Recommendation? Traditional : proud tip/dropping the kick: Questions

Icky Thump

Icky Thump

Joined
Dec 8, 2011
Messages
4,071
Hi

I have this GEC/Northfield 613210. Main blade rip sits slightly ubove the well/liners when closed.

Spring is flush when closed/open, sits slightly proud at half stop. My main question is will the spring sink proportionate to the amount I need to drop the kick in order to have the blade tip below the liner(s), in the well?..of that makes sense..

Other question is..would you do it...or just use as is...I plan on using the knife..

xoLosj2.jpg


Any insight would be most appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Patrick
 
That will depend on your knife and the exact way it's set up.

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I should think you'd need to disassemble it and then you'd be able to see whether it's feasible without shifting the spring location when it's closed. Is this a knife that you sharpened until the edge rose above the handle or is it new? If new I'd think the maker would fix it for free. Regardless, I wouldn't be too uncomfortable with that in my pocket, not likely to cut anything while closed. I would probably fix it though rather than leave it if it were mine.
 
If you decide to lower by filing or sanding the kick, (a very little at a time), be careful that you don't have the blade impact the backspring which will often leave a flat spot on your edge.

If it's not catching a finger or anything in pocket I'd just leave it alone.

In the past I would only would do mine if I poked a finger retrieving the knife from my pocket.
 
Thanks for the replys

This is a new knife, never sharpened. I'm carrying in a slip at present but I did catch a finger on it when manipulating to open (that's how I discovered the issue)..not bad, but it did make me flinch and now hesitate to carry.

I know w/ use and sharpening the issue will worsen w/ out being addressed. I probably should send it back for warranty work...but if they are going to file the kick and have the back spring fall where it may..I could do it myself..and as Blues Blues stated..just mind taking too much as to let the edge contact/bottom out on the spring.

Not sure what would bother me more..sunk spring when closed or the proud tip...ripping a finger open would settle this internal debate.

I guess I could reprofile the blade..? Shorten and move the tip back slightly..just such a petite blade as it is...hate to take that much material..
 
Every knife is different. Some springs can drop a lot if the kick is filed, and others won't move as much, if at all. If there's still quite a noticeable amount of load or tension on the spring when the blade is fully closed, the spring would likely drop more as the kick is filed down (the kick is what's maintaining the spring's 'flush' position to the liners, in other words). On the other hand, if most or all of the spring's tension is released when the blade is fully closed, then the spring may not move much by filing the kick a little bit.

I've 'tested' the tension on the spring, when closed fully, by pulling on or attempting to lift the blade ever so slightly from the closed position. You'll feel the resistance against that lifting of the blade, if there's much tension on the spring. If it feels like it's really holding tight and resisting being lifted, then you know there's quite a lot of closing tension still being exerted. In that case, I'd fully expect the spring to drop below flush if the kick is filed. On the other hand, if you notice there's not much resistance in the first degree or two of lifting the blade, then the spring is likely 'relaxed' in it's closed position, and probably won't drop too much, if at all, by filing the kick.

With this particular knife, it seems to me it should be a QC/warranty thing, in getting it right. The tip of the blade shouldn't be proud of the frame, as I see it. Leave it to GEC to do the 'fix' on it. If they can't otherwise fix it by filing the kick themselves, it's up to them to replace it to your satisfaction. Let them own the responsibility for it, especially if this is still a relatively new & unused knife. If it were a secondhand purchase or a 'user' with some wear already on it, I wouldn't hesitate to fix it myself, by filing the kick just a hair. Even if the spring does drop a bit, it won't affect the usability of the knife anyway.
 
eKretz said:
That will depend on your knife and the exact way it's set up.

51.png


I should think you'd need to disassemble it and then you'd be able to see whether it's feasible without shifting the spring location when it's closed. Is this a knife that you sharpened until the edge rose above the handle or is it new? If new I'd think the maker would fix it for free. Regardless, I wouldn't be too uncomfortable with that in my pocket, not likely to cut anything while closed. I would probably fix it though rather than leave it if it were mine.
Click to expand...

Appreciate this very much..thanks.
 
Obsessed with Edges said:
Every knife is different. Some springs can drop a lot if the kick is filed, and others won't move as much, if at all. If there's still quite a noticeable amount of load or tension on the spring when the blade is fully closed, the spring would likely drop more as the kick is filed down (the kick is what's maintaining the spring's 'flush' position to the liners, in other words). On the other hand, if most or all of the spring's tension is released when the blade is fully closed, then the spring may not move much by filing the kick a little bit.

I've 'tested' the tension on the spring, when closed fully, by pulling on or attempting to lift the blade ever so slightly from the closed position. You'll feel the resistance against that lifting of the blade, if there's much tension on the spring. If it feels like it's really holding tight and resisting being lifted, then you know there's quite a lot of closing tension still being exerted. In that case, I'd fully expect the spring to drop below flush if the kick is filed. On the other hand, if you notice there's not much resistance in the first degree or two of lifting the blade, then the spring is likely 'relaxed' in it's closed position, and probably won't drop too much, if at all, by filing the kick.

