Nail Nicks and Pulls

[Durwood]

Properly executed nail nicks are a huge deal to me and those who know me know I have posted about this before several times. I started a similar thread in the custom section a few years back.

As nail nicks pertain to custom knives, overall I'd say there have been huge strides made in the past few years by several makers.

As recently as five years ago there were probably less than ten custom slipjoint makers who could consistently make a decent nail pull.

I commend makers like (but not limited to) Ken Erickson who have invested their time and energy into perfecting this skill because an otherwise nice knife with a poorly executed nail nick is:barf:

For me a crisp, clean (preferably dark) and well placed nail nick is what seals the deal.

Makers seem to struggle the most with crescent pulls. Many just can't seem to get 'em stopped and they streeeeeeetch out too far. A crescent should look like a crescent as far as I'm concerned.

Long pulls are apparently tough too, though. On customs I like my long pulls to be well defined and just barely trapezoidal in shape (angled slightly, but with pronounced corners on the ends) Not rounded...again:barf:

 

[sierra11b]

I am a sucker for straight pulls that go to all the way to the bolster. But then again I like crescent pulls when the design calls for it or it's more traditional to the pattern. For example, I have been considering a custom jack with a straight pull clip and crescent pen. Just depends on the knife for me.

 

[Peter Parker]

I prefer long nail nicks on all slip joints but especially full size knives, I do prefer the baby sunfish to have double nail pulls!

 

[jujigatame]

Long pulls are probably my favorite in terms of aesthetics but, when it comes down to brass tacks, the pull that fits best for my thumb and manipulation of the blade is going to be the winner. Don't have a real preference in dark vs. polished. Matchstrikers are nice on some knives. I remember an older Bulldog Stockman I had for a while with 'em. Something about the combo of those pulls on the well patina'd carbon blades really appealed to me.


-- Nate

 

[randomlooker]

I like a long pull on a swedged spear blade, but otherwise normal crescent-shaped nicks are fine.

I have a Case Congress where the outer blades obscure the pulls on the inner blades, making opening them a pain. Placement is important.

 

[dsvirsky]

I think crescent nicks look best when they are parallel to the bottom of the swedge. Plus they should be high on the blade, they look awful if you get them too low.

I just compared Richard's observation with the swayback jack in my pocket, by custom maker Takeshi Matsusaki. It's has crescent nick, one I think looks pretty good, and danged if the nick isn't exactly the way Richard says it should be! :thumbup:

 

[wagglebee]

I just compared Richard's observation with the swayback jack in my pocket, by custom maker Takeshi Matsusaki. It's has crescent nick, one I think looks pretty good, and danged if the nick isn't exactly the way Richard says it should be! :thumbup:

You really need to post a picture of that for the rest of us to see!

 

[Ben B]

I generally lean toward crescent. Placement more for leverage than looks.
A couple of side points. I really like the look of a dark nick. The ones with the same polished look as the blade seem to visually bury a very important feature of a knife. Some of the milling of long pulls can be so precise that the can be "sharp" if you run your thumb down them. And finally pinchable with the pull as your grabbing point is the best for me.