I thought you guys may like to see this.... Don "Merlin" Hall has been teaching me the fine art of making automatics, and this is an automatic version of my EDC that I'm working on. The extra piece that you see in the second picture and video is the spring to keep the button up. I had not attached it at this point. Enjoy -chris

http://www.chriscrawfordknives.com/Image_Bonus.asp?Ident_Value=1227
High Resolution Photo (http://www.chriscrawfordknives.com/Image_Bonus.asp?Ident_Value=1226)

http://www.chriscrawfordknives.com/Image_Bonus.asp?Ident_Value=1229
High Resolution Photo (http://www.chriscrawfordknives.com/Image_Bonus.asp?Ident_Value=1228)


<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/V1fGaHw-0Ag"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/V1fGaHw-0Ag" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="600" height="350"></embed></object>

Hi Chris,
Thanks for the unselfish peak inside.
Take care, Craig

Chris, would you mind turning your button release into a joint project for the folder forum??

We can take the photos you've uploaded and help each other make one.

I invite you to lead the project, but if you prefer not to I'll do it with your help.:101

Thank you Chris that was very insightful.The use of videos is awsome.

WOW , Chris that was kickin , very cool brother , thanks alot that was really neat.

Talk about a sneak peek inside the making of an auto folder. Thanks!!!!

In His Service,
Reid Allen

I sure appreciated that Chris ! I wasn't going to go there since they are very much illegal in Canada, however, I may do one for the sake of learning. Thanks again. Most well done ! Frank

Thanks guys. Don, I don't believe I would be up to heading up an auto challenge at this time. I would like to get a few more of these under my belt before doing anything like that. However, I'll be glad to answer any questions for anyone that I can. This is just my first one of these to make, so I have a lot to learn myself. I'll post another picture when I get it finished. -chris

Thanks guys. Don, I don't believe I would be up to heading up an auto challenge at this time. I would like to get a few more of these under my belt before doing anything like that. However, I'll be glad to answer any questions for anyone that I can. This is just my first one of these to make, so I have a lot to learn myself. I'll post another picture when I get it finished. -chris

OK, Chris.

We'll put that one on the back burner for the time being then.

I do want to make one myself when I get the time and maybe we can all do one at the same time then.

Thanks.

Now this is something that I would definately be into doing. But like Frank, it would be just for the sake of learning! This thread is great Chris! I've been lookinh for something like this for a long time!

Trenton

Looks good, although an auto that fast and being pinned together will eventually self destruct. You should slow it down.

When you make the next one move your rocker bar closer to the pivot hole. This will allow you to hide the hole in the blade that is the catch for the rocker under the liners.

Here's one I recently made and was photographed by Coop.
Regards,
CHuck

http://cgknives.blademakers.com/Image_Bonus.asp?Ident_Value=1233

Man, that is a beauty in every respect!:eek:

Chuck,
That's an awesome knife. Would you mind sharing how the front and rear bolsters are attached?
Thanks,
Keith

Hey Chuck,

Thanks for the advice. I can see a definite advantage to using screws rather than pins in this type of knife when it comes to the final fit and finish. I was not aware that screws would be structurally stronger than pins, but I'll keep that in mind when I plan out my next one.

I see your point that moving the rocker closer to the blade's pivot would allow the catch hole in the blade to be hidden. In thinking about it I came to two ideas, and you can tell me if this is incorrect. 1) The closer the catch is to the pivot, the more precise fit is needed between the sear and the catch. 2) the closer the catch is to the pivot, the more pressure will be applied to the sear making the knife more difficult to fire.

This is my first leaf spring auto, and there has been a lot that I've learned the hard way, so I welcome any advice that you are willing to offer. I've admired your knives every since you started listing them on the website, and I direct many people to your site to see the fit and finishing details that you put on your knives.

Keep up the good work! -chris

Great looking folder Chuck !!! Frank

Chris,
Moving the sear closer to the pivot is more for asthetics. Traditionally you only see the exposed blade hole in Itallian autos. This allows them to keep the button in the center of the handle.

I have not had any problems making the knife more difficult to fire by moving the sear closer to the pivot. It is harder to get everything lined up because you can't see the hole in the blade so you end up assembling, disassembling, filing the blade hole and re-assembling over and over again.

The bolsters are all held on with screws and blind holes. It gives the knife a classy look.

Thanks again for the good advice, Chuck. I finally got the knife finished yesterday. This project was a lot more work than I had expected, but that was partially because I had to make several of the parts several times. The knife came out smoother and nicer than I had anticipated, so I'm very pleased with it. I wish I had a little better luck etching my mark this time, but I can live with that. Here it is:

http://www.chriscrawfordknives.com/Image_Knife.asp?Ident_Value=2144

WOW , that is a purdy son of a gun , I really like the bone handle , that looks really good.

I want one , guess I better get to studying this post and try my hand at it , ,,, wheww no time though , at least till after christmas.

Great job.

Dwane

That's a beauty, Chris. Sweet!:)

I've run out of honey colored bone. Can't find any. Do you have a source for it?

Chris, that turned out REAL nice.

-Ben

Thanks. Don, I got the bone from the Mother of Pearl Company. I believe it was listed as amber. -chris

I'll try them. Guess I should have looked for "amber" color.

That's my very favorite over anything else for pocket knife scales.

Thanks, Chris.

By the way, I just received a spot welder I ordered for attaching bolsters to slipjoint liners. :)

No more soldering mess for this old man.:D

And I'll bet I find other uses for it as well.

Sure is great, Chris! Frank