Should the swing guard make a comeback?

Charlie Mike

Charlie Mike

Sober since 1-7-14 (still a Paranoid Nutjob)
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Nov 1, 2000
Messages
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I'm really craving a modern tactical swing guard folder. Like a framelock Case Cheetah with a nail nick at approximately one foot long open. No pocket clip. I'd make a kydex and 550 cord figure 8 shoulder rig.

You feel me?
 
Interesting. Ive had a couple of traditional swing guards but they just did not ring the bell for me.

On the other hand what you're talking about might do it. You're not talking neck knife are you? I do have a ZT 560 in a neck set up. It runs around 10".

763f8fb0c9804e862d419c9dfebb199d.jpg


A two hand opener?

Mike
 
I should read closer Matt. I've seen your shoulder rigs...including the hammer. [emoji51]
 
EyeDog said:
I should read closer Matt. I've seen your shoulder rigs...including the hammer. [emoji51]
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Just like that... and yes, a 2 hand opener... or a hard wrist thwack.
 
Charlie Mike said:
Just like that... and yes, a 2 hand opener... or a hard wrist thwack.
Click to expand...

I like it. Would the sheath be neck style to pull the knife down and out? Swing guard in the sheath?

Since I walk a lot in sweats or shorts I like under the shirt carry.
 
Back in the day, Keating was toying with the idea of a swing guard folding fighter, it later evolved into the Chinook. I wish I still had the drawings of it, it was sort of an elongated slimmed out Chinook with a bat wing swing guard.

The biggest obstacle is the engineering of the swing guard, many are made from too thin stock, and too pointy and edgy, so that it winds up hurting the hand in use on many. Also the pinning attachment is usually too weak to hold them on to the blade for too long on many traditional ones.
 
EyeDog said:
I like it. Would the sheath be neck style to pull the knife down and out? Swing guard in the sheath?

Since I walk a lot in sweats or shorts I like under the shirt carry.
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It would hang tip up. Yank and thwack into reverse grip.
 
Wanimator said:
I was just thinking about the exact same thing today, kind of freaky. I've seen stuff like this http://www.worldknives.com/products/hubertus-swingguard-folding-bowie-knife-22110hh19-1646.html float around...
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I think the mechanics look pretty rough on this guy - at least based on the pictures provided. Blades like these need a heck of a lot of attention given to fit and finish. Engineering alone isn't enough if the tolerances aren't extremely tight. That's the main reason we don't see more of these floating around. Manufacturing costs are prohibitive. There's just not a big enough customer base for production swing guards starting at $1000. Which is how we end up with subpar "mall ninja" blades.

Just as well, I'm always nervous when companies throw out made in Solingen, Germany too. Nowadays that's just a marketing ploy. Riding on the coat tails of a city full of knife history. That's not to say nothing good can come out of Solingen, of course. Just that I am generally wary when i see the name.

All that said, I would absolutely love to see a few custom makers' take on these bad boys. I'd certainly love to own one if it was made properly.

Thanks for the thread! :)
 
Thumb lugs wouldn't work on a swing guard, but a flipper might. Depending on how tight the guard is, it might keep the blade from opening all the way.It would make an interesting clack sound when opened...
 
Mustico said:
I think the mechanics look pretty rough on this guy - at least based on the pictures provided. Blades like these need a heck of a lot of attention given to fit and finish. Engineering alone isn't enough if the tolerances aren't extremely tight. That's the main reason we don't see more of these floating around. Manufacturing costs are prohibitive. There's just not a big enough customer base for production swing guards starting at $1000. Which is how we end up with subpar "mall ninja" blades.

Just as well, I'm always nervous when companies throw out made in Solingen, Germany too. Nowadays that's just a marketing ploy. Riding on the coat tails of a city full of knife history. That's not to say nothing good can come out of Solingen, of course. Just that I am generally wary when i see the name.

All that said, I would absolutely love to see a few custom makers' take on these bad boys. I'd certainly love to own one if it was made properly.

Thanks for the thread! :)
Click to expand...

The only Solingen I've fallen for is my great grandfather's folder.
 
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