SAK blade closing

[ChefRichie]

Since I'm new here, just wanted to ask: Does anyone have opinions on letting the knife blades "snap" back into knife?  Thanks.

[enki_ck]

Welcome to the forum, ChefRichie. If you find the time drop by and tell us a bit about yourself in our New Member Forum.


As for letting the blade snap back into the knife, I try to avoid it. Especially on slipjoints and SAKs with strong backsprings. I pinch the blade and let it close gently.

[stressmaster5000]

Howdy! I let them snap back into the knife. As long as the blade was correctly made the spring should stop it before it bottoms out. The only problem I have ever seen with a Swiss Army knife is when you have a Bail then it is important to make sure it is folded out of the way before you close the blade. If not it will damage both the bail and the blade. 

[ducttapetech]

let it snap. Been doing it for years and no problems.

[captain spaulding]

I personally let the Blade or Tools snap back into place unless I suspect there is something wrong. As StressMaster said if you have a bail on there watch out. I have closed the main blade on the bail as well and its not pretty.

[ducttapetech]

I personally let the Blade or Tools snap back into place unless I suspect there is something wrong. As StressMaster said if you have a bail on there watch out. I have closed the main blade on the bail as well and its not pretty.

that reminds me, Make sure the keyring is out of the way when closing the awl on 91mm saks.

[Syph007]

I let it snap like it wants to.   Its why the liners are softer material than the blade.  If it goes too far it will hit the softer Al or nickel silver and nick it, but should not harm the knife much.  That being said Ive had models form the factory that when closed, will touch the liner, and thats not right.

[enki_ck]

You bunch of snappers.

[AimlessWanderer]

Let it snap  The noise you hear is the kick (at the tang) hitting the spring, and the blade edge is not going to be damaged unless something else is in the way as already mentioned. In theory it could shorten the life of the spring, but in reality I don't think there's anything to worry about at all .... so long as your fingers are out of the way 

[thebullfrog]

Usually snap, but I did have a Cybertool where the blade would slam into the backspring pivot, so that got closed slowly.

[kkokkolis]

I  avoided snapping for decades, until reading posts here and the SAK Owners manual. Now I snap with all my heart and enjoy the sound and feeling.

[stressmaster5000]

You bunch of snappers.

First I thought of this;


then these;


and these;


 

[enki_ck]

I'm not sure actually why I don't let them snap. I do it one handed and all but this just feels right.

Hopefully the video will be viewable. Youtube then.

SAK 93mm ALOX one hand opening and closing

[Syph007]

Oh no, Im not trying that one handed trick again!  I cut myself good last time!

[enki_ck]

Oh no, Im not trying that one handed trick again!  I cut myself good last time!

Sorry about that again.

But...

[nate j]

As for letting the blade snap back into the knife, I try to avoid it.  I pinch the blade and let it close gently.

+1, although I do realize it should not harm a properly made knife.

[PTRSAK]

I, like many members here no doubt, often sit watching TV with an Alox SAK in hand opening and closing the blade listening to that SNAP... chewing gum for the hands...

As others have said, the only problem I've had is letting a brand new Wenger SI (no date code one thankfully) bite its own bail 

[Jailbird]

I usually let it snap, except one that bottoms out. That one handed trick looks pretty cool.

[jzmtl]

On some models the blade will hit backspring and dent the edge, if yours doesn't I don't see why not.

[Nhoj]

I have a huntsman that the blade has a slight dent on from hitting when closing. I still let it snap though.

[J Mackrel Jones]

The video of one-hand-opening matches that described in the SAK Owner's Manual, with an important difference:  the guy puts his thumb against the blade-edge twice.  This will enevitably result in the need of a bandage if done with a properly-sharp blade.  The blade shown is surely very dull -- or the guy bleeds slow -- it is a short video.   

[MadPlumbarian]

I let it snap like it wants to.   Its why the liners are softer material than the blade.  If it goes too far it will hit the softer Al or nickel silver and nick it, but should not harm the knife much.  That being said Ive had models form the factory that when closed, will touch the liner, and thats not right.

Does that go for your models too? JR

[enki_ck]

The video of one-hand-opening matches that described in the SAK Owner's Manual, with an important difference:  the guy puts his thumb against the blade-edge twice.  This will enevitably result in the need of a bandage if done with a properly-sharp blade.  The blade shown is surely very dull -- or the guy bleeds slow -- it is a short video.   

Challenge accepted.

That's actually me opening the knife. So you want a video with a shaving sharp SAK?

[ChefRichie]

Thanks for all the advice...I think I'll let it snap.

ChefRichie

[Gareth]

Another snapper here.

As for one handed opening of a SAK, though I've never read the SAK Owner's Manual I do it this way;

One handed opening of a SAK.

[enki_ck]

The video of one-hand-opening matches that described in the SAK Owner's Manual, with an important difference:  the guy puts his thumb against the blade-edge twice.  This will enevitably result in the need of a bandage if done with a properly-sharp blade.  The blade shown is surely very dull -- or the guy bleeds slow -- it is a short video.   

Challenge accepted.

That's actually me opening the knife. So you want a video with a shaving sharp SAK?

OK, here goes, just for JMJ. Calling my Wenger SI dull.

 

I did end up with a bold patch on my forearm though   What I don't do for you guys.

Just for JMJ

The repositioning and touching the blade twice in the first video was cause I was doing it while filming myself with the cell phone in the other hand.

EDIT: spelling

[dks]

It is not a major problem with saks but with some slipjoints it is possible to hit a pin or the spring and damage the blades edge. Remember that the edge will be harder than them but also thinner and more fragile. The same way you can damage a blade  cutting wood. Personally I lower the blades slowly, just in case there is a finger in the way.

tapa beta

[thebullfrog]

OK, here goes, just for JMJ. Calling my Wenger SI dull.

 

I did end up with a bold patch on my forearm though   What I don't do for you guys.

Just for JMJ

The repositioning and touching the blade twice in the first video was cause I was doing it while filming myself with the cell phone in the other hand.

EDIT: spelling

Dude. Watching that made me cringe so hard. I kept waiting for an amputation to happen.

[neillcurrie]

Non-snapper here.
Too much mechanical sympathy I guess, and I also don't really see why I should snap.

[Goatlord666]

Hello there ChefRichie...another snapper here. For Victorinox Swiss Army Knives, I don't have any worries snapping thta blade til kingdom come, but I take a gentler approach when it comes to my Wengers. It feels like the backsprings of wengers are not as strong as Victorinox's... but that maight just be me. Welcome to MTO!