Blade Tension (Tightness)

jabberwocky · Post by **jabberwocky** » Tue May 16, 2006 1:36 pm

I've wondered about this for sometime, but never gotten a satisfactory answer. I figured what better place to pose this question than here. I've noticed, especially over the last few days, when I bought several Case knives of the same model (medium stockmans), that the blade tightness or "tension" when you open and close the blades varies from one knife to another...even among identical models. One will be very tight when you open and close the blade, with a good "snap", while another will be less tight. Is this "tightness", for lack of a better term, any indication of quality
of construction?...Or is it just a variance to be expected when so many handmade steps are involved. I mean, none of the knife blades are loose
in any way...no vertical or horizontal "play"...some just seem to be made more "tightly" than others. Any thoughts on this?...Is it better to buy the knife with the "tightest" opening and closing blades you can? May seem like a silly question, but it's been bothering me for some time. Thanks in advance for any input!

LC · Post by LC » Wed May 17, 2006 2:02 am

Go for what they call the walk and talk of the knife jabberwocky, in my opinion anyway

nmikash · Post by **nmikash** » Wed May 17, 2006 4:47 am

Hey jabberwocky. I would also say go for the tighter snapping blades. I would say that this is more important if they will be user knives. Every time you open and close the knife, you will be wearing down the metal via friction. Over time the result will be a slight reduction in tightness or snap in the blade. I wouldn't think a slightly looser snap indicates lower quality per se - more likely the variance you suggested.

-Nick

redshanks · Post by **redshanks** » Fri May 19, 2006 10:34 pm

If you are noticing that much difference in the "walk and talk" in the same model knife, that has to be a QC issue. However, not all knives were designed to snap like an Alligator, nor is that necessarily a sign of quality.

Many of my Doctor's knives open and close very softly; it must have something to do with their intended purpose or the surroundings in which they're used. On the other hand, I have some Sheffield knives that have backsprings that are so powerful that you better not have your fingers in the way when closing the blade. The knives with strong springs tend to keep the blade "locked" in the open position due to the extra effort required to close them, even though they have no actual locking mechanism.

jabberwocky · Post by **jabberwocky** » Sat May 20, 2006 1:25 pm

Thanks for the input, guys. Like I mentioned, none of these knives
are "loose" at all...no play at all in the blades. I just noticed that from
knife to knife I do feel a small difference in the "tightness" when I open and close the blade(s). Redshanks, you're probably correct in your reference to the backspring being a factor. I, too have a couple of Case Trappers whose blades are so tight when open, that you'd swear they were lockbacks or liner locks! Maybe I've got too much time on my hands, and am just being too picky! (looking for trouble where there is none!) Thanks again for the input!