Personally I've only handled two knives that wear full on nailbreakers, both encountered in the same shop. it was at an army supply store, the usual tactical selection, although all low end, and a couple of traditionals. One of them was a barlow, and a very nice one, brass bolster, wood scales, not sure what kind but looked like bocote to my eye. Sheepsfoot main blade I think, but I can't recall. Only said China on the tang, nothing else, no maker or anything. Ridiculously hard to open and close. I set it down and looked at the other, an Anchor-messer (not how they spell Anchor for this brand I think but too lazy to look it up right now). Single blade, sheepsfoot, white scales but not sure what material. Very nice looking knife. I could barely open it, thought I'd need pliers to do so. Closing it was even worse. I handle knives safely, but I was actually scared to close that thing. They had a second one just like the first Anchor, and same thing.
Considering the sailor's knife and the barlow from a different maker were both in that condition, I suspect the internals were all gummed up. Small but very much present flecks of rust around the tang make me even more uspicious that lack of care was the problem. too bad though, only $30, and a nice looking knife I'd love to have, but I didn't feel like sinking even that much into a knife that would need to be put in a vice to close properly. Some maintenance might have fixed it but couldn't be bothered. A hard to open knife is one thing, but hard to close again is even worse!
