All About Pocket Knives

Like most of you who posted here, I too thought that having a Russlock would be kind of interesting, and it is. I probably will not either purchase another or give up the one I have, which is the clip blade in blue bone. When I carry it, I do not try to flip it open with one finger, even though I think that was the designers intention. I tend to pull it half way open with the thumb, then finish the opening with the index finger. Mine does offer quite a bit of resistance to opening in the form of spring tension.

I may be wrong, but I don't think the RussLock was really designed or intended to be a "flipper" knife per se as flippers don't usually have a traditional slip joint-style back spring--and certainly not a stiff spring like is on most RussLocks if they do. Having owned approximately 75 RussLocks (of many different years' production runs) at the height of my RL collecting days, I have opened enough to feel confident in saying that most RussLocks have a fairly stiff back spring that requires a greater degree of finger/hand strength & dexterity to open than other types of one-hand opening knives (thumb studs, cut-out hole, automatic, etc.). Much like a butterfly or Balisong, it requires a bit of practice to master one-hand opening a RussLock.

~Q~

I stated that I would post pictures of the latest Russlock drop point knives, when they arrived. The arrived today, I took pictures, and here they are. I decided to include my first one also, that has the std. blade, for comparison. This is my whole collection, and I don't plan to add to it.
Thanks All, for sharing, comments, and opinions.
Sut Tatersaul

Good looking Russlocks. I particularly like the Harvest Orange one in the middle. Nice little collection.

I've been watching this thread, and noting the questions, about the process of opening the Russlock knives. As I see it, only one point in the process goes unanswered. How does one get the extremely heavy main spring lightened to be able to open the Russlock, like the talented demonstrators do? It is obvious that they won't share their secret with us. Since we have on this forum, many knife makers, knife repair experts, and knife artists of all kinds, could we not, call on their expertise, to answer the question of how to lighten the mainspring tension, or to offer that service to the ones of us that have normal strength in our hands? I realize that much practice is necessary to become as accomplished as the few talented demonstrators, but they found a way, and without that lightened spring. It ain't possible. Short of that, I guess only a select few will be able. " 'Nuff Said".

Sut Tatersaul

I suspect, like most things in life, proficiency is achieved through long hours of practice. The average person (like me) tries a few dozen times over a few days and then declares there must be a trick to doing it. I suspect proficiency requires many, many times that much effort. Muscle memory is an amazing thing!

Two Flower Luggage:
I agree with you, it takes hours of practice to become that accomplished, strong. and able to open a "standard" Russlock knife. I contend that no one, that i've heard of, on this earth, has a thumb strong enough to operate a "standard" Russlock Knife, with their thumb. Like I stated in a previous post, when I was a young man, in my prime, I could cut 1/4" steel bolts with one hand, using a pair of standard Klein 9" side cutter pliers, and during my long electrical career never found anyone else that could. and was able to win enough money betting on the ability to do so, to buy a show case full of Klein side cutters. Like you stated, that came after many years of using that hand to cut wires, cables, concrete reinforcement rod, etc, but, on my best day I couldn't have opened a Russlock knife with my thumb. I believe there is more to the ability to do it, than practice. Prove me wrong, and find someone that can. I would love to see it done with with someone else's, "standard" Russlock Knife, not the demonstrator's knife. Thanks.

Sut Tatersaul

Sut: Have you seen this video? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7N3J3c5u-vE&t=5s

You can hear the snap from the backspring as he opens and closes the knives.

Here's his longer reviews of each knife.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaR1Q3nJ3i8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdwPEV6tR4g

I'll send the guy a message and ask him if he has modified the knives in any way.

TwoFlowersLuggage wrote:Sut: Have you seen this video? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7N3J3c5u-vE&t=5s
You can hear the snap from the backspring as he opens and closes the knives.

A lot of the noise you hear when he opens the blade is the sound of the liner lock snapping into position...it's not all coming from the back spring. The snap is noticeably less loud when he closes as compared to when he opens the blade.

I gotta agree with Sut on this...as I mentioned previously, I have owned close to 100 different "standard" RussLocks (unmodified factory production models) and without exception every single one had a very stiff back spring that would've been impossible to open as easily as the guy demonstrating his one-hand opening method in the video. I would only believe it if I sent him one of my RussLocks and he could OHO it the same as he does with his. Either he is using a modified RussLock (possibly even one with a poorly heat-treated back spring that is worn out from frequent opening & closing), or he has a freakishly strong thumb--and it does not appear that he is straining or flexing particularly hard when he squeezes or puts pressure on the extended tang.

Color me skeptical.

~Q~

Edit: I just watched the last video (Bermuda Green RussLock with pocket clip) and although he only opened the knife one time, he did use the same OHO method as on the other RussLock (Black G-10). But, I noticed that he used two hands to close it...

Well, I don't really have a dog in this hunt - I don't even own a Russlock!

Full disclosure: Despite my apparent interest in the ease/difficulty of opening a RussLock, I don't even really like the Russlock pattern all that much. I only ever became interested in it in the first place because at one time I collected knives with unusual opening methods...and, love it or hate it, you must admit the extended tang opening lever on the RussLock definitely is unusual.

~Q~

I watched those guys do the OHO trick again, and they almost have me believing it can be done. Now, if they can do it with one of mine, this unbeliever will be converted.

