Preferred storage for assisted knives?

G

Gespenst

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Sep 14, 2008
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I recently received my new Mini Cyclone which I love but the darned torsion bar broke within a week of me getting it. I have already sent a request to Kershaw and have no doubt they will take care of it but is there a preferred way to store these knives.
I was thinking that storing them in the open position would reduce the stress on the torsion bar and increase the lifespan. If so, I would think that turning the assist off on this knife would serve the same purpose. Any opinions on this?

Thanks.
 
It probably does not matter since they may sit on the shelf for years waiting to be purchased. I have bought Kershaw AO's that were made 4 or 5 years before the box was even opened. They all worked just fine. That being said I keep mine open as it is easier for me to store. Whichever way you choose should be just fine.
 
Did you constantly flip and close the knife? Doing that will heat up the torsion bar causing it to lose its springiness or break. Same as cold-working any piece of metal. I did this to a no-name cheapie assisted knife, it didnt break but it stopped springing open. I would assume that a Kershaw is just as susceptible. If not, then disregard. :)
 
I store all of mine with the blade opened, as the torsion bar is not under pressure. IMHO a spring under tension will not last as long as a spring at rest. But who knows? I found a Random Task that was MIA for over two years in the closed position, and opened with more force than some of my newer knives.
 
I don't know if there's any way to prevent the AO failure. I've had three Kershaw AO's, all stayed closed while not in use, two of which work perfectly (Ti Bump + Avalanche), the third of which broke and I prefer it to stay broke (my mini mojo), all of which I take very good care of. It seems totally random to me. I'd say to store them in whatever way is most convenient for you.
 
FWIW, The Master, Ken Onion, stores his open.

I have a few I keep open, but with the repair parts readily accessible, closed is fine with me.
 
I asked SOG about there AO's and they said it wasn't an issue storing them closed and I've stored every AO I own closed without a problem.
I'm of the same mindset of SOLIEL; they were in boxes closed for a very long time before they were "new" and no more time closed will hurt them.
Of course, storing them open is probably the safest bet.
 
acourvil said:
If the spring is properly designed and heat treated, it will not make any difference whether it is in tension or not.
Click to expand...

+1.


A spring only loses its potential when pushed past its elastic limit.

Just like a loaded magazine...it really doesnt matter.

BUT, if you want to store them open, go for it. They look better displayed that way, anyhow.;)
 
I'm no expert on this issue, not by a long shot, but isn't what we're worried about torsion bar breakage and not the loss of potential? All of my AOs open like champs no matter how many times I open them, except for the one that broke, and it opened like a champ the time before it broke.
 
The mini cy had a torsion bar that had a sorta half cut grind in it - really don't know why ? These failed a bit more often and probably a bit earlier than other Kershaw AO's.If you get a replacement torsion bar from Kershaw - that bar will not have the cut or grind on it.
Still - you probably want to just send it back to them - they will make it right.Mini Cy is still one of my favorite knives.
 
Thanks for all of the replies. I hadn't even considered the fact that these knives sit in the closed position until purchased. Doh!

I was swapping out EDC's and had opened the knife when it made a nice little "snap". Although I have never had one of these torsion bar designs, the sound was instantly recognizable. The break occurred after the blade had locked in the open position and was right at one of the bends in the torsion bar. I had opened it the one time to verify it was in assisted mode before putting it in my pocket.

Thanks again everyone.
 
I was just thinking of the same think this past week. I do store mine open, but I do not think that it matters, like acourvil noted. It just makes me feel better. :)
 
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