lingo - "walk and talk"?

T

ThreeWorlds

Joined
Dec 14, 2005
Messages
498
Hey everyone,

Sorry if this is a silly question, but what do people mean when they say a knife has good "walk and talk"? Does it mean smooth action and solid-sounding lockup?

Clue me in folks :p .
 
It's silly..... IMO..... One guy asked Todd Davidson about one of his knife's "walk and talk" and now it's everywhere. :rolleyes:
We normally refer to this as fit (how the parts fit together), finish (how is the polish and "look" of a knife), and (sometimes, I guess, if it's a folder) smoothness and lockup.....
Does that answer your question?
I've been reading Bladeforums for about 5 years now, and the first time I heard this term was about 2 months ago.
That should tell you something.
 
Generally it applies to classic slip-joint knives, and it means that they have strong backsprings and a half-stop. So the blade will stop when it's sticking straight out from the handle, and that it snaps open and closed with authority.
 
Borrowed from "The Complete Book of Pocketknife Repair" by Ben Kelley Jr....

"That sharp snap that is heard while opening and closing a blade is talk, while the spring tension that causes the blade to spring closed or open is walk."

Maybe not the only definition...but, a heckuva start. :)

Bill
 
You should also know strong springs can also be finger nail busters.
 
Actually it's funny, the first time I ever heard of it was when I was browsing Chuck Gedraitis' website ... I'm pretty sure it was a liner lock too and not a slipjoint, but yes, WM, I was reminded when it popped up in Todd Davidson's description too =)
 
I only hear it when the idiots on the Home Shopping Network are selling crappy knives and they say stuff like "listen to this babys walk and talk".

I don't use it as I don't want to sound like an idiot.
 
  • Like
Reactions: GKM
That expression goes way back. I remember hearing it as a boy. I guess anything can sound stupid when muttered by some goof on the HSN, but I think it is a pretty good descriptor for a quality slip joint.

Jack
 
This saying is actually out of date, it has been upgraded to: Drive and Talk. Which is the genetic defect among the females of our species that has caused strange electronic devices to become fused to the sides of their heads while operating a motor vehicle.:rolleyes:
 
actually as i first heard it about 25 years ago it had another part. a knife should walk and talk and shut it's mouth. the last part meant that when closed the blade would sit correctly in the handle, not with the point too high. most of the people i've heard use it are older, and not idiots. later ahgar
 
donovan said:
That expression goes way back. I remember hearing it as a boy. I guess anything can sound stupid when muttered by some goof on the HSN, but I think it is a pretty good descriptor for a quality slip joint.

Jack
Click to expand...

:thumbup: Above says it all.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top