Instructions for Making a Switchblade Knife

Basic concept

• 1

  Lay the two ice-cream sticks or Popsicle sticks out flat sides together, one on top of the other, overlapping by about half.

• 2

  Wrap the rubber band loosely around the two sticks in about the middle, about five twists for a medium rubber band. Don't make it too tight, because you need to be able to rotate the sticks, flat sides together, against each other.

• 3

  Rotate the sticks, flat sides together, so the two ends on the short side of the rubber band are together. Hold them in place with your thumb.

• 4

  To make the blade switch out, let go of one of the ends, and the rubber band will snap it into line.

Refinements

• 5

  To gain more control over your switchblade, place a handle or a switch on the short ends so that you can release one while retaining hold of the other.

• 6

  You could use a nail or peg that passes through both blades that you then lift up just enough to release one blade. A spring clothespin gives better control, however. You can use another rubber band to attach the clothespin if you don't want to wait for the glue to dry, but sturdy glue will give you a superior product.
  Attach the outside of one blade to the inside of one jaw of the clothespin.

• 7

  To hold the clothespin open while you are attaching it to the blade, use another clothespin, alligator-eat-alligator style.

• 8

  Open the clothespin, and the blade shoots out!