On a scale of 0-10 what do you prefer?

U

uchinanchukg

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Mar 30, 2009
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As I am exploring traditionals I am finding a lot of variation in pull strength in different knives and even on the same knife in multi-blade knives.

I was wondering what ya'll prefer in terms of pull strength?
Do you like bear traps? or like 'em closer to friction folders?

I find that I'm not too picky...yet.
I am fine anywhere between 2-8. although I think I prefer them to be around 5 or 6? don't know yet. I'll have to explore more.

I'm sure it will also depend on where the nail nick is and how high the blade sits. for example if you have a sheepsfoot that rides high I'm ok with a stronger pull than if the blade was very slim and sits very shallow.
But in general what do ya'll prefer?

Thanks
KG
 
Having a deficit of fingernails, for low-riding blades such as muskrats, I prefer a 4-5. Easy-open jacks can go a bit higher.
 
I'm not too picky in the pull department, I do like a stiff pull on bigger knives, like my Gec moose, and Laguioles, I like the positive lockup they seem to provide. On my Boker stockman it's more of a 5-6, but I like it, I can close it one handed while working without fear of it picnching or taking off a digit. I would say my peanut probable has the perfect pull, stiff enough and not so stiff at the same time. I find that blades with half stops seem to have a stronger pull, which makes sense cuz of the rotation of a 90 degree edge instead of a rounded smooth edge. Things like sharp edges on new blades don't bother me they smooth out over time, I'm not partial to any handle shape, it's a tool all my hand tools have a different handle shape, hand just adapts and proud sheepsfoot blades is something I like. The one thing that I am intolerant of is blade play.
 
Give me a nice even five. I don't want it to open in my pocket but i don't want to need to find vice-grip pliers either.
 
I'm probably in the 4-5 comfort range usually.

However, for the next short while I am wishing for 1-2.

Due to a completely preventable accident last night which I blame on a slight miscalculation of hand/eye coordination, the nail on my left thumb was pulled back quite painfully. For some reason it feels strangely awkward to open a knife with the thumb on my right hand. Guess I'll have to get used to it, just like I had to learn to write with my left hand following a nasty motorcycle wreck back in 1985.
 
I'll take a 4-5 if I can get it. I'll settle for a 5-6 if I really like the knife otherwise. For 99% of what I use a pocketknife for, I don't need a strong spring, and I don't want to fought with my knife if my hands are wet.

Carl.
 
I don't want a loose, barely there pull. I don't want a bear trap either, always afraid it's gonna snap on my fingers. GEC is notorious for bear traps, snappers if you will. I have a 23 and 73, both single blade slipjoints. The 73 is very smooth, not too loose, but the 23 is extremely tight. Before I traded it, I was working on a 73 two blade trapper, and it smoothed out over time. I have a two blade 23 that has less pull than the single 23, and it's just about right now. Give them a little work, they'll smooth out.
 
Strong but smooth for me. Prefer without half-stops, about 6-7. If it has half-stops, then 5-6, making the knife less dangerous.
 
Doug Add said:
I'm probably in the 4-5 comfort range usually.

However, for the next short while I am wishing for 1-2.

Due to a completely preventable accident last night which I blame on a slight miscalculation of hand/eye coordination, the nail on my left thumb was pulled back quite painfully. For some reason it feels strangely awkward to open a knife with the thumb on my right hand. Guess I'll have to get used to it, just like I had to learn to write with my left hand following a nasty motorcycle wreck back in 1985.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry to hear that Doug! That sounds really painful...:eek:
Hope you'll feel better soon.

I do have a harder time opening with my right hand too.

KG
 
4 to 6 is ok by me, with or without half stops.
 
I like a 5-6 and have knives that go even higher.
I like a good snap on my knives.

I carry a #72 which has a about a 3-4 snap, it's my loaner knife to my non knife nut friends.
 
A 4-5 is what I like. Like Carl said I don't see any reason I should have to fight my knife when I wanna use it.
 
Odd duck coming!!! Beware!!! :D

Apart from the obvious "0" (friction folder), anything up to 4 is fine for me; 5 is the limit, 6/7 starts bothering me to the point I might decide not to carry the knife. Oh, and no half stop please. I'm not going to cut anything with the blade at 90° :rolleyes:

Fausto
:cool:
 
I need to be able to pinch it open. Not a fan of having to use the nick as my nails are limited :)
 
For me, it's not so much about the overall pull strength as it is the leverage provided by the tang contour and spring once the blade is opened. I think of it as the thumb-press test: if an open blade feels loose or mushy when I press on the spine with my thumb, it fails. If there's firm resistance, followed by a somewhat pronounced "break," it passes. This is usually more of an issue with cammed tangs (no half-stop), as they can have strong pulls and still feel mushy toward the end of their travel. My ideal setup provides a moderately firm pull--6-1/2 out of 10, or thereabouts--with a silky texture, an oily palate and, most important, a crisp-but-earthy finish.
 
I prefer a 8-9...although many of my knives have a 5-7.
Rarely do I find a new knife to have a bear trap snap (my GEC Scout had one)
That is why I tend to stick with older knives, they usually are bear traps.
 
Rick said:
For me, it's not so much about the overall pull strength as it is the leverage provided by the tang contour and spring once the blade is opened. I think of it as the thumb-press test: if an open blade feels loose or mushy when I press on the spine with my thumb, it fails. If there's firm resistance, followed by a somewhat pronounced "break," it passes. This is usually more of an issue with cammed tangs (no half-stop), as they can have strong pulls and still feel mushy toward the end of their travel. My ideal setup provides a moderately firm pull--6-1/2 out of 10, or thereabouts--with a silky texture, an oily palate and, most important, a crisp-but-earthy finish.
Click to expand...

^^This :D (That one made me chuckle Rick)

For me though I'd say my ideal is in the 5-7 range. And I'll admit that I've never, ever, EVER, opened a knife with my thumbnail. I use the nail of my middle finger.

Last thing I'll say, this is a SUPER subjective subject (super subjective subject,that doesn't look right). One guy or gals "3", may be anothers "6" and so on.

Nathan
 
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