Sunken Joints? Yay ar Nay?

afishhunter

afishhunter

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While lubing my pre 1977 no date code Western 742 stockman, I noticed the tangs are more or less flush with the bolsters when the blades are closed.
In your opinion, are these considered sunken joints, or is my assessment wrong?

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Thanks in advance.
 
Like your old Western Stockman there, would suggest that flush tangs like that will likely result in more comfort to the pocket - easier to carry.

Some folders have real sticky-out tangs when shut, and those corners can be a darned nuisance to pocket linings and general wear n tear. That said, if nestled neatly in a pouch, there’s little to worry about.

Aesthetically, and in terms of design, fit n finish - the more flush the better imho. But, really, what the heck………if the whole knife turns you on/is a delight to use, it matters little.

Perhaps most important of all is once open and in use, then there should be no high spots - all nice n flush and comfy to use.

Different folk may not even notice, and at the end of the day - everybody’s right, nobody’s wrong.!
 
I honestly never gave it much thought. Now I’m going to have to start paying closer attention.👍
 
I do like sunken joints. As others have pointed out they are easier on the pockets.
 
black mamba said:
I would call those sunk joints. Better on the pocket but not quite as strong, because there is less engagement between the blade and spring when open.
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Jeff has got the name correct!! These great joints are called SUNK joints, not sunken!! And achieving SUNK joints is a cutlery skill!!
Many Robeson Pocketeze knives have/had SUNK joints!
(I'm so pedantic!!! :rolleyes: )
 
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waynorth said:
Jeff has got the name correct!! These great joints are called SUNK joints, not sunken!! And achieving SUNK joints is a cutlery skill!!
Many Robeson Pocketeze knives have/had SUNK joints!
Click to expand...
I thought all the PocketEze knives (prior to Queen manufacture) have sunk/sunken joints.
Queen used the names, but skipped/omitted the relative features.

The joints on this Western reminds me of the old (pre-Queen) PocketEze knives.
 
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Prefer them where possible :cool: SAK manage it very nicely with their knives hence their pocket appeal. Very fond of French knives-variety and execution- but they usually sport huge tang edges and you really need a pocket slip for these. Contemporary clothing is lighter and less sturdy/durable than formerly, trouser pockets were often heavy duty lined for coins, keys and pocket-knife etc. Nowadays the onslaught of cashless society, fobs, knife phobia means a flimsy pocket.

CASE manage sunk or semi sunk joints very well on certain Stockman models, Penknives etc and this I like. Seems GEC may be lagging a bit here, they don't appear to have a sunk joint pattern yet? Could be I'm outdated on that. The Copperhead knife gives a shielded joint of course.

Here, CASE/Bose Norfolk pattern- single-spring opposite end blades- not only has sunk joints but a useful cut-out on the pile side to access the nick of the secondary Clip blade. CASE used this technique as well on the Humpback Stockman and Whittler models.

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Really fine knife, but I'd call SUNK as you couldn't rip yer pocket or scratch your table top with it ;)
 
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