How NOT to close a Swiss army knife

[supratentorial]

I just a bought the Wenger Standard Issue and I'm quite happy with it. But it's been a while since I've used a Swiss army knife with a bail and I managed to close the knife on the bail a few times. I think I've learned my lesson!

 

[Midwest Ninja]

I hate that. Especially when I do it with the latch on my bali's.

 

[Revvie]

Thank you - that has been my complaint with the "Esquire" model that I carry - IF not on a key ring- 9.9 times out of 10 the sharp blade snaps shut on that #$#)UI* ring! Sorry to see others share the same frustration- this does not happen with the Vic's that I've had -the ring or bail is on the other end of the scales - opposite pin! - but it's still a great knife!

Don't wrestle with Hogs- they enjoy it and you get dirty!
Revvie!

 

[miro44]

That sucks, I only own 1 Wenger knife, and it doesn' t have that bail.How does hitting the bail affect the sharpness of the blade?does it dent?

 

[mp510]

That sucks, I only own 1 Wenger knife, and it doesn' t have that bail.How does hitting the bail affect the sharpness of the blade?does it dent?

I dropped my blade on the bail a couple times when I first got mine, and I didn't have any ill effect. However, if you did repeatadly, especially if you reprofiled the blade to the very narrow edge, it could cause some chipping or dulling at the impact point.

 

[supratentorial]

That sucks, I only own 1 Wenger knife, and it doesn' t have that bail.How does hitting the bail affect the sharpness of the blade?does it dent?

Here's a photo. I hit the bail three times (the dent near the tip is from other abuse ). I'll need to fix it when I have time.

 

[miro44]

Thank for the answers, and the picture.It doesn' t look dramatic, but it probably takes a while to get it back in shape.

 

[supratentorial]

It isn't very dramatic but the edge is sort of mushroomed at the site of impact (doesn't really show up well in the photo). The dent isn't very deep though and Swiss army knives are easy to sharpen.

 

[sunshaker]

If it is only mushroomed you might be able to straighten the blade back to its original shape with a steel (the kind you get in a nice carving knife set).

 

[supratentorial]

That's a good suggestion but I don't have a kitchen steel. I have a bunch of waterstones that would have made quick work of it but I don't like using them for anything other than my bench plane irons. My Sharpmaker has taken a walk and I need to buy another one.

I ended up just using an Arkansas stone to knock off the burrs and clean up the edge. I didn't feel the need to remove a lot of metal so I just got the blade sharp without worrying about the dents--theyr'e not deep and they'll be sharpened out soon enough.

 

[scattershot]

Homemade serrations! Clever!

 

[porkchop]

I've done that a few times myself it almost hurts to look at the blade afterward.

 

[supratentorial]

It does hurt! I think I've learned my lesson though since it hasn't happened again... yet!

It's been about a week since the first photo and with casual resharpening the dents have almost completely disappeared. I ordered a Sharpmaker last week so I'll be able to quickly finish the job with little hassle.

 

[idontknow312]

Woh nice job!

 

[Dr Heelhook]

That sucks.

 

[jackknife]

Growing up in the 50's alot of knives back then had bails. Scout knives, army surplus demo knives, TL-29s electricians knives, some plain two blade jackknives. It got to be second nature habit to make sure the bail was clear before closing the knife.

Also, alot of old timers feel its bad to let the knife snap closed, and they close it with a grip on the blade between thumb and finger to ease it down in the slot to keep the tip from banging on the spacer and dulling it.

If it really bugs you, the bail on the Wenger is held on by spring preasure, and it can be gently pried off with no effort and replaced by a piece of fine nylon cord.

Its funny, but it you examine alot of old scout knives at yard sales, alot of them will have a little ding in the blade near the tip. Heck, I did it once myself on my Wenger SI, but I just be carefull.

 

[supratentorial]

My first Swiss army knife had a bail so it's a bit nostalgic for me.

But that was a long time ago... and I've picked up a few bad habits since then. I did snap the blade shut when I hit the bail.

After I nicked the blade, I started to close the blade two-handed. But the first time that my hands were full, I held the bail out of the way and snapped the blade shut. Old habits die hard!

 

[user24]

hmm... that *is* a bit of a design flaw. nice job sharpening the dings out though!