How does a switchblade mechanism

This mechanism contains a long spring with fire-locks on either side. Price tags tend to differ especially between single and double-action mechanisms simply due to the fact that double-actions feature more components.

It is also important to note that they are also more prone to increased wear and tear and damage more easily if not properly taken care of. This is definitely not to say that they are not worth it as they provide excellent strength and durability. If you are a newbie, it may be best to test with a slightly cheaper side-opening or single-action knife to get a proper feel for it before splashing out on a real hand craft!

Close search. About Blogs Contact. By Iggy Z. July 6, Switchblade Mechanics: How do they work? The hilt hides the fact that the knife blade is set into an oiled hinge, the underside of which connects to the other end of the spring. When the knife blade is hidden, it is folded into the base of the handle from the side, passing through the slit in the side of the handle.

This pulls the spring, which catches on a lever connected to the activation button, effectively preventing the spring from exerting force on the hinged base of the blade.

When the button is pushed, the lever, which is on a small rocker, is pulled out of the spring's way. The spring snaps back into its original shape, pulling the base of the blade around as it does so, flipping the blade's point out from the side of the handle. There are two methods by which the blade can be locked into place.

One is a simple notch in the blade's base that contacts with a part of the hilt. When this happens, the hilt, which is on a small hinge, flips out of the way and then comes back down into place to lock into the notch on the blade.

The only way to then close the knife is to physically pull upward on the hinged hilt before folding the blade back again. The other method is a bit simpler, but more prone to failure over time. The lever attached to the activation button simply clicks into place against the underside of the blade the same way as it would against the spring.

In out the front blades, the blade shoots straight out from the top of the handle. The earliest switchblade can be traced to the 18th century. Craftsmen in Europe developed some of the first spring-activated blades on pistols, coach guns, and bayonets. These guns had automatic folding spikes. Later in the 19th century, some cutlery makers produced automatic knives triggered by springs, similar to modern switchblade knives.

In , a toolmaker named George Schrade designed the first practical switchblade design. He decided to put a button on the handle that activates the spring. Schrade opened a factory, hired a workhouse full of staff, and started to mass-produce the knives. Schrade mostly manufactured pocket knives and versions of jackknives, but he also designed small penknife models popular amongst women.

Over the next forty years, George Schrade would improve his design, produce a new line called the Presto series and dominate the knife market in America. In , the Geo. Schrade Knife Co. The army tasked them to produce a knife for airborne troops.

The state of New York passed a law banning the sale of switchblades in The reason behind the law was to lower the amount of gang violence. Due to the high amount of controversy around switchblades, companies mostly designed switchblades for the U. Army during the late s. Before we start, it is worth mentioning that even though all switchblades have very similar mechanisms, the exact mechanism may depend on the manufacturer. Side opening switchblades are the most common.

They work similarly to how traditional manual folding knives worked. The thing that distinguishes them from traditional folding knives is that they have a spring that activates the knife. Side opening switchblades will typically have some sort of button or mechanism that triggers the spring. When the knife user presses this button, the blade will flip up and release through the side of the handle. Another function that side opening switchblades have is a safety mechanism. This mechanism prevents the blade from accidentally releasing and from potentially injuring the user.

A single-action out the front switchblade is when the spring releases the blade automatically but does not retract the blade automatically. Users will have to manually retract the blade themselves instead of pushing a button. There are three main springs inside of a single action OTF blade.