The 30 Day "Traditional" Challenge!

[SteveC]

[NutSAK]

I'm with you, Dean.  Half stops are take-it-or-leave it for me.  I've carried a slipjoint since I was about 8 years old (36 years now.  DAMN!  ) and I've never had one fold up on me.  I don't feel like the half stops are "in the way" however, and I do like the "walk and talk" of them.

[NutSAK]

(Image removed from quote.)

mmmmm..... Nice pic.  You can see the details of the scales in that one.

[SAK Guy]

Beautiful knife, and many thanks for the pics and info.  The 47 looks like a great setup.  The slanted bolsters on that one are purty! 

Thanks! It's got a variety of decent sized blades in a reasonably slim package, and blade rubbing is usually not a problem.

They could sink that sheepsfoot blade about 1/8" deeper in the frame and the knife would be considerably more comfortable when using the clip or spey, IMO.

I totally agree, it's not an ergonomic design at all.

I lowered the sheepfoot on one of my Cottontail Stockmans by easing (filing) the kick down. It was a factory second and the sheepfoot was so high that the point wasn't down in the frame (not even close) and that bothered the crap outta me. You can imagine how high it set by the amount of metal I removed. I was happy with the results.

[SAK Guy]

(Image removed from quote.)

   

[NutSAK]

Traditional Challenge, Day 23

#66 GEC/Tidioute Calf Roper w/carbon blades & paper micarta scales

I've enjoyed the discussion this morning about the differences in stockman configurations.  So, as I passed my "photo rock" on the way to work, I thought I would take some detail pics of my #66, and show another example.  I consider the build on this knife to be exceptional and, even though it's only two springs wide, there is no blade rub.  Well, if I'm honest, the sheepsfoot will rub the main if I push against it while opening, but not if I pull it straight out.

Here we have the nail nicks front and back (pardon the lint!):






Here you can see the relief grinds on the blades for fitment:




Here you can see the spacer just inside the backside liner to space out the spey on the outside:




...and here I'm trying to show the "crink" that the sheepsfoot has to slide in-between, mirroring the angle of the grind on the main blade:

[NutSAK]

I lowered the sheepfoot on one of my Cottontail Stockmans by easing (filing) the kick down. It was a factory second and the sheepfoot was so high that the point wasn't down in the frame (not even close) and that bothered the crap outta me. You can imagine how high it set by the amount of metal I removed. I was happy with the results.

I've actually had the thought to do this on my brand new sowbelly  .  Did you have any spring issues?   I mean, did the blade feel loose at all when closed and did it affect the flushness of the spring for that blade when closed?

[Dean51]

I'm with you, Dean.  Half stops are take-it-or-leave it for me.  I've carried a slipjoint since I was about 8 years old (36 years now.  DAMN!  ) and I've never had one fold up on me.  I don't feel like the half stops are "in the way" however, and I do like the "walk and talk" of them.

I've carried a pocket knife since I was a boyscout, I'm 65 now (double damn  )
Even the term pocket knife dates me a bit 

[NutSAK]

I'm with you, Dean.  Half stops are take-it-or-leave it for me.  I've carried a slipjoint since I was about 8 years old (36 years now.  DAMN!  ) and I've never had one fold up on me.  I don't feel like the half stops are "in the way" however, and I do like the "walk and talk" of them.

I've carried a pocket knife since I was a boyscout, I'm 65 now (double damn  )
Even the term pocket knife dates me a bit 

Ah, not really.  I called it a pocketknife until sites like this changed my descriptive terms...    My first "real" pocketknife was a Victorinox Camper I got after I received my Arrow of Light.

[Dean51]

Day 23
Northwoods Indian River Jack, CPM154.
This is a favorite

[NutSAK]

Stunning knife and pic Dean! 

[SAK Guy]

Really nice ones guys.

Camillus made (pinned through bolsters) Schrade 285UH Trapper.

[SAK Guy]

I lowered the sheepfoot on one of my Cottontail Stockmans by easing (filing) the kick down. It was a factory second and the sheepfoot was so high that the point wasn't down in the frame (not even close) and that bothered the crap outta me. You can imagine how high it set by the amount of metal I removed. I was happy with the results.

I've actually had the thought to do this on my brand new sowbelly  .  Did you have any spring issues?   I mean, did the blade feel loose at all when closed and did it affect the flushness of the spring for that blade when closed?

Since had to remove a pretty good piece of the kick, it affected the "flushness" of the backspring a tiny tiny bit, I had to look with a really critical eye to see it. No looseness whatsoever. This was a 30+ year old, $15.00 Schrade so I had no problem trying it...just went really slow with a diamond file/hone (Duofold). Have also done it with a old worn Case to lower the shortened and over sharpened blades. On one of those blades the kick was completely removed IIRC. On a new Case, I would go really slow and checking both set and flushness as I go to make sure I hit a sweet spot I could live with. 

I would also consider just living with it if the knife had exceptional beauty/features in every other aspect. 

[NutSAK]

I would also consider just living with it if the knife had exceptional beauty/features in every other aspect. 

Thanks for the advice!  I only have a couple of knives that are considered shelf queens.  If I buy a new Case, it is to be used.  I'm looking for functional, and if I can't achieve it, it will likely be sold.

[Gareth]

Beautiful knife, and many thanks for the pics and info.  The 47 looks like a great setup.  The slanted bolsters on that one are purty! 

