All About Pocket Knives

I have a couple of vintage Schrade Walden MC1 Orange military paratrooper switchblade knives. Both are in equally excellent shape, appearance-wise, and for the most part seem to operate mechanically the same. One consistently locks into place while the other one locks cleanly only when held in an upright position, otherwise the blade bounces off the lock position. The springs seem to have similar strengths on both knives. Has anyone experienced a similar situation? Any suggestions on a remedy?

Your problem is probably one of two causes. First, the lock slot or groove may be full of gunk. Flush with 3 in 1 oil, maybe probe with a bent hairpin or paperclip gently. The other probability is at some point the blade was forced while open and the locking groove is marred or chipped, leaving little material to "lock onto". I don't think this is repairable; others can weigh in on this. My experience with vintage U.S. autos tells me these locks are delicate and easily abused. But it might just be gook in the lock. Good luck with the piece! Mikey

All of the Schrade-type American (button open/close) knives can have this problem.
The liners have to be carefully bent or crimped to grab the blade when it's open.

mikeynj wrote: ↑Tue Jul 14, 2026 5:21 pm Your problem is probably one of two causes. First, the lock slot or groove may be full of gunk. Flush with 3 in 1 oil, maybe probe with a bent hairpin or paperclip gently. The other probability is at some point the blade was forced while open and the locking groove is marred or chipped, leaving little material to "lock onto". I don't think this is repairable; others can weigh in on this. My experience with vintage U.S. autos tells me these locks are delicate and easily abused. But it might just be gook in the lock. Good luck with the piece! Mikey

Thanks for the input

Interesting, the liner on the one that's not locking is noticeably thinner than the one that's working.

check for shrinkage on the scale it causes button not to drop fully down causing both lockup and blade staying closed problems . simple repair with exacto knife trim around in front of button opening allowing button full movement. I haven't seen any that didn't have any shrinkage on Schrade's, but it doesn't seem to affect the Camillus brand M1c's at all.

Regarding WI's comment about the shrinkage, I will add that the last Camillus MC-1 I got was purchaced in absolute perfect shape and stayed that way for about a year of ownership and in the space of two weeks it started to shrink, curl and smell a bit like vinegar. I stripped the scales off and will at some point give it some micarta scales, for the fun of it. But the gas out came fast and furious, and I don't recall doing anything to the scales to cause it. I can say that in my experiences, it is not advisable to soak celluloid in WD-40. It seems to speed up the deterioration process. Buffing wheel heat is also un-advisable. And DON'T melt them with a magnifying glass, like I did to a jack knife when I was about 12. It goes up FAST!

The Camillus MC-1 handles are not Celluloid.
And, WD 40 doesn't hurt them.