I need to fix my switchblade

[Leandrolss_2]

Hello.
My Italian Switchblade is broken and i cant fix it, I cant find the correctly tools to open it and I dont know what i need to do. Im from Brazil and I can't find anything related to the maintenance of this type of switchblade, all the switchblades here in Brazil have small screws, but this one is made of something that I don't even know what it is, watching some videos I saw that there is a specific tool to open it, but I can't find it to buy here in Brazil and I can't find its name.

What happened is that after opening and closing the switchblade so much, the opening broken, when I press the open button it no longer opens automatically, it just releases the blade and then I have to open it manually, It ended up loosening a little too since the blade is a bit wobbly, both closed and open, and sometimes it opens on its own. I dont know how to open it, I dont know how to fix it and i dont know the name of the repair tools, i really really want some help (because i cant fix it and i dont know who can fix it). The screw is like a point, I've never seen that in Brazil

please help.
(i cant add files here, i dont know why)

[Leandrolss_2]

https://vimeo.com/916331187?share=copy
this is a video from the switchblade

[Madmarco]

I have only 1 suggestion, LD_2, try looking into the blade channel to see if you can see the spring, broken or otherwise. If you can see it, it might be the kind that can slip-in/slip-out, if so, you'll need to use something sturdy and thin to pry out the broken pieces. From there about all you can do is fabricate a new spring from perhaps a coat hanger and slip it back in until you hear a click, which indicates it's seated in it's slot. It will have to be pretty close to what the original spring looks like or it won't fit. If the spring is a non-removable type, you'd need to send it to a qualified repairman for the fix. Lots of guys on this forum can do the work.
From what I can tell from your video, the knife is a mid-priced 9" Frank Beltrame model, and perhaps not worth the expense to fix it as opposed to simply buying a new one.
I'm not sure what "screw" you're referring to cuz that knife uses fixed pins to secure the pieces, and the blade wobble is likely due to much use, I think. You might get more or different advise from others, so check back for more information.

I hope that helps, and to AAPK!

[Leandrolss_2]

I'm trying to answer you, I don't know if it will be right)
Bro I cant see nothing.
This knife uses fixed pins? It's because in the videos I saw, a guy uses some type of tool to open one of these.
I thought about trying to send it to a repairman but here in Brazil that I know there are none, and converting euros or dollars to reais is very expensive so it would be impossible. I really think the best thing I can do is buy another.
I don't know if you're a collector or something, but would it be a good idea to keep this switchblade, even if it's broken, as a souvenir? it was my first switchblade.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqreL7RqRtc
this is the video that I saw, the guy uses something to put something on the switchblade (I don't even know what it is)


Thank you bro
I found this site while looking for switchblade solutions and I was very interested in the content

[Killgar]

The knife isn't Italian, it's Asian (even if it says "Italy" on it). Likely from Taiwan, possibly China.

What you now have is a gravity knife. It might be possible to replace the spring, particularly if it uses a wire spring like many Asian stiletto's do, but any sort of replacement that isn't properly heat treated/tempered isn't going to work well, or at all. Switchblade springs are heat treated to make them springs.

I'd say that you are very correct about it not being worth it to try and have someone fix it. It would likely cost you more than it would to buy a new one. Although if it does have a removeable spring some skilled local person might be able to make a new spring for it and install it

The tool used in that youtube video was just a torx driver. He was just using it to push the spring into place. It wasn't any kind of special tool that makes fixing switchblades easier.

[Madmarco]

Your reply was just fine, LD_2, I totally understood what you were saying.
Probably the best advise I can offer is that you listen to and follow what Killgar posted, he is an experienced maker and repair guy and really knows his auto knives.
If there was nothing in the blade channel the broken spring might have fallen out or is jammed in there, but to find out would be expensive and likely futile since it's an inexpensive model. I too suggest you simply buy another knife and tuck this one away as a memory of your very first auto knife. There are some very nice and inexpensive models to choose from nowadays, just look in the AAPK stores and you'll see what I mean.
The one time that the guy in the video used a screwdriver was when he replaced the black plastic comb on the "Bumblebee" model for a steel blade, cuz that knife has a screw and barrel blade pivot system, all the other pins are fixed and can't be removed unless you destroy them to open up and repair the knife. As Killgar stated, there are no special tools used for auto knives, not for that knife at least.
We're glad you found AAPK and that you're enjoying yourself learning abut your knife and others, as you said there's some excellent content on this site!
When you do buy a new knife, please be sure to post some pictures of it for us to enjoy!

P.S.- If you watch anymore videos from that guy, take everything he says with a grain of salt, he's been known to spout off some strange things from time to time!

[jw517]

I like the coat hanger fix!

[1OldTreeClimber]

Cut and grind from a discarded circular saw blade. Sawzall blades work for the smaller knives.,chime rods from junk clocks,all make fair to good spring stock.