Faux Switchblade?

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Tom Frame
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Faux Switchblade?

Postby Tom Frame » July 10th, 2012, 1:49 pm

Hey gents,

About 35 years ago, someone showed me a very cool faux switchblade. The one piece, cylindrical wooden handle was carved or turned on a lathe, with a nob on one end. A groove ran along the top of the handle.

The metal blade was affixed to the other end of the handle with a single rivet. When closed, the blade rested loosely in the groove. When opened, the blade dangled loosely from the end of the handle.

The guy opened the knife. He twisted the nob (which didnt really twist) and the infernal blade snapped back into the groove! Im talking blink of an eye fast!

I dont recall if he caused the blade to snap open by twisting the knob but, being a switchblade, I imagine that it could do that too.

I'm aware of the method.

Is anyone familiar with this wacky knife? Is it still available? Id love to get my hands on one.

Thanks in advance.


Tom

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Dave V
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Re: Faux Switchblade?

Postby Dave V » July 10th, 2012, 1:58 pm

I've seen those. I think they are French folding knives. Last time I saw them was in a 18th century reenactor catalog. Modern versions look like this:

http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products ... adtype=pla

I'm not sure about the retracting though. Maybe it was a knife like this that was modified?
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Timothy Hyde
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Re: Faux Switchblade?

Postby Timothy Hyde » July 11th, 2012, 8:52 pm

Tom, I've seen these come up auctions a few times over the years. A bit like the design of the classic Opinel knife but a much looser fit of the blade. Handling a bit like a Magic Snapper ?
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Curtis Kam
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Re: Faux Switchblade?

Postby Curtis Kam » July 12th, 2012, 12:22 am

I bought a knife like this, with an instruction booklet second hand, some 30 years ago. It apparently was sold by Magic Christian. Mine was painted a florecent pink, for some reason. I was surprised to see these turn up again in the dealer's room at WMS 2 or 3 years ago. One of the European dealers was selling them, and using them to draw people to his table. The handles appeared to be unfinished wood, but the blades still snapped back on cue.

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Re: Faux Switchblade?

Postby Curtis Kam » July 12th, 2012, 12:24 am

Tom, if you want mine, I'll bring it to GGG. You'll have to be well-supplied in rust remover, though.

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Tom Frame
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Re: Faux Switchblade?

Postby Tom Frame » July 12th, 2012, 8:42 am

Timothy,

Yes, it works on the Snapper principle.


Curtis,

Please bring yours to GGG. I want it! Thanks!

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Re: Faux Switchblade?

Postby Curtis Kam » July 12th, 2012, 3:51 pm

Done. But you might also want to follow up on the hints in this thread:

http://www.geniimagazine.com/forums/ubb ... ber=199876

Apparently it was called a "Click Knife" when Magic Christian did it

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Tom Frame
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Re: Faux Switchblade?

Postby Tom Frame » July 12th, 2012, 6:10 pm

Thanks for the lead, Curtis. I'll pursue it.

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Re: Faux Switchblade?

Postby Tom Dobrowolski » July 12th, 2012, 10:22 pm

And Click Blade Knife is available from Magic, Inc. Sadly I had remembered seeing it in their catalog from when I was a kid and just checked to see if they still have it. Not sure this is it but if Curtis' lead is correct it may be...

http://www.magicinc.net/clickbladeknife.aspx

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Re: Faux Switchblade?

Postby Curtis Kam » July 13th, 2012, 5:45 am

Looks like it to me, and they've still got the instructions. Tom, let me know if you still want me to bring mine. I'm travelling with three other knives already.

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Tom Frame
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Re: Faux Switchblade?

Postby Tom Frame » July 13th, 2012, 8:45 am

Hot damn! That's it! Thank you, Tom. I'll buy it from Magic Inc.

Curtis, you don't need to bring your Click Blade to GGG. Your current travelling cutlery collection should generate sufficient alarm from the TSA. Thanks again and good luck.


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