Switchblades have a lot of configurations and different principles of operation. It is quite possible to make such a tool yourself. To do this, you will need to draw up a drawing of the product, for example, simply by tracing the outline of a finished knife. In addition, you will need the necessary material and appropriate equipment, as well as basic skills to carry out the work.
Preparatory stage
To make an automatic switchblade yourself, you need to take a strip of metal and transfer a sketch of the intended product onto it. Then, using sandpaper or a special machine, you will need to process the future blade.
If there is no suitable device, then you shouldn’t even start manufacturing quite complex products. Alternatively, you can use a needle file, a file or a hand drill for finishing. In addition, old kitchen knives are sometimes used as points.
After processing the blade and giving it the required shape, the part is clamped into a yew and grinding begins. Initially produced rough finish with a diamond file, then finishing is carried out using a fine-grained stone. The excess metal is sawed off, a hole is drilled in the center in the prepared part, and the end of the product is also sanded.
We continue to make a switchblade with our own hands
At the next stage we will start making the handle. A thin titanium plate is quite suitable for this operation. Using an electric tool, cut a rectangular piece to the desired size. It should be taken into account that titanium is a viscous material; when sawing, it is necessary to lubricate the treated areas with oil.
After preparing a couple of elements, we service them on an emery machine. The ends of the workpieces are brought to the same condition by finishing with a file. Then we place the blade on the handle and clamp it with a clamp. Both halves of the handle are drilled through the central “window” of the tip.
You will also need to make a steel spring, which is processed according to the sketch. You should chamfer the outside of the holes, punch the sockets for the button and the locking mechanism. After drilling the required holes, they are processed with a needle file to the required size. Bronze or brass bushings can be used as lining clamps. They are placed in the side plates and riveted from the inside.
Assembly
Homemade switchblades at this stage acquire the desired shape and appearance. Elements for riveting are cut from nails or suitable wire. After their installation, it is necessary to grind off the edges to obtain a uniform surface.
Then, using a diamond file, a rectangular hole is made in the blade, using lathe the axle is being manufactured. Alternatively, you can do it with a file, but this process will take much longer. The clamp and the working part are adjusted to each other by cutting out rectangular sockets. A U-shaped fixing element is inserted into the handle of the product.
A spring cut out of steel is secured with a bolt. If the entire procedure is performed correctly, when you press the latch, the spring will act as a pusher. As this element, you can use a similar spare part from a car starter. At the end of the process, the device is polished with a special paste to a mirror shine.
Final part
When making a switchblade with your own hands, you should take care of high-quality linings. They are made of titanium, connected to each other and the blade by grooves and riveting, bringing them to a “marketable” appearance finishing file The blade and axle are inserted, the working spring is charged, the button is mounted, the linings are connected, which are screwed in with bolts. We can assume that the automatic switchblade is ready.
The instructions provided are for informational purposes only. By interpreting it according to the available materials and imagination, any craftsman will be able to make a thing completely different from its analogues, which will rightfully be considered exclusive.
Peculiarities
If you decide to make a switchblade knife with your own hands for the first time, try first making simplest example. An example would be a product made from a straight razor. Such an instance is created from scrap materials, does not require special qualifications, and has a minimum of details. But finished products will look good on par with store-bought counterparts, having all the necessary functionality.
Before starting work, you need to cut out blade and handle templates from cardboard or plywood. This will allow you to focus on the expected final sample. This is followed by adjusting all the dimensions of the homemade blade. It will fit comfortably in your hand and will be inexpensive in terms of cost. Regardless of what kind of knife you plan to make: a front switch, folding or regular - you can use durable fabric, wood, horn or wood mushroom to decorate the handle.
What to pay attention to
If you decide to make your own switchblade knife, finding a decent material, especially a locking mechanism, can bring certain difficulties. For real masters, this problem fades into the background, but beginners will have to work hard. Alternatively, you can use a similar design from another product that has a working mechanism, but has lost its functionality or relevance.
It will not be particularly difficult to prepare a sketch, design, or cut out the handle. Blade at the right approach can also be turned quite quickly. The main working part in the form of a reliable locking and ejection mechanism may require the lion's share of the time spent on making a homemade cutting tool.
Front ejection switchblades
A product of this type has a more original operating principle. The point is thrown along the handle. Although this option is considered practical and effective, a more complex design is more likely to lead to breakdowns.
