False button?

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portlandmike
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False button?

Post by portlandmike »

Picked up this 11 inch knife online. Pretty sure it is just a false button but it kind of looks like it has a broken spring, the button moves and has a hole through the liner. No way to lock closed though... the stamp says stainless steel in English (script) ... my question is could this be converted into a switchblade?
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TRYKER
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Re: False button?

Post by TRYKER »

i'd say it's a false button cause of lack of lock.
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sammy the blade
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Re: False button?

Post by sammy the blade »

I'm sure it could be converted, almost anything is possible.
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natcherly
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Re: False button?

Post by natcherly »

Looks like a humpback. To close you press the hump connected to a lever that pivots around the pin at the back and that action releases the lock tab. A lot if not all of the automatic versions were coil spring fired, so a broken spring would not be visible. The hole under the button probably doesn't mean anything in that even if it were an automatic knife, there is nothing going through the hole that would affect the operating mechanism. As for converting, no doubt it could be done but probably cost way more than just buying an original auto. Good luck!
portlandmike
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Re: False button?

Post by portlandmike »

I guess what I was thinking was… I have seen a lot of JimBrown (JTK) conversion’s online (was even lucky enough to buy one) and I thought this would be a great platform… Jeremy, is this feasible or just dumb?

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JimBrown257
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Re: False button?

Post by JimBrown257 »

Sure that could be converted. Just turn the small spring that pushes on the lock into a full length kickspring (like in a swinger). You would definitely want to keep that front scale so you'd make a long rocker for it with a button that came through the existing hole in the scale.

But before you do anything, take a survey on what people think of that knife. If people consider it to be just a manual, then have at it. But if the false-button makes it something special, then it should be left like that.
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portlandmike
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Re: False button?

Post by portlandmike »

I tried hard to buy that first shellpuller when it came up for sale recently (or one very much like it). I hadn’t considered the knife might be worth something on its own. It does seem unusual but having no method to lock when closed I’m pretty sure it could only be a manual.

Anybody else have an opinion on the knife as it stands ?

Mike
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JimBrown257
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Re: False button?

Post by JimBrown257 »

Your knife doesn't lock closed. The button is just a button (no rocker or sear) on a little compression spring. To make it an auto, you would take the scale off, carve out an area for a rocker, then make a rocker with sear, attach it to a base on the liner and put the button on the end of the rocker. Then the blade would be held closed unless you pressed the button.
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Bill DeShivs
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Re: False button?

Post by Bill DeShivs »

The knife is a manual, and always has been.
You could buy a new auto for less than it would cost to convert it.
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portlandmike
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Re: False button?

Post by portlandmike »

Bill DeShivs wrote: You could buy a new auto for less than it would cost to convert it.
Yes, that is sound advise but I am at the point where I could spend another $14 on a chinese clone or $250 on a "new" Latama... both of which I have done already.. but a deshiv restoration or JTK custom knife... I think is well worth the extra money for a one of a kind, truly custom piece...

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Bill DeShivs
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Re: False button?

Post by Bill DeShivs »

Just wanted to make sure you knew.
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portlandmike
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Re: False button?

Post by portlandmike »

thank you, your opinion is always appreciated ... might I take this time to ask how the S.M. Co restoration is proceeding?

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Bill DeShivs
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Re: False button?

Post by Bill DeShivs »

It's done, except for a little laser welding on the sear hole. Unfortunately the laser welder is down for repairs. As soon as it's back up or replaced, I'll finish it up.
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JimBrown257
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Re: False button?

Post by JimBrown257 »

Do you think the false button on that lockback elevates its collectible status?
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Bill DeShivs
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Re: False button?

Post by Bill DeShivs »

I think the 1960s knives are what they are- the closest thing to switchblades you could get. At some point, they may be collectible.
Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler
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Factory authorized repairs for:
Latama, Mauro Mario, LePre, Colonial, Kabar, Flylock, Schrade Cut Co., Presto, Press Button, Hubertus, Grafrath, Kuno Ritter knives, Puma, Burrell Cutlery.
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