Problem closing AB Stiletto

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dfd2002
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Problem closing AB Stiletto

Post by dfd2002 »

this is a 9"AB Stiletto. When I press on the blade guard it moves slightly. One thing I notice is the handle the buts against the guard is straight. It doesn't have the slight concave profile that allows the guard to rotate down. Is there an alternate method of closing or do I just have have (2) knives with the same problem?
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Bill DeShivs
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Re: Problem closing AB Stiletto

Post by Bill DeShivs »

This knife is called a "picklock." They don't close by pushing the bolster.
You lift the lock tab manually with your thumb and forefinger.
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Tom19176
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Re: Problem closing AB Stiletto

Post by Tom19176 »

As Bill stated this model is made to work as the first models did from the 1950s with a slightly larger lip on the back spring by the pin lock of the blade to aid you in "picking" the tab back to release the blade. This model is considered more of a valuable collectors item then the normal bolster release.....
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JulesVane
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Re: Problem closing AB Stiletto

Post by JulesVane »

It's actually a very nice "problem" to have.
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sammy the blade
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Re: Problem closing AB Stiletto

Post by sammy the blade »

Not if you can't get it to close.
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john
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Re: Problem closing AB Stiletto

Post by john »

Pick lock tabs are usually a little thinner than a swivel bolster release’s lock tab making it easier to close the knife.
By the way nice horn!
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Luke_of_Mass
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Re: Problem closing AB Stiletto

Post by Luke_of_Mass »

AB picklocks are very rare let's see some full pics! :)
Knee-deep in the hoopla...
dfd2002
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Re: Problem closing AB Stiletto

Post by dfd2002 »

thanks for the info!

Here's a full pic
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whippersnapper
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Re: Problem closing AB Stiletto

Post by whippersnapper »

They may be a little rare but not really any better than your normal swivel bolster. They have unlined guards and the couple I owned were very hard to close by "picking" the tab...

Matter of fact, I'm pretty sure I used to own this exact knife.
dfd2002
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Re: Problem closing AB Stiletto

Post by dfd2002 »

I ordered two, years ago but never really liked them because of the difficulty closing them.
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natcherly
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Re: Problem closing AB Stiletto

Post by natcherly »

Only rare because they didn't sell all that well. AB tried to capitalize on the burgeoning demand for picklocks by slightly modifying their existing swivel bolster model. They installed a squared off top bolster and front scale. The underside of the lock tab edges were ground a bit to provide more finger room. These mods did not justify the higher price they were seeking at the time.
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thom
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Re: Problem closing AB Stiletto

Post by thom »

Killer Horn, Killer Knife.
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Stuck Chuck
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Re: Problem closing AB Stiletto

Post by Stuck Chuck »

Very nice knife! Did You figure out how to pick the lock like Bill told you? or was there another problem?
Lumberjackbo65
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Re: Problem closing AB Stiletto

Post by Lumberjackbo65 »

I have a couple of those types and they are a little hard to unlock, but they lock up nice! Very pretty knife too :)
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