To eliminate this practically only drawback, you need to carefully and reasonably approach the choice of product. In the case of self-production, you should choose practical and reliable components that are designed for a long service life.
In the modern age, there are many devices that make human life easier. One of the most useful and versatile designs is rightfully considered a switchblade. The first ancestors of the model were invented in primitive times. Over time, the device has changed a lot and has become more practical and convenient. This device is truly multifunctional and allows you to perform a wide variety of everyday tasks.
History of origin
Automatic switchblades have been around for a long time, but they gained popularity relatively recently. Huge demand arose thanks to the invention of Ron Miller. It was he who created the first improved design in 1987.
The model had a high-quality modified spring mechanism. Such specimens were actively used in special army units. Although Miller did most of the work, the modern automatic knife would not have such an attractive appearance if it were not for Charles Oke. It was he who designed the device.
Types of models
All models of automatic folding knives are brought into a ready state thanks to a special button. When you press it, the spring mechanism is affected, causing the blade to be ejected. There are several types of automatic knives:
- frontal model (the blade in this design will be thrown vertically);
- knife with the principle of lateral extraction of the blade.
A knife that works on the principle of lateral ejection of the blade is often called a push-button knife. In this design, the blade is thrown out in a circle, and its center is located in the axial screw. Opening occurs thanks to a flexible spring. Front-facing models are more original; many knife lovers really like that the blade extends along the handle.
Front-end knives are the most common models of retractable knives. They are very practical and convenient. The only disadvantage of such products is the complex mechanism, which can often fail. If you choose a device responsibly and purchase a high-quality model made of high-strength steel, the product will last a long time and function properly.
Selection principles
To choose a good folding knife, you need to carefully study the assortment. It is easy to purchase a suitable model, model range devices are very wide. When purchasing, you should pay attention to the following factors:
- The material from which the model is made.
- Product type.
- View of the castle.
- Manufacturing company.
- Design parameters (it is worth considering the size, for example, if the owner plans to carry the product with him every day, a knife that is too long may not be suitable for him. In this case, it is better to choose a small, compact unit).
The device must be made of durable and very resistant materials, otherwise the device may soon need repairs or even have to be returned. The most best solution for the blade - stainless steel. The handle can be made of real natural wood, metal or durable plastic. In addition to the fact that miscarriages differ greatly in technical parameters, they also have various purposes. There are the following types of products according to purpose of use:
- Tourist.
- Tactical.
- Military.
- Hunting.
- Knives for self-defense.
We must not forget that there are certain standards that must be adhered to when choosing a product. A knife whose blade exceeds 90 mm is considered a bladed weapon and carrying it without permission is criminally punishable.
To be fair, it is worth noting that bladed weapons are not for sale in the public domain. Most knives that can be found on store shelves have a special certificate indicating that the product being purchased is not prohibited by law.
It’s not enough just to buy a good one and quality knife, it needs to be carefully looked after. Care includes regular sharpening, cleaning and treatment with special solutions. By observing these simple rules, you can significantly extend the service life of the product.
Offers from European manufacturers
Before you treat yourself to a new acquisition, it’s worth familiarizing yourself with the rating of the best and most popular folding models. These products are different highest quality assembly and long service life.
The top best devices in the world rightfully include:
Products from Russia
Patriots prefer to choose Russian-made automatic knives. Unfortunately, there are not so many of them, but choosing a model is quite possible.
You can pay attention to the following devices:
DIY device
Switchblades deserve a separate discussion self made. To assemble a homemade unit, you don’t need to have golden hands. Just look at the simple diagram. The manufacturing process is as follows:
Step 1. Start. First of all, you need to come up with a blade design for your future knife. There is nothing difficult here, there should be 2 grooves on the blade. Thanks to their presence, the blade will be securely held when closed and fixed when open. The desired shape must first be drawn on paper and then carefully cut out.
The resulting template must be applied evenly to the steel and traced along the contour with a marker. For work, you need to choose only steel that contains sufficient quantity carbon, otherwise it simply cannot be hardened. After tracing, you can start cutting out the blade. To do this, you need to firmly clamp the workpiece in a vice and work well with the grinder. If you have a band saw, the process will be much faster.
