Spring position?

I think there are definitely some patterns where it is not possible to be flush at half stop.
 
This thread has me checking the spring position on all my knives with half-stops; its something I've never considered before.
Some are flush and some aren't, and doesn't bother me in the slightest. The fact that most of my knives have half-stops certainty does, as I don't like them :rolleyes:
 
Truth to tell, I've never given it much thought.
The few knives I have with a half stop are mostly Rough Rider. A couple are a touch proud at half stop, one might be riding a touch low, the majority are flush.
I don't worry about it because I don't use the blade at that position - unless it is a screwdriver blade and I need extra leverage.
 
None of my GECs have flush springs at the half-stop position, and three of them are among GEC's finest offerings. Doesn't lower my estimation of them one bit.

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Flush halfstops indicate an attention to detail that gives me confidence the maker / manufacturer also paid attention to detail in areas that I can't see, like heat treat. If a halfstop is too proud, it can make the knife more difficult to open / close. Flush halfstops can be engineered by factories, as mentioned Case swayback jacks are flush, GEC 15s are usually flush or close.
 
How does a proud half-stop make a knife more difficult to open or close?
 
Stretches the backspring further than it needs to, more tension. More noticeable on smaller knives with shorter backsprings.
 
Hmmm...increased tension. Makes sense. I like medium sized knives in the ~ 3 3/4" range though, and I think at that size the effect is negligible.
 
Jiki said:
Why is the position of the spring at half stop important? Or is it just a nit pick?
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I notice it more if I'm looking at custom slippies. I expect that attention to detail.

Other then that I don't pay much attention, and it's more a nit then a problem.

I don't prefer a half stop over a cam tang. I think it depends on the knife.
I'm not a big fan of springs in the 7-8 and above pull range, and would generally prefer a half stop on them.
 
I kinda like it when the spring is a little proud at half. But that's just preference. I associate it with knives I've had with nice firm pulls. I do find it impressive when the spring is flush all around, but I've also never seen a knife that had egregiously proud springs at half, just slightly so.
 
This is why the Dremel tool was invented.

Send me your extra fancy slipjoints and for 5 bucks per knife plus shipping and bandaids, I will almost totally guarantee flush half stop position.
 
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