Brad West The Press Button knife. An antique switchblade mechanism

The Press Button knife is beautifully made and sought after by collectors of antique knives like purveyor Brad West. Few have ever seen the inside of one. These knives are one hundred and twenty years old and most still look and function well. They fetch $200 to $500, so it is unlikely someone has the curiosity to disassemble one just to learn the secrets. But I got to know. And I'm glad to share. Disclaimer: Do not disassemble knives. Do so at your own risk. This video is only for information, not a "How to do it" . You should not do it. It's fun to watch. So let's watch and enjoy.

[@stratocaster1greg]

I have one. Caleb at Muskratman Knives restored mine. He is the man.

[@etmyld69]

Thank You Sir, I appreciate the sharing of this Historical knife.

[@jeffberman2438]

Great demo. Thank you.

[@jethrobodine9299]

I have that knife , it is the early model before Shrade joined up with Walden . Thanks for the vid .

[@jclar3565]

Interesting apparently the Heyday of the switchblade was 100 years ago and about starting 10 years ago and between those two times there weren't many around. Nice straightforward videos. TMI on the trigger finger operation let's make sure to put a close up of that LOL

[@wizardofahhhs759]

Would this type of knife be strong enough to stick a hole in a car tire? I wouldn't want it to fold up on my hand.

[@leroiprice1586]

Yes probably, but many switchblades, or several at least, can be problematic when it comes to lock strength. The only switchblade I would trust would be an axis lock first, then a lock back second, in terms to front stab and downward cutting. This one has a button and a short tang. The physics don't suggest strength. It's strength would be about equal or less than a liner lock in my opinion.

[@otb1980]

Did you ever get it back together?

[@leroiprice1586]

You would ask that! I plan to clean my shop, some day, and find the missing spring. Then put it back together. Now that you shamed me, perhaps I should make a spring and re-handle the thing. It's on the to-do list. Even more odd, I didn't even realize that that mechanism was in my first book. I sure know a lot. But it seems I forget a lot also.

[@otb1980]

LeRoi Price It's alright...I know allll about it...I've done the same here and there....Good video tho....

[@VicariousReality7]

Seems a bad idea to not bore the locking holes through, get crap stuck in em

[@otb1980]

You fucked it up...Good job....I couldn't have done it have done it better....

[@jackharvey2494]

You fucked up your comment too