Thanks! It's got a variety of decent sized blades in a reasonably slim package, and blade rubbing is usually not a problem.

They could sink that sheepsfoot blade about 1/8" deeper in the frame and the knife would be considerably more comfortable when using the clip or spey, IMO.

I totally agree, it's not an ergonomic design at all.

I lowered the sheepfoot on one of my Cottontail Stockmans by easing (filing) the kick down. It was a factory second and the sheepfoot was so high that the point wasn't down in the frame (not even close) and that bothered the crap outta me. You can imagine how high it set by the amount of metal I removed. I was happy with the results.

I had the same issue with my Case Stockman as well and had to ease the kick as well. 


....and I now think I know what I'm going to have to carry tomorrow.

[Gareth]

Day 23
Northwoods Indian River Jack, CPM154.
(Image removed from quote.)
This is a favorite

I'm not surprised.

[Dean51]

I'm with you, Dean.  Half stops are take-it-or-leave it for me.  I've carried a slipjoint since I was about 8 years old (36 years now.  DAMN!  ) and I've never had one fold up on me.  I don't feel like the half stops are "in the way" however, and I do like the "walk and talk" of them.

All my Half stop knives are Queens & they had very square tangs, I don't know if GEC, Case etc are the same.
I did a little modification to mine, just to smooth things out a bit. It's a very small radius.
I've got a small assortment of Gesswein finishing stones that I'll grind and shape to fit between the liners.
Tape off the liners so as not to risk scratching them and put a small radius on the tang.
Finish off with a fine RA stone.
Blast all the sludge out and re-oil.

The knife will transition in & out of half stop much smoother, after a dozen opening and closings to work in the oil & break it in.
I also think it might help with the long term wear on the springs.
The right side is the one I finished, the left side is factory.
 

[NutSAK]

Great idea!  I think I might try that on my #73 GEC.  It has sharp corners,and they don't pair well with the CRAZY-stiff springs on that knife.  That is the only GEC pattern I own with half-stops. My other Cases and Queens with half-stops seem to do just fine for me.

Modern Cases are different than Queens in that their blades and springs are very highly tumble-polished, rounding off the edges much like on a Victorinox.  GEC is somewhere in-between.  They don't polish them, but they're not stupid-sharp like Queen's tangs and springs.  I swear Queen sharpens the damn things!  Their tangs are often sharper than the blade edges out of the box!!

[Dean51]

  I swear Queen sharpens the damn things!  Their tangs are often more sharp than the blade edges out of the box!!

I agree 

[SAK Guy]

Day 23
Northwoods Indian River Jack, CPM154.
(Image removed from quote.)
This is a favorite

I'm not surprised.

+1!!! Exceptional!!

[Dean51]

Really nice ones guys.

Camillus made (pinned through bolsters) Schrade 285UH Trapper.

I really liked the old Camillus knives, sure wish they were still around.

[NutSAK]

I enjoy seeing your extensive Schrade collection Robert! 

[dks]

The halfstop is mainly a way for the maker to show his skill, it is a "complication" speaking in watch terms, like a day-date  indication on a mechanical watch.

Getting the backsprings flush with the liners in 2 positions instead of 1 is harder.

From a performance point of view, purely as a safety mechanism, it can be achieved easily.
The Sanrenmu H02 has a halfstop, by using a notch on the tang - effective easy, cheap, but not impressive/fancy - no flush backspring - liners

[SteveC]

I enjoy seeing your extensive Schrade collection Robert! 

+1   


Lots of nice knives today fellas 

[SteveC]

(Image removed from quote.)

mmmmm..... Nice pic.  You can see the details of the scales in that one.

(Image removed from quote.)

   

Thanks   

[Alan K.]

Day 23

The problem with buying a 10 dollar knife is that I don't know what it is made out of other than the presumption that it is the cheapest grade of stainless they could find.  I have been using it on fruit and it is not taking on any sort of patina.

[NutSAK]

The halfstop is mainly a way for the maker to show his skill, it is a "complication" speaking in watch terms, like a day-date  indication on a mechanical watch.

Getting the backsprings flush with the liners in 2 positions instead of 1 is harder.

I wouldn't say that is its main purpose, but doing it right definitely shows skill.  I believe I only have two knives in my collection that have perfectly flush springs in all 3 positions (closed, half, open).  Believe it or not, they're both modern Cases that I paid < $60 for.

More important purposes of a half stop are for a safety measure, and to reduce fatigue on the backsprings with the blade partially open.  It was a feature that was incorporated years ago when backsprings were very tight and more prone to fatigue, which has fallen out of favor in more recent times, in favor of knives that are easier on the fingernails.

[jerseydevil]

Slimline Trapper for me today.

[SAK Guy]

Really nice ones guys.

Camillus made (pinned through bolsters) Schrade 285UH Trapper.

I really liked the old Camillus knives, sure wish they were still around.

Me too Dean and I'm always glad when I end up with a Schrade with Camillus roots!

I enjoy seeing your extensive Schrade collection Robert! 

Thank you! They have always been the center of my Trad collection. 

I enjoy seeing your extensive Schrade collection Robert! 

+1   


Lots of nice knives today fellas 

Thanks Steve!! 

[SAK Guy]

Slimline Trapper for me today.