Question about and advice needed on a northwoods.

SVTFreak

SVTFreak

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Just got a double Madison Barlow. About a week ago. Used it to open some tape boxes. Didn't think I hit any staples. But today I found a nick in the blade. Rather a rolled spot. So I steeled it out and touched it up. Closed the knife easily. Opened up later to use and all was fine. Closed it against my leg (so it snapped closed) and it dawned on me what the spot was. Sure enough. It was back. So steeled it out again and tried it. Closed easy and it's fine. Snap it closed and it contacts the high spot on the back spring.

Is this normal? I haven't seen it ever before this on other knives. I would think it should be able to handle being closed like that without touching. Should I contact KSF?

Thanks in advance!
 
I would send it back. A knife at that price point should not have the edge contacting the back spring unless you are closing it with a sledgehammer.
 
supratentorial said:
After enough sharpenings it will no longer be an issue but... Why not stop slamming it closed??
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Slamming? Not really. It's snapping under its own spring force. But mainly cause often I close it against my leg with one hand (as I often do with many slip joint knives). I just checked all others I have and none contact like it.
 
I have productions that do it (85's are notorious) and customs that it will happen on as well. I've learned to not let my knives slam closed anymore because of it.
 
The Madison Barlows have been notorious for that. I can't say if they corrected the problem with this newest run.
 
SVTFreak said:
Slamming? Not really. It's snapping under its own spring force. But mainly cause often I close it against my leg with one hand (as I often do with many slip joint knives). I just checked all others I have and none contact like it.
Click to expand...

I just meant that if it only happens when the blade snaps shut and not when the blade is gently closed, then closing the blade gently seems like a good idea. I understand the problem and it can be a matter of degree to some extent. It doesn't sound particularly concerning in this case since it doesn't happen when the blade isn't allowed to snap shut. And depending on how often you use and sharpen your knives, it may not be an issue for long.

I think the issue sounds very manageable. Just don't close the blade against your leg. But it's up to you to decide what you want to do. It sounds like the blade is overtraveling when it snaps shut. Just to make sure, you might check to see that it's not touching the spring in the closed position. If it's not touching the spring when closed, then you could check how much the blade is overtraveling when snapping shut. The size of the dent in the blade and the amount of room the blade overtravels when you gently press on the spine can give you some idea of the distance. It will also give you an idea of how much sharpening will need to occur before it no longer hits when snapping shut.
 
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I have had a few production knives and two customs that did that, they all got sold (with full disclosure). My new Madison does not have this issue. If its common with the older ones, then sending it back for another might not do you any good. I'd try cutting a tiny slot in the back spring where the blade hits, but that's just me
 
Between cutting the spring and sending it in for repair/refund, I would just return it. Messing with the spring could cause other problems.
 
I had a barlow that did that, it had half stops and would bounce or over travel when closed with it's own spring pressure. I just sharpened it and tried to close it two handed, sooner or later I would forget. Then I would resharpen, the 4th resharpening fixed the issue. It's not that uncommon and if you send it back to the factory they will resharpen to fix the problem.

I don't think I would bother to return a knife for that issue, unless for some reason the problem wouldn't go away.
 
I've got one or two that will ding if you let the blade snap closed. I keep that in mind and just close with both hands to preserve the blade. No issues.
 
You have 3 options.

Like everyone said, the Madisons sometimes do that. It is a combination of having so much blade in the frame and closing it a bit too hard. (not a criticism, just the way it is) The one I have on my desk that I use gets that if I close it a bit too hard (it always has it).

Three options...

1. Use it and sharpen it as necessary. It will go away. (the one in my pocket doesn't do it any more)
2. Send it to GEC and they will fix it.
3. Send it back to us and we'll take care of you.
 
okbohn said:
You have 3 options.

Like everyone said, the Madisons sometimes do that. It is a combination of having so much blade in the frame and closing it a bit too hard. (not a criticism, just the way it is) The one I have on my desk that I use gets that if I close it a bit too hard (it always has it).

Three options...

1. Use it and sharpen it as necessary. It will go away. (the one in my pocket doesn't do it any more)
2. Send it to GEC and they will fix it.
3. Send it back to us and we'll take care of you.
Click to expand...

I emailed ksf this morning but I think I'll just keep it as is and use it. Maybe even get out the grayco and take a bit off to stop it.

Thanks everyone!
 
Sharpen it out yourself. I had the same problem on a new knife and sharpened it out in one sitting. Let it snap shut gently and sharpen till it just clears. I don't let my knives snap shut very often. It's like slamming a door shut, unnecessary. If you take care of small problems on a knife yourself, it makes you more of a traditional person. Not excusing problems with a knife, just my way of dealing with it. When done, you'll have the fullest blade that will fit in that knife. A win for you.
 
I have three Madison Barlows (2 drop pt. & 1 Clip) and they all have that problem. I haven't sharpened them out, but they have really been no problem. Eventually I may sharpen them out, or may sell to someone else who will do it.

I have a new one coming, and am hoping it doesn't have the problem, but if it does, I will deal with it. Great knives though, and well worth the money spent.
 
To me, if your edge gets a nick from the spring, it's either a flaw in the design or execution. Who likes to slice something and have it hang up on the nick? When your busy, you should be able to close your slipjoint w/o babying it. Others make knives that are designed or built so this problem does not occur.

Since, IIRC, the price for this knife is not insignificant, thus I'd send it back. How else will the manufacturer/dealer know it's not acceptable?
 
You'll struggle with Trads if you have lofty expectations (or be paying dearly for "near perfect" customs)...these aren't CNC machined moderns; virtually all production Trads have a flaw if one looks hard enough.
 
I don't know about you guys, but when I'm working in the garden and I'm holding one thing in one hand and a knife in the other hand and maybe something else in my mouth, I may only have one finger free to snap the blade shut. If that's gonna be a problem, then it means the knife won't get used. I totally understand that knives will have individual imperfections, many of which I am happy to accept, but that would be a deal-breaker for me personally, at least if I intended to actually use the thing. To each their own.
 
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