Schrade Simos SS1 Design Flaw

Codger_64

Codger_64

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Preparing for my recent out of state trip, and a stopover at the airport, I opted to leave my EDC 897UH at home and pocketed the SS1 Simon (torsion wire closure version) instead. I found myself with a punctured tire late at night with no service available, so I plugged the tire myself, and used the Simon the slice off the plug ends flush with the tread. I closed the knife, dropped it in my pocket, and went merrily on my way.

The next morning I reached in mp pocket and got snake-bit. And it was a gusher. It seems that when I closed the knife, instead of deflecting the frame lock to the right with my thumb, I deflected it left, and the knife only partially closed leaving a 1/4" fang exposed in my pocket, just enough blade to get to the bone in my finger the next time I reached in my pocket.

True, had I been paying attention, and had it not been dark and below freezing late at night, I likely would have closed it properly, but should a design allow you to close it improperly? I won't be putting this one on the wife's keyring, as I had intended. Most probably it will go in my display frame of "last of" Schrade knives with the flat spring closure version. By the way, the torsion wire worked great. The flat spring does not.

Codger
 
All manufacturer's knives of that design are a liability waiting to happen. A couple of dollar bills slide between the frame and the blade on any of them and you would still have the same situation.

PS Glad to hear your mother is doing well.
 
I've always seen the open frame knife designs as more a gimmick than anything else, they just don't strike me as a very robust design. I know that AG Russell's version is very well thought of, but he does control the production of his version and that is reflected in the price. I don't think that mass volume production with a low price point translate into good quality with a open frame type of knife. Sorry you got bit by yours, but you'll probably be all the more fond of your 897UH in the future, which isn't a bad thing. If you want something useful to put on a keyring, I recommend a SOG Crosscut. I've had one on my keyring for about a decade and it is a durable, useful tool that won't bite you.
 
Last week I went canoing/wade fishing for smallmouth bass, and on a whim, I clipped the Simon to my shoulder bag. It proved really handy in snipping line, and a dozen other small chores. After the trip, while loading the canoe and gear, I clipped it to my truck keyring, and thought no more about it. Then the other day I was walking into a store and dropped my keys. I scooped them up and...ouch! The dayum thing had partially opened on impact! Now it goes into my "last-of-days" display, no doubt. Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice.....

Codger
 
I thought folders were supposed to be safer than "fixed blades" !!!:rolleyes:
Bet your 165's never bit you!:)
Ron
 
Yeah, well.....I carry an 897UH EDC and have for many years. It is quite predictable. The blades always close properly. They never open of their own accord. And you are right, I've never been bitten by my 165OT, and only once by the 152OT Sharpie (Yes, you gotta pay attention when sheathing it after skinning a squirrel), kept sharp, you won't notice it piercing the sheath and your jeans until blood is drawn. My fault, not the knife's! I just call it bad design work on the Simon, no doubt a function of low cost in execution to meet the price point. A simple tab on the spring lock bar would keep it on the correct side of the frame. And a deeper detent would prevent accidental opening. I'll bring this up at the next Imperial Schrade engineering board meeting.

Codger
 
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