Openers, Picks and Steel Thumbnails

SonnyJim said:
I've seen these and have been intrigued, but could someone post a pic of a pick "in use"? I know it seems like an intuitive use, but is there an elegant and effortless way to employ them? Some kind of ingenious feat of digital dexterity? Or is it simply pry up from the nail nick? It just seems clumsy to my unenlightened mind. Also, do folks actually carry them around for their EDC, making it a several step process to open your knife? Just wonderin'. : )
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Here ya go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Z-QJkssFnA

I use this one at work all the time, made of brass which doesn't scratch the steel. What you can't see because my fingers are in the way is that I actually wrap my index finger aroung the back of the clip blade as it's coming up to keep it from slipping shut.

Brad that's one fantastic collection!!

Eric
 
wow, those are neat, I see quite a few remingtons for sale, wonder if those are repos? theres no dates on them
 
grins000 said:
wow, those are neat, I see quite a few remingtons for sale, wonder if those are repos? theres no dates on them
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I know that most you see are reproductions. The Winchester ones as well. I have never seen a pick that was dated. Does not mean there aren't some though.



pertinux said:
The more I've thought about this, the more sense it makes.

Yet, almost all blade openers/picks/keys I've seen are made of steel. Or put the other way, few if any (that I'm aware of) are made of brass.

Does anyone have any idea why...?

~ P.
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One thought that comes to mind is the softness of brass. Most of these have a grind or bevel so as to fit the nail nick better. That edge, if it were brass, would probably need occasional re-profiling due to being banged around in the pocket or on the tool bench. Most picks I have are a bit on the thin side and if in brass they would be subject to bending. Let's not forget cost either, I imagine many of these were made from scrap that the maker already has. All that being said it would not bother me one bit to have one in brass:)
 
I'm so glad this thread got updated. I have been curious about these dodads for some time. I never could fathom what the technique was to use one. I even looked on YouTube once and couldn't find a demo. But with the K. Hampton explanation and the T. Bose video in this thread I finally see the light. Immediately ordered me a couple. All is well. Life is good.:D
 
Great post. Does anyone know where a good selection of these can be found? My google searches have come up short. I've got a GEC Cattle Baron that is my favorite knife pattern but I've never gotten to carry it because it tears up my nail everytime I try to open it.
 
smcclown05 said:
Great post. Does anyone know where a good selection of these can be found? My google searches have come up short. I've got a GEC Cattle Baron that is my favorite knife pattern but I've never gotten to carry it because it tears up my nail everytime I try to open it.
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You will not find any big selections. Some of the ones seen in this thread are readily available. I probably will leave someone out but Rough Rider (through distributor) Case Collectors Club (via online auction sites), AG Russell (direct), and GEC (distributors and maybe their online store) can all take care of you. All pictured in this thread. When looking for them try all the names in the title of this thread as they go buy all of those names. Hope this helps.
 
Thanks for the tips. I tried some searching earlier with all the names but I try some of the manufacturer sites.

ptradeco said:
You will not find any big selections. Some of the ones seen in this thread are readily available. I probably will leave someone out but Rough Rider (through distributor) Case Collectors Club (via online auction sites), AG Russell (direct), and GEC (distributors and maybe their online store) can all take care of you. All pictured in this thread. When looking for them try all the names in the title of this thread as they go buy all of those names. Hope this helps.
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pertinux said:
The more I've thought about this, the more sense it makes.

Yet, almost all blade openers/picks/keys I've seen are made of steel. Or put the other way, few if any (that I'm aware of) are made of brass.

Does anyone have any idea why...?

~ P.
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Two reasons, steel is less expensive than brass today and brass wears out when used a lot. I sue a mild stainless that will last for many years with extensive use. Steel Thumbnail™ id my trademark for this item.
 
Went to the GAKC annual knife show in St. Louis this weekend and gleaned these two:

GAKC - Made for the knife club and given to new members.

DSCN0133.jpg


Paul Meyers - Similar to a Remington but way nicer. Bad pic.

DSCN0135.jpg
 
There's a new JBF Champlin eureka jack coming out that'll have a knife pick included in the box. Here's a picture of the preliminary samples, the finished ones will have rosewood handles ( wood is from old handles discovered at the old Cattaraugus factory). The picks are modelled after the actual shield that'll be on the knife.



2rnzxmp.jpg



Eric
 
ea42 said:
There's a new JBF Champlin eureka jack coming out that'll have a knife pick included in the box. Here's a picture of the preliminary samples, the finished ones will have rosewood handles ( wood is from old handles discovered at the old Cattaraugus factory). The picks are modelled after the actual shield that'll be on the knife.
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Now is that cool, or what?!




(That's very, very cool. :thumbup:)


~ P.
 
ea42 said:
There's a new JBF Champlin eureka jack coming out that'll have a knife pick included in the box. Here's a picture of the preliminary samples, the finished ones will have rosewood handles ( wood is from old handles discovered at the old Cattaraugus factory). The picks are modelled after the actual shield that'll be on the knife.

Eric
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Nice to see that Eric. I may not have ever considered getting one of those knives but I will now:D Remington, Case and Winchester knives have all been packaged with Picks in recent years. New and neat idea using the shield as the pattern. Thanks for posting!
 
I'm just the messenger on that one, Mike (galvanic on the forum) and his partner are heading up that venture, GEC's manufacturing the knives. Here's a link to their website (nothing for sale there so I'm assuming it's ok):

http://www.jbfchamplin.com/

Eric
 
(nothing for sale there so I'm assuming it's ok)
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We haven't quite figured out how to handle this one. They are sort of a knife company, but as far as we have figured out, they sell the knives direct to customers. That makes them neither black nor white, being both a manufacturer and a dealer.

At the moment I will take them to be a light gray and let the link stay. If they start selling from the site or post contact information for the purpose of selling knives, that will be a different story.
 
If you have already posted in this thread, Post 1 - Post 57, and you want one of these openers, just let me know by posting that you want it. It is a brand new AG Russell version. The only requirement is that you must have previously posted in this thread. What a deal, eh?
 
Thomason said:
If you have already posted in this thread, Post 1 - Post 57, and you want one of these openers, just let me know by posting that you want it. It is a brand new AG Russell version. The only requirement is that you must have previously posted in this thread. What a deal, eh?
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Rob you are the man! Your generosity is appreciated:thumbup::thumbup:

Let me add to that, not steal your thunder my friend, but the next person to post a picture in this thread of a Pick not previously shown will have a GAKC Pick as seen in Post #51 on the way to them.
 
I'm not sure if this qualifies, but I don't believe I've seen it here yet (some very quick, indoor pictures):

IMG_6524_zpsa806c41e.jpg


This brass "blade blank pick" was sent to me by a (non-Dealer) vendor along with the standard, plain GEC blade pick that I'd ordered, describing it to me as the same-- a blade pick that GEC "released a couple years ago."

IMG_6523_zps8b6702c2.jpg


I didn't think much of it until Eric mentioned "brass" above, but have been using it ever since, as needed. It's definitely on the thin side, but works well once one has the knack.

Add a leather lanyard, and it becomes irresistible.
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IMG_6519_zps9effeefe.jpg


So I've read. ;)

Ed. to add:
Thomason said:
If you have already posted in this thread, Post 1 - Post 57, and you want one of these openers, just let me know by posting that you want it. It is a brand new AG Russell version. The only requirement is that you must have previously posted in this thread. What a deal, eh?
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Even if the above qualifies as a "pick," in order not to be greedy I think I'd prefer the AG Russell, which I forgot to say. Both are very cool!

~ P.
 
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