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Daily carry of old Italian and other automatic knives.
Posted: Tue Nov 12, 2024 5:10 am
by Good Old Luke
I’m always thrilled to see all of the unique and varied old Italian picklocks, German levers and other old traditional automatic knives in all of your collections..
So was wondering. How many of you have these old switchblades in rotation for daily carry?
If so, which ones are best for practical use? Which are most durable? Have the best geometry?
If you do daily your classics, which ones are you carrying?
And which can you recommend for EDC?
Re: Daily carry of old Italian and other automatic knives.
Posted: Tue Nov 12, 2024 6:17 am
by QGofLake
I've got some rare old pick locks, but I don't carry them around. In my state, there is a blade length limit and I shudder at the thought of an officer taking one. Also don't want to damage them. I carry a beater Asian made knife and sometimes a Campolin Piccolo.
Re: Daily carry of old Italian and other automatic knives.
Posted: Tue Nov 12, 2024 6:30 am
by Good Old Luke
Big fan of the Piccolo, very nice one there.
If you were going to look for a classic auto, specifically to carry—which knives would you look for?
Re: Daily carry of old Italian and other automatic knives.
Posted: Tue Nov 12, 2024 2:26 pm
by 1967redrider
I too am a fan of the Piccolo. Of the classics, I would probably carry one of the Press Button/Schrades.
Re: Daily carry of old Italian and other automatic knives.
Posted: Tue Nov 12, 2024 4:10 pm
by Good Old Luke
1967redrider wrote: ↑Tue Nov 12, 2024 2:26 pm
I too am a fan of the Piccolo. Of the classics, I would probably carry one of the Press Button/Schrades.
There’s an old, Schrade auto model that has the push-button release, and a shaped swing guard that is especially nice. Do you know the model? Or the model(s) they made with SGs?
I’ve seen them, but never handled or fired one off.
Re: Daily carry of old Italian and other automatic knives.
Posted: Tue Nov 12, 2024 4:24 pm
by Good Old Luke
Good Old Luke wrote: ↑Tue Nov 12, 2024 4:10 pm
1967redrider wrote: ↑Tue Nov 12, 2024 2:26 pm
I too am a fan of the Piccolo. Of the classics, I would probably carry one of the Press Button/Schrades.
There’s an old, Schrade auto model that has the push-button release, and a shaped swing guard that is especially nice. Do you know the model? Or the model(s) they made with SGs?
I’ve seen them, but never handled or fired one off.
So, I found a pic of that Old George Schrade. (Stamped “Presto.”)
I like the lines of this design. Love to see someone do a repro, with modern materials.
Generally speaking, how do these G. Schrade hold up over the years, far as function goes? Do they generally still fire strong, do they stay tight?
Re: Daily carry of old Italian and other automatic knives.
Posted: Tue Nov 12, 2024 4:58 pm
by Bill DeShivs
The pictured knife is a Pressbutton, not a Presto. 2 different companies, mechanisms, and time frames but George Schrade owned both of them.
Schrade Cut Co. (another different company owned by George's brothers) also made a version like this.
None of the big folding guard autos of this type held up particularly well in actual use.
Re: Daily carry of old Italian and other automatic knives.
Posted: Wed Nov 13, 2024 1:19 pm
by Good Old Luke
Bill DeShivs wrote: ↑Tue Nov 12, 2024 4:58 pm
The pictured knife is a Pressbutton, not a Presto. 2 different companies, mechanisms, and time frames but George Schrade owned both of them.
Schrade Cut Co. (another different company owned by George's brothers) also made a version like this.
None of the big folding guard autos of this type held up particularly well in actual use.
Hey Bill!
Thanks for joining the thread with the good history.
So tell us. What knife is riding in your pocket today?
Re: Daily carry of old Italian and other automatic knives.
Posted: Wed Nov 13, 2024 7:34 pm
by Bill DeShivs
I carry a little SOG Flash One that I converted to automatic.
They are discontinued, but I have a few for my personal use.
Re: Daily carry of old Italian and other automatic knives.
Posted: Wed Nov 13, 2024 8:51 pm
by Madmarco
I knew it!
I had the chance to buy a SOG Flash Two automatic which is a little longer than the F-One, from our pal JB at Roadsideimports.com , but I never pulled the trigger and RSI.com has since shut their doors. Now I read from a world renowned knife expert/maker/seller/designer/enthusiast, that being you Bill, that he carries the first edition of the knife, along with a disclaimer he stocked up on them which has to mean he endorses them fully, which is a pretty strong indication to me that they're quality knives, and I could have owned one, not to mention it was one of a very few knives in his store that was reasonably priced @ $139.
I knew it!
Re: Daily carry of old Italian and other automatic knives.
Posted: Wed Nov 13, 2024 9:01 pm
by 1967redrider
Missed opportunity, Mark! I'm just happy RSI fixed my Weyersberg paratrooper knife before going belly-up.
Re: Daily carry of old Italian and other automatic knives.
