Throwing a folder

S

Siggyhk

Joined
Feb 8, 2006
Messages
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Most folder aren't exactly made for throwing, but I've thrown quite a few, as I'm sure a few others have as well. So, when you throw a folder, if the lock doesn't hold on impact with the target, what does that say to you about the lock itself? -Is it not that good of a lock, or is it not what a lock is made to withstand? Even if you haven't thrown one, your opinion is still appreciated.
 
How many carbon steel folders have you thrown? Some of them might have blades almost made to take the shock. Most Stainless is not.

Some locks aren't oriented well to hold up to throwing. I wonder about an axis lock, with the stress coming right at the axis bar, bouncing it back. Maybe a lockback would handle that direction of impact better.

It doesn't disqualify a lock for normal use if it fails when you abuse it in ways it wasn't constructed to take.
 
Well, I've thrown 3 seperate enduras alot without lock failure. One did lose about 1/4 inch from the tip though. I also have thrown a MT amphibian and it folded. I've thrown a buck/strider knife (the one that looks like an sng) and it folded -multiple times cosistantly. I also have thrown a cqc-12 that folded. (It wouldn't of if my hand was there upon impact...) So, I am wondering if the sudden impact of the throw is a good test for a knifes lock, basically. I'm not really much of a knife thrower, but like to have fun with it here and there, and wonder about a lock that closes after a firm toss. Lots of people don't even worry if thier knife has a lock, but it's an issue of interest to me personally. In a perfect world, I'd be able to stab any folding knife into a tree without worrying about my fingers.
 
In a perfect world, you'd be able to stab a good fixed blade into a tree. Not every fixed blade is even appropriate for throwing. A folder is not built for that impact. You could take the same folder that would hold up under constant spine-whacks and find it folding up on a throw.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
Some locks aren't oriented well to hold up to throwing. I wonder about an axis lock, with the stress coming right at the axis bar, bouncing it back.

My Ares held up fine to throwing until I had the blade replaced. After that I couldnt bring myself to do it again. I threw it into cardboard mostly, but sometimes into wood.
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The people over in the Knife Throwing Forum will tell you not to throw a folder.

If a liner lock fails it's usually no worse than before. If a lockback fails it's usually ruined -- you have yourself a slipjoint now, and since it wasn't designed to be a slipjoint it probably doesn't have enough choil to protect your fingers. :thumbdn:
 
zealot said:
It wasn't made to be thrown, it'll just F the knife up.
Z
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I agree with Zealot, albeit I might have used different wording. I never throw folders.

I buy knives as tools. The steels I choose for folder blades are steels chosen for edge retention, which means they more brittle than steels chosen for throwers. I have no wish to destroy my tools.

If I wanted a throwing knife, I would buy a knife optimized for such.
 
I genarally throw every knife i own at least once. I usually chose a medium like a cardboard box so impact is not an issue i just do it as part of getting a the feel for the Balance of a new blade.

I have an old Gator that i have thrown many times at various mediums without having any trouble but i have destroyed locks on other knives in this matter and dont recomend it to anyone.
 
Bad idea, throwing folders. 'Course I've done it plenty of times:foot:
I don't think it says much about the lock, either way.
Never had a problem with an Axis lock. Before I killed my old 710HS, I threw it a lot.
Liner and frame locks may experience a rebound effect(best term I can come up with) on impact that will defeat an otherwise sound lock. I've seen it happen with both.
Not sure about lockbacks. Only one I've got is a Calypso Jr. ltwt. and I won't be throwing it at anything.
 
It would appear the consensus among those who throw folders is broken tips and knives rendered useless is the result.

At least we saved our tax dollars to learn this! What others do with their money is their business.

Last time I saw a throwing demonstration, the instructor used screwdrivers, crowbars, and a 68 Impala hood for a target. His point? It was only an expedient self defense method in a bad situation. Not that I want to give my opponent the last crowbar, either. So I consider that, fun and a set of proper knives aside, throwing knives is still something for a circus act.

But the "assistants" are usually pretty cute. Maybe we're missing out on some new way to pick up girls. She'd certainly be expressing an open mind about carrying knives.
 
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