spyderco smallfly. why doesn't the ends meet when opened?

[sogflash]

I've been looking at some pictures of the smallfly, and it seems weird to me that the end of the handles doesn't meet when opened. if the ends met when opened there would be less stress (excuse me for my lack of correct words and terms) on the screws holing the handles to the blade, the little stop pin and the handles themselves?

the smallfly seems like it's made for cutting and other knife things, rather than just flipping for fun. the thing with the handles baffles me.

also, I have the impression that spyderco make their knives to be practical, so I can't understand why the handles are made in such a way that they don't meet.

they aren't sold around here, so I doubt I'll ever get to try one anyways.

 

[harkinstritonnc]

I believe its done for legality issues

 

[Joshua J.]

If the handles did touch my bet is it would develop play.

 

[heathen]

This seems to be the common construction on almost all quality balisongs. I agree that if the handles touched it would be possible for blade play to develop over time. I want one of these. Wish they were more affordable.