Half Stop?

J

jvan

Joined
Apr 19, 2006
Messages
863
Could someone please tell me what the purpose of the half-stop is on a slip joint knife? TIA.
 
My understanding is that it's a safety feature, providing a safe pause position during closing. A strong back spring takes a good grip to close and can snap the blade shut faster and sooner than you might think, so you don't want to push it too far before making sure your fingers are out of the way.
 
It gives the reviewer something to brag about. :D

Honestly, I don't know the precise purpose, though what Blue Sky wrote makes sense. I know a lot of folks put stock in a knife that has a half-stop. Seems I read somewhere that a half-stop does cycle the spring more, which would seem to be a detriment rather than an asset. :confused:

This one ought to be in the Traditional forum BTW.
 
I like and prefer them, but when it comes down to it I think it more of a perception of safety.

If you use slipjoints/multiblades a lot, you just learn not to get your fingers in the way when you are putting pressure on the spine regardless. Some of us folksy types have been using them for nigh on quite a while. I do like them especially on bigger knives with strong springs at the same time they add a little touch of class on a smaller knife. For the makers, it just another level of PITA to master ;).
 
I've sliced my fingers more on knives without half stops if that tells you anything...safety first my goofy friends.
 
I have one with 1/8 stops. It's a real hassle to get it open or closed what with 8 stops along the way. ;)
 
It has to be a good feeling as a maker though when you get the fit just right in all three positions. I don't have too many (if any that I can think of) factory knives where the springs are flush with the liners at half stop so I really appreciate the makers that get that right.
 
What the heck are ya doing my friend. :D

It has honestly been around 40 years since I have done that with a slip joint. I still remember doing it. I have my dad to thank for hammerin' how to use knives and guns into my thick skull. We were out on my uncles tree farm or fishing or hunting almost every weekend from when I was 4 to 18. Still go to this day when we can.:thumbup:

I will admit taking a good hunk out of a finger with one of those exacto type chisel blade on a multitool a while back.:o
 
From a makers standpoint , half stops do present a challenge to get them right.

I also believe that the spring is cycled twice as much with half-stops as compared with no half-stop.

Other than the safety aspect of half-stops if you wanted to display your slipjoints with the blade open you are able to without having the extra tension on the backspring.

Ken
 
Let's call it aggressive whittling and even more aggressive breasting of a duck after a great hunt in early February at Reelfoot Lake in NW Tennessee. The problem arises because it's so cold that you can't feel your fingers...which luckily means that it doesn't hurt until you warm up back at the cabin.
 
I don't think I'd use a Douk Douk were it not for the half step. That backspring is like a beartrap, and closing would take a good measure of bravery.
 
am I the only one that closes a slippie by pushing the back of the blade against my leg, gripping the knife sides? Learned a while back that closing a blade with the other hand can be hazzardous to that hand when it snaps shut...

For me half stops are nice for opening the slips with the "bear trap" effect... open to the stop with the nail nick, then I can pinch the blade to pull it open..
 
I don't demand them, but sure have come to appreciate them. Let's just say I have had some fingers glued together a couple of time. (mildly accident prone):o :)

Durbin
 
There put there so we can take pictures of them when half open and not putting pressure on the backspring for hours on end.
Greg
 
There's a thought...I wish my lockbacks had them... in my experiance a lockback generally requires more pressure to start closed and inherent to the design; pinching the lock bar down puts one or more fingers in a flesh removal area... half stop would be nice at that time...

G.
 
fingers.jpg


Guys, if you're relying on half-stops as a safety net, might be time to step away from the sharp objects.
 
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