Next, the blade is processed on a belt sanding machine and give it the perfect shape. After this, you need to grind two grooves. First they are cut out with a grinder, and then finished with a flat file. The main thing is not to forget to drill a hole in the blade, into which the axle will then be placed.
Step 2. Making a lever for fixation. The locking lever must also be made of resistant steel, since this part can be very worn out over long periods of use. The lever is needed to lock the blade in the open and closed position. To make a profile, the profile is placed on metal, marked and cut out. Refinishing is done with a file and a hand saw. After this you need to make a hole for the axle.
Step 3. Final grinding of the blade. Bevels should be made on the blade. This is an extremely responsible job. It is best to perform this procedure on a belt sander. Everything should be symmetrical. At this stage of the process, you should not sharpen the product too much.
Step 4: Create a handle. You can make a handle out of sheet aluminum and glue a couple more layers to the inside area. One of them will be textolite, and plastic may be useful for the external area. Thanks to these layers, the friction force will be less, and the product will open well.
Using a template, you need to carefully cut out both parts of the handle; in addition, you will need to cut out two more similar parts from PCB. The parts are glued together with epoxy glue. When everything is ready, you need to glue them to the final layer. Finally, the parts should be sanded using a grinding machine.
Step 5. Completing the preparation of parts. It is necessary to make a hole in the handle and cut the thread. In addition, the locking lever should be bent at a slight angle. To do this, you can heat it red-hot with a burner and then bend it. Now you should proceed to installing the spring mechanism. Thanks to the spring, the blade will be thrown out of the handle.
This part is placed on the axis on which the blade is held. Under it in a layer of textolite it is necessary to make seat. First, the holes are drilled and then the work is finished with a sawing machine with an attachment. To secure the spring mechanism, you need to make 2 holes - one in the blade, the other in the handle. All you have to do afterwards is put the handle on. To do this, weld a bolt to the lever, and then cut off the excess parts. It is necessary to make a groove in the handle.
There should also be a spring in the handle that supports the lever. To install it, you need to grind and install a stop. The stop is attached using pins, which can be standard nails.
Step 6. Hardening the steel. Thanks to hardening, the knife will remain sharp for a long time. The hardening temperature for steel is 1071 degrees. The appropriate temperature can be determined externally by the appearance of a yellow glow. In addition, the temperature can be checked with a magnet. It does not magnetize to steel, which means everything was done correctly. The blade needs to be cooled vegetable oil. It also wouldn't hurt to harden the lever. The procedure for heating the metal occurs through a special furnace and burner.
When hardening, you cannot do without tempering the metal; without this, it will not be durable enough. To make a holiday, you will need a very ordinary kitchen oven. It needs to be heated to 200-300 degrees and put the blade there for an hour. After this, turn off the oven and leave the blade in it until it cools down. How higher temperature, the more the metal will sink. Next, you need to check the metal with a file. If not a single trace remains on the surface, then everything went fine.
Step 7. Assembly. Before assembling the parts, you need to polish the blade, since dirt and all sorts of traces of scale will remain on it after hardening. You can polish the blade. At this stage, you can also sharpen the blade, and then seal it with paper and tape to avoid accidental cuts.
After this, it's time to start assembling. You need to install the spring, and then the lever and blade. It is best to lubricate steel parts to prevent them from corroding. The product is assembled with screws; grooves must be drilled under their heads to avoid bulging. Next comes the final sanding. First, the handle is worked on a belt sander, and then manually with sandpaper. That's it. The knife is ready.
Modern switchblades are very convenient and practical. Such devices can be used for a variety of purposes. Choosing a suitable device is not difficult. In addition, you can do it yourself.
Today, buying a folding knife is not at all difficult, since such products are not only presented in a huge assortment, they are also sold in many retail stores, as well as on Internet sites. But, despite this, every day the number of people who want to make DIY folding knife. This is due to the fact that homemade folding knives are unique and a person can customize it as much as possible to suit his preferences. Moreover, in the process of making a knife yourself, a person can use any materials, which will make the device reliable and durable.
Before you start making your own folding knife, you need to clearly define the following indicators:
- what will be the shape of the future knife;
- what material will be used to make it;
- what design the future knife will have;
- what will be the design of the knife?
