Hard to open Case XX

[gpascott]

I have carried a Case XX 63033 pocket knife since it was given to me as a wedding-party gift in the late 60's. A few years ago I found another one just like it and bought it on Ebay. It was in great condition and had never been sharpened. The problem is I have never been able to open it without using an object (small screw driver, etc.) Even though I keep my thumb nails cut short it bends them back. I have tried using light weight oil and tried exercising the blades for substantial periods, but nothing seems to loosen it up. I have never had a pocket knife this hard to open. If anyone has any suggestion of what I might try, I would appreciate it very much. Thank you.

[jerryd6818]

Welcome to AAPK. Glad to have you aboard.

You might contact Case to see what they will do for you. In the meantime a work around is to fold a business card in half or fold a piece of paper then fold that in half. Slip the fold down into the blade well under the blade, keep it towards the blade's tip for leverage and pull up. Easy peasy lemon squeazzy. Costs nothing, saves finger nails and a scrap of paper is almost always at hand.

This one was made from a milk jug.

[kootenay joe]

What would happen if you placed a slot screwdriver tip between the liners (blades closed) at the pivot end and rotated to put just a little outward pressure on the liner ends ?
I do NOT recommend trying this until someone more sensible than i, comments on it.
kj

[Mumbleypeg]

Before trying to remedy it myself with anything other than some lube, I would contact Case to ask if they'll fix the problem.

Ken

[glennbad]

I have had success with easing the corner of the inside blade tang with a tiny file. It doesn't affect the spring strength, just the opening pull tension. Of course, if you have no experience with that sort of thing, I do not recommend attempting it yourself.

[313 Mike]

I had an old Case 6347 with a spey blade that was a real nail breaker. ..I sent it in to Case and they somehow loosened up the pull and sent it back within a couple weeks time. Goof customer service

[kootenay joe]

Glen could you post a picture that shows exactly where you file on the tang ?
"corner of the inside blade tang ": i am not sure where this is.
thanks, kj

[jerryd6818]

Roland, I feel fairly confident he's talking about the place identified by the arrow in the picture posted below.

[tallguy606]

I had a new GEC knife that was a nail-breaker to open. I like hard snap, but this was too much. I sent it back and got a lockback, which is an easy knife to open. I find the spey blade on most of my Case stockmans are a pain to open, no wonder they are usually pristine, even in an old knife.

[glennbad]

Roland, I feel fairly confident he's talking about the place identified by the arrow in the picture posted below.

Thank you Jerry, you got it exactly!

[kootenay joe]

Thank you Jerry & Glen. I have what i think are files that will fit in the narrow space. I will try this on the next nail breaker i receive.
kj

[glennbad]

Thank you Jerry & Glen. I have what i think are files that will fit in the narrow space. I will try this on the next nail breaker i receive.
kj

Just go easy on it. A little goes a long way. Sometimes you can't quite get into the corners where the tang contacts the liners. Oil it up and work the blade back and forth, and it should smooth the action out. Remember, you can remove metal pretty easily, but putting it back on is slightly more tricky.

[jerryd6818]

Remember, you can remove metal pretty easily, but putting it back on is slightly more tricky.

Is that the voice of experience speaking?

[glennbad]

Remember, you can remove metal pretty easily, but putting it back on is slightly more tricky.

Is that the voice of experience speaking?

Some lessons you have to learn the hard way.

[Dinadan]

Good points by all. Here is another thought. Earlier this year I bought a good quality old Schrade Craftsman. It was a nail breaker and my usual remedies or pasting the joint with metal polish and opening and closing a couple of hundred times did not help. Eventually I noticed that the bottom corner of the tang was slightly bent to one side, probably when the blade was stamped out originally. That corner was binding on the liner. I wrapped everything except the tang in duct tape and used a hard Arkansas stone to remove some metal from the bent corner of the tang. That solved my problem. Here is a photo with an arrow pointing the problem area.

[roofsc]

Welcome to AAPK. Glad to have you aboard.

You might contact Case to see what they will do for you. In the meantime a work around is to fold a business card in half or fold a piece of paper then fold that in half. Slip the fold down into the blade well under the blade, keep it towards the blade's tip for leverage and pull up. Easy peasy lemon squeazzy. Costs nothing, saves finger nails and a scrap of paper is almost always at hand.

This one was made from a milk jug.

i would like to see more photos of the knife !