Should a folding knives collection be kept.......

C

claymoore

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in the open position or closed? For example case , buck , queen ect. Will the knife have future problems if they were left open/and or closed? Thank you gentlemen. I look forward/value your opinions. Thanks.
Clay
 
If I'm not mistaken, I believe they say that it's best to keep automatic and assisted opening knives in the open position so that the spring is in a more relaxed position and won't lose strength over time.

As far as standard folding knives go, I can't imagine it'd make a difference either way. I would think that the purpose of a folding knife is that it can be stored in the folded position. Otherwise, you might as well just have fixed blades.
 
Depends on whether you're storing them or displaying them....
 
RobCamlin said:
If I'm not mistaken, I believe they say that it's best to keep automatic and assisted opening knives in the open position so that the spring is in a more relaxed position and won't lose strength over time.

As far as standard folding knives go, I can't imagine it'd make a difference either way. I would think that the purpose of a folding knife is that it can be stored in the folded position. Otherwise, you might as well just have fixed blades.
Click to expand...

Bill Deshivs, among others, have stated many times in the automatics subforum, that it doesnt matter. A properly made and heat treated spring should have no problem being under tension at rest: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/488700-Should-I-store-my-Auto-open?

For pocket knives, folding knives, even assisted ones the same should be true.
 
It doesn't matter, but you should keep them closed as a safety issue. If their closed they have a less likelyhood of cutting someone.
 
A spring under tension does not loose its "power". This subject has been done to death ad nauseum over on gun forums in the context of leaving a box magazine full or half-full or empty and the effect on the spring's tension.

Springs "loosen up" from movement not from being tensed or relaxed...that is properly heat treated sprints. Coil up some fence wire into a spring shape and it may look like a spring...but it won't be a spring.

So storing an automatic knife with the blade closed for a long period of time will have no effect.

I have an analogy. When I was a kid, we raised cows. We stretched miles and miles of what in those days we called "modern barb"...barbed wire. Came in a tighly rolled springy coil. Nasty stuff really. Stretched it from braced posts with a block and tackle...guitar string tight. It stayed like that for 25 years. Long after the cows had gone, now an adult, I was called upon to help take it down. Went to the first strand, still guitar string tight, pulled out the staple and...BOOOIIIINNNNGGGG...the thing pulled up for a length of probably 50 yards into a tight little coil hooked to the opposite post about 5 feel long...all rolled up nice and neat.

Time has no effect on tension.
 
I do not think the time is a factor there: I mean it does not matter for the spring if you close the knife for a minute or for a year. Actual number of deformation cycles is much more important - it should be the main factor for the metal fatigue.
I am not an engineer though: I have only studied physics in the university - so it is all a theory.
 
Poez said:
I do not think the time is a factor there: I mean it does not matter for the spring if you close the knife for a minute or for a year. Actual number of deformation cycles is much more important - it should be the main factor for the metal fatigue.
I am not an engineer though: I have only studied physics in the university - so it is all a theory.
Click to expand...

Perhaps "Spring Theory" is the missing information needed for the T.O.E? ;) :D
 
Poez said:
I do not think the time is a factor there: I mean it does not matter for the spring if you close the knife for a minute or for a year. Actual number of deformation cycles is much more important - it should be the main factor for the metal fatigue.
I am not an engineer though: I have only studied physics in the university - so it is all a theory.
Click to expand...

Yes that's it...deformation cycles is the key factor.
 
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