A switchblade knife, also called a switch knife or flick knife, is a type of folding pocket knife that opens with one hand using either the blade or the thumb stud. It can be used to cut fabric in order to create an opening and then spread apart the two halves as a form of tear gas grenade. Switchblade knives are commonly associated with gangster films and were banned in many countries in the late 1960s. Switchblades are outlawed in many countries, along with ballistic knives and knuckle knives.

Switchblades, also called switch knives or flick knives, are cool pocket knives with blades that open automatically through the use of a switch or button, though some can open in other ways. Though such devices are often called push-button or spring-assist opening knives as well, those terms more correctly apply to automatic opening pocket knives with a manual opening mechanism. U.S. federal law defines "switchblade" as any knife having a blade that opens automatically—that is, by pressing a button or other device in the handle—whether or not it has been modified from its original manufactured state.

How to Open a Switchblade Knife?

A switchblade knife is a type of folding knife with a spring-loaded blade that can be opened by pressing a particular lever, button, or release. The blade is typically locked in position by the pressure of a detent ball at one end of the tang against an arcuate ungrooved section near the other end, while rotating or pushing on the thumb stud rotates and moves this detent ball to one side or another. 

This will release either lock and cause the blade to move directly into position for use as if it were extended like any conventional knife. The blade can be locked in the open position by a mechanism that engages a notch on the tang of the blade, called a lock. This is opened by manual operation; automatic (spring, gravity, or centrifugal) openers are prohibited. Although the term switchblade is sometimes used to refer to automatic knives, automatic opening knives have been illegal in most countries for many years. 

The United States banned the importation of automatic-opening knives in 1998. There is no federal law restricting ownership or possession of a switchblade with an automatic opener on blades less than 2 inches long. These may be possessed legally if the blade is less than 3.25 inches (3 1/8" in the District of Columbia) in length and has a spring, detent, or other mechanism designed to keep the blade folded inside the handle until manually opened by direct manual pressure applied to the blade itself, or through manipulation of a button or other device located on the handle.


Popular Types of Switchblades

A switchblade is a folding knife with the blade contained within an extension of the handle. The blade may or may not protrude from the front of the handle when it is deployed. These are known for their quick, one-handed deployment, and while they are still illegal under most local laws in many countries, they have been used by criminals and civilians alike since as early as World War I. This short article will explain what types of switchblade knives are and how to identify them:

1. Clip- Point Switchblade

A spring-loaded, double-edged blade on a one-piece housing extends from the handle when deployed. This type of switchblade has been in production since the early 1930s.

2. Lockback Switchblade

A one-piