All About Pocket Knives

Does file work on the backspring weaken the backspring?
I would think the deeper the file work the more it would cause a problem.

Definitely

Many high dollar custom knives have extensive file work (I'm talking $500-$1000+ knives)
So, is it acceptable there because the knife probably will never be used?

In my mind it’s not acceptable on any knife, but some must like it. I can’t even imagine trying to keep all those nooks and crannies clean on a working knife.

If the spring is robust enough I guess you can get away with it, notice that the cuts always have round edges and smooth polished transitions. They also don’t go all the way across the spring. You want to avoid anything that will cause the spring to bend in only one spot, and avoid stress risers.

I obtained a Case "New Grind" that had some extensive file work some years ago. The springs were even filed on the inside. I remembered showing it here on the forum and saying the knife had "1/3 stops" or something like that. I was reminded by a member that the 54 patterns didn't have half stops and that the file work on the underside of the springs had inadvertently created the third stops. The work was unique but as member eveled commented, it would be difficult to keep clean as a daily user.
I've came to view this knife as really gaudy over the years.
This is what the knife looks like: Treefarmer

Boji wrote: ↑Sat Jun 26, 2021 4:04 am Many high dollar custom knives have extensive file work (I'm talking $500-$1000+ knives)
So, is it acceptable there because the knife probably will never be used?

Dimitri’s reply that firework “definitely” weakens the spring is no doubt true. But the question is, does it matter? I’m not a mechanical engineer so what I’m saying is opinion only - I don’t claim any special knowledge. However it seems to me the width of the backspring is not determined by any scientific engineering calculations but rather is determined by the width of the blade that it supports. I’m sure some practical limitations are taken into consideration also, like “does it work?”

So it might very well be that even though filework indeed weakens the spring, what remains afterward is more than adequate to serve the intended purpose.

Ken

Mumbleypeg wrote: ↑Sat Jun 26, 2021 2:45 pm

Boji wrote: ↑Sat Jun 26, 2021 4:04 am Many high dollar custom knives have extensive file work (I'm talking $500-$1000+ knives)
So, is it acceptable there because the knife probably will never be used?

Dimitri’s reply that firework “definitely” weakens the spring is no doubt true. But the question is, does it matter? I’m not a mechanical engineer so what I’m saying is opinion only - I don’t claim any special knowledge. However it seems to me the width of the backspring is not determined by any scientific engineering calculations but rather is determined by the width of the blade that it supports. I’m sure some practical limitations are taken into consideration also, like “does it work?”

So it might very well be that even though filework indeed weakens the spring, what remains afterward is more than adequate to serve the intended purpose.

Ken

I just looked at some of the custom (art) knives I have, all are liner locks except one congress whittler. I'll post some pictures tonight. Have to go to work shortly.

I've done a fair amount of file work on folders in the past for customers that preferred it. I always try to avoid filing all the way across the spring and am careful to not do any deep work in the area of the center pin as this is most likely where a failure might occur. I never noticed any of the knives I worked on having diminished snap after the file work but no doubt the springs had to be somewhat compromised. All in all it's a matter of personal preference but not realy my cup of tea.

Here are pictures of the fancy whittler These are liner locks

Everybody to their own. I thought the first ones I saw were neat and I coveted but over the years file work has become a non-starter for me. JMHO

jerryd6818 wrote: ↑Sun Jun 27, 2021 2:47 am Everybody to their own. I thought the first ones I saw were neat and I coveted but over the years file work has become a non-starter for me. JMHO

Same here...although, I have discovered that all file work is not created equal...some (actually most, IMHO) just looks overworked and gaudy, but there is also some understated and classy file work that adds a touch of quality custom look.

I’ve got a few with coined liners but that’s it.

Ken

Mumbleypeg wrote: ↑Sun Jun 27, 2021 3:30 am I’ve got a few with coined liners but that’s it.

Ken

Is a coined liner also called jimpimg?
Treefarmer

I always thought that file work looked pretty, but after years of repairing knives with broken springs under my belt, I'm not a big fan. I guess if the knife is considered to be a piece of artwork, and is never going to be opened, its OK.

treefarmer wrote: ↑Sun Jun 27, 2021 3:37 am

Mumbleypeg wrote: ↑Sun Jun 27, 2021 3:30 am I’ve got a few with coined liners but that’s it.

Ken

Is a coined liner also called jimpimg?
Treefarmer

Philip, have heard it called milled or gimped,.which is different from file work . And isn’t milled or coined liners usually done in factory ? Where as file work is after factory,unless specifically ordered that way .
Not a fan of file work ,but definitely like the milled or coined liners .

Most of my knives are used blue collar working mans knives. I'm quite fond of them.
File work, yes, I admire it very much. I like the very nice file work and other embellishment that Muskrat Man did on this Case Sunfish that I bought second hand a few years ago. I think it's the only file worked knife I own.
I don't chase this stuff so I haven't looked at a great deal of it, but in my view, the work that is displayed on Boji's knives is the finest I have seen. It is so accurate and finely fashioned. It is elegant for sure.
Her liner lockers; look at the top knife front and back. Look at the innermost blued liner on that knife.
It is so finely detailed. That is an extreme skill level to accomplish that on such a thin piece of work.
I think its pretty cool stuff.

That’s a beautiful knife Joe!

Ripster wrote: ↑Sun Jun 27, 2021 1:08 pm

treefarmer wrote: ↑Sun Jun 27, 2021 3:37 am

Mumbleypeg wrote: ↑Sun Jun 27, 2021 3:30 am I’ve got a few with coined liners but that’s it.

Ken

Is a coined liner also called jimpimg?
Treefarmer

Philip, have heard it called milled or gimped,.which is different from file work . And isn’t milled or coined liners usually done in factory ? Where as file work is after factory,unless specifically ordered that way .
Not a fan of file work ,but definitely like the milled or coined liners .

Agree, I’ve seen them called “coined” and “gimped”. And those I’ve seen were done at the factory, mostly on brass liners.

Ken

I don't know the answer to the OP questions regarding function but I just can't resist showing a knife that Herman Williams did for me. I have some other lovelies but I am already inappropriately maybe hijacking the thread a little. I don't plan on ever using any of the file-worked knives that I own. Some of the file-worked knives already shown here are quite beautiful!

Thank you, Ken.

tongueriver wrote: ↑Sun Jun 27, 2021 3:00 pm Some of the file-worked knives already shown here are quite beautiful!
HW 1.jpgHW 2.jpgHW 3.jpgHW 4.jpgHW 5.jpg

As is your knife, Cal.
It's just beautiful. Especially fine file work.

Beautiful knife Cal - coined liners AND file worked spring!

Ken

And not forgetting that file work on back springs isn't a modern feature of the knife maker's art;here are a couple of earlier examples. The pearl knife is a 4 blade senator and is unsigned. The pearl handled one with the fancy file and manicure blade is a Tyler Celebrated Cutlery. The horn handled one is likewise unsigned but looks to be a Kastor Bros.
The two new knives are by Frank Carlisle of Detroit Michigan(one of his early knives)and the other is by Jason Williams of Wyoming Rhode Island(his 14th knife made when he was just 19)who with his stepfather Bill McHenry invented the Axis Lock.

One more Maker is Jim Minnick and his wife Joyce. If you want to see some of the finest and fanciest autos, check out their website
http://www.minnickknives.com/knives