To Half Stop or not?

To half stop or not?

  • Half Stop

    Votes: 28 42.4%

  • No Half Stop

    Votes: 23 34.8%

  • No preference

    Votes: 16 24.2%
  • Total voters
    66
Rover-Friskey

Rover-Friskey

Gold Member
Joined
Oct 22, 2023
Messages
136
I generally prefer a half stop on my traditional slip joints. Per my limited research, the history of a half stop seems kind of murky., as is its reason for existing. It apparently contributes little if any to the cost of a knife. For me it is a bit of a security blanket, giving me a feel of safety when closing a blade, especially a large sharp one. For 2 otherwise identical knives, I would choose the one with half stops. Also, I have yet to see a multi-bladed knife that had a mix of half stop and no half stop blades. Or perhaps tangs would be more appropriate term than blades. Anyway, does anyone have an opinion on this matter?
RF
 
I generally prefer them as well. I would guess that it’s all a matter of personal preference, but I’ll be looking forward to hearing what others say. Lance
 
I don't mind them, provided they are smooth opening.
I personally think half stops were created as a way for cutlers to show their skills.
It isn't easy, from all I've heard to have the spring(s) flush in all three positions.
I have noticed on a couple of mine with half stops, the spring flexes a bit more when the blade starts to move when opening than coming off the half stop when opening (and has a stiffer pull the first half of opening than the second half.)
The leading edges/corners of the tang are not radiused the same? I don't know.

On most of my knives, I walk the blade down. Why chance the blade snapping or rebounding a touch too far, allowing the edge to kiss the back spring?
Of course lowering the blade without snapping it, also ensures no finger (or other part) is in the blade's arch/path closed.
 
I have learned several things already from the replies. Per Alex. Y., there are indeed "mixed" tang knives, i.e. knives with both half stop and non- half stop blades. Also the term "cam tang" is new to me. And per Luke, they are more popular in North America than Europe. And like Lance, I look forward to the comments or replies!
RF
 
To me, a half-stop is more dangerous than a smooth closing action. This is because force needs to be applied to push past the spring action at half-stop. This results in a strong and fast final snap. I've been nicked by the tip a number of times this way. A smooth operating backspring doesn't give this type of issue.
Concerning the danger of me using the knife and the blade then closing on me and hurting my fingers: This is more of a theoretical problem imo; has never happened so far.
 
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I am learning a lot about half stops. afishhunter makes several good points. Plus the Terry Pratchett quote. Luke makes some good points also. There is more to a half stop than I thought.
 
Luke_Chambers said:
People have been arguing this since the beginning of pocket knives. North American knives = half-stop. European knives = no half stop. Now, bring out the popcorn and sit back ...
Click to expand...
I think you have that reversed.
None of my US made Schrade brands including Imperial, Ulster, a WW 2 era Camillus, a Western 742, & 062, a 1975 Army Reserves issue Demo knife , (Pre Queen) Robeson 622110, and my 1916 to 1928 Challenge Cutlery have half stops.
Only one (a tear drop) of my four Case knives has a half stop.

Most of my Euro made knives also lack them.

What knives have them may be pattern related.
 
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That they may be pattern related is possible Luke. It is something that I need to research. I have over 250 knives and most all have been entered in my database, but unfortunately the field for half stop I have not filled in but on a few of my knives. An additional incentive to complete the database. It has 205 fields and new fields are being added from time to time.
 
Not too long ago I've read that square tang that is flush with the handle in closed position, or even in half-opened position, helps to prevent dirt/lint/etc getting between the tang and the back spring worsening the action or even jamming the blade. That might be important on hunting knives.

Here's a good example.IMG_20250202_190301.jpg

This way one can easily remove all the debris before moving the blade.
 
I never thought about it until this post. My Buck 301 and 307 don't have the half-stop, neither do my SAKs nor my Case Trapper. My Case Mini Trapper does have the half-stops, however.
 
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