All About Pocket Knives

I don't know much about them but am eager to learn.

Why do some have a nail nick and some don't?

James

James,
I think they put a nail nick on the blade in case the spring broke - to make it easier to open.
Not sure why only some models have it, but even in the catalogs from the 30s some Hubertus levers have a nick while others don't. The same goes for other German leverlocks also.

Thanks Ulf

James

Just a theory here, some models may have used the same blades they used in large jack knives, or utility/camping knives so the jack blades were naturally nicked and they just shaped the tang to fit into thier auto frames.

MM both you and Ulf's explanations make sense.

Thank you both

James

Most of the Mini Auto's came with a nail nick and the larger Auto's without, just not needed.
Hubertus used the nail nick in production of their Scouting knives and other slip joint knives and then added to the Small Autos to keep it in tradition of the style and a cost savings!