Posted: Thu Nov 14, 2024 1:46 am
by QGofLake
Good Old Luke wrote: ↑Tue Nov 12, 2024 6:30 am
Big fan of the Piccolo, very nice one there.
If you were going to look for a classic auto, specifically to carry—which knives would you look for?
Tks GOL. It's a great little knife. Classis stilettos really aren't meant for much use, which you likely know. If to have one for carry that you aren't expecting to put through it's paces, something common such a Frank B from the 80s or so would be a good choice. If you want something sturdy that is vintage, you can't go wrong with an MGM Maniago. While not a classic stiletto, you could fight the zombie apocalypse with it.
Re: Daily carry of old Italian and other automatic knives.
Posted: Thu Nov 14, 2024 8:09 pm
by Good Old Luke
Madmarco wrote: ↑Wed Nov 13, 2024 8:51 pm
I knew it!
I had the chance to buy a SOG Flash Two automatic which is a little longer than the F-One, from our pal JB at Roadsideimports.com , but I never pulled the trigger and RSI.com has since shut their doors. Now I read from a world renowned knife expert/maker/seller/designer/enthusiast, that being you Bill, that he carries the first edition of the knife, along with a disclaimer he stocked up on them which has to mean he endorses them fully, which is a pretty strong indication to me that they're quality knives, and I could have owned one, not to mention it was one of a very few knives in his store that was reasonably priced @ $139.
I knew it!
Reminds me of a top notch, auto mechanic, who exclusively works on high end Mercedes and Porsches, and drives a stock, late 80’s Caprice Classic, with one door a different color than the rest—but perfectly “straight.”
Re: Daily carry of old Italian and other automatic knives.
Posted: Thu Nov 14, 2024 8:10 pm
by Good Old Luke
QGofLake wrote: ↑Thu Nov 14, 2024 1:46 am
Good Old Luke wrote: ↑Tue Nov 12, 2024 6:30 am
Big fan of the Piccolo, very nice one there.
If you were going to look for a classic auto, specifically to carry—which knives would you look for?
Tks GOL. It's a great little knife. Classis stilettos really aren't meant for much use, which you likely know. If to have one for carry that you aren't expecting to put through it's paces, something common such a Frank B from the 80s or so would be a good choice. If you want something sturdy that is vintage, you can't go wrong with an MGM Maniago. While not a classic stiletto, you could fight the zombie apocalypse with it.
Thanks for adding your advice! Got a line on a new blade… I’ll keep you all posted, if I decide to “pull the trigger.”
Re: Daily carry of old Italian and other automatic knives.
Posted: Thu Nov 14, 2024 9:00 pm
by QGofLake
Good Old Luke wrote: ↑Thu Nov 14, 2024 8:10 pm
QGofLake wrote: ↑Thu Nov 14, 2024 1:46 am
Good Old Luke wrote: ↑Tue Nov 12, 2024 6:30 am
Big fan of the Piccolo, very nice one there.
If you were going to look for a classic auto, specifically to carry—which knives would you look for?
Tks GOL. It's a great little knife. Classis stilettos really aren't meant for much use, which you likely know. If to have one for carry that you aren't expecting to put through it's paces, something common such a Frank B from the 80s or so would be a good choice. If you want something sturdy that is vintage, you can't go wrong with an MGM Maniago. While not a classic stiletto, you could fight the zombie apocalypse with it.
Thanks for adding your advice! Got a line on a new blade… I’ll keep you all posted, if I decide to “pull the trigger.”
Looking forward to seeing it!
Re: Daily carry of old Italian and other automatic knives.
Posted: Fri Nov 15, 2024 11:27 pm
by Madmarco
Re: Daily carry of old Italian and other automatic knives.
Posted: Fri Nov 15, 2024 11:29 pm
by Madmarco
Good Old Luke wrote: ↑Thu Nov 14, 2024 8:09 pm
Madmarco wrote: ↑Wed Nov 13, 2024 8:51 pm
I knew it!
I had the chance to buy a SOG Flash Two automatic which is a little longer than the F-One, from our pal JB at Roadsideimports.com , but I never pulled the trigger and RSI.com has since shut their doors. Now I read from a world renowned knife expert/maker/seller/designer/enthusiast, that being you Bill, that he carries the first edition of the knife, along with a disclaimer he stocked up on them which has to mean he endorses them fully, which is a pretty strong indication to me that they're quality knives, and I could have owned one, not to mention it was one of a very few knives in his store that was reasonably priced @ $139.
I knew it!
Reminds me of a top notch, auto mechanic, who exclusively works on high end Mercedes and Porsches, and drives a stock, late 80’s Caprice Classic, with one door a different color than the rest—but perfectly “straight.”
!
He was into those paratrooper knives in a big way with tons listed for sale. I did successfully receive over a dozen great knives from JB before he closed, but I also missed about a dozen more I wanted besides the SOG. I guess I can't have them all, can't I ? 
