Slipjoint Backspring Tension

How Do You Like Your Slipjoint Backspring Tension?

  • I like my knife to fall open effortlessly

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • I'm a girly man, watch my manicure!

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • I'm a closet girly man

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • I like a reasonable amount of tension.

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • I like it in the middle. Not too hard, not too easy.

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • I like it a tad on the firm side.

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • I prefer a reasonably strong backspring for safety.

    Votes: 1 100.0%
  • I have strong fingers and nails. Bring it!

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Wow, this is getting a bit painful, but I like it!

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • I enjoy breaking my nails. Makes me feel like a man!

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    1
5.7831:D - I like it in the middle. Not too hard, not too easy but leaning more to the tad on the firm side.
I have owned a few that were very hard for me to open and one that I just could not open. As nice as the knives were, I just could not bring myself to keep them. They all moved on to those folks who inject steroids in their opening thumb.

Edit - My Covers are just about right.
I pretty much agree but my Covers are a little too stiff - I have to pinch the blade to open them. Of course, I might just have weak nails (where's my Knox gelatin? :)) I love the tension on one of my Ohtas - I can open it to the half stop using my fingernail, but I have to pinch it the rest of the way.
 
I pretty much agree but my Covers are a little too stiff - I have to pinch the blade to open them. Of course, I might just have weak nails (where's my Knox gelatin? :))


I remember my mother using that stuff for her nails when I was a kid.

Do they still use that stuff or are we dating ourselves? :eek:
 
On those really strong ones fewpop doesn't break a nail but he has ripped the nail nick right off the blade.

...and as you know Rob, I hate it when that happens. It makes my John Deere Commemorative Model B Tractor briefs bunch up, the neighbors cat starts to yowl, and I sometimes lose the satellite signal to the western classics channel. I've been known to rip a nick and get downright pissy. :eek:
 
I like it reasonable. Victorinox seems to always get it right. I'd rather have it a little light than too heavy. The dynamics of how it's used will keep it open, and if I'm that worried about it closing then thats what small sheath knives are for.
 
A distinct 'snap', but without having to work at it. Like a Schrade Old Timer or Victorinox Solo.
 
I like a backspring with a little "oomph" to it.


VCM3 said it best: "I like it the way the Bose Guys do it"
 
I remember my mother using that stuff for her nails when I was a kid.

Do they still use that stuff or are we dating ourselves? :eek:
Even if they still use it (which I doubt), we're probably still dating ourselves.
 
Tad north of the middle, bout where Rob likes 'em at 5.7831.

Safety? Those of us who do not use the spine of the blade to cut with and know better than to try to stab a car door head on with our knives or twist them don't need no safety. :D.
 
Tad north of the middle, bout where Rob likes 'em at 5.7831.

Safety? Those of us who do not use the spine of the blade to cut with and know better than to try to stab a car door head on with our knives or twist them don't need no safety. :D.

Oh! So you're suggesting that we use the edge of the blade and not the spine?!? Sheesh! :eek: :p :cool:
 
I like a backspring with a little "oomph" to it.


VCM3 said it best: "I like it the way the Bose Guys do it"


Yeah,and I'm not just being a wise guy either & I know in this thread it was touched upon,but I have a couple different patterns and they are all a bit different The smallest a 2-5/8" peanut,is the lightest,and the heavier a stout "Lanny's Clip" knife,and yet that was different than 4 & 4.5" backpocket knives...The swayback gents I have,is just a bit different than thier warncliffe trappers.I guess it all depends on the pattern & size of the knife
I do know one thing that is for sure,if the knife is a good size slipjoint ,and the blade is really sharp,too hard a snap is no good,a firm strong snap is good,yes,but too hard is just unrealistic,and dangerous,too
-Vince
 
Strong enough where it's not a gravity knife (them things be illegal ! :D), but not so strong I need a screwdriver or vice grips to pop the blade.

Generally, a seven works. Safety isn't an issue. :D
 
I tend to go w/ the heavy side here cause time and use can take some of the spring away, any metal to metal contact w/ wear no mater the amount of lube used will cause this, also I prefer 1/2 stops.

Well I was going to post here to back up my heavy side vote but 6.0stroker read my mind and beat me to it. Couldn't agree more!:thumbup:
 
I like it reasonable. Victorinox seems to always get it right. I'd rather have it a little light than too heavy. The dynamics of how it's used will keep it open, and if I'm that worried about it closing then thats what small sheath knives are for.

Totally agree with you.
My new finn is on its way to me.
 
I like to the soft side.
Too stiff, is when I need to pull with my nail with force, instead of guiding it out.
I like to be able to pinch it open.
I want to be able to open a knife easily
I come from using locking knives with thumb studs, and I like the easy open.

I am now spending 1/2 hour with oil, opening and closing a knife to ease the opening.



And as I am using a non-locking folder, I cut with it knowing that
 
i have one knife that has a weak spring when keeping the knife open, but when keeping the blade closed it is strong. so it falls closed but there is enough tension to keep it closed securely.

i wonder if the opposite could be done, on purpose. to make it easy to open, but hard to close? i think that would solve all problems.

I know exactly what you mean, and I've always wondered what the reasoning behind this was. It's much easier to close a stiff opener than to open one. And it doesn't take much tension to keep a blade from accidentally opening. It seems that the tang on a blade can be radiused in a way that makes it easy to open, yet stiff to close, which I would think ideal.

All things being equal, I prefer moderately stiff springs. However, I tend to dislike stiff openers if I have to rely on a nail nick. I'd much prefer an easy opening notch and/or blade that sits high enough to grasp with my fingers.

Off the top of my head, the stiffest spring I own is probably a Douk Douk. Blade easily grasped between the fingers for opening. And a half stop to keep the blade from snapping on your fingers when closing, which I think is an increased risk with very stiff springs.
 
Ofcourse this is somewhat vague and subjective and depends on what knife we are talking about. Are we talking short blades, long blades, position of nail pulls, gents knife or a folding hunter...etc. Obviously spring tension needs to be proportional based on the knife. Also, there can be a difference in tension opening a blade and closing a blade which are elements of design. For instance, a knife can be made to require more force to close than it takes to open.

That said, I'm going to say I like spring tension to be "just right". :D
 
Kerry, go back to your room and stand in the corner. ;)
 
Dangit! I'm all the time gettin in trouble. :)

(actually I have no real thoughts or ideas of my own, they are all borrowed, so I am innocent of all charges) :p
 
I like a reasonably strong backspring.
Blues- great poll to see what everyone likes:thumbup:
Mitch
 
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