slipjoint question: shape of tang

[ashwinearl]

One some of my slipjoints in my collection, it looks like the back of the tang is square. So that when you open the blade there is a discrete position where the blade is perpendicular to the handle. And then as you continue to open the blade it snaps into the fully open position.

other knives have rounded tangs with smooth motion until reaching the fully open position.

is this just a historical thing, where certain designs (congress) called for square tangs, and others, called for round?

Or is it just personal pref?

thanks

[Ray Rogers]

I know that specific designs used specific blade styles as you mentioned but I've never heard that there were specific criteria for the 'walk and talk' of a particular model. My opinion (read guesswork) is that what you are observing is the preference of the maker ......

[Paul3]

I'll take a guess, Maybe so blade will not fold back onto fingers if it slips halfway while opening. Just a guess

[LYNN DRURY]

ORIGINALLY THE HALF STOP WAS FOR 2 BLADED
KNIVES THAT HAD BLADES ON OPPOSITE ENDS
FROM EACH OTHER. THE HALF STOP KEPT YOU
FROM BREAKING THE SPRING IF BOTH BLADES
WERE OPEN AT THE TIME. THE HALF STOP HAS
THE SAME PRESSURE AS ALL THE WAY OPEN
OR CLOSED. JUST HEAR SAY. I USE HALF STOPS
ON SINGLE BLADES AS WELL FOR LOOKS.

LYNN DRURY

[DaveL]

On custom knives, the tang is usually rounded although I have a couple that are square. I think I prefer the square now although it is just a matter of choice. I know there is a tad more work to have a square tang end and I have come to prefer that in my knives.