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What is a pen knife?
- Thread starter CMSpeedy
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I think that was Spyderco's way of stating it is a knife that does not lock and had a blade that met length requirements for the U.K.
Pen knives go back to the time of sharpening/shaping a feather for use as a pen. Some were actually fixed blades, but with short approx. 1-inch blades.
Pen knives go back to the time of sharpening/shaping a feather for use as a pen. Some were actually fixed blades, but with short approx. 1-inch blades.
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Questions concerning slipjoints are probably best directed at the people who frequent the Traditional Folders and Fixed Blades area.
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A pen knife was started by a simple need. A tool to create a writing instrument. The first pen knives were non locking or slip joint contruction where the blade slipped or moved on a pivot on a back spring and the tension from the back spring kept the blade or blades open fairly securely so long as you stayed alert while using the blade and only used it for slicing motions and not thrusts or stabs that could put undue pressure on the spine causing the blade to close on your fingers.
The pen blade itself was created to cut the nib in the quill which is a large hollow feather that was first used for writing by dipping in ink.
To get an idea of what a pen blade looks like simply look at the main blade of a typical Swiss Army Knife.
STR
The pen blade itself was created to cut the nib in the quill which is a large hollow feather that was first used for writing by dipping in ink.
To get an idea of what a pen blade looks like simply look at the main blade of a typical Swiss Army Knife.
STR
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CMSpeedy said:
Slipjoint = spring tension holds "blades" (which may also be punches, can-openers) closed, snaps them shut, and tends to hold them open. No lock. Another word for what most folks meant by "pocket knife" until recently. E.g.: "Scout knife."
CMSpeedy said:
Most slipjoints are constructed like a lockback, but instead of a notch where the bar falls into, there is simply a straight part on the tang so the knife opens straight and rigid, and takes a small amount of pressure to close again.
They're convenient for everyday carry. A lot of knife jobs...in fact most, don't need a lock. I use slipjoints most everyday of my life, and I can't think of a moment off the top of my head I regretted not having a lock. In fact, today I was batoning with a swiss army knife. The wood I split is going to be used to make new scales for said knife.
In a sense they are safer than lock nives, because if a lock fails most knives have no resistence from closing. With a slipjoint, if you aren't putting on too much pressure, the blade will close some and stay put, or flick back open. They're also just elegant in a way locking knives aren't.
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It really, really depends. I edc'd an sak for a few years, and had many situations where I was very limited because the blade didn't lock. Same thing when I used my Leatherman PSTII. For the last several years I have carried a locking one hander and a Leatherman Wave. Working offshore, on various parts of automobiles, basic carpentry, misc. home improvement, cutting ropes, tape, cable ties, hoses, and even just breaking down heavy cardboard, any time I need to be able to apply a little torque or work from a less than optimal position, I'm very glad my blades lock. I've been bitten in the past, luckily nothing too damaging.Vivi said:They're convenient for everyday carry. A lot of knife jobs...in fact most, don't need a lock. I use slipjoints most everyday of my life, and I can't think of a moment off the top of my head I regretted not having a lock. In fact, today I was batoning with a swiss army knife. The wood I split is going to be used to make new scales for said knife.
In a sense they are safer than lock nives, because if a lock fails most knives have no resistence from closing. With a slipjoint, if you aren't putting on too much pressure, the blade will close some and stay put, or flick back open. They're also just elegant in a way locking knives aren't.