Cheap switchblade:update

A growing number of collectors customize their automatic knives by changing scales, bolsters, blades, doing fileworks, ... Wether you're a guru or just a wannabe knife modder, this is the place to discuss it!

Moderators: Bill DeShivs, The Motley Crew

Forum rules
There are a few things you should know before posting in these forums. If you are a new user, please click here and read carefully. Thanks a lot!
Post Reply
LD57
Posts: 132
Joined: Fri Jul 09, 2004 2:08 pm

Cheap switchblade:update

Post by LD57 »

Still in progress.
I rounded off the bottom of the lever slot, because round is better 👌.
I was wondering if it would look better with brass liners, but wanted some idea of how that might look.
I brass-plated the steel liners using the blacksmith technique of heating over a flame and rubbing with a brass brush. It’s a very thin layer, but answered the question of whether it would look cool. Very cool, in my opinion. I’m going to have to look at those Caswell plating kits. Cutting actual liners from brass would be a real chore for me.
Attachments
331E2C35-4ABB-48C3-BF04-3F3D98A74E39.jpeg
331E2C35-4ABB-48C3-BF04-3F3D98A74E39.jpeg (657.87 KiB) Viewed 11557 times
A9C4148E-FE2C-4B6B-9E02-FCD426AF73B3.jpeg
A9C4148E-FE2C-4B6B-9E02-FCD426AF73B3.jpeg (490.4 KiB) Viewed 11557 times
7F10A304-850A-4098-B22B-4589A9EA8719.jpeg
7F10A304-850A-4098-B22B-4589A9EA8719.jpeg (459.22 KiB) Viewed 11557 times
XBMX
Posts: 276
Joined: Tue Feb 12, 2019 8:13 pm

Re: Cheap switchblade:update

Post by XBMX »

I think it looks great. Nice work.
User avatar
rock-n-roll$$$$$$
Posts: 971
Joined: Tue Nov 29, 2016 9:04 pm

Re: Cheap switchblade:update

Post by rock-n-roll$$$$$$ »

nice work!!.
Fishtail Picklock
Posts: 2207
Joined: Sat May 03, 2003 11:10 pm
Location: Forest Grove, OR

Re: Cheap switchblade:update

Post by Fishtail Picklock »

Well done!
Fishtail Picklock
User avatar
jerryk25
Posts: 601
Joined: Sun Aug 08, 2021 6:30 am
Location: Pittsburgh

Re: Cheap switchblade:update

Post by jerryk25 »

Very Cool. . . .
User avatar
Bill DeShivs
Yes.
Posts: 7342
Joined: Sat May 25, 2002 2:50 pm
Location: In de lan o' cotton
Contact:

Re: Cheap switchblade:update

Post by Bill DeShivs »

All you need to cut brass liners is a jeweler's saw and a drill.
Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler
http://www.billdeshivs.com
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.
LD57
Posts: 132
Joined: Fri Jul 09, 2004 2:08 pm

Re: Cheap switchblade:update

Post by LD57 »

Thanks for the suggestion, Bill.
I had not considered using a jeweler's saw, mainly because I did not know such a thing existed. :mrgreen:
I found several listed on Amazon, but don't know about the quality; some reviewers liked them, others said they were crap.
Apart from the liners, I was thinking about replacing the lever with a brass one. It kinda bugs me that the shaft of the lever is
narrower than the lever slot.
I think a jewelers saw would be perfect for cutting/shaping a new lever.
User avatar
Killgar
Posts: 298
Joined: Fri Nov 19, 2021 6:52 am

Re: Cheap switchblade:update

Post by Killgar »

I like the color scheme. Nice work!
Avatar- Ti-Lite Auto Conversion. Video- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q79nia-_DzU

My youtube knife channel- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjSYCK ... 3s5HNcsL5A
User avatar
Bill DeShivs
Yes.
Posts: 7342
Joined: Sat May 25, 2002 2:50 pm
Location: In de lan o' cotton
Contact:

Re: Cheap switchblade:update

Post by Bill DeShivs »

Not sure I would make a brass lever. It sustains a lot of force. Can't tell without actually using it. If you buy a jeweler's saw, buy good blades-#3, 0, and 03- and buy them by the gross! There is a learning curve, and blades are fragile. The saw cuts on the down stroke.
Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler
http://www.billdeshivs.com
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.
LD57
Posts: 132
Joined: Fri Jul 09, 2004 2:08 pm

Re: Cheap switchblade:update

Post by LD57 »

Small update:
Added a brass grommet to the lever slot.
Trying to give it a more finished look.
I still need to attach it, I’m guessing CA glue should work with the scales.
Attachments
856E5246-F4F9-4B75-BAC7-31F509F5AD67.jpeg
856E5246-F4F9-4B75-BAC7-31F509F5AD67.jpeg (320.33 KiB) Viewed 10821 times
User avatar
john
Posts: 4528
Joined: Tue Dec 01, 2009 11:40 am
Location: New England, MA USA

Re: Cheap switchblade:update

Post by john »

The CA glue should be fine.
Your friend on the web's most friendly community on knives and blades,
John

Massachusetts Where Everything is Illegal or Taxed
sammy the blade
Posts: 4023
Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2016 7:18 pm
Location: Indiana

Re: Cheap switchblade:update

Post by sammy the blade »

Lookin good!
2024 candidate for president
User avatar
john
Posts: 4528
Joined: Tue Dec 01, 2009 11:40 am
Location: New England, MA USA

Re: Cheap switchblade:update

Post by john »

sammy the blade wrote: Sun Nov 13, 2022 11:24 pm Lookin good!
I second that.
Your friend on the web's most friendly community on knives and blades,
John

Massachusetts Where Everything is Illegal or Taxed
User avatar
Killgar
Posts: 298
Joined: Fri Nov 19, 2021 6:52 am

Re: Cheap switchblade:update

Post by Killgar »

Nice! That brass grommet looks really good.
Avatar- Ti-Lite Auto Conversion. Video- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q79nia-_DzU

My youtube knife channel- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjSYCK ... 3s5HNcsL5A
Tom19176
Posts: 3619
Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2008 12:23 am

Re: Cheap switchblade:update

Post by Tom19176 »

Nice work !!!
Post Reply