generally tool-familiar family, I trust Jeff on this sort of subject.
Since I know for sure that a folder with a pocket/belt clip is what I have the most use for, that's what I have been in the market for. Jeff has, for his everyday knife, a Kershaw Blackout that's a few years old. I love the knife, and the assisted open (speedsafe) function works great. But Jeff tells me that the majority of other Kershaw (and other folding knives in general) have an annoying flaw. The metal handles (In contrast to plastic/composite) dull the blade much faster. Is this true? Does the metal handle of most knives wear out the blade? Or is the true culprit the lower-quality steel found in more common, less expensive knives?

 

[SharpOne]

A knife's blade may get dulled if the blade in fact hits the spine of the knife handle consistently when closing. However, I'm looking at my kershaw mini cyclone (soon to be traded) and the blade does not touch the spine of the handle. Metal, FRN, or plastic handle, the handle won't dull the blade if the blade never comes in contact with it.

 

[cutter17]

With a properly designed folding knife the blade edge should NEVER hit the backspacer when it is closed. The blade has a small protusion called a kick that should contact the spacer, stop pin, or other and keep the blade edge from ever making contact. Believe me when I say that Kershaw's are quality knives that DO NOT suffer from this. You can look at the inside of the spacer or standoffs, whichever method the folder uses, and see if the blades edge is contacting it. Good luck in your search and let us know what you decide upon!:thumbup:

BTW, welcome to BladeForums!!

 

[Kaizen1]

I doubt any Kershaw models have folders where the edge hits the backspacer when closed. You'll only find that type of crap in super cheap trash.

 

[SOLEIL]

I doubt any Kershaw models have folders where the edge hits the backspacer when closed. You'll only find that type of crap in super cheap trash.

Agree completely. The only folders where this would be a problem are the no name junk or Chinese knock offs. I don't think that even the low quality Frost knives have this problem, but they do have many others. Please ask your buddy which brands or models of knives that he has had this problem with. If it is any well known brand name I would bet that they would replace it without any question as it would be a manufacturing defect.

 

[SuroK]

do SAK classics hit the spine? like the SD

 

[kjbenner]

Some slipjoint blades will hit the backspring if you squeeze it when it's closed or let it snap really hard, but I've never had it happen with a "modern" style knife.

 

[severedthumbs]

I often talk with my good friend Jeff about knives. I trust Jeff on this sort of subject.
But Jeff tells me that the majority of other Kershaw (and other folding knives in general) have an annoying flaw. The metal handles (In contrast to plastic/composite) dull the blade much faster. Is this true? Does the metal handle of most knives wear out the blade? Or is the true culprit the lower-quality steel found in more common, less expensive knives?

wow i would stop taking his advice in all matters immediately! crap knives = crap steel.

 

[Greg]

The only time I've ever had this happen to me is as kjbenner said: when I've let the blade snap home, or the blade has been forced into the handle.
Greg

 

[Th232]

Shouldn't happen in most companies.

That said, there is a reason some do (from what I've heard). One example would be my Laguiole, which is meant to be used and sharpened until the blade is absolutely useless (read: non-existent). The reason it hits the backspacer is so that as you resharpen it, the edge won't be exposed.

Open:

Closed:

As you can see, the handle and blade styles mean that there isn't much handle covering the tip in the closed position, so with enough use and resharpening, you'll have an exposed tip. The view I heard was that if you're one of those people who just lets the spring tension snap it shut instead of properly taking care of it (i.e. gently closing it), then tough luck. From older days when knives were meant to last a long time (perhaps longer than you!), and you were expected to care for it.

But please note that this is more of an exception, and in most cases, the edge should not hit the backspacer, or anything other than what you're trying to cut.