no fingernails...which knives done require fingernails to open them?

S

steeltowninwv

Joined
Jan 1, 2015
Messages
201
I know the
sod busters
trappers
copper locks
canoe

is there others that are easy to open without fingernails?

what about the peanut?..and any others
 
Nail-biter?

Same here. I resolve the problem by NOT biting the right thumbnail. That one nail is kept short but usable.

Single Sheepfoot blades are pinchable generally. Or any traditional with an EO (easy open) notch.
 
No longer in production CASE 11031SH single blade sheepfoot in Walnut covers, they can be found though.

Also some current and vintage easy open jacks:thumbup:
 
Friction folders are great for either no nails or arthritic fingers. Opinel is one, and the Higonokami is one mentioned. The Sardinian resolza is a great knife to just pinch and pull open with no nails needed.

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The GEC Razor pattern--it's on the #15 pattern. (Other brands' razors don't really open well). They are on the TC Barlow "Stew's Knife" and 2014 GEC Rendezvous Knife.
Scagel slipjoints have the oval cut through the blade so they can be pinched open.
Case makes Russlocks and Trapperlocks that require no fingernails.
 
Friction folders for sure.
As for slipjoints, any knife that has a decently "exposed" blade and a mild backspring (including many lockbacks, that often don't have much spring tension).

Fausto
:cool:
 
This thread has just reminded me to cut my fingernails :thumbup:
With the scissors on my Leatherman Surge of course :)


Ken
 
Check out Knives Ship Free, Northwoods knives. The Fremont jack or the Forest jack great knives and don't require a nail to open! They have a few other models in the Northwoods line that should also be what you are looking for good luck!
 
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Many single blade barlows are pinch-able. Look for patterns with a proud blade.

Pruners, clip barlows, some spear barlows (the single blade charlow's are pinch-able).

My two blade Schatt and Morgan grandad barlow is pinch-able for the spear.

My Northfield steel toenail also. Nice high spear to grab on that one.
 
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Don't poo-poo the canoe. Getting up in years, and my nails are getting brittle. Had a Case canoe that bothered me at first because the spring on the big blade seemed a little weak for a new knife. But I soon found that I could open it with one hand by pinching the big blade between thumb and forefinger and pushing the knife away with the other fingers. I had been carrying a Gerber LST and opening it that way, but the Canoe (now stolen) became my favorite EDC. I have a Boker and some Rough Rider canoes that I can open without using my nails, but not with one hand. I have a huge Boker congress and a medium Case congress on which I can open the big sheepsfoot blade easily with one hand and no nails, but don't carry them much due to thickness. If you don't like canoes, a half-congress might be just the ticket. Go to your local hardware and try a few of each.
 
About the peanut, I'm new here myself, but I saw a guy on this forum who is a peanut fan who said he has trouble opening them because he has arthritis. Said he wrote to Case and asked about getting a peanut without the half-stop and got a letter back saying they couldn't make it because of the square bolsters (or something to that effect). Case made some suggestions about other knives they made that were easier to open. I'm sure someone here can steer you to that post.
 
What Bob said already! I have owned a couple of #99s and neither required nails to open. In fact for a traditional, it's really one hand opening! Whether you get a clip, spear or Wharncliff blade.
 
Great Eastern 72L with a spear blade opens easily without using the nick. Great knife too!
 
You could also look into getting a knife pick to help you out. I know GEC has made some although I don't know if they sell them separate from knives. Waynorth had some he was sending out with one of his SFO's. Mike Latham (can't remember name here - knife swapper or something) has collectorknives(dot)com (he's a paying member here) I think has some although I think you had to buy a knife to get a pick. Kerry Hampton I think made some too but those will be rarer than hen's teeth.
 
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