wimpy springs

I definitely like a good 'SNAP' but don't want to work too hard to get it. Victorinox has it right. Most of the Case knives I've handled recently are fine, and Schrade Old Timers were usually not too stiff and not too spongy.

And I don't mind a stiffer spring on larger knives where it's possible to get a better grip on the blade. The spring on a folding hunter ~should~ be more stiff than on a senator or stockman.

The Queen-Robeson is one knife I've purchased this year that it harder than it should be to open comfortably.
 
I agree with Jackknife. The Victorinox SAK's are the 'Gold Standard' as to opening and closing.

Had a British Army Knife once that was so unpleasent to open I gave it away, another was a Coast Cutlery stockman that had such shallow nail nicks that even with modest backsprings was hard to open...it had to go.:mad:

On the other hand I've a Wenger that has a weak spring and at first it bugged me, but it's so easy to open I find I use it more than some of my Vic's.
 
Weak(ish) springs on a somewhat larger slipjoint can give some of the benefits of a modern one-handed opener. I'm thinking of folding hunter patterns, jacks, etc. Being able to pinch the blade open is convenient when you're balancing on the running boards, holding on to the roof rack with one hand, and need a knife to cut the excess para cord you used to tie down your Christmas tree. :-)
 
I like springs to be healthy on pocket knives. Not nail breaker bear traps but not mushy either. My Vics feel the best. Bucks and Cases feel pretty good too. My Queens are a bit mixed.
 
Giuliano said:
I have one of these :
http://www.lightsandknives.com/productid/575/39/1.html

Very good looking knife but that's where it ends . Spring strength virtually non existent .Blades all rub somewhere.Never again with Puma.
Click to expand...

Thats truly tragic. Only as late as the 60's and 70's Puma's were one of the best built knives on the market. I once had a Puma Junior pocket knife, and it was one of the best knives I ever had. One of the few I regret letting go in a trade.

I guess its part of the natural order of things that all things great will decline to pale shadows of themselves.:(
 
Springs are certainly a matter of preference. I have had GEC knives returned because the people could not open them AND I had one person comment that he thought they should be a little stronger. Go figure. :)
 
I have to say that I agree with a bunch of you guys on the Vic open/close. I carry my soldier everyday and love the tension and the nice snap.

I owned a case 1992 stockman and was really dissappointed with the REALLY wimpy springs. I could almost flick the darn thing open. I fixed it though with a few good peens on the jeweler's anvil my fatherin law gave me. Worked like a charm.

Brett
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top