Half Stop or Not?

[Vaporstang]

So what say you?

Myself, I have mixed thoughts on this question. I think in general I prefer the half stop.

(I cannot add a poll to this thread. I don't know if a Mod can add a poll and combine threads.)
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/half-stop-or-not.1533284/

 

[JohnDF]

For the most part, it doesn't matter to me... Unless I'm dealing with a liner lock, then the half stops are cut savers.

 

[solphilos]

I don't like half-stops but my favorite knives all seem to have them, so I suppose I've learned to tolerate it. I prefer smooth, uninterrupted action on my knives.

 

[JTB_5]

I like them both. I appreciate the snappy action of a half stop, and I like the smooth operation of the cam tang. But the look and function of the knife draw me to it more than whether it has a half stop or cam tang.

 

[spyderg]

I voted don’t care. I typically actually prefer half stops but most of my “favourites” don’t have so I’m confused with myself, lol?!

 

[Icky Thump]

I prefer no half stops. Not a deal breaker if I like the knife.

 

[rockman0]

On a custom I prefer a half stop, going from open to half stop is where you get the cool little springy action and sound. On production knives it doesn't matter to me.

 

[glennbad]

I voted half stops, and while I like them a lot, it really doesn't matter. There are some patterns that I think are great without them, like the stockman pattern.

 

[popedandy]

Preferably not, but if I like the knife enough I can tolerate them.

 

[jackknife]

I voted no.

While I used to overlook half stops when I was younger, Inever really cared for them. But as I got older and developed some arthritis issues, half stops got to be too much for me to deal with. My gold standard has always been the smooth action of Victoriox SAK's, and I haven't changed my mind on that. I like a nice smooth pull open with no sudden stops.

 

[Railsplitter]

I've been back and forth on the concept. First I preferred no half stops. Then I preferred them. Now I prefer no half stops again.

I don't have any problems with my hands yet but lately I find myself appreciating blades that are easy to open with little effort. The GEC Churchill swayed me in that direction.

Half stops seem to add a little more resistance when opening the blade which is the reason that I don't prefer them now. I voted Nay on half stop since that's where I'm at right now on the issue.

 

[afishhunter]

I have a few knives with half stops, and some without.
The presence of half stops or the lack thereof does not determine if the knife goes into my pocket or not.

 

[Wowbagger]

I voted no.
I mean what use is it but make some jerk while closing the knife.
A knife without a half stop still stops half way closed when you want it to.
I posted this one hand closing series and some one said "That knife has no half stop. How can you do that ?" or some such.

. . . you can see what I mean :

 

[WinchesteRalox]

A single blade of the knife in my opinion cannot have have stops, a two bladed knife needs to have half stops unless it is large like a folding hunter or trapper, a stockman or scout in my opinion should not have half stops.

 

[Hickory n steel]

Undecided.
I've never wished a knife had a halfstops but am fine with them as long as the knife is easily pinchable, otherwise that abrupt stop is hard on my fingernail.
On the right knife it makes no difference, though it is a pleasant surprise to have half stops since they're not so common anymore.

 

[Old Biker]

I don't like them. I have to use more care opening the knife, to keep from cutting myself. For me at least they add no additional safety when closing the knife.

O.B.

 

[Dean51]

I prefer a nice smooth opening, like railsplitter said half stops don't do anything but add resistance.
I have both but the deal breaker is a half stop and a heavy pull.

 

[Peregrin]

The knives I carry everyday, Lloyd, Halfrich, Cramer, Ohta are all single blades with half stops. I don't love the knives because they have half stops. I'm used to half stops because the knives I love have them.
I've never chosen to carry a knife because it does or doesn't have half stops. I don't think I care one way or the other.

 

[jwb01]

For me it depends on the knife. I don’t care for it on a Stockman, though my current two favorite carry Stockman have them.... I got past it.
However I think they are great on a Barlow or similar jack knife (Northfield 77 I’m looking at you).

 

[sicnarf]

I prefer the "notchiness" of a half stop on traditionals. The lack of a half stop will not deter me from a knife.