Why nail breakers?

I have recently been buying some cheap Chinese made knives; Boker Mag, Rough Rider, and Shrade Imperial. The last Shrade was so difficult to open I discarded it. I realize that the company would make it OK, but at the price of the knife, trouble, and cost of postage I just "tossed" it. I was glad to see this thread, and obviousy I am not the only one.
Off the subject maybe, but the lock back knives can be difficult to unlock. I also tossed one of those as I was sure that sooner or later I would cut my hand. It was a cheapie, very sharp, but I don't even know where I got it.

Regards,
Jerry
 
This is why I don't carry my Vintage Knives Moose or its Winchester equivalent anymore...tired of exceedingly hard mainsprings! I'm back to carrying a Case CV Medium Stockman or a Pocketworn Red bone Medium Stockman...both of which are easy to open and take care of almost all my cutting tasks! Also have a 1997-marked Wenger Soldier that I've carried and used for years...a VERY sturdy and useful pocketknife...that's also easy to open. Like you, Carl, I carried a Buck 301 Stockman for about half of my military career...until it was lost!

Regards,
Ron
 
All I can think is maybe they think it's somehow safer for children (??). Not great logic, but what else can they be thinking?
 
Blues said:
In my opinion a knife that one dreads opening is worthless (as a knife).

I don't mind firm springs but I draw the line at those I consider either unsafe or so unpleasant to deploy that merely opening it a handful of times is enough to cause discomfort.

Such knives don't remain in my possession for long.
Click to expand...
Aint that the truth.
I just "contest-ed" away my GEC Bronco Charlie.
Great knife except for being so hard to open. Even after putting the blade in the padded vice and cycling it many, many times.
The spring was just too strong... someone said "Accident waiting to happen" that's how I felt.

We may have said this before, but it never fails to amaze me how just about every Victorinox SAK has about the same (close to perfect) pull on each.
 
Ebbtide said:
We may have said this before, but it never fails to amaze me how just about every Victorinox SAK has about the same (close to perfect) pull on each.
Click to expand...

The secret to the SAK consistency is that the springs & blades are "Fine Blanked".
This means no breakage (die tear) on the parts requiring finishing operations, & no hafting of the knife after assembly.
 
I like a firm pull but I have an old Case teardrop jack and a GEC pioneer that never get used because they are nail breakers. IMHO the best pull would be about the firmness of an alox SAK with a half stop.
 
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