All About Pocket Knives

Found older Schrade auto. I think it is ok, the small blade does not always latch when opening. It also has some peek on the small blade. I’ve had several of these little double switch blade, seems like many of these don’t latch every time. Also seems the price on these is inflated. Harold

Nice little switch, Harold.

I think they're interesting, I have three or four of them and you're right, the blades often don't latch.
Part of our cutlery history.

If the handles are celluloid, and I'm assuming they are, they will be harmful to the metal parts of the knife, including steel parts. If you don't know, when celluloid ages and breaks down, it releases corrosive gas which will eat the metal parts. If you have someone fix the knife you might want to consider having new handles made.

Whatever you do, I would suggest that in the meantime you store the knife out in the open, not sealed up or confined in any way, so that any gases can escape and not be concentrated around the knife. Those gases can actually destroy the knife.

And if I were looking for someone to fix an old Schrade switchblade like that I would contact Bill DeShivs.

I’m not going to repair the pen blade latch thing’ie, it seems to be that way on many of these knives. I hope it does not start gassing, but thanks for the reminder. I have been very fortunate with my knives. I have only had two that was a problem. I haves owned many celluloid handled knives. I do try to stay away from it though, but sometimes you you just can’t pass one up. Harold

stockman wrote: ↑Mon Feb 03, 2025 2:49 am I’m not going to repair the pen blade latch thing’ie, it seems to be that way on many of these knives. I hope it does not start gassing, but thanks for the reminder. I have been very fortunate with my knives. I have only had two that was a problem. I haves owned many celluloid handled knives. I do try to stay away from it though, but sometimes you you just can’t pass one up. Harold

I have pulled the trigger on more than a hundred cell knives, Harold. I like them very much. Not those little switches, though, too much money and not enough knife. The quality is not there but they are fun.

Sorry... I did not realize I was posting in the switch thread. Here are mine.

I love the look of celluloid, that's a nice one Harold.

Harold if you're saying that the small blade fires out and then kind of bounces back without catching it's a common occurrence. No worries there. That's a great example with nice full blades, definitely an excellent find.

Eric

I remember reading --- somewhere, that these little switchblades were preferred by early seamstresses because of the one handed operation.
Often busy with one hand they could switch the blade and cut thread or do other tasks.

Thanks guys, Eric

FRJ wrote: ↑Mon Feb 03, 2025 8:46 pm I remember reading --- somewhere, that these little switchblades were preferred by early seamstresses because of the one handed operation.
Often busy with one hand they could switch the blade and cut thread or do other tasks.

And so they don't break their fingernails on a nail-nick, Joe.

Here's my Switch drawer, G. Schrade and Schrade Cut. Co. The Custom Kits pouch has a piece of pine Fat Wood that Scott gave me for one year's Christmas Exchange along with a Shur-Snap Colonial.

Schrade Walden, civilian version, shrinky-dink scales.

Madmarco wrote: ↑Mon Feb 03, 2025 11:50 pm And so they don't break their fingernails on a nail-nick, Joe.

Somehow I don't think that was of much concern for those ladies at that time.

1967redrider wrote: ↑Tue Feb 04, 2025 1:14 am Here's my Switch drawer, G. Schrade and Schrade Cut. Co. The Custom Kits pouch has a piece of pine Fat Wood that Scott gave me for one year's Christmas Exchange along with a Shur-Snap Colonial.

What a neat collection.

FRJ wrote: ↑Tue Feb 04, 2025 1:25 am

1967redrider wrote: ↑Tue Feb 04, 2025 1:14 am Here's my Switch drawer, G. Schrade and Schrade Cut. Co. The Custom Kits pouch has a piece of pine Fat Wood that Scott gave me for one year's Christmas Exchange along with a Shur-Snap Colonial.

What a neat collection.

Thanks, Joe.

1967redrider wrote: ↑Tue Feb 04, 2025 1:18 am Schrade Walden, civilian version, shrinky-dink scales.

This a cool knife!
I would face a few years in jail here in Connecticut If I were found carrying any of these switches.

FRJ wrote: ↑Tue Feb 04, 2025 1:27 am

1967redrider wrote: ↑Tue Feb 04, 2025 1:18 am Schrade Walden, civilian version, shrinky-dink scales.

This a cool knife!
I would face a few years in jail here in Connecticut If I were found carrying any of these switches.

So no Benchmades, modern Bokers or OTFs either? There's even California Legal Bokers with less than 3" blades.

Essentially nothing the state would consider a switchblade.
However they consider "switchblade". I take no chances. I can own them but can't carry.

FRJ wrote: ↑Tue Feb 04, 2025 1:23 am

Madmarco wrote: ↑Mon Feb 03, 2025 11:50 pm And so they don't break their fingernails on a nail-nick, Joe.

Somehow I don't think that was of much concern for those ladies at that time.

Why do you say that, Joe? I have read a couple of times on reputed auto knife maker sites that breaking fingernails was a specific reason the ladies wanted automatic knives, so I'm curious as to what makes you say this wasn't one of the reasons?

1967redrider wrote: ↑Tue Feb 04, 2025 1:18 am Schrade Walden, civilian version, shrinky-dink scales.

Very impressive, John, all 3 posts display some great knives.

Madmarco wrote: ↑Tue Feb 04, 2025 11:00 pm
Somehow I don't think that was of much concern for those ladies at that time.

Why do you say that, Joe? I have read a couple of times on reputed auto knife maker sites that breaking fingernails was a specific reason the ladies wanted automatic knives, so I'm curious as to what makes you say this wasn't one of the reasons?

[/quote]

I was referring to knives made in the original post. These knives were produced in the 1920s and 30s I believe.
Those women laid down their sewing and had many other laboroius duties to perform.
That they may break a fingernail would be a matter of course.
I'm assuming they turned to the little switchblade as a matter of convenience.

Madmarco wrote: ↑Tue Feb 04, 2025 11:04 pm

1967redrider wrote: ↑Tue Feb 04, 2025 1:18 am Schrade Walden, civilian version, shrinky-dink scales.

Very impressive, John, all 3 posts display some great knives.

Thanks, Mark! It was a challenge finding and purchasing these up until a few years ago.

FRJ wrote: ↑Wed Feb 05, 2025 12:37 am

Madmarco wrote: ↑Tue Feb 04, 2025 11:00 pm
Somehow I don't think that was of much concern for those ladies at that time.

Why do you say that, Joe? I have read a couple of times on reputed auto knife maker sites that breaking fingernails was a specific reason the ladies wanted automatic knives, so I'm curious as to what makes you say this wasn't one of the reasons?

I was referring to knives made in the original post. These knives were produced in the 1920s and 30s I believe.
Those women laid down their sewing and had many other laboroius duties to perform.
That they may break a fingernail would be a matter of course.
I'm assuming they turned to the little switchblade as a matter of convenience.
[/quote]
Mmm hmmm, I see, never knew that, thanks.