GEC half stops spring never flush

[Biggie_Robs]

It's a non-issue for me. Near as I can tell, the half-stop is just on its way somewhere (open or closed).

 

[supratentorial]

I think it's important to look at actual manufacturing process when talking about quality. We are fortunate to be able to see every step in the process. Back before the days of the internet, we only had our imaginations. Of course, actual use is also important for commenting on quality.

Expecting too much for a production knife at the GEC price point, if one expects flush in three positions. Nice, but, not needed.

Already, GEC produces centered blades, flush springs where it counts, and tight fitting springs and covers.

Any more than that and you are in custom territory.

I dare say that GEC already exceeds the quality over some custom makers.

I think that's probably #1 on the top 10 things not to say.

I'm not sure that centered blades is really a sign of quality or if it's attention to detail. The tangs are annealed and they just knock the blades this way or that way so that they fit.

GEC does make very nice knives.

 

[kamagong]

I dare say that GEC already exceeds the quality over some custom makers.

Ugh. I only have a few customs, and if GEC were as good then as they are now I doubt I ever would've gone the custom route, but in my experience custom slipjoints exhibit an attention to detail that GEC can't afford to lavish. Maybe I was just lucky, but I'd have been sorely disappointed if I received those customs you mentioned.

 

[dr_fosg8]

I am new to the world of traditionals and been reading a lot around here. What is the purpose of the half stop anyway? I can think of no practical reason for it myself. I don't think there would ever be a case where I would use one when the knife is stopped half open. Not trying to derail the OP but thought there where already some minds posting here with knowledge of the half stop.

Thanks

 

[black mamba]

It is supposed to be a safety feature, stopping the blade from closing all the way to your fingers if accidentally starting to close.

 

[mrknife]

im more surprised my 25 dollar boker slim trapper has a half stopper and my 30 dollars case slim line doesnt

 

[Camillus]

Funny, I have had more cuts (2) from opening and closing knives with half stops than without (0)

 

[black mamba]

Me too, I prefer cam tangs. Different patterns historically do or don't have half-stops, not sure how those decisions came about, though.

 

[Bigfattyt]

I like cam tangs with very strong pulls.

Of course, I like half stops with strong pulls too.

 

[arizonaranchman]

I'm pretty darn sure that any, ANY, factory knife that is flush in the half-stop position achieves that Nirvana purely by accident. I've had a couple hundred GECs and could count on one hand the number that were flush at half-stop. It just isn't important. On a custom, it shows good workmanship, but just isn't important.

Exactly. And that's probably one of the factors that accounts for the extra $100's on the price tag of a custom - to get the spring timed and flush in all three positions is far more time consuming. It borders on pointless to be flush on half stop in reality.

 

[Gary W. Graley]

Interestingly enough the 'new' Ancient Barlows half stops are fairly flush as well as both closed and open.

Not sure if this is a new trend or just the way things came together on that run?

G2

 

[leghog]

I have crummy imperial that get this right.

hhhhmmmmmmmmmm --- Make no mistake about it, many Imperials are far from crummy having excellent blades in excellent steel.

But your point is a good one. It would bother me too because at the prices GEC charges the springs should be flush at blade's half stop.

Expecting too much for a production knife at the GEC price point, if one expects flush in three positions.

We'll just have to agree to disagree on this.

 

[Kitten Party]

hhhhmmmmmmmmmm --- Make no mistake about it, many Imperials are far from crummy having excellent blades in excellent steel.

But your point is a good one. It would bother me too because at the prices GEC charges the springs should be flush at blade's half stop.



We'll just have to agree to disagree on this.

Crummy was the wrong word, let's go with "inexpensive" :wink:

 

[Lemmy Caution]

im more surprised my 25 dollar boker slim trapper has a half stopper and my 30 dollars case slim line doesnt

Half stops aren't a luxury feature added to a knife. As mentioned above they are a safety feature designed into some knives but not others. On a thoughtfully designed knife you'll see them on blades that have easier springs, the idea, at least it seems to me is "easy to open but not too easy to close." this is by no means always the case. There are plenty of bear traps with half stops too. Some knife designers prefer a smooth continual open on certain patterns for example GEC toothpicks. in the Case of GEC's toothpicks though they have a smooth firm pull and an authoritative snap, very little worry of accidental closure.

 

[Peregrin]

I've also heard that on square bolster knives you'll find half stops and on those with rounded bolsters you'll more likely see cam tangs. Bolster and tang shape kind of matching, I guess. A quick check of some of mine says that surely is no hard and fast rule.

As has been mentioned, flush springs in all three positions is a sign of a well designed and well crafted knife. If I received a custom without flush springs it'd be returned. I don't expect the same on a manufactured knife and it has no effect on the performance of the knife. It is nice to see though.

 

[afishhunter]

the only knife I have with half stops is a pre-war(?) two blade "Made in USA" brand pen knife. Both back springs are flush in all three positions. Come to think of it, my SAK Recruit has a half stop on the screwdriver/cap lifter blade. It is flush, too.
I thought it was common for them to be flush ... oh well.

 

[Biggie_Robs]

As has been mentioned, flush springs in all three positions is a sign of a well designed and well crafted knife. If I received a custom without flush springs it'd be returned. I don't expect the same on a manufactured knife and it has no effect on the performance of the knife. It is nice to see though.

That pretty much sums it up.

 

[Campbellclanman]

I don't see the point of being too concerned over Springs that aren't flush at Half Stop. GEC put out the best production knife for your money- the price we pay for a GEC knife does not match the quality we are receiving IMO, I think that if you paid over a thosand dollars to a Custom knife maker - whom you expressed your wants and needs in a knife and received a knife with this - then you would be in your rights to say something, but to EXPECT a knife with flush springs at half stop for around $80 to $150 might be expecting too much.

 

[Will Power]

One needs to be very concerned about knives that are not flush in the OPEN or CLOSED positions! :grumpy: This impacts not just on the look, but the feel or handling it. Looks shoddy too :barf: Half-stop flush is a cosmetic issue, but, where it appears it's a rare and impressive bonus in a prod.knife. My CASE Swaybacks have it and it is an indication of high finish-there are no gaps on these either. That said, GEC produces an outstanding range that display very high and consistent quality, but I suspect, they don't even attempt a flush half-stop deeming it a collector's quirk. Very sure that very few of the revered knives of old had this feature either....

Another point, who need them stinkin half-stops anyway??:thumbup:

Thanks, Will

 

[stezann]

I suppose that if the spring has a little gap with the liners i won't catch a cold from the wind blowing into it anyway.... but i prefer no visible gap.
The same way i don't like the sloppy fit and finish of a knife which doesn't have the 3 flush spring position...those knives are not cheap.