How do you close your custom slippie?

Stephen Tolar

Stephen Tolar

Gold Member
Joined
Nov 17, 2005
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1,143
Questions for the folksy folk:

I've carried slippies on and off for years. I've just recently gotten the custom bug and aquired a few with recessed liners and pivot bushings. The springs are stronger than I'm used to and have a serious snap when closing from the half stops.

Do you guys let them snap closed or pinch the blade and walk them back down to closed position?

Does either method have an effect on the long term stability of the blade or cause damage to the bushings?

Am I crazy to worry about this because they will all outlast me???

Thanks,
Stephen
 
Stephen,

My habit is to close the knives carefully and under control. Not because of any construction issues but because that's just the way I treat my tools. Most all of 'em can take being closed with a snap (without hitting the backspring) but I just don't like to do it that way.

I don't think it's a matter to lose sleep over in any case. (But don't push down on the spine when the knife is shut or you may hit the backspring and flatten your edge.)
 
Like Blues I ease'um closed under control. Sort of like the way I ease slowly into the recliner for an afternoon nap. :D
 
Thomason said:
Like Blues I ease'um closed under control. Sort of like the way I ease slowly into the recliner for an afternoon nap. :D
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Or like getting out of your car and just slam the door hard, don't do it.

Nice and easy, the knife will thank you in the long run.... :)


TAD
 
Blues said:
Stephen,

My habit is to close the knives carefully and under control. Not because of any construction issues but because that's just the way I treat my tools. Most all of 'em can take being closed with a snap (without hitting the backspring) but I just don't like to do it that way.

I don't think it's a matter to lose sleep over in any case. (But don't push down on the spine when the knife is shut or you may hit the backspring and flatten your edge.)
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Well said Blues,
I like to close all mine carefully, whether or not slippie or locking.
Cheers
Mitch
 
As a maker I make sure and let the blades jump from half-stop to closed to make certain that the blade does not hit the inside of the backspring. Lesson learned from one of my first.

After the knife is finished I like letting them close from 1/4 stop(if that makes sense). I just like to hear that bankvault like "thunk" But that's just Me.

What Blues said about pushing the blade inside the frame when closed is a sure way to flatten your edge were it hits the backspring.

Ken
 
I'm with you Folks on blade control...opening & closing...it's safer...and you can feel & appreciate how well a knife is made by easin' it open & easin' it closed. Same thing with a fine pistol that has been cleared.
 
ken erickson said:
After the knife is finished I like letting them close from 1/4 stop(if that makes sense). I just like to hear that bankvault like "thunk" But that's just Me.
Ken
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Not just you Ken. That is sweet music you're talking about there. Sometimes I just can't help it. Kind of like that feeling of making solid contact on a golf ball or baseball. It just feels good. :thumbup:
 
I agree that slow and easy is the way to go, yet I often find myself with a knife in one hand and something else in the other, which means I close the knife against my thigh, allowing the blade to snap closed.
 
They should all be able to be snapped shut, but why, I've got to wonder about good
pearl and the shock around pin holes when the kick hits the spring on say a 6or7
on the open close scale. The thunk is music, usually the ones I carry don't have half stops and I close them in a smooth motion going into my pocket so they snap shut
(guilty as charged) still dosen't make it right.
Ken.
 
snap shut. if the custom can't handle it, then I'd be better off saving money and sticking with productions that can.
 
I am with hardheart on this, if the knife is made correctly all is well. Most of the time I close them against my leg/thigh or the palm of my left hand. I do have to admit that on fancier stuff, I baby the closing a little more. I carry knives made by Tony, Bradshaw, Knifehead, Rogers, Tomes, Amherst, Huffman, Carson, Coats (as of yesterday) and Davidson. None of the blades have hit the backsprings on those knives when closing. Not to be a heretic here, it is just that most of the time my other hand is occupied so I just push the open knife blade spine against my leg and let it close and slide it back into my pocket. I have more problems with production knives hitting the backspring than the custom ones.
 
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OK, I'll admit it. After reading this thread from the very beginning, I thought, "I'll be gentle and finger close my custom". I tried, but slipped immediately back into closing it with the palm of my left hand in two distinct motions, separated by the mid-click stop. I think I do this mainly due to two things... firstly the knife is wicked sharp and I get nervous with my fingers near the blade while it's closing... and (less important) secondly I have the blade highly polished and hate to see my grimey fingerprints on it.
 
I like letting them close from 1/4 stop(if that makes sense). I just like to hear that bankvault like "thunk" But that's just Me.
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That's good to here Ken , as my Erickson makes that " thunk " numerous times each day.
 
I figure if it would hurt by letting it snap closed, then someone would have devised a way of fixing them so it doesn't snap closed.... Since the design is still with us, and hasn't changed for(How long anyway?) I want to say 150+ years... I serriously doubt it'll hurt. (somebody would have started putting rubber bumpers where the kick hits the spring or something like that loooong ago)

Makes me think of folks that rack a 1911 and let it closed slowly... it slams shut every time it fires, yet they still think it will hurt it loading that first round. *shrug*.

G.
 
Ice Tigre said:
I figure if it would hurt by letting it snap closed, then someone would have devised a way of fixing them so it doesn't snap closed.... Since the design is still with us, and hasn't changed for(How long anyway?) I want to say 150+ years... I serriously doubt it'll hurt. (somebody would have started putting rubber bumpers where the kick hits the spring or something like that loooong ago)

Makes me think of folks that rack a 1911 and let it closed slowly... it slams shut every time it fires, yet they still think it will hurt it loading that first round. *shrug*.

G.
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I know my knives have great snap & they would be fine letting the blade slam shut...My personal preference is to ease them open & ease them closed.
As far as my pistols, when loading I let the slide do its job...when empty, I ease a fresh magazine in & use the slide release...that's what it is for...
My Daddy taught me to never let the slide slam shut on a cleared pistol...key word "cleared".
He taught me to be safe...make every shot count...take care of your tools & they will take care of you.
 
I have to admit that I close mine on my right leg. I slide it across my left thigh from right to left with the spine against my leg.

I never have any issues with rolling or dinging.

Brett
 
Depends on what I'm having in my pocket on that day.
For french folders, I usually ease the blade in. Otherwise the blade will hit the spring. Have to treat them like the old saying goes: “ressort silencieux vivra vieux”, or “silent springs grow old”.
Other than that, it's not unheard of that I close them against my leg or the palm of my hand.
 
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