DIY folding knives can be made of any material and have any shape, the main thing is to adhere to established standards when manufacturing. When selecting materials for a knife, you must give preference to the most durable and strong material. Stainless steel with high hardness or Damascus steel is suitable for the blade. Of course, most people prefer stainless steel, since it is easier to make a knife from it and, unlike Damascus steel, it is resistant to corrosion.
In addition to the materials, to make a knife you need to prepare the tools that may be required during the work process. It is worth noting that during production simple option folding knife you will need the simplest available tools. Special attention should be paid to the choice of material for the handle, since it should not only be reliable and durable, but also comfortable to use. That is, you need to properly think through the shape of the handle so that it fits securely in your hand and does not slip out. Having decided on the most convenient shape of the handle, you need to choose the material from which it will be most convenient to make it.
Making a folding knife can occur using handle materials such as hardwood, impact-resistant plastic or metal. And, of course, planning self-production knife, you need to think about the mechanism of its folding. Moreover, knife mechanisms must be treated with special care and every detail must be thought through, since an incorrectly executed mechanism can cause injuries while using the knife. Before you begin work on making a folding knife, you need to make sure that everything necessary materials prepared.
Folding knife mockup
So, if a person is interested in the question, how to assemble a folding knife, then this can be done even without special skills. The main thing in this process is to take into account all the established parameters and adhere to all the rules for performing such a process. The first thing to do, starting with making a knife, is to sketch the future device on paper. You can also use special graphic editors. The best option for cutting out a template for the future knife blade is cardboard, since it is more durable than paper. Moreover, you can cut out all the components of the future knife from cardboard, and then fasten the cardboard blade and handle with a screw and nut; to do this, you need to cut a hole in the cardboard for the axle. This approach will help you understand how proportional the elements of the knife are, and how the device being manufactured will close.
In addition, making a cardboard model of the knife will help to correctly match the shape of the heel of the blade, and this part, as you know, is extremely important for the comfortable and practical use of the knife. You can find out what the supporting part of the heel should look like by viewing DIY folding knife video. The video will help you make sure that the heel of the blade is actually made correctly and has the required bevel angle; an angle of 7-9 0 is considered optimal. After this, it is necessary to sketch a linear knife lock; as you know, it is based on three points that form a triangle. Each point of the linear lock has its own purpose:
- for installing the pivot pin;
- for mounting a corkscrew pin;
- the contact zone of the supporting planes of the heel of the blade and the pressure plate, that is, the stopper.
It is worth noting that it is the lateral pressure force of the stopper that fixes the blade in the closed position; there are no other elements performing this function in this knife design. That is why it is extremely important to mount a small steel ball from the bearing into the stopper; it will become an additional retainer for the closed blade and, accordingly, will secure the use of the knife. It is very important to choose the correct location of the ball retainer, since it depends on the functioning of the entire knife lock.
Having marked the location of the ball retainer on a cardboard mock-up of the blade and locking spring, you need to make sure that it will fit tightly there and will not interfere with folding the knife. After this, you need to decide on the fasteners that will tighten the dies together. It is not recommended to use fasteners with large heads or place them too close to the edge of the handle. This is due to the fact that subsequently it may be necessary to install a spacer or tubular racks between the fasteners.
The procedure for making a folding knife with your own hands
Once the cardboard model of the future knife is ready and all its elements meet the standards, you can begin manufacturing the device itself. At this stage, the material for the future knife and tools that may be useful in the process of its manufacture should already be prepared. As already mentioned, stainless steel is considered the optimal material for making a knife blade, since it will not rust, even if moisture gets inside the folder.
To drill holes in hardened steel, it is best to use ceramic or glass drills. It is very important to drill at low speeds and apply a little force. If you approach the process of drilling holes in a workpiece irresponsibly, you can simply erase the drill bits without achieving the desired result. In order to prevent the steel from sinking, it is necessary to constantly monitor the level of its heating and often cool the part.
As for dies, it is better to use titanium for them, since, even with a small thickness, this material has high strength indicators. In addition, titanium is lightweight and does not corrode, which is also important for a folding knife. When processing titanium and giving it the desired shape, it is also recommended to work at low speeds with an angle grinder; you can even use a hand hacksaw for metal.
