Spacers or open back?

T. Erdelyi

T. Erdelyi

Joined
Feb 3, 2001
Messages
32,359
I love these knives with the open backs, except I seem to have noticed on several ocasions while attempting to deploy the blade, the blade was hung up. Apparently the change in my pocket got wedged in the open back, and jammed the blade against the liner, the damn change put flatspots on the edge to boot.:grumpy:

I understand the reasoning behind open backs, lighter weight, easier to clean, better balance, ect, but do the advatages outweigh the negatives? Which do you prefer and why?


edited for spelling
 
Open backs are great for all the reasons you mentioned, but if you want to carry them in your pocket, you have to keep the change in the other one, or use a clip!
 
Originally posted by Will'em
Simple, open back in a sheath or rig:D Solves all your problems;)
Click to expand...


Will'em, if only that were true, and it could solve "ALL MY PROBLEMS"
:(
 
You mean you have more problems not related to knives??!:p and I thought I was the only one:D
 
I like my folders with spacers.

For some reason, an open back just doesn't "look" right. Other than easier to clean, I don't see any advantages. Lack of a spacer may effect structural integrity somewhat, but it's probably negligible on a WELL made knife. :)

Joe
 
I like the open back on my sebenza, but on most other knives I prefer a full spacer. I just think that it looks nicer AND it adds alot to the stability of the knife IMO.
Matt
 
Since my EDC folder has a closed length of 5 11/16 " I've strated carrying IWB. Now unless I'm in the woods it's the only way to carry :D
** Traded off my KFF, and have kept my Copper liner lock. Once I send it in for a tip re-grind it'll be unstopable:D
 
I really like the simple design and open look of an open back knife. Some great-looking examples I have in mind are the Buck-Strider folders and the Camillus EDC. To me, spacers look hard to implement well, and even in more expensive knives the fit isn't always perfect. I'm thinking of Benchmade's spacers.
 
imho just depends on the knife, MT LCC, buck/strider look great w/the spacers, also the cammilus cuda maxx, others not so good.

greg
 
Backspacers all the way for me! In fact I would rather have a solid steel backspacer than any other. I've sent four of my J.W. Smith folders in for this treatment of replacing the full micarta spacer with a stainless steel spacer. Not only does it make for a more solid feeling knife it just looks better to me! It also adds a little bit more weight to it which I like.
 
To me it just depends on the knife. I don't carry anything in my knife pocket other than the knife, so pocket change isn't an issue. If it were I would opt for a backspacer.

I will say that a file worked spacer really dresses up a folder.
 
I prefer spacers although it is not a hard and fast rule. Like a few other have said I just feel that the spacer provides a more subtantial feel and certainly adds to the structural integrity of the knife. However, I do have a couple of knives without the spacer and they have not caused me any problems. Clipped to the right rear pocket is my carry method for 90% of my knives so change or other objects don't present a problem anyway.
 
I don't really have any preference, but I guess if it all came down to it, I'd take the strength of a full SS spacer.

I carry my zippo and Meerkat in the same pocket as my Military.
My other open spine spydies are the twin salsa's and Eric 'Normark' is going to be doing a neck rig for me, along with one for my SS 'Fly.
 
Just depends on the knife. I keep my knife pocket empty of anything else, so that is not an issue.

Sometimes, the stand-off posts are overdone, such as on many of the Alan Elishewitz Matrix series knives. In these cases, they are detract from the overall appearance.
 
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