Welcome to AAPK. If I’m reading and interpreting your post correctly it seems there are two different things going on. First, the “half notch” you describe is most commonly called a “half stop”, where the blade “sets” into a firmer stop/rest position when halfway open. That is a feature not all knives have, regardless of age or manufacturer. Some knives have it only on one blade. Some folks like it, others do not. It is specific to the pattern of the knife, and most of the patterns you have were not designed to have the “half stop” feature. There are entire threads here on AAPK debating the half stop feature. For more on this see: viewtopic.php?f=4&t=65628RedRaiderRick wrote: ↑Sat Jul 22, 2023 1:27 am I've bought new 6 Case knives in the past six months including 4 small Texas toothpicks, a medium Texas Toothpick, and a teardrop. While they all snap open nicely, Only the teardrop has a solid half notch the rest are "squishy". What's the story? I've always thought a good slip joint should snap open, closed, and half notch as a sign of quality. What is your perspective? Has Case gone cheap or what? I recently bought a Boker slip joint that is snappy in all three positions. Whatha heck?
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The other issue you’ve described is the opening and closing “snap” or audible click sound and tactile feel of a blade opening and closing. Many collectors call this “walk-and-talk”. The “walk” being the feel and smoothness of the blade’s opening (and closing) action, and the “talk” being the audible sound. A knife having a gritty or uneven feel while opening or closing is said to have poor “walk”. A knife that doesn’t have a tactile and audible snap when it closes is said to lack “talk”. Some describe it also as having a “slow” or “lazy” blade. Pre-1980 or thereabouts it was rare to find a new knife from any maker that had poor “walk-and-talk”. That was something induced by use and poor care - usually failure to oil the joints of the knife.
Unfortunately finding a new factory-made knife lacking in walk and talk is more common nowadays, regardless of maker. I have not found any brands immune to it, including Case, GEC, Böker, etc. Buy or examine enough knives and you will find it, and the only remedy for the buyer is to either hand-pick your knives from a brick and mortar retailer, or return defective knives if you buy on-line. In some cases the seller may select a knife having good snap/walk-and-talk if you request it. Some sellers may specify it in the listing description. If not, ask before you buy!
Ken
. It appears to be a very longstanding Fair, and I like the knife. A bit of researchable history has made it even better.
.... Other times I just Sit
