Half stops

[silenthunterstudios]

I picked up a pretty old Case two blade jack over the weekend at a local antique (junk ) shop. Jigged red handles, either bone or delrin, and the blade stamp is

CASE
XX.

Case's date stamping guide puts this at around 1945-1965.

The blades are heavily patina'd, but the walk and talk is better than my Winchester 88 1/2 moose. The knife itself is nothing much to look at, but the walk and talk was amazing! Also, both blades have a half stop! The only other knife I own with a halfstop is my Tidioute 73 Scout trapper. Maybe it's just me, but I am fascinated by the half stop. I don't know if the fellow slippie knuts out there love them or hate them, but getting this one ready for pocket carry over the weekend, has really intrigued me.

 

[black mamba]

Most of the time I would rather NOT have half-stops, but it really isn't that important to me, either way.

 

[thejamppa]

I like half stops: Queen small Dan Burke has half-stops, Case Sway Back J ack has Half stops, GEC #73 has half stop, Gec #25 has half stop. Those are currently in my favourite EDC's. I like half-stops alot but not having one is not a deal breaker.

 

[Blues]

You might want to look at this thread...

 

[winc08]

Not the same type of knife, but my Extrema Ratio BF 1 has a half stop too and I'm not sure if I like it yet.

 

[kamagong]

I don't care much either way, but I've been cut more often by knives with half-stops than by those without.

 

[randomlooker]

I prefer half-stops, especially in smaller knives or ones with really stiff springs. Makes it easier to close, and I like the feel of them.

 

[Pointshoot777]

I don't care much either way, but I've been cut more often by knives with half-stops than by those without.

The worst I've been cut by a knife is by a Great Eastern with very strong springs and a half stop. Now I won't open that knife unless I've got leather gloves on. I much prefer the smooth continuous opening of no half stop on such a strongly sprung knife. On knives that don't have such strong backsprings - - it really doesn't matter either way to me.

 

[randomlooker]

The worst I've been cut by a knife is by a Great Eastern with very strong springs and a half stop. Now I won't open that knife unless I've got leather gloves on. I much prefer the smooth continuous opening of no half stop on such a strongly sprung knife. On knives that don't have such strong backsprings - - it really doesn't matter either way to me.

Something I've been wondering about, given a few people have mentioned it in this thread: How are you folks managing to cut yourselves more/worse on knives with half stops than ones without? If anything, I'd think it'd be harder to accidently chomp your fingers when closing a knife with one.

 

[navihawk]

They say half stops are safer and less wear and tear on the joints. I like a nice smooth action. Some knives are coming out with what I think are "soft stops". The end of the tank is square, but the corners have a radius instead of a sharp corner. I don't know if its an intentional thing or not but I don't mind those.

 

[zrfunited]

Something I've been wondering about, given a few people have mentioned it in this thread: How are you folks managing to cut yourselves more/worse on knives with half stops than ones without? If anything, I'd think it'd be harder to accidently chomp your fingers when closing a knife with one.

I think they are cutting themselves while opening the knife rather than closing. The half stop abruptly stops the opening curve of the blade at 90 degrees which can cause a persons hand to slip onto the blade.

Brandon

 

[coyote711]

..... Some knives are coming out with what I think are "soft stops". The end of the tank is square, but the corners have a radius instead of a sharp corner. I don't know if its an intentional thing or not but I don't mind those.

Steve, my Queen Serpentine Jack is like that, and while it felt a little weird at first, I don't mind it now either.

I'm pretty much ambivalent about half stops anymore - it just depends on the knife.

Edited to add: I just got a Northwoods Indian River Jack today and it also has the "soft stops".

 

[cnas122]

I prefer, if not need, half stops. I like my knives to have a monster snap and hard pull. No half stops have resulted in bloody fingers...half stops...less so

 

[pipedreams308]

I can go either way.

 

[artmichalek]

I think they are cutting themselves while opening the knife rather than closing.

I've seen people get bit closing half stop knives. Usually because they aren't expecting it. When the blade hangs up on the half stop, the hand holding the body of the knife shifts. I don't think either or is safer if you have a strong enough grip for the backspring, and personally prefer a smooth opening.