spring strength in a slip joint

[RescueRiley]

I recently acquired a boker large stockman it's a really nice knife, I noticed it is almost under no tension when opening it however once opened there is no blade play at all and it feels relatively solid for a slippy, Was wondering if spring strength really factors in to the strength or functional value of the knife...

 

[SaMX]

I think the shape of the tang matters a lot too. It it's really squared off it wants to stay open (or closed).

 

[berzerker]

I just received a pair of Queen Cattle King (amber carved stag bone). The tension is good, but not outstandingly so. However, it wants to stay open. The tangs are all undercut, so they they hug the springs. I haven't seen this on any of the other slippies I've got, so I can't give you any more datapoints than these two.

 

[Kazeryu]

on one hand, spring strength in a slippie shouldn't affect functionality a whole lot, since either you're using a slippie safely or you're not. The spring isn't meant to protect your fingers from foolishness.

on the other hand, I have to say I like the very strong spring on my Douk-Douk. Gives a nice snap as I open it, and somehow it imparts a certain feeling of solidity. ...I do wish I could open it with one hand, though.

 

[JPD1998]

It's going to come down to your own preference too.

I have quite a few German made Stockman and the one I like the best, in terms of spring tension , is a stag Puma stockman I got a few months ago. It's the easiest to open , but has enough tension to snap to the open position. Now only if the fit and finish was equal to some other brands , it would be perfect.

They also break-in a little too....

 

[msiley]

I find spring strength can become an issue when cutting into material
and the blade gets slightly stuck. As you draw the knife out it starts to close.
I've had this happen to me with a Queen stockman with weak springs but
so far not with my Vic Soldier which IMHO has the prefect spring strength.

If the blade gets really stuck, it's obvious and you just wiggle it back and
forth. I'm just talking about average cuts where a little sticking at the end of
the cut is expected (esp. when cutting wood without fully slicing the shaving through, e.g. fuzzsicks).