Sut Tatersaul

treefarmer wrote:SUT T., This is a little off topic but your comment about cutting a 1/4" bolt with a set of Klein's made me think of a Gulf Power line foreman that could break a set of Klein's with one hand. He won a lot of bets over the years! I don't think there are many men able to do that anymore.
Treefarmer

treefarmer:
I was just going over past posts on this thread, and was reading about that "Gulf Power line foreman, that could break a set of Klein's with one hand". After thinking about that, I wondered if he was allowed to place his hand on something, such as his leg, when he broke the 9" klein's? The one handed strength test that we bet on, had to be done without the hand touching anything. I am sure that I could have broke 9" Kleins one handed also, if allowed to place my hand on my leg, while doing the strength test. Do you remember how he did it? thanks. OBTW I'd be hard pressed to cut a 10/32 screw with 9" Klein's today.

Sut Tatersaul

Sut, I don't remember how he held the Klein's but one thing did happen that was very sad, he had a stroke just a year or two before he retired. He was able to regain most of his mobility but it sure slowed him down.
Treefarmer

QTCut5 wrote:

TwoFlowersLuggage wrote:Sut: Have you seen this video? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7N3J3c5u-vE&t=5s
You can hear the snap from the backspring as he opens and closes the knives.

A lot of the noise you hear when he opens the blade is the sound of the liner lock snapping into position...it's not all coming from the back spring. The snap is noticeably less loud when he closes as compared to when he opens the blade.

I gotta agree with Sut on this...as I mentioned previously, I have owned close to 100 different "standard" RussLocks (unmodified factory production models) and without exception every single one had a very stiff back spring that would've been impossible to open as easily as the guy demonstrating his one-hand opening method in the video. I would only believe it if I sent him one of my RussLocks and he could OHO it the same as he does with his. Either he is using a modified RussLock (possibly even one with a poorly heat-treated back spring that is worn out from frequent opening & closing), or he has a freakishly strong thumb--and it does not appear that he is straining or flexing particularly hard when he squeezes or puts pressure on the extended tang.

Color me skeptical.

~Q~

Edit: I just watched the last video (Bermuda Green RussLock with pocket clip) and although he only opened the knife one time, he did use the same OHO method as on the other RussLock (Black G-10). But, I noticed that he used two hands to close it...

QTcut5
I'll pm you my address and you can send me 1 of your knives & I'll film me opening it and closing it 1 handed. Lol

barnwood42 wrote: I'll pm you my address and you can send me 1 of your knives & I'll film me opening it and closing it 1 handed. Lol

I guess you got my message on youtube.

barnwood42 wrote:QTcut5
I'll pm you my address and you can send me 1 of your knives & I'll film me opening it and closing it 1 handed. Lol

I would love to see if you could do it.

To enter the RussLock OHO Challenge, send $100 (registration fee) along with your address and I'll send you this unmodified Russlock. If you can open it one-handed (video proof required), I will grant you the title:
RussLock OHO World Champion
which comes with a cash prize of $20.00 for winning the contest. CHA-CHING!!
Regardless of whether you win or lose, the beautiful genuine stag RussLock is yours to keep as a free gift just for taking the challenge

~Q~

I have collected and been carrying a russlock since they first come out in 2000. It took me about a year to perfect the OHO method. It was'nt easy but with plenty of practice it can be done.Nice stag knife you have there. This is my lastest set of Russlocks I just purchased.

barnwood42 wrote:I have collected and been carrying a russlock since they first come out in 2000. It took me about a year to perfect the OHO method. It was'nt easy but with plenty of practice it can be done.Nice stag knife you have there. This is my lastest set of Russlocks I just purchased.

That's awesome!!

barnwood42 wrote:I have collected and been carrying a russlock since they first come out in 2000. It took me about a year to perfect the OHO method. It was'nt easy but with plenty of practice it can be done.Nice stag knife you have there. This is my lastest set of Russlocks I just purchased.

Nice set of RussLocks and cool display.

~Q~

PS PM me if you are interested in buying my stag/red shield RussLock to add to your collection ($80 shipped).

TwoFlowersLuggage wrote:

barnwood42 wrote: I'll pm you my address and you can send me 1 of your knives & I'll film me opening it and closing it 1 handed. Lol

I guess you got my message on youtube.

Luggage I'm not the guy from youTube.
So he still hasn't answered or replyed to your message.

barnwood42 sent me an email that included a video clip of him opening the red shield stag Russlock he bought from me with one hand like it was nothing. It took him a grand total of 44 seconds to cut open the mailing envelope, take out the knife and flick it open and closed several times with one hand. I must admit I am totally impressed. I asked him to post the clip here on AAPK so y'all can see it for yourselves...I hope he does...it's quite impressive. (Now I'm going to have to get my pathetically weak thumbs into therapy to try and recover their self-esteem Thanks a lot, barnwood, ya big show off!)

~Q~

Have been having troubles trying to post a link to video. Keep getting wrong format error message.

Had been having troubles posting original video.
I give up.

I have become, "Absativialy Posatutly" a believer in the OHO, of the Case Russlock knives. I also know for a fact, that I'll never be able to do it! I also know that I'm not the only one, that can't, and don't give a "Rat's Mass". I really like the looks of, The Russlock knives. I like the, design of the Russlock action, for what it was intended for. I only have three of them so far, but intend to collect a few more of them.

Sut Tatersaul