Hogue Microswitch Blade Swap

[Railsplitter]

I had never done anything like this before but I thought it would be fun. These are all Hogue Microswitch Autos.

This picture is what the knives looked like before I got started with the blade swap.

And here they are afterwards.

I've been talking myself out of buying the black one with the larger Drop Point blade because it's available from Hogue or dealers. Then I realized that I already had the blade and the handle. I just needed to bring them together on the same knife. I figured I might as well swap out all 3 blades while I'm at it.

Much to my delight, all 3 knives function flawlessly after the swap and the blades are centered. That was a relief. I fully expected something to go wrong but it didn't.

Now I have the knife I've been wanting (bottom knife, second picture) and I didn't have to spend $160 to get it.

[Madmarco]

Good deal, Rick.
I find it's lots of fun tinkering with my knives, especially if they come out with the expected results, not so much when they don't!
Nice swap, nice knives!

[Railsplitter]

Thanks Marco.

[XX Case XX]

Excellent job Rick!!! If I tried that, I would have messed up all 3 knives. I do have a question please. I noticed that the two knives with the longer blades have an "indentation" in the handle (Green Circle), but the 3rd knife doesn't have that (Purple Arrow).

I wonder why that one is different?

____________
Mike

[1967redrider]

Very cool, thanks for posting this.

[Railsplitter]

Thanks guys.

Mike,
You've really got my head spinning now because I have no idea why that knife doesn't have that indentation. Or for that matter, why the other ones do. I can't figure out what purpose it serves. Thanks for adding the arrow and circles. I'm going to send your picture to Hogue and ask them because I am very curious about that too.

[Killgar]

The milled out slot is for a detent bar. It appears that the detent bars are only installed in the manual Hogues, not the autos. My guess is that Hogue uses some of the same handles for both manual and auto knives.

You can see the detent bar in this video- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBHACwVuW_4

[Railsplitter]

The milled out slot is for a detent bar. It appears that the detent bars are only installed in the manual Hogues, not the autos. My guess is that Hogue uses some of the same handles for both manual and auto knives.

You can see the detent bar in this video- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBHACwVuW_4

You nailed it! Thank you for solving the mystery.

[Killgar]

The milled out slot is for a detent bar. It appears that the detent bars are only installed in the manual Hogues, not the autos. My guess is that Hogue uses some of the same handles for both manual and auto knives.

You can see the detent bar in this video- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBHACwVuW_4

You nailed it! Thank you for solving the mystery.

The bulk of the credit goes to Mr. Shabazz. It's his video after all .

[Railsplitter]

The bulk of the credit goes to Mr. Shabazz. It's his video after all .

The irony of it all is that it was his disassembly video of the Microswitch that convinced me to attempt the blade swap.

[RoyS]

Well done Rick,

A really clever idea, great job..

Appreciate you sharing this innovative project.

Cheerio,
Roy

[Railsplitter]

Thank you, Roy!