Higher End SlipJoints...Half Stops

[ThievesLikeUs]

Was just curious about half stops. Are there only certain patterns that can accommodate them?

I ask because I am fairly new to high end slippy's and half the GECs I have bought do not have half stops.

I know that GEC makes knives in the old way and I was under the impression that any slipjoint worth its weight from the 'ole days had a half stop, am I wrong?

I do notice that its mainly the multiple blade models that don't have them.

They all have great W&T, but no half stop.

Can someone enlighten me on what is the criteria if any for them and why doesn't every model have them?

Thanks so much.

 

[RobertK]

I'd be interested in the answer too. I imagined that it was primarily a preference, not limited by design, but I don't know much sooooo.

 

[Fanglekai]

Cam tang or square tang. It seems one or the other is more common for each pattern. Stockman knives tend to have cam tang. Same with full size trappers. I imagine they can be made either way for many patterns. The choice depends on aesthetic or design factors. I like cam tang for larger blades.

 

[Joe58]

If by higher end you're leaning more towards customs, most seem to have the half stops. Most people it seems like them, though I have no hard data to confirm that. I do have a couple customs that do not. The half stop seems to add a little safety. As if to say, "You're sure about closing this right?". One last chance to get your pinky out if tbe way. Lol.

I believe the maker will work with you on that issue if you're ordering a handmade knife.

I personally have no real preference either way as I close the knife tbe same no matter what. And I've carried a SAK probably more than most the others and they do not have one.

 

[Brian.Evans]

They can be made either way for any pattern. In a custom it's a sign of maker talent to be flush in all three positions.

 

[rma100]

If I'm not mistaken, I believe the GEC 3 blade #79 Workhorse Whittler has a cam tang Spear main blade and square tang secondary Clip and Sheepsfoot blades.

 

[Woodrow F Call]

Neither is necessarily "high end" in a knife, but I like the half stops. Some of GEC's patterns have them some don't. It just depends.

 

[Primble]

I really like half stops - over two thirds of my older knives have half stops - quite a few of my newer ones do as well. I think it adds to the overall quality.

 

[Sonnemann]

If I'm not mistaken, I believe the GEC 3 blade #79 Workhorse Whittler has a cam tang Spear main blade and square tang secondary Clip and Sheepsfoot blades.

Actually, all three blades have half stops. I think other whittler patterns do show that trend though.

I really like half stops - over two thirds of my older knives have half stops - quite a few of my newer ones do as well. I think it adds to the overall quality.

I'm with you there sir!

 

[22-rimfire]

Given a choice, I would choose one with half stops over one that does not. I view it as a safety thing and sometimes if I am just looking at the blade, I'll only partially open it.

 

[ea42]

I think it strongly depends on the design of the knife. Square tangs in my opinion usually cause the spring to flex more excessively than cam tangs. Unless you have a lot of room between the blade and the spring when closed, you're much more likely to experience blade slap with the square tang than you are with the round tang (which can also be designed slightly oblong to lessen the closing force as opposed to the opening force). I personally think designing a good round end tang is much more difficult than designing a square end.

Eric

 

[jkulysses]

If I'm not mistaken, I believe the GEC 3 blade #79 Workhorse Whittler has a cam tang Spear main blade and square tang secondary Clip and Sheepsfoot blades.

The 33 whittler is another one that has half stops on the secondary blades but not the main blades. This is my only whittler I own but is that how whittler patterns have been made in the past or is that just something GEC likes to do?

 

[bonky]

The 33 whittler is another one that has half stops on the secondary blades but not the main blades. This is my only whittler I own but is that how whittler patterns have been made in the past or is that just something GEC likes to do?

As Sonnemann stated, Rma100 is incorrect, but to be fair he said he wasn't sure. The #79 whittler has half-stops on all three blades.

 

[knarfeng]

I think it strongly depends on the design of the knife. Square tangs in my opinion usually cause the spring to flex more excessively than cam tangs. Unless you have a lot of room between the blade and the spring when closed, you're much more likely to experience blade slap with the square tang than you are with the round tang (which can also be designed slightly oblong to lessen the closing force as opposed to the opening force). I personally think designing a good round end tang is much more difficult than designing a square end.

Eric

I always appreciate your opinion, Eric. It's nice to have a chance to understand issues from a cutler's perspective.

 

[jkulysses]

As Sonnemann stated, Rma100 is incorrect, but to be fair he said he wasn't sure. The #79 whittler has half-stops on all three blades.

I wasn't confirming or agreeing with his statement as I have never handled a 79 whittler but rather just confirming that there are versions that do have this feature, such as the 33 whittler, which then got me to wondering if that was a common thing for the whittler pattern or just a rarity that gec puts out from time to time.

 

[Will Power]

I prefer not to have them, but it's not a strong preference. I like the smooth open/shut effect of a non halfstop and I don't really understand the alleged 'safety' aspect of half-stop knives, I find them if anything, worse on a heavy sprung knife.

It's interesting that GEC Whittlers have half-stops as the Böker, Queen and RR Whittlers I have certainly don't. Perhaps it's because they have tapered or divided backsprings and the GEC has three?? Not sure.

I'm certain that custom makers will offer a knife without half-stop if you as for it and Eric's valuable insight into the realities/demands of knife-making confirms that. Most people seem to like this half-stop feature, I'm in the minority.

Regards, Will

 

[bonky]

I wasn't confirming or agreeing with his statement as I have never handled a 79 whittler but rather just confirming that there are versions that do have this feature, such as the 33 whittler, which then got me to wondering if that was a common thing for the whittler pattern or just a rarity that gec puts out from time to time.

Ok, I misunderstood and my apologies if I came across the wrong way. I'm certainly no expert, but I have seen other whittlers that are as you describe, with a cam on the main blade and half-stops on the secondaries. Perhaps someone else will have a little more information to share?