Half Stops: Yea, Nay or Non-Issue?

Half Stops: Yea, Nay or Non-Issue? (Pick All That Apply)

  • Yes: They Make A Slipjoint Safer

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Yes: They Reflect The Ability Of The Maker

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • No: They Make A Knife Unsafe

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • No: I Just Don't Like The Way They Feel

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Don't Care Either Way, It's A Non-Issue

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Won't Buy A Knife With A Half Stop

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Won't Buy A Knife Without A Half Stop

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    0
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Blues

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Got a phone call from Jerry Halfrich this evening and we got to talking about knives and patterns which ultimately led to a discussion of half stops.

Jerry asked if I would post a survey here on the forum to find out from our members what their personal feelings are in regard to half stops.

So, please feel free to select an answer (or answers) from the choices provided above and to elaborate below if you feel the need.

Thanks! :thumbup:
 
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Non-issue. My only concern is that if a knife has them they are done well with no play
 
I like them, though I've been bit by them a time or two. But if I really like a knife that doesn't have them I'll still get it.
 
As a maker I am happy to do them with or without. Some people want a knife that is based on a traditional pattern that didn't have half stops and that want an accurate interpretation of that. Some people think that having a half stop that is flush the same as closed and open is a sign of the quality of a maker. Some people like to open/close knives with half stop, some people don't.

Myself.. I like a halfstop on strong springs, on soft springs I prefer to not have a half stop. If I was to order a knife from a custom maker that was intended to be their version of that pattern I would want it to be accurate to the pattern.

Alistair
 
It's not a show stopper for me, but I prefer not to have them.
I just can't imagine a situation where even a stout half-stop would keep it from closing on your finger, once it started to close. I think it's safer without them.
 
Half stops are neither here nor there but I have noticed that most of the knives I buy do not have them. I did play with a peanut the other day and wasn't ready for the stop but its not a deal breaker.



HAK
 
I'm ambivalent about halfstops from a purely functional point of view. When I'm opening and closing an EDC slipjoint, a halfstop, or the lack thereof, has never made an appreciable difference to me.

On the other hand, I prefer them from an aesthetic standpoint. A well-implemented halfstop with a deadnut flush backspring adds another point to my overall appreciation of the knife and further demonstrates the maker's attention to detail. I also like the idea that I can add interest to a knife display with the blade(s) either fully open or at halfstop without placing the backsprings under prolonged stress.
 
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On the right knife I like them and maybe even more than I should, but they have to be done right. Then there are some knives that would not feel right if they did have 1/2 stops. On a big honkin' folder say a Case Bulldog, or the master blade of a whittler, it would be odd to me.
 
Elloitt,I did not vote,because there is no category for my reason,but here's my take...

On a custom handmade slipjoint folder,I do not like cam tangs (no half stop)
The half stop gives me a stopping point,to adjust my hands,or re arrange my grip.
On a cam tang,with great walk n talk,the knife feels as ifits spring loaded,wanting to "pop" open,& jump out of my hand.

I'm clumsy enough,I do not need any help,to drop my knife.
This reasoning of mine definitely comes more into play with stronger springs & fancier,more delicate scales,if you follow.

-Vince
 
black mamba said:
It's not a show stopper for me, but I prefer not to have them.
I just can't imagine a situation where even a stout half-stop would keep it from closing on your finger, once it started to close. I think it's safer without them.
Click to expand...

What Jeff said! ;)
 
I voted non-issue, but I have been bitten by knives with them. It won't keep me from buying a knife if it has them, but if I were going to the extra expense of special-ordering a custom-made knife, I would omit them. YMMV
 
I like'um. Prefer them actually. It is not a mandatory thing with me but if I have my druthers, I say yes to half stops.
 
Great question! I'm undecided and I will look to this thread for the pros and cons. I recently got my first knife without a half stop and I haven't even carried it yet.
 
I have a few slipjoints from varying makers, both with and without halfstops. I'll list them here, and explain what i like and don't like about each knife on the basis of spring-strength and half-stops.

Boker 4-1/2" closed two-spring trapper: No real half-stops, as it is quite smooth action from closed to open. Rather soft springs, but not to the point of unsafety. Spey blade is pronounced, and easily pinchable. Harder springs would disable this.

Boker 3-5/8" closed two-spring congress: Real half-stops, but still very smooth action. The springs are soft enough to not have nails break, while retaining a slight but firm "snap". All blades have half-stops, and i feel it adds to the quality of the knife.

Boker 3-1/2" closed two-spring whittler: No half-stops. Smooth action, with a.. I call it a rest-stop, when it's not fully a half-stop, so yes. This knife has rest-stops on all blades. Soft but firm springs.

Case 3-1/2" closed four-spring congress: Good firm half-stops, on adequately soft/firm springs. Very smooth action, and very delineated stops, from closed to half-stop and up to open. Good "snap".

Queen 4" closed two-spring stockman: Rest-stops on all blades except the spey, which seems to have a somewhat fuzzy proper half-stop. Firm springs with very satisfying "snap" to open and close.

Cold Steel 3-1/4" closed two-spring stockman: No half-stops or even rest-stops. Smooth action from open to closed. Springs quite strong, for a knife without any kind of stop in the middle, but the springs does not seem to put much pressure on the blades, so it still feels safe when opening and closing. Good snap both open and closed.

Schatt&Morgan 4" closed two-spring congress: Assertive half-stops. Very strong springs. I've cut myself while opening this, because the springs are so strong, and the half-stops are so assertive.

So in closing i've got the following notes to put forth:
Half-stops work really well, if the springs are softer rather than harder. Rest-stops work well on most kinds of springs. I do feel that half-stops are the best type to go for, as it speaks well of the maker to have good half-stops.
I don't care if a knife i have has a half-stop or not. What i care about, is that it has relatively soft springs, so i don't have to worry when the knife makes a little "jump" when it hits the half-stop.

That's what i think of half-stops in its entirety, it's my rant, and i stand by it.

Thank you, and goodnight! :D
 
IMO, a half-stop isn't a safety feature. Definitely reflects a maker's talent.

Having a half-stop depends on the knife.

One caveat. . . . .if executed, there should be a half-stop. . . .not half-assed. :D
 
I think if it's done right it does reflect the ability of the knifemaker. With or without will not keep me from buying a knife if I like it, so I voted for 'don't care either way' as well.
 
Bastid said:
On the right knife I like them and maybe even more than I should, but they have to be done right. Then there are some knives that would not feel right if they did have 1/2 stops. On a big honkin' folder say a Case Bulldog, or the master blade of a whittler, it would be odd to me.
Click to expand...

That pretty much sums up my take on preference as well.

As for reflecting the skill of the maker, I don't know enough about making knives to say if it is more art or science, but "flush in all 3" is damn impressive to me.
 
I would want it like the original pattern if based on an older pattern.

If a newer pattern it wouldn't matter either way, as long as it was well done. And if its a Halfrich you know it would be very well done.
 
I voted non-issue. Just like blondes or brunettes, as long as they good looking. ;)Half stops or not, I'll buy the knife if it's well made.
 
Hi,

I voted for half-stops as a demonstration of the maker's ability. To me, when a knife has it's springs flush in the closed, half, and open positions, it's says something about the skill and care of the maker.

While I have both styles, I guess the knives I tend to carry regularly have the stops. But the presence doesn't make or break my liking the knife.

Dale
 
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