Half Stop or Not?

[Shurke]

I'm not wild about half stops. I prefer smooth, uninterrupted action while opening and closing.

Having said that, I wouldn't hesitate to buy a knife with a half stop if I liked the pattern.

 

[black mamba]

I would just repeat everything that Shurke said just before me, with the only addition that the stronger the spring, the less appropriate a half-stop is for me. The only time I've been cut by a slipjoint was when a very strong spring jumped to half-stop and nicked me. Without the half-stop, it would never have happened.

 

[Sabercat]

I used to not care either way, and even now it is not on the list of deciding factors to me, however I find myself preferring half stops.

The only reason for this is I get double the snap when opening and closing the blades. Pretty minor and pointless - but like I said, it's just a preference and far from a requirement.

 

[Ernie1980]

I have a mix in my collection, and my short list of favorites would have a few that have a half stop, a few that don’t, and a couple that have a half stop on one blade and not the other(s). However, if I was going to create a “perfect knife” then it would include a half stop. (at least on the main blade)

 

[mrknife]

theyre nice to have. do i have knives without half stops? sure. do i like any less because they dont have them? no. Will i discount a knife for not having a half stop? unlikely, its neither a flaw or poor design.

 

[singin50]

I prefer half stops, just that simple. I like a knife that has them and a strong spring, without them both, there’s a good chance I’ll be trading or selling that knife soon.

 

[waynorth]

I prefer them, but some patterns shouldn't have them. Round-bolstered designs should generally have round tangs.

 

[Prester John]

Voted no, but don't mind them.

 

[bill2000]

I prefer half stops but it would NEVER stop me from buying a cam action knife if I liked it. I have other determining factors but the half stop isn't one of them.

 

[DavidZ]

I prefer not to have a half stop, but it is not a deal breaker either way.

 

[ISKRA]

I don't dislike halfstops but sometimes it's just nice to feel a smooth pull all the way. I guess it depends on the knife too. Very often you can tell whether or not a knife has a halfstop already by the pattern and I got used to apreciate that. On jackknives I generally preffer them but like stockmen and penknives without them just as much.

 

[gaj999]

Not a fan, but it's not a deal breaker. Unless the spring is strong, then I don't like them.

 

[22-rimfire]

I prefer them and as I accumulate more traditional knives, it's becoming a deal braker for me. I have a AG Russell large Sowbelly Trapper with no half stop and very light pull. Won't use this knife. Turned me pretty much against buying any of AG's traditional knives unless I handle them in person which is rare.

 

[Elgatodeacero]

I feel best quality knives should have half stops, long match striker pulls, grooved and pinched bolsters, and several other “extras” that separate a ho hum knife from a high quality traditional.

It is rare to find a knife that has all of the extras.

 

[willard0341]

I enjoy both, if I were hard pressed I’d say I like the half stop more. Let’s me know exactly where the blade is at during the closing. My single spring two bladed knives w/o half stops fortunately do not have a gator snap (if a finger or the meat of a finger is in the way). 68 white owl with out a half stop

 

[Mongo]

I like me a nice half stop. Have never cut myself closing a knife.... yet.

 

[JohnDF]

I will add that I dislike sloppy half stops. They should lock-in at the half stop position, not have back-and-forth play.

 

[RayseM]

Nope - don't see the reason for them. That sudden 1/2 stop has "potentially" caused me more harm than any folder that just open and closes in one motion. I wrote - "potentially" because I have yet to be that mindless opening or closing a knife, thank you, but there have been some close calls with sharp blades that have encouraged me today to vote - NO.

Thanks for asking

Ray

 

[marsturm]

The lack of a half-stop on a moderately or higher priced slip joint knife is a deal-breaker for me. However, one of my favorite pulls is that on my SAK Farmer.

 

[brownshoe]

I would just repeat everything that Shurke said just before me, with the only addition that the stronger the spring, the less appropriate a half-stop is for me. The only time I've been cut by a slipjoint was when a very strong spring jumped to half-stop and nicked me. Without the half-stop, it would never have happened.

I agree. I don't find half stops a safety feature for strong springs, rather a hazard. Overall I like both, unless it's a heavy spring, but if the knife speaks to me, I'll still buy it