storing knives partially open, hard on backsprings?

[muskrat man]

I have heard thet displaying knives with the blades partially open like seen in schrade store displays are hard on the backsprings, is this true? any true proof?
thanks guys
have a good'un
MM

 

[Codger_64]

Leaf springs held in tension for a long time do tend to weaken somewhat. That is one reason why old cars and trucks sit lower than stock in the rear. Whether or not it noticibly effects the function on knives, perhaps LT, Larry, Del, Phil or another collector can tell us. I do know that Schrade and most other manufacturers display them open in cases for long periods, and someone eventually buys them.

Codger

PS: Another reason to collect fixed blade knives. Beauty in simplicity!

 

[lt632ret]

HARD ON, THE BACK,---- Springs. I suppose after a super long period frankly ( and I know the purists out there will argue ) I do not feel it is a big deal. I have had displays out for years and really do not see a difference. However if someone feels better about keeping them closed or open, or half open what the heck do what is your pleasure I mean if you were using the knife, overall, it would be taking a lot more of a beating than being half open. I am sure it dosent help it but frankly neither does using or even taking it out of the box or wrapper. Personally I like to look at a display knife and that includes seeing the blade as well as the rest of the knife without taking it out of the display every time I look at it. I also do not derive a lot of pleasure from a knife that has never been out of the box and is wrapped up. Of course an old domestic automatic should always be stored open however keep in mind that is because of the throw spring not the back spring. The throw spring uses a lot more flex and when these knives are completely closed there is a lot of pressure on them. Still storing or displaying these half open is also no problem since the pressure is off the throw spring. LT

 

[muskrat man]

thanks guys,
I was just wondering because I have limited supplies of foam and was wondering before I went inletting the foam for the knives for a display case. thanks again
MM

 

[Bob W]

I bought an 8OT that had been a display model at ACE Hardware. The spring is considerably weaker than any other OldTimer I've handled. I assume that's a result of having the blade half-sprung for a long period of time.

-Bob

 

[muskrat man]

most likely,
thank you all for your replies and help.

 

[MarkPinTx]

Just FYI, steel (or any material for that matter to one degree or another) held under a constant state of strain (stress, as in a backspring pushed out), will CREEP and take the deformed shape (or begin to). This means the spring will "weaken." Worse, if there is some kind of defect in the part under strain, the creeping could cause the spring to fracture. As LT notes, the more strain or deformation or stress the part is under, the faster it will creep.

Unfortunately, I had one with a defect in the spring that broke while I left it open to dry after a good reaming out. Without the 24-36 hours of strain I had put it under, I don't believe the defect would have caused the spring to break for several years if ever.

Half-stops tend to minimize the displacement of the spring in the half-open position and would minimize or eliminate the creep and possible fracture.

 

[muskrat man]

hmmm, after hearing that that makes me want to re arange my display....i think i'll do that tonight, no reason to take any chances!
thanks alot for that info