Spine whack test?

[Gideons]

What are your thoughts on the spine whack test? One of my favourite knives, fails it pretty easily despite it suppose to be a "hard use tactical" knife. Which makes me more hesitant to use it in a hard use role. Now, I don't do this test to baton or even hit hard. But, there are many scenario's where you can inadvertently put stress on the spine of a knife (example stabbing and slightly hitting above the tip of the knife). To me, that seems like a safety risk on a "hard use knife" that doesn't sit well with me..

To clarify, I don't mean hitting the knife hard. Like really smacking it on a table. I mean, with minimum effort 10% of your strength or maybe 5% and the lock disengages.

-Gideons

 

[katanas]

The "spine whack" question comes up regularly. I hit the spine on the heel of my palm as hard as does not hurt; this, I believe, is enough to determine if the lock will fail under normal use. Hitting the spine on a table or wherever in a hard motion is excessive and unnecessary. YMMV

 

[Ruggdogg87]

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1393934-Sad-day-for-me-a-ZT-lover?highlight=Gideons

I feel like you received plenty of thought on this test from the other thread you posted. I think it's a stupid test but that is just me.

 

[marcinek]

What are your thoughts on the spine whack test? One of my favourite knives, fails it pretty easily despite it suppose to be a "hard use tactical" knife. Which makes me more hesitant to use it in a hard use role.

-Gideons

Well, if one of your tactical techniques is to whack a bad guy on the head with the spine of your knife, you are outta luck.

IMO, if you cut "down" you will be fine. :thumbup:

Maybe one day they will come out with a hard use knife that doesn't fold. Somebody should get on that...probably make a ton of money.

 

[cricketdave]

The spine whack test is pretty useless, is that the side of the blade that you cut with? No. It doesn't matter that type of lock the blade has, its a pocket knife. Not a pry bar or hammer.

 

[Gideons]

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1393934-Sad-day-for-me-a-ZT-lover?highlight=Gideons

I feel like you received plenty of thought on this test from the other thread you posted. I think it's a stupid test but that is just me.

haha, that was something different. Same knife though I mean, I understand how batoning is kinda outrageous. That wasn't the point, but I mean if you hit a knife with maybe, 10% or less or your overall strength and it folds... wouldn't that concern you?

 

[marcinek]

... but I mean if you hit a knife with maybe, 10% or less or your overall strength and it folds... wouldn't that concern you?

Are you expecting that to happen? You cut with the edge side.

And "your strength" or mine? 'Cause even 10% of mine is pretty devastating. Scary even.

 

[stabman]

If you want ultimate lock strength, buy one of the beefier Tri-Ad or AXIS lock equipped knives.

 

[marcinek]

If you want ultimate lock strength, buy one of the beefier Tri-Ad or AXIS lock equipped knives.

I wonder what "hard use tactical" situation one would be in where they couldn't use a fixed blade.

 

[Ruggdogg87]

haha, that was something different. Same knife though I mean, I understand how batoning is kinda outrageous. That wasn't the point, but I mean if you hit a knife with maybe, 10% or less or your overall strength and it folds... wouldn't that concern you?

Lol! Batoning Vs Spine whack. Ok we are on the same page. Yes if I used my hand and 10% or less strength than that would concern me. When I get a new liner lock or frame lock i will open and close it several times to break it in and then lock it open and press on the spine to see if I can feel any movement in the blade. If it passes that test then I am confident with it.

 

[Gideons]

Are you expecting that to happen? You cut with the edge side.

And "your strength" or mine? 'Cause even 10% of mine is pretty devastating. Scary even.

What type of stupid response is that?

 

[stabman]

I wonder what "hard use tactical" situation one would be in where they couldn't use a fixed blade.

I'm guessing for folks who live places where fixed blades are frowned upon, but want the ability to stab tanks at a moments notice.

For myself, lock reliability and ease of use are the main things I'm looking for.
I will test a lock with steady pressure applied by hand to the spine of the blade; if it folds like a slip-joint, then that's a lock I don't consider to be a lock.

 

[marcinek]

What type of stupid response is that?

I guess I am not seeing what part of the cutting process involves the spine of a knife.

 

[marcinek]

I will test a lock with steady pressure applied by hand to the spine of the blade; if it folds like a slip-joint, then that's a lock I don't consider to be a lock.

Right. It may fail that test, but it still works as a knife, correct? Like, you can still cut things with it. So it did not fail as a knife.

 

[Gideons]

I wonder what "hard use tactical" situation one would be in where they couldn't use a fixed blade.

Please stop posting on my thread. There are literally thousands of explanations and scenarios that could happen.

 

[marcinek]

What type of stupid response is that?

And BTW...lighten up. Sheesh.

 

[stabman]

Right. It may fail that test, but it still works as a knife, correct? Like, you can still cut things with it. So it did not fail as a knife.

I was doing a giveaway, and one of the knives donated to me to give away failed with less force than a slip-joint.
I considered it to have failed as a knife, to be a liability, and chucked it into the Detroit River.
I live close to the river, so it was a short walk to do so...and some archeologist of the distant future can muse as to what it was used for.

 

[marcinek]

I'm guessing for folks who live places where fixed blades are frowned upon, but want the ability to stab tanks at a moments notice.

Precisely. I ride mass transit into work. Fixed blades are frowned upon, if not illegal. And I dont get into "hard use tactical" situations on mass transit.

Come to think about, haven't spine whacked on it either.

But, if I have digressed, let me answer the question the OP asked explicitly:

I think the spine whack test is stupid.

 

[Final Option]

Why spine whack, baton, or stick the tip of your folder in hard wood and pry? Like Ruggdog87 stated and referenced your earlier post in May that generated 225 responses and 12 pages. I'm with marcinek on this one and someone should invent a knife that doesn't fold to alleviate all the problems a folding knife has.

 

[Gideons]

I'm guessing for folks who live places where fixed blades are frowned upon, but want the ability to stab tanks at a moments notice.

For myself, lock reliability and ease of use are the main things I'm looking for.
I will test a lock with steady pressure applied by hand to the spine of the blade; if it folds like a slip-joint, then that's a lock I don't consider to be a lock.

Not to mention, a lot of military people where mobility is key don't carry fixed blades anymore. I mean, I understand how it is not a typical requirement for a knife however, this is classified as "hard use tactical knife" so I expect more than a regular knife as it costs more and is also heavier. But, I can think of many tasks that a knife could be used in a stabbing motion if you hit slightly above the tip on the spine could cause a knife to fold on your finger(and frankly if you are doing it hard enough you could loose a finger). That is my thinking, and to me that is dangerous.