With this particular knife, it seems to me it should be a QC/warranty thing, in getting it right. The tip of the blade shouldn't be proud of the frame, as I see it. Leave it to GEC to do the 'fix' on it. If they can't otherwise fix it by filing the kick themselves, it's up to them to replace it to your satisfaction. Let them own the responsibility for it, especially if this is still a relatively new & unused knife. If it were a secondhand purchase or a 'user' with some wear already on it, I wouldn't hesitate to fix it myself, by filing the kick just a hair. Even if the spring does drop a bit, it won't affect the usability of the knife anyway.
Click to expand...

Right on..

The knife is new..I believe I aquired this through dealer..GEC has been great to work w/..I should probably just send it in.

Very much appreciate the info on spring tension and it's relationship to position. It is a relatively light load from open to half stop, increasing from half stop to open..encouraging me to attempt the drop..I agree it wouldn't effect usability if the spring sinks in open position..but sure would like it as close to perfect as reasonable..and if I take file to it...that's that for warranty, I'm guessing..
 
Send it back to the amateurs, I mean GEC and have them fix it.
It would take some hand work skills but I think reshaping the point end of the knife would be what I would do. PS: it is going to shorten the blade length a couple of mm. Filing the kick, which I have done some, tends to make the spring sit funny/ lower in the handle. For my inexpensive users I could care less but, in theory, that is a very nice knife and deserves first class work.
:)
 
Other question is..would you do it...or just use as is...I plan on using the knife..
Click to expand...
If you carry it exclusively in a slip I wouldn't do it. If you carry it loose in pocket I would; especially if there is any chance that the knife opens unusually easily. I have had a knife open in my pocket from snagging on my pocket handkerchief and the tip was all the way down in the handle but not far enough and the hanky snagged the point and pulled it out. Granted it was one of them dambed new fangled thumb stud opening abominations (opens with less force).
You can see the slit in the handkerchief here.
The knife was so sharp it felt like one of the screws on the pocket clip scratched me but when I looked I was dripping all over the place.
IMG_4211.jpg
 
Definitely send it back if it's under warranty still. Mention that you're worried about the spring alignment etc. (I would enclose a note to that effect when you send it back) and I'm sure they will see that it's done right since they know you'll be examining it closely.
 
Wowbagger said:
If you carry it exclusively in a slip I wouldn't do it. If you carry it loose in pocket I would; especially if there is any chance that the knife opens unusually easily. I have had a knife open in my pocket from snagging on my pocket handkerchief and the tip was all the way down in the handle but not far enough and the hanky snagged the point and pulled it out. Granted it was one of them dambed new fangled thumb stud opening abominations (opens with less force).
You can see the slit in the handkerchief here.
The knife was so sharp it felt like one of the screws on the pocket clip scratched me but when I looked I was dripping all over the place.
View attachment 977613
Click to expand...

Wow is right. That's my fear, Wowbagger. I do carry in a slip..the more I think on it, the more I'm inclined to send it in..I've never done this mod, it still under warranty and hate to second guess or hesitate carrying. .I will eventually catch myself on it..Thanks for the pics and cautionary tale..

eKretz said:
Definitely send it back if it's under warranty still. Mention that you're worried about the spring alignment etc. (I would enclose a note to that effect when you send it back) and I'm sure they will see that it's done right since they know you'll be examining it closely.
Click to expand...

I thinks that's my best option, eKretz..as you and others stated..let the manufacturer try to make it right..while I still have that option..

Thanks for the input, fellas.:thumbsup:
 
eKretz said:
(I would enclose a note to that effect when you send it back) and I'm sure they will see that it's done right since they know you'll be examining it closely.
Click to expand...
Unless it is Benchmade. The knife fixers ( I hesitate to call them technicians) cannot or less likely will not read. In which case just stab yourself in the face . . . you will have a better experience and won't waste weeks or months waiting for your knife to come back.
 
If the knife is properly made, filing the kick should have no bearing on the position of the backspring.
Kicks are designed to be filed as necessary.
 
Bill DeShivs said:
If the knife is properly made, filing the kick should have no bearing on the position of the backspring.
Kicks are designed to be filed as necessary.
Click to expand...
Patrick,

Here's your man (Mr DeShivs) !
I'd trust him over GEC / Northfield.
I wish you had two so we could race and see who gets the knife back to you first; Mr. DeShivs or GEC.
Of course good things are worth waiting for; shame you already paid for and waited for a good thing and didn't get it yet.
 
I sanded the kick on the pen blade on my GEC 44 Buffalo Jack last night, to get it to sit lower and allow me to open the main blade more easily. The backspring sunk in, by exactly how much I had sanded off the kick. So I stopped, even though I intended to lower it more than I did, because it felt like I'd made a huge mistake. Anyway, just a heads up, that this will indeed happen, at least with the #44. :eek:
 
fonedork said:
I sanded the kick on the pen blade on my GEC 44 Buffalo Jack last night, to get it to sit lower and allow me to open the main blade more easily. The backspring sunk in, by exactly how much I had sanded off the kick. So I stopped, even though I intended to lower it more than I did, because it felt like I'd made a huge mistake. Anyway, just a heads up, that this will indeed happen, at least with the #44. :eek:
Click to expand...

Thanks for the heads up. I did end up lowering the kick on the 61, same as you state, the backspring did start to drop below flush when closed. I stopped short of what I intended as well...calling it good enough for now..

Thanks again for the input.
 
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