All About Pocket Knives

I probably have about 30 Schrade knives collected over the years. And Schrade wasn't my primary focus when I started 60 + years ago.

My point here is that none of my Schrade knives, or their related companies, for that matter, have been difficult to open. I don't believe that is a coincidence.

I have knives that will break a thumb nail if I don't use a pick or pliers. Case in particular can have fit , backspring issues that render some blades just not worth the pain and effort. I may keep a bear trap opening knife, but see no reason to carry it.

I was taking the knife hoard inventory the other day and realized why my usual daily carry is Schrade. Good knife steel, blade spring tension not too weak ,not too strong, fit/finish generally very good.

I'm sure this is not news to the Schrade collectors here, but I wanted to just express my opinion

marcellusW wrote: ↑Sun Jan 04, 2026 10:33 pm I was taking the knife hoard inventory the other day and realized why my usual daily carry is Schrade. Good knife steel, blade spring tension not too weak ,not too strong, fit/finish generally very good.

Happy New Year, Marcellus! I have not seen you around here for a couple of years.

I agree about Schrade knives being about right to open, and I think the steel in the ones I carry, from the 1970s more or less, is really good for taking an edge. I have four Schrades from that era that I EDC along with some newer knives from other companies.

My very first GEC was such a nail breaker that it was almost my last GEC. But the three I have bought since then are better openers. Same with Case. I like the Seahorse, but my first Seahorse was a nail breaker. I bought it for a carry knife and I spent a while opening and closing it trying to get the walk and talk where I wanted it. Eventually it became okay. Since that knife I have bought three other Seahorses and they open just fine right out of the box. I have a number of Rough Ryders, and just a couple of them are nail breakers. Of course, those two knives are ones that I kind of planned to carry, but they got consigned to the drawer.

Any chance of some photos of those Schrades that you like to carry?

I am not a Schrade collector and I think I only own one but I certainly do know what you mean.

Buck slip joints, SAKs, and most Scout knives also tend to have light springs.

I rarely carry anything with strong pulls and when I do, it reminds me of why I usually don’t.

[quote=Dinadan
Happy New Year, Marcellus! I have not seen you around here for a couple of years.

I have been following the forum more lately. I just don't post much ,as you can tell from my total posts since 2012.
Happy New Year to you and yours.

Any chance of some photos of those Schrades that you like to carry?
[/quote]

Since Photo bucket took a dump, I don't post photos. Truthfully, I don't know how too.
But favorite Schrades to carry are the carbon bladed Old Timer models 33,34 and 80.

Railsplitter wrote: ↑Sun Jan 04, 2026 11:13 pm I am not a Schrade collector and I think I only own one but I certainly do know what you mean.

Buck slip joints, SAKs, and most Scout knives also tend to have light springs.

I rarely carry anything with strong pulls and when I do, it reminds me of why I usually don’t.

A close friend gifted me a Buck Trapper ( model 311) in 1977. The blades springs are too weak and I don't carry it as the blades are a little too long ( 3 1/4 ") to risk it closing by accident. It was made by Camillus for Schrade back then. My other Buck knives in the 300 series made by Camillus have no backspring issues.

That was the reason George Schrade invented the Automatic Knife.

Here is a Case knife my wife bought for me many years ago. It is
actually my first Case I ever owned.

1978 ,CV, 6308

Super strong nail breaker. It has gotten more tighter over the
years. If I clean it up and oil it, it gets better for a limited
amount of time . Not very much pocket time because of this.

Bob

These are the only pictures I could find. I bought one of these to open a mint 1940s Army Engineer's Knife, (like a beefy, bone handled Boy Scout knife). Before, I had to use needle nose pliers to open it. I don't know what the deal is with the price in the ad. Maybe they stopped making them and they are collectable now? I only paid a few dollars for mine some years ago. It works great.

Case XX pocket knife pick opener
https://www.knifetradingpost.com/produc ... ick-opener