In order to make a folding knife, the next thing to do is to cut out the contours of the corkscrew spring, which will be located at the bottom of the die. At the intended end of the die, it is necessary to drill holes with a diameter of no more than 2.5 millimeters; there should be 3-4 such holes. After making the holes, you need to connect them and put them there hacksaw blade. The next step will be sawing through the stopper line, but when performing this procedure it is necessary to leave a small margin, which will be removed during the process of setting up and checking the finished knife.
As for the lower die, it often has the same dimensions as the upper one, but there is one difference; in the lower die it is necessary to make a special recess for the hole for opening the knife. Another difference between the top and bottom dies is the diameter of the screw holes. In the lower die, such holes must be made for the screw thread, while the diameters of the holes in the upper die must have the diameter of the screw. After all the parts have been cut out and all the holes drilled, you need to make or select two small washers. Bronze or fluoroplastic washers are considered the most optimal. Such washers will act as a bearing and be mounted on the axis of rotation of the knife.
The next stage in the manufacture of the knife will be its direct assembly. This must be done one by one:
- insert the axle into the lower die;
- install the locking pin;
- install the washer;
- place the blade and assemble the knife together.
If any inaccuracies arise during the assembly process, but they need to be eliminated, for example, if the parts of the knife do not mate, then they need to be adjusted in place. After the knife is assembled, you need to install the corkscrew ball. To do this, in the area of the corkscrew spring it is necessary to drill a hole with a diameter of 0.1-0.2 millimeters, that is, it must be smaller than its ball. The average size of a bearing ball is 1.5-2 millimeters. The ball is pressed into the locking plate using a vice, and it should protrude to the surface by approximately half a millimeter.
After the ball is installed, it is necessary to determine the place of its contact with the wedge; to do this, just close and open the knife several times. After this, a mark will remain on the blade of the knife; at a distance of 0.3 millimeters from the edge of the mark, it is necessary to make a small hole into which the ball will enter when the knife is closed. In order to set and check the functionality of the knife lock, it is initially recommended to assemble the device without the top die. If everything works properly, you can completely assemble the knife and check its operation while folded.
Now the knife is ready. As it becomes clear, do DIY automatic folding knife This may take a little time and patience.
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We present to your attention a full-fledged video lesson on how to make your own push-button switchblade. The simplest materials, such as plastic and so on, will not be used here, but they also cannot be called difficult to obtain. As a result, you will get a real professional switchblade that can be used in different conditions and with different materials.
Many modern knives are no different good quality and practicality. They are inconvenient to use, uncomfortable to hold in your hand, and so on. It is for this reason that we suggest making your own, so that it can serve you well and be practical in all respects.
The video lesson focuses on the following points:
- the handle of the knife should be in the palm of your hand (so that it fits comfortably in your hand, and not in two fingers);
- the blade is sharpened on one side (on the right - if right-handed, and vice versa);
- If possible, make notches on the base of the blade.
The entire manufacturing process is divided into several stages. First of all, a sketch of the future knife is made. This is necessary in order to understand how all its components interact with each other. Then, we begin to prepare the details. We transfer the sketch of the blade to the steel and process it. The original form may change during the process. Immediately sharpen the blade on one side.
After this, we grind the blade. We make a hole at its base. We process the edges according to the shape of the sketch.
Let's start creating the handle. Take a piece of titanium and measure according to the sketch right size and cut out a shape from it. Glue the two resulting halves together and clamp them in clamps. Using the marks made, we make indentations.
We adjust the handle to the blade. We make a hole in the handle at the same distance as the blade. After this, we cut out another part for the design of the knife.
We connect everything together and make several holes in all parts except the blade. We insert bronze bushings into two of them to secure the linings.
Using nail rivets, we connect all three resulting parts together and hammer them in with a hammer.
We make an axis for the knife using a lathe, a diamond file and other tools. You will learn more about this in the video lesson.
We make a clamp from an unnecessary flat nut. We drill a hole in it and thread a wire so that we can conveniently harden the element. Quench over high heat.
We process the retainer and insert it into the structure. Now, you need to cut out the spring for the retainer. We connect the elements and secure them. We take a spring from a car starter and attach it in the same way. The result is the following design.
Before covering the handle with covers, you can make serrations at the base of the blade in the previous step. For the overlays we take vinyl plastic with a thickness of 5 mm. We cut out two parts measured according to the sketch. We drill several incomplete holes in them. We adjust the parts to the shape of the knife, connect them together and process them.
