Knife Sounds…

Jglebar

Jglebar

Joined
Jan 30, 2023
Messages
64
I am genuinely curious when and why how a knife sounds became a thing. I read a post on here today and it got me really thinking about it. I also read that Kershaw put a lot of research into the acoustics of the new Livewire.

I am by no means knocking anyone if they purchase a knife for the sound it makes opening. I personally only like hearing the lock (whatever kind it may be) engage to know it’s not going to fold on me. Other than that I want functional. Which is why my Microtechs don’t come pour a concrete floor with me but my Spydercos do.

Just interested in what everyone thinks.
 
For a lot of things like firearms, tools, equipment, instruments, electronics, etc. the mechanical sound it makes can be a perception of quality.

A uniform and positive "click" might align with exact engineering and build.

A smooth slide and closing of the battery of a bolt action rifle can equate to having precise and well-machined parts.
 
MolokaiRider said:
For a lot of things like firearms, tools, equipment, instruments, electronics, etc. the mechanical sound it makes can be a perception of quality.

A uniform and positive "click" might align with exact engineering and build.

A smooth slide and closing of the battery of a bolt action rifle can equate to having precise and well-machined parts.
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Every dude recognizes the M1 Garand ping sound.
 
I agree I like the different sounds. Some of my favorites are a good frame lock, a stiff backlock like the spyderco stretch g10 ZDP, and a triad. Another absolutely fantastic sound is closing a Sebenza. The last few millimeters it makes this awesome sound that is hard to describe but is as recognizable as a shotgun pumping to me.
 
On the subject of "knife sounds"-

I make switchblades, and some of them "sing" when fired.

The spring pictured below is typical of what I use, and in some of my knives the long, skinny portion (the actual spring section) doesn't come into contact with the liners after the knives are fired, and it acts like a tuning fork. My switchblades fire hard, and when the blade hits the stop pin the vibration from the impact travels down through the knife and up through the spring. The result is an audible pingggggggggg that lasts for about 4-5 seconds as it trails off into silence.

I find the tone of the ping to be very pleasing, and I will sometimes hold the knives up to my ear after firing to hear them "sing".


4mAHBsA.jpg
 
When the Feds banned switchblades back in the 1950s and they became the holy grail for knife knuts, the 'ker-chlick' snap of an Italian or even a cheap clone, was enough to send a knife-knut into a pee pee dance of want - - that for a lot of us, continues to this very day.
 
It’s a thing - knife sounds. I’ve got a few favorites that sound awesome while opening AND closing.

The WE Beacon makes a unique sound as it drops shut - kind of a snick sound. I’ve got 7 of them and they all make this sound except for the Damasteel version.

I think it has to do with the particular polished bead blast they do on the beacon. It’s wonderful.
 
Many items are judged by their sound. I know people that will judge a vehicle by how it sounds when the door is closed.
 
The Hawk said:
Many items are judged by their sound. I know people that will judge a vehicle by how it sounds when the door is closed.
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100% I didn’t buy my car bc of how authoritative the door shut but it was def a pleasant surprise

5DoorEstate said:
Just another thing to enjoy about things we like. Researching acoustics is a new to me though.
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This!

OP: I’m surprised/not surprised that my thread stirred up a bunch of head shakes and finger wagging but it’s all in fun. Many here already pointed out that we all get off on different things and as a car guy, sound is so important to the user experience. Many of my gear head friends couldn’t care less that my buddy’s bone stock Tesla can run 10s, it doesn’t ROAR and thats just a non starter for many.

I’m also a guy who used to run blow off valves if that tells you anything lol.

I’m new to this hobby and trying to find my taste. At the moment, I’m infatuated with the mechanical feel and sound of titanium so I want to sample as many as I can until that wears off and something else strikes my fancy. Until then, I’m looking for ones that ping :)

No knock taken!
 
The Black Mamba v2 -- from Off the Grid Knives -- has really nice titanium scales makes a real authoritative, satisfying sound when fired open.
 
H Hellasharp I get it man I’m a diesel guy and hate stock exhausts! And I do love the way a Chevy V8 sounds!

I just had never really thought about the way a knife sounds before. Guns and such yeah but never passed one because I didn’t like the sound of the bolt or slide. I guess I’m more of a feel and fit guy when it comes to things like knives and guns.

I do get where everyone is coming from but didn’t know when it started and was surprised that manufacturer actually R&D. Now after thinking about it and firing an ultratech and a Dirac I do like the sound of a Dirac better. 🤷🏻‍♂️
 
I like that people enjoy this hobby for different reasons and find different things to appreciate about the sharp pointy things we all love.

I for one really love the sound of a good backlock like rhe Native 5 and Delica. Kind of addictive in a different way.
 
I replaced my G10 Tenacious scales with some bamboo (from bamboo flooring). It was significantly louder. The sound seemed to resonate through the bamboo. Quite fortunately, a friend of mine gave me some osage orange. Replaced the scales with the osage orange. Quieter than bamboo but still louder than the G10.
 
So when you say knife sounds, does this mean I'm not the only one who's knives talk to them? I swear if my Strizh doesn't shut up about it's superior lineless construction I'm going to throw it out the window. And don't don't get me started about the arguments of which country makes superior knives. The Russians are the loudest, even when they are vastly outnumbered by Americans, Chinese, and Taiwanese.

When they are not bickering they are always trying to convince me to invite more of their brethren into my home.

The ZT's feel marginalized for not having names. The 0095BLK is constantly telling me it's life matters, and that it needs a more appropriate name. I refuse to call it "The Emperor of Darkness" no matter what it promises or threatens.
 
My only folding knives are my Buck 110, leatherman wave, and some SAKs. I used to have tons of folders, but sold 99.9% of them years ago. I do like the way the 110 sounds when the lock engages.

The VAST majority of the knives I own and use are fixed blades. So no sounds really, unless you could sheathing sounds but I couldn’t care less about those.

One knife sound that I do pay attention to is the sound the blade makes against my whetstones. I can tell by sound and by feel if I’ve got the right angle. Also for some alloys I can really get a sense for the steel’s HRC hardness by the way it sounds on my stones. It’s hard to describe I guess, but suffice to say that knife sounds do play a big role there.
 
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