Nail nick VS Long pull

On these two knives
The top one...Where else could the maker put the pull ? It's design almost demands a long pull where it is
On the bottom knife,the inside clip blade probably could have had a long pull,rear of the clip/swedge area,but again,would change the lay out & interfere with placement of the back blades pull

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Alotta times it's "because"
-Vince
 
Vince, I agree with what you are saying. Some blades just don't look right with a long pull, to me. One of my favorite blade styles (if not my favorite) is the Zulu and I prefer a nail nick on them over a long pull both for functionality and looks.
 
I like them both, depends on the knife. Interesting so many varied opinions. Never gave it that much thought before.
 
For me it depends more on the placement, but given a choice, I'd have to go with a long pull. I like how you can simply stick your thumbnail in anywhere, slide it to the end, and open it up.

Aesthetically I don't really care for matchstrike pulls. Not my thing. But it wouldn't be a deal killer if everything else on the knife is "right". In fact, the type of pull is the last thing I'd consider when buying a traditional, much less so than the placement of the pull, and all the other factors like blade selections, size, handle material, blade steel, etc, etc.
 
As has been written, a lot depends on spring strength and placement. Longpulls look very aesthetic on Spear blades and many Clips, but, I don't care for them on Wharncliffes myself. Handle shape of the pattern obviously has its role too. Nail nicks need to be deeply struck crescents and positioned to give optimum opening power. On the GEC Dogleg Spear I have, the longpull looks really fit-as shown in the pix-but I can't help feeling the Tidioute version with the nail nick is the easier opener. I suppose longpull blades must inevitably be thicker stock too, otherwise you get a Scagel/Sp*****o ventilation slot......
 
I like the long pull simply because in back Sheffield's Glory Days the long, straight pull was a sign of real quality. The best went right down into the tang.

Here's what I mean. This is by John Blyde from around 1900-1910. I'm told the dedication was added later and I have no idea who A W might have been.

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David
 
willgoy said:
On the GEC Dogleg Spear I have, the longpull looks really fit-as shown in the pix-but I can't help feeling the Tidioute version with the nail nick is the easier opener. ......
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I've both and you're right the Tidioute is easier to open. The longpull does look nice, but it absolutley makes that particular model harder to open.
 
willgoy said:
I suppose longpull blades must inevitably be thicker stock too, otherwise you get a Scagel/Sp*****o ventilation slot......
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I would have to disagree with this assessment. I routinely install long pulls on blades that are equal to a blade that is slated for a crescent nick. The key to pulls is location, execution(meaning a crisp cut be it a long pull or crescent) and spring tension adjusted for the size of the blade. Its my opinion that a long pull versus a crescent is no harder or easier to open if the three key criteria are met. I wanted to point out the long pull on this swell center congress. The pull is only .025 wide and about .030 deep. Even with thumbnails cut way back and worn down from opening knives all day the purchase is very secure and positive. All four blades are easy and enjoyable to open.

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The long pulls certainly look more polished than the nail nicks, but on the few that I have had it seems that the nicks beat them out in terms of practicality. I suppose this just means that I need to step up and try some custom made slipjoints...
 
I like long pulls the best! But sometimes a nail nick just
works better! I guess it's depending on the pattern.
But a long pull sure looks good on most blades!:D


Jason
 
biglmbass, thanks for the observations about the GEC Dogleg-I need to get one with a nick now...:D

Ken E, many thanks too for giving your knowledge and bringing to bear vast actual experience in the field of making. It must be rather tricky to judge the depth though isn't it? I mean one mistake and...:eek:
 
willgoy said:
It must be rather tricky to judge the depth though isn't it? I mean one mistake and...:eek:
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For the most part the depth of the nail pull, be it crescent or long pull is around half the blade thickness. Where you can get in trouble is on crinked or offset ground blades. So far I have not ventilated a blade while grinding but have had the calipers handy!
 
I love matchstrike pulls with a passion. However on some knives it has to be nail nicks. If there isn't enough "straightness" along the top of the blade, a crammed long pull is ugly as all get out.
 
I like both long and crescent pulls depending on the knife and blade style. My main thought on pulls is that an ugly pull makes an ugly knife. Going back as recently as 5 years ago and especially 10, my main complaint with custom slipjoints in general was the poorly executed pulls.
 
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