How Do You Like Your Backsprings?

[anthony cheeseboro]

The one great dilemma of the slipjoint design is how strong should the backspring be. No one likes a backspring that is so strong that one breaks off one's nails or get a bloodclot trying to open it. On the other hand, a weak backspring can close at the slightest bump and cut the user. Recently, I picked up a Lone Wolf City Knife (by Loveless), the knife is beautiful with it green micarta scales and red spacer. It is the only slipjoint I know od with an adjustable pivot. The problem is that the backsping is just too weak. It was not just this knife, all of the ones that I checked out had weak backsprings. This weak backspring really made me appreciate a maker like Ray Cover who makes stout backsprings, but his knives have blades that are about as secure as a slipjoint can get.

 

[Dr van Nostrom]

I agree Anthony, its that fine line between too weak and snapping your nail of. One of those hard to define things but you know it when you experience it. Out of my production slipjoints I am impressed with my Kissing Crane, a nice crisp,loud snap on closing yet I can open without difficulty.

 

[3nails]

Of course between stout and weak I'd take too stout. Ed Fowler's Knife Talk (The Knife and I) in Feb. issue of Blade mag is a good example of a too stout knife. When he finally got it open he had achieved the near impossible. I don't like a nail breakers but I love that sweet sound that only comes from a good backspring. To me it means a secure knife. I have passed on some good knives because of weak backsprings. Seems to me it's hard to find good backsprings on todays slipjoints, they may snap when closed but they don't say much when they Talk.



Dean

 

[komondor]

My Schatt & Morgan swaybelly trapper is a nail-buster, for sure. It is fun to open and close, though, because it feels like such quality. Overall, the knife is really beautiful, with red worm-groove bone scales, and excellent half-stops. The reason I don't carry it is because the blades, particularly the clip-point, are notoriously thin. The clip point comes to such a fine taper that it looks like it could be bent by sticking it in my flesh. Really strange, considering everything else about the knife is stout and strong; it weighs 4.5 oz.

My Queen cattle king stockman has really nice springs; not nail busters, but very strong with a nice snap. It's a great knife.

 

[bob bowie]

If anything I like my springs too stout. The springs will loosen in time, but once a spring goes lame, there's not much you can do for it.

I really like the heavy crack they make when ya open them also.

 

[jimleach]

I've never experienced a "strong' backspring until I opened my new henckels congress. my thumbs hurt like heck now, and I have no nails left. I had to resort to a pair of tweezers (hooking the nail nick) to open the smaller blades. the big blades are easier, but not easy. they speak even at the half stop. I like the springs strong, but I'm gonna have to do something to ease the opening of the little blades. I bought this knive to use, and I prefer the little blades for most of my work with it.

jim

 

[Don Luis]

I believe the spring should be strong but the tang of the blade shorter on the bottom and rounded a bit to allow an easy start on openning, the tang on the top longer and more square to hold tight when open.

 

[yobbos1]

My Victorinox Spartan and my Wenger Soldier have what I consider 'perfect snap', good and stout but not nail busters.

 

[glennbad]

I like my backsprings medium-well, served with a nice chianti and some fava beans.....sorry, just had lunch.

I agree with most. Weak back springs do indeed suck. You get the feeling that the blade will close at anytime. On the other hand, I have had knives that have bent my thumb nail back, the springs were so hard. Fortunately, as you break in a new knife (or old one), the action starts to come around, and you get that 'just right' snap.

 

[Jazzman]

Like many have already said, I like that perfect mix of stout, but smooth. I dont have any of Ray Cover's knives yet, but I do have one of Jeff's. Like his dad's they have a great stout spring. I'm dissapointed though about the Loveless City knife, I was looking forward to buying one this weekend on a trip to Peoria over at Grand Prarie in Troy. I think I'll still check em out though.
Matt