Stop with the half stops

JohnDF said:
You should see the ones where we try to decide which hand to use to open the blade... covers both "right" and wrong opinions. 🤣
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I remember a thread about that which had caused me a painful perplexity.
Cam tang or halfstop ?
People should to think twice before opening threads about subjects as sensitive on
an existential level.

Dan.
 
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kamagong said:
Plenty of spring knives without half-stops, unless you are focused solely on GEC knives.
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Are there? I'm with the OP on this and it has become difficult to find since Queen left the scene. All of the modern traditionals have half-stops and GEC's. Many of the case knives do (sod buster may not have of the ones I had). I found a boker recently that didn't but it seems like most of the new ones do.

And the choice of pattern is pretty limited.

Maybe I'm looking in all the wrong places as I would say the options are far from plentiful. But, it has made it really easy on wallet as I've sworn off buying any more with half-stops, myself.
 
I stand firmly in neither camp. Saying that, most of my slip joints have half stops. The half stop vs. cam tang question is never part of my decision to purchase though.
I do appreciate the extra effort and skill that goes into implementing a half stop.
 
Bigfattyt said:
One thing I like about square tangs is their ability to spit out gunk, grit, metal bits better!!
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That's an interesting observation, and one not frequently mentioned. 🤠:thumbsup:
dantzk8 said:
People should to think twice before opening threads about subjects as sensitive on
an existential level.
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Ah yes... But how else are we going to answer life's biggest questions? 🤣
 
Peregrin said:
I stand firmly in neither camp. Saying that, most of my slip joints have half stops. The half stop vs. cam tang question is never part of my decision to purchase though.
I do appreciate the extra effort and skill that goes into implementing a half stop.
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My previous silly contributions to this thread aside, Peregrin summed up my thoughts on this perfectly.
 
It's always operator error when you cut yourself, but with cam tangs you are always in control. With a powerful halfstop, the closing action can jerk the knife in your hand and cause a fumble. In my over 50 years of handling knives of all types, the only time I cut myself was closing a strongly halfstopped slipjoint. My grip slipped and the blade snapped shut on my finger. It would NOT have happened with a cam tang, the blade would have just stopped when I stopped pushing on it.
 
JohnDF said:
Operator Error... Plain and simple fault, …..plain and simple.
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Mechanical design fault….. plain and simple. Absolutely no advantage in the design only resistance to operate smoothly and safely.
 
I generally prefer half-stops....... It's like driving a manual four speed versus a Buick Dynaflow........
 
JohnDF said:
Ah yes... But how else are we going to answer life's biggest questions? 🤣
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It doesn't harm to forget those questions from time to time !

That said, it's an interesting question which has the merit to don't trigger a civil war. Just imagine :
"Carbon or stainless ?"
"Rounded or squared bolsters ?"
"Steel or brass liners ?"

Mandatory heavy helmet.

Dan.
 
Lesknife said:
Mechanical design fault….. plain and simple.
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Then one might take it as far as to say that slipjoint knives are mechanically defective as a whole, since there are other methods of deployment and retraction that are far safer.
 
JohnDF said:
Then one might take it as far as to say that slipjoint knives are mechanically defective as a whole, since there are other methods of deployment and retraction that are far safer.
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Why does it have to snap to a stop midway through the travel? And why do some like them to be a bear trap . Comments like; it’s snappy like a gator? Does not infer that they are particularly safe especially if a person struggles with arthritis at times. Rounded cam style tangs have and are much easier to open and close than squared half stops. While some younger persons still have the strength and dexterity in their hands and fingers just wait till they get older and find that it is a problem to operate a half stop folder. All my cam style folders are no problem for me and much easier and safer to operate.
 
Lesknife said:
Why does it have to snap to a stop midway through the travel? And why do some like them to be a bear trap . Comments like; it’s snappy like a gator? Does not infer that they are particularly safe especially if a person struggles with arthritis at times. Rounded cam style tangs have and are much easier to open and close than squared half stops. While some younger persons still have the strength and dexterity in their hands and fingers just wait till they get older and find that it is a problem to operate a half stop folder. All my cam style folders are no problem for me and much easier and safer to operate.
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So what I hear you saying is, some might prefer one style over the other for various reasons... I can agree with that 100%. 🤠:thumbsup:
 
Did you say for style? 🤣 Only possible with square tang (half stop lol)

TIZc1Dj.jpg


I suppose you can make a cam tang AND a rounded end bolster to flush and match...now that would be a cool style!
 
The only knife I've cut myself opening was a Sheffield Lambsfoot with a cam tang. The spring was so strong it slipped after breaking my thumbnail. My favorite slip joints all have half stops, but it doesn't particularly matter one way or another, if I like the knife overall then it'll wind up in the stable half stop or not.
 
Wild Willie said:
The only knife I've cut myself opening was a Sheffield Lambsfoot with a cam tang. The spring was so strong it slipped after breaking my thumbnail. My favorite slip joints all have half stops, but it doesn't particularly matter one way or another, if I like the knife overall then it'll wind up in the stable half stop or not.
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Same experience: Sheffield lambsfoot with extremely strong spring. Wore a Band-Aid for a week! Never had a problem with half-stops. With or without is fine with me.
 
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