Using magnets ?

K

kwackster

Joined
Dec 23, 2005
Messages
2,175
Afaik, there is already a Spyderco on it's way with a natural magnet inside that helps to keep the blade in the open position.
As i own a few small industrial magnets each about the size of a very small coin, their tremendous strength amazes me everytime.
Ofcourse they cling to each other with amazing force, but when you try to put two of these together with their polarity reversed, you feel a very strong springiness, as each magnet tries to stay away from the other with all it's force.
Now i was thinking, could this principle be of any use in pocketknives where normally small metal springs are used, for instance in the Spyderco Ball-bearing lock, the Benchmade Axis lock, the William Henry pin-lock, and maybe even more.
No breakage and long lifespan are possible pro's that come to mind, but a negative could be the possible attraction of metal particles where you don't want them.

In short,gentlemen, opinions please ?:)
 
I think it will be really fun trying to "defuzz" one of these magnetic knives after a reprofile sharpening. I have a hunch the pivot area is going to fill up with micro filings which will grate and grind during opening and closing. I could be wrong (probably am) but I will wait until they have been out for a few years before I jump on that bandwagon.
 
Hi Kwackster,

Good thoughts.

We are currently getting ready for production of the "T-Mag", which is a Ralph Turnbull designed "slip-joint" folder that uses a rare earth magnet to keep the blade open and closed. Scheduled for release before Christmas.

We also have a design for a locking folder that uses the magnet instead of a spring in the manner you mentioned. There are some strength details that we're working on, and we'd like to see the market reaction to the magnets in the T-Mag.

I've carried the prototype T-Mag quite a bit without any real problems. When the magnet did grab something, it was more of a "smile inducer" than an invconvenience.

sal
 
Hi Joe,

Ralph has been building his T-Mag for about a year and a half. We began our collaboration design at last years Guild Show in July.

I don't know how long before that he had been thinking about it.

Kelly Carlson also has been bulding magnet knives for about two years.

sal
 
Ahh ok. Thanks. I just wondered. I have always thought it would be a good idea.

I'd love to see how they end up working. Always been a fan of magnets (as crazy as that sounds). :D

Also, I just re-read my post above yours Sal, and I think it could be taken the wrong way. Please understand that I was in no way trying to say that I came up with the idea first or anything. I merely thought it was funny that I had asked the same question a while back. ;)

I'm just glad someone is doing it as I thought it would be a cool idea. Can't wait to try one out. :thumbup:
 
"Rare Earth"?...70tys something, right? I might still even have an LP ( with nothing to play it on). :')

Actually I recall someone used magnets to keep a knife in a sheath of sorts a few years ago. It's an interesting prospect. More interesting than the music was in fact. Joe L.
 
I am always leery of magnets, because while they are very useful, they can also be destructive to things... like computer memory.

I don't know how they might affect things like CompactFlash cards (camera memory, etc.). Are those things not sensitive to magnetism?

I absolutely love the idea of a knife that doesn't have to have springs (springs are just metal slowly weakening, to me) -- I suggested a polymer-type spring replacement for the Ball Bearing lock some time recently -- but I don't know if magnets are the way to go.

Sal, how do you address the point about attracting unwanted particles? What about proximity to sensitive devices? Does the blade eventually get magnetized when magnets are used to keep the knife open or closed?

-Jeffrey
 
Hi Joe,

no worries mate, I was trying to provide the history that I was aware of. there's probably more that I'm not aware of.

Hi Jeffrey,

It's all new. To us as well. that's what makes it novel and unique.

I didn't have any problems other than the magnet "grabbing" things periodically. But for me it was more humerous than problematic.

sal
 
Sal, I know you remember the Rare earth songs " I just want to celebrate", and "Get ready"? Don't try to get me to believe you were just listening to Hank sr., or Slim Whitman, the yodelling cowboy guy. :') .

Back to knives, Is this directed towards , for instance, Great Britan, or other lock blade challenged areas if it is built? It's a cool idea, would need less maintenance, not be as susceptable to certain problems etc. I'd buy one. Joe L.
 
i like the ultra-convenience of sticking the Tmag on the refrigerator when getting a cold one out ... :thumbup:
 
I played with the T-Mag. This is one of the few Spydies I really didn't like. The magnet felt very weak to me, which is good because it lowers the risk of the field hurting things like credit cards (or at least seems like it to me), but bad because it felt like there was barely anything holding it open. Of course, like just about every Spydie I've held, the ergos felt great, but the blade began to close with what seemed like the slightest pressure of my thumb on the jimping on the spine.
 
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