Knife, Right Hand, Spring Plate
There is a steel plate assembled in the right side of the knife block which keeps the slugs upright as they travel through the knife block into the chase. This plate is called the knife spring plate and is held in place by two lugs at the back of the plate extending into the base of the right-hand knife. It is forced toward the left by a flat bronze spring, called the spring plate spring. There should be just enough tension on this spring to force the plate up against the outgoing slug with an even pressure so the slug will be held upright as it is being pushed into the chase by the ejector blade. The flat spring is so shaped that the ends fit behind rivet heads, to hold the plate in place. If the spring becomes bent so it will not stay behind the rivets, the lugs will work out of their seat and the gate will obstruct the passageway of the slug. This will oftentimes smash the face of the slugs.