Leaving knives opened

R

Russell Payne

Joined
Oct 9, 2000
Messages
183
I've wondered about this for some time but hadn't thought to ask the experts on the forum. The question is, does it hurt the springs to display a knife with the blades opened? I wonder if it weakens the springs? Thanks in advance for any help.
 
A properly constructed slip-joint or lock-back should have the spring tensioned about the same whether open or closed. Half open may stress the spring.
 
Yep, If left half open the spring will "set" to the new position if
left that way for a long time. I had two of my display knives
"set" on me and now they aren't safe to use any more.

May not happen all the time ,but I see no reason to risk it
on a good knife.
 
This thread got me thinkin, what about liner locks? since the liner is put under tension when closed should it be left open when not in use for long periods of time to save the liner, or will it not make much of a difference?
 
FWIW I read elsewhere on these forums a year or so ago that liner locks should be left open if not used for "long" periods of time.
 
Hmmm. Hadn't thought about that. (runs to open all the liner lock knives in the drawer)
 
I believe this theory to be false (liner locks). I hope someone else will back me up.

I recently thought about liner locks losing their "memory" if they were stored in a closed position. So, I checked several linerlock knives that have been stored since I got then, some ten years ago (BM Panther, BM CQC7, BM Leopard Cub, BM AFCK, Spyderco C15 Terzola, Spyderco Centofante). All of these liners have been depressed, for the most part, since they came fresh from the factory. All of them appeared to have the same snap, and tension as when they were new.

I don't want a bunch of people running to their collections, opening all of their knives, and leaving them that way. That is the most dangerouse thing you could possibly do. Especially with small childen, curious pets, wives, husbands, etc. Keep them closed, the way they were intended to be for your sake and others well being.
 
I regard this issue much as I do the magazines for my pistols. Left the mags stuffed for years without a problem, but when it was brought to my attention I picked up some extras and give each a "relaxed" cycle to retain spring memory. It only makes sense that they can eventually be affected by continuous tension.

As for the safety issue, I have no kids, wife, pets, or other wild animals in my house now. When visited by any of the above I make sure knives and guns are safely locked away, safe from curious hands.
 
Wire, I agree with you about storing linerlocks open. The saftey
concerns alone outweigh any risk of a linerlock weaking. My
original comments about springs were for slipjoints only.

I only own one linerlock ( outdoor edge magna) after selling all the rest.
So there is no concern on my part about this issue, However, none of my
lockbacks or slipjoints get stored / displayed half open anymore.

However any knife is stored use common sense and do so safely.
 
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