Interesting firing mechanism

[prober996]

These knives fire (fast and hard) when you move the metal plate at the top of the wood scale about a millimeter, with your thumb as you hold the knife. It's really subtle and takes a little practice to do it without the knife flying out of your hand from the sudden torque of the violent opening. It's also a lot of fun to challenge other knife collectors to figure out how to open the knife. I haven't found one yet who can figure it out. It's that subtle. I used to be able to find these knives at gun shows, but no longer. Does anyone know who made/makes them? I also have one that needs repair.

[Madmarco]

The "metal plate" at the top of the cover is called a bolster. I believe Bill D commented at one time that models like yours are built in China, and ProTech currently makes a model called a Mike "Whiskers" designed Hidden Release auto. Many times repairing these only involves replacing the coil-spring located under the front bolster.

[wiseguy]

Several off shore makers of these… I believe you have leaf spring fire knives,,And can also can be opened manually ?

[prober996]

yes, they can be opened manually.

[Bill DeShivs]

These are Chinese copies of an old Microtech design.

[Madmarco]

Several off shore makers of these… I believe you have leaf spring fire knives,,And can also can be opened manually ?

Thanks for that correction bud. So, a coil-spring fired knife can't be opened manually and a leaf-spring fired knife can, is that what you're saying?

[wiseguy]

It really depends on the knife, but for the most part that’s correct. Some leaf fired aren’t “dual” operated.

[Madmarco]

Thanks WG. I'll have to go over my autos and see which is which.

[wiseguy]

Sure thing, the above posted knives mechanics are odd in that the sear holds the leaf spring down not the blade, this allows for manual operation . Most capture the blade or simply lift the backspring to fire, like the whiskers knife you mentioned, which coincidentally is my EDC.

[Madmarco]

Interesting! I remember when I posted my copy you mentioning your "Whiskers" knife is a favorite EDC for the past 2 years, and that it operates just a well now as the day you got it. That's how all knives should work.