Nailbraker - what can I do?

[SOUTHERN WOODS]

I think the easiest thing to do with that nailbreaking Case is to pass it on to me.

I never really liked a congress pattern due to the fact that most I have seen don't have a spear point blade, only two sheepsfoot blades.

I really like that model, and a quick search of the Bay proves that everyone else seems to think highly of them also.

It's a great looking knife!

 

[sextant]

Thanks for all the input my friends! It’s good to know I’m not alone

You said your left thumbnail was getting worn out, but I assume you are right handed (most people are), so your right would be both stronger and more coordinated. With the knife closed and the nick of the coping blade facing you, just turn the knife 180° and open it down and over with your right thumbnail. Now that the graphite has worked, this should be much easier.

Jeff, my left thumb is much more "trained" - it feels very "strange" to use the right thumb. Maybe if I keep trying?

Was there any truth to leaving the blade half open so that the spring was bent out the farthest it would go and leave it like that work days/weeks would soften it a bit?
Case Congress...one of my all time faves! Beautiful knife!

I don't officially condone this, but when my Western pen knife had really stiff blades I left the master blade halfway open overnight, and in the morning it was much softer.

Again, I just want to say do this at your own risk, and please don't be angry with me if you get a busted backspring.

I got this otherwise, really quite splendid Bulldog Toenail about six months ago. The main blade was a ten, needed to jam a bamboo chopstick into the nail nick to open it the first time. I left it in the ten O'clock or two O'clock position overnight.....for an entire month!! It's now a quite reasonable seven. You could give it a try. ;-)
Sellers pic. I hope it's not considered unethical to use. I certainly consider it unethical to sell a knife knowing full well that it requires a tool to open!

This sounds like an idea worth trying: Right now I opened the small blades half way and let it sit there for a couple of days. I'll let you know

I tossed my Rough Rider Canoe in a cheap $20 ultrasonic cleaner with dawn and let it run for around 6min, loosed up the blades and made them open and close much easier where as before my pen blade was extremely difficult to open. Just oil afterwards and take some precautions on what you throw in the ultrasonic, etc. (And don't stick your hand in there while the thing is running, it's bad for your health.)

I have to admit it's a little crazy how much the thing cleans up my knives and other parts even after I thoroughly clean my knives it still manages to pull out dirt and grease not matter how thoroughly I cleaned it before.

I'll think about it but I'm a little afraid to ruin the bone scales

I think the easiest thing to do with that nailbreaking Case is to pass it on to me.
I never really liked a congress pattern due to the fact that most I have seen don't have a spear point blade, only two sheepsfoot blades.
I really like that model, and a quick search of the Bay proves that everyone else seems to think highly of them also.
It's a great looking knife!

Thanks for the offer but I’m sorry to say but I’d rather try ALL of the other advises first

 

[agile_1]

I have a two bladed Case pen knife that had a similar issue. I sent it back to the vendor and they replaced it. Link to my thread about it....
New Case pen should I try to fix it Or send it back for a tune up repair

I never did try dry graphite but did lubricate the joints well and exercised the blade. It never did open consistently. But I did get a replacement that works perfectly.

 

[sextant]

...
I got this otherwise, really quite splendid Bulldog Toenail about six months ago. The main blade was a ten, needed to jam a bamboo chopstick into the nail nick to open it the first time. I left it in the ten O'clock or two O'clock position overnight.....for an entire month!! It's now a quite reasonable seven....

After I had left it open (both the pen and the coping blade) for two weeks it was a lot easier to open. Still very stiff, but possible.
I still have it sitting on the shelf with the small blades open in the 10 o'clock position and hope for further progress. I think I'm on the right path now
Thank you all for your support!