I think someone needs to clearly define the terms "spine-whack" and "spine-tap," then we can really debate the issue. For my own purposes, I consider a spine-whack to be a full strength, full arm's swing of a folding knife's blade's spine into a hard (ideally wood) object. I consider a spine-tap to be a half strength, half arm's swing (no shoulder motion) of a folding knife's blade's spine into a bit softer of an object (ideally the tip of a boot).
If you accept my definitions of those terms, I'll tell you flat out that I've had several well known, well made knives that have failed the spine-tap, including two Spyderco Manixes, the main blade of every Leatherman Wave and Charge model that has passed through my hands, and I've had a few of 'em, a Spyderco Stretch (the original version), two Boker Subcoms, a SOG Twitch, a CRKT Pointguard, and a CRKT M-16 "big dog" tanto. I think that anybody who keeps a knife with even the idea of ever possibly having to use it in a rescue, survival, or God Forbid, a last ditch SD situation is a complete and utter moron if they don't at the very least give that knife an occasional spine-tap!
Most people don't plan on accidents happening, like bumping the spine of the blade on a hard object (table, car door, tree, toolbox, you name it) while withdrawing the blade from an object being cut, but guess what, accidents like that happen every single day! Let me give you a scenario. A Firefighter wants to cut a vehicle collision victim free from his seatbelt, so out comes the rescue folder. The Firefighter shreds the seatbelt apart with his blade, but while pulling the knife back towards him, inadvertantly smacks the spine of the blade on the inside of the wrecked car's door, causing the lock, which should have held up, to fail. Best possible outcome, the Firefighter was wearing great quality gloves and his knife's blade is fairly dull, resulting in a cut glove and a minor injury to his index finger. Worst possible outcome, the Firefighter had crappy gloves, or didn't have them on, had a scary-sharp edge on his knife, is now minus a finger or two, and is on his way to the ER with the collision victim!
For those who say that spine-taps are abusive, I certainly hope you never find yourself in a situation where the integrity of your folding knife's lock is less than stellar and is inadvertantly tested! Luckily, I'll never be in that group.:thumbup:
Regards,
3G