Pivot sizes

[SteelSnob]

Does a larger pivot make much of a difference? If so in what kind of situation does a larger pivot help? Impacts? Strenous cutting? Prying? I have never seen a pivot of any size fail and I'm curious about it. Thanks.

 

[SteelSnob]

Ps I voted so I could see the poll results. Still not sure.

 

[ExMachina]

i would guess that it's a trade off between pivot-strength and blade integrity. pivot needs to be large enough not to deform under stress, but not so large that the pivot hole weakens the blade tang.

but then again, a larger pivot would spread out it's force over a larger area, perhaps lessening the chance of introdcing stress fractures in the blade...

so...guess i'm saying i dunno either

 

[SteelSnob]

I appreciate the honest answer. And I also wonder about about the added variable of what type of material the pivot hole is in, if a large pivot will even matter if it's in a material that is much more likely to deform break around it before pivot size is even a issue. Calling all experts!

 

[chococrazy]

I hate overly large pivot heads.
Like the Rescue Blur's they NEED loctite or else they come lose way to easily (If I don't tighten it really well I can move it with my thumb!).
I like an average sized pivot.

 

[Charlie Mike]

3/16" is about right for my needs.

 

[orthogonal1]

I like the larger pivots, since they should be stronger (e.g. when prying) and provide a larger wear surface.

I'm more interested in the screw heads, though. I worry some about pull through and scale deformation in some designs. Theoretical strength usually indicates a smaller pivot should be fine, but there is the thread issue as well as material defects to be considered. Of course better materials can be used, but you still have pull through issues.

There are other design considerations, also. Is the knife expected to be used for prying and such? Some of the "tough knives" out there one would expect to see used for light prying. And you'd think a larger pivot would help in stabilizing the joint.

 

[bobnery]

I wonder who has ever had a pivot fail on using a knife for its intended purpose. Sometimes I wonder if this isn't overhyped.

 

[jackknife]

Sometimes I wonder if this isn't overhyped.

Most definatly.

 

[Ankerson]

I like large pivots, better to have more than less.

 

[Bierkameel]

I like big pivot's like Striders.
The big hole in the middle saves weight

 

[Ankerson]

I like big pivot's like Striders.
The big hole in the middle saves weight

Yep, exactly. :thumbup:

 

[waterdogs]

I think any *appropriately-sized* pivot is OK, in light of the fact that there`s a 99.99% chance the material around the pivot will give out first when subjected to enough torquing to disrupt anything....

 

[SteelSnob]

I think any *appropriately-sized* pivot is OK, in light of the fact that there`s a 99.99% chance the material around the pivot will give out first when subjected to enough torquing to disrupt anything....

That's what I am thinking but not sure of. I have knives with g10 slab on one side and ti on the other. I was thinking the g10 around the pivot would give out before have a large pivot would even matter. I still would like more answers on it though. I do think larger pivots look nicer though.