Half stops. Yay or nay?

Yea, verily!! A half-stop is my preferred configuration, especially on a square - ended knife!!
 
Nope - to me they are an accident waiting to happen. Don't understand the need. Isn't the idea to get the blade out and back in smoothly so you can use it then put it away safely? What's the 1/2 stop for - giving the blade a chance to look around and think about it? :confused: I'm being a bit dramatic :) but my intent is clear - I prefer not. Rather a 6 or 7 pull and glide to open :thumbsup:

Ray
 
I could go either way, it really just depends on the knife and I give no thought to it when making a purchase.
Sometimes it's a pleasant surprise.
 
I prefer half stops. I don't see how they could possibly pose any sort of a safety problem.
Use the knife for what it was intended and keep your fingers out of the way, just like any non-locking knife....
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Opening and closing is part of using the knife. Shouldn't make a difference half stop or not, your fingers should not be in the path of the blade...
 
mrknife said:
sometimes yes, sometimes no. It depends on the quality and price of the price. There are some companies that have always put out knives without half stops and I love em and have em in the collection. There is a company that usually puts out knives with half stops and I find myself surprised when I handle one with out the half stop. Customs definitely required, especially given the price associated. It is likely that 94-95% of the slip joints in my collection have half stops.
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I was told by a custom slipjoint maker that 1/2 stops were easier to make; less hand fitting required than the radiused end. He said to think how many people can draw a good square freehand but not a circle.

I like a well executed and designed knife, that comes first. Half stop or not, doesn't really matter, it's the total package. Half stops, to me, are less safe, since those corners load the blade with more spring energy and they snap closed faster. To me, a cam end can be lowered easier and smoother.
 
A properly executed half stop will keep the crap out of the joint. Square and clean joints are a rarity today though.:(
 
Arathol said:
A properly executed half stop will keep the crap out of the joint. Square and clean joints are a rarity today though.:(
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Excellent point. Half-stops are the best, if they are executed well on a square and clean joint. :thumbsup:
 
also remember the scene in silence of the lamb, its totally not as nice with a half stop, some times cam tang is needed
 
Half Stops or no Half Stops has never been a consideration in any of my purchases of a knife . Being safe to open or close is always a consideration though .

Harry
 
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Here's a quote from Kerry Hampton from 2010. It's as good an explanation of the half stop or cam tang question as any I've seen. When they're done right, I can live with either.

"For those wondering which knives traditionally have half stops and which knives have cam ends, here is a simple(and GENERAL) rule of thumb: Round-ended knives have cam ends ie., Whittlers, stockmen, toothpicks, toenails, knives with sunk joints, etc. Square ended knives (some of which may have a radiused end but are NOT CONSIDERED ROUND ENDS) have half stops, ie Trappers, jacks, hunters, etc.

Keep in mind, with slip joints, there are exceptions that defy generalizations BUT this generalization works most of the time. You can find knives that have both half stop and cam end blades in them. I like those because they have something for everyone. ;)"
 
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