US Navy Knife. Sheffield built.

[David Kramp]

Building a civil war era US NAVY sailors rope knife for a customer and I’m curious about the backspring.

Was it usually tapered?

 

[Jack Black]

I had an interesting discussion, with Stan Shaw, about tapered backsprings, some years ago. Stan told me that since the springs were forged, (as were the blades), when they were issued to the cutlers, as parts, the width of the springs would vary. The cutlers were always on tight-fisted piece-rates, and time was money, so this meant extra work. However, functionally, the only part of the spring, which needed to be the same width as the spine of the blade, was at the pivot. It was considerably quicker to taper the spring, with a file, than to reduce the width overall. I asked if this wouldn't make more work when the covers were fitted. He shrugged, and said, "Well, that were somebody else's job."

 

[David Kramp]

I had an interesting discussion, with Stan Shaw, about tapered backsprings, some years ago. Stan told me that since the springs were forged, (as were the blades), when they were issued to the cutlers, as parts, the width of the springs would vary. The cutlers were always on tight-fisted piece-rates, and time was money, so this meant extra work. However, functionally, the only part of the spring, which needed to be the same width as the spine of the blade, was at the pivot. It was considerably quicker to taper the spring, with a file, than to reduce the width overall. I asked if this wouldn't make more work when the covers were fitted. He shrugged, and said, "Well, that were somebody else's job."

That totally makes sense. Thank you for the detailed reply from Stan the man Shaw.

I will not be tapering the spring as the customer isn’t asking for a replication of an original.

 

[Tyson A Wright]

I had an interesting discussion, with Stan Shaw, about tapered backsprings, some years ago. Stan told me that since the springs were forged, (as were the blades), when they were issued to the cutlers, as parts, the width of the springs would vary. The cutlers were always on tight-fisted piece-rates, and time was money, so this meant extra work. However, functionally, the only part of the spring, which needed to be the same width as the spine of the blade, was at the pivot. It was considerably quicker to taper the spring, with a file, than to reduce the width overall. I asked if this wouldn't make more work when the covers were fitted. He shrugged, and said, "Well, that were somebody else's job."

Can someone post pics of some tapered backsprings? I'm very interested in seeing those - I love fixed blades with a tapered tang, and have occasionally speculated about the folding equivalent, but have never seen one. Thanks in advance!

 

[Jack Black]

That totally makes sense. Thank you for the detailed reply from Stan the man Shaw.

I will not be tapering the spring as the customer isn’t asking for a replication of an original.

It's a different way of thinking isn't it?!

 

[Jack Black]

Can someone post pics of some tapered backsprings? I'm very interested in seeing those - I love fixed blades with a tapered tang, and have occasionally speculated about the folding equivalent, but have never seen one. Thanks in advance!

Here's the knife I showed Stan, by Joseph Haywood. Natural light is long gone here, so these will have to do:







Here's a very unusual Rase Knife by George Butler, where the springs are tapered, but for a reason

 

[kvaughn]

The old one spring split back whittlers were the refinement of tapered springs.
Some real cutlers skill.
Sorry no pics.

 

[Tyson A Wright]

Here's the knife I showed Stan, by Joseph Haywood. Natural light is long gone here, so these will have to do:







Here's a very unusual Rase Knife by George Butler, where the springs are tapered, but for a reason

Thanks Jack! Those are really interesting!