Toothpick Autos

GotSteel

GotSteel

Joined
Mar 1, 2016
Messages
803
I like the look of the small toothpicks (like Case') and I'm thinking of picking one up, but im wondering if there are any with automatic opening that are currently in production or not too old? Found a couple of vintage ones for sale online from the 50's but couldn't find much else.
 
Yes! I'm looking for a smaller/minimal pattern in the traditionals and I like the size, design & lines of the tiny Texas toothpick (sp) and I thought if it were automatic that would make it that much more perfect, I saw a photo of some so I knew they existed but the ones I could find were fairly old and since springs degrade with age and whatnot I was hoping to find some that are a little more modern.
 
I would give a vintage one a shot, I have knives that are well over 100 years old that function great!
 
There used to be toothpick pattern auto's, and Hammer Brand was one that was popular in the 1950's. They had various color celluloid scales, some quite colorful.
 
Maybe now is the time to take up knife making/modifying...

A push button, leaf spring auto is fairly simple, look at how Buck auto conversions are done to get an idea, though those are usually lever-lock-ish. Getting it to be a double action would be tougher.

I've put together abfew kits and redone an old knife and I love it so far. It's nice to be able to make exactly what you want instead of having to scour the Internet looking for some obscure thing that they only made a handful of 50 years ago.

The skills and mindset translate nicely into other hobbies too. I have an oddball motorcycle that was only made for two model years, 30 years ago and while I can find most major parts on ebay I still have to make or adapt a lot of the small stuff.
 
The old Imperial and Hammer toothpick autos were medium sized rather than Tiny sized. The second from the left is a Case Tiny Toothpick, while the autos are pretty obvious.



Trying to do an auto conversion on something that small would require considerable skill, nearly infinite patience and more tools than the average handyman has around the garage.
 
Bob Merz in Texas makes custom knives in a lot of patterns, including autos. I know he'd able to do a custom auto toothpick. He's a nice guy, good maker and his autos are slick. I just bought a slipjoint from him at the ICCE. He is a Knife Guild member for many years and his prices are very reasonable. His fit and finish was great.
 
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yablanowitz said:
The old Imperial and Hammer toothpick autos were medium sized rather than Tiny sized. The second from the left is a Case Tiny Toothpick, while the autos are pretty obvious.



Trying to do an auto conversion on something that small would require considerable skill, nearly infinite patience and more tools than the average handyman has around the garage.
Click to expand...

Ohh... that little black one on the far left is :thumbup:

It looks like it would be small enough to be a CA legal auto too. If that case next to it is the "tiny" toothpick with a 2.25" blade then el negrito over there probably has 2" or less.
 
Speaking of auto conversions, here's a cool video:

[video=youtube;digtxaPKoO0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=digtxaPKoO0[/video]
 
brownshoe said:
Bill Merz in Texas makes custom knives in a lot of patterns, including autos. I know he'd able to do a custom auto toothpick. He's a nice guy, good maker and his autos are slick. I just bought a slipjoint from him at the ICCE. He is a Knife Guild member for many years and his prices are very reasonable. His fit and finish was great.
Click to expand...

I just scanned his web page and he looks interesting.

Wild thought; would he make, (dare I say it?) an auto peanut?:eek:

I may have to drive over there.
 
He takes custom orders. At the ICCE he took an order from a young man for a damsacus two blade trapper. The damascus was supplied by the customer since he worked at one of the shops that just makes damascus but not knives. At the show he had a variety of knives on his table, both traditional and some not so traditional, so you should be able to get a good idea if his fit, finish and style are what you are looking for in a custom order.
 
brownshoe said:
Bill Merz in Texas makes custom knives in a lot of patterns, including autos. I know he'd able to do a custom auto toothpick. He's a nice guy, good maker and his autos are slick. I just bought a slipjoint from him at the ICCE. He is a Knife Guild member for many years and his prices are very reasonable. His fit and finish was great.
Click to expand...

Bill or Bob Merz?!? Can't find a Bill Merz who makes knives but there is a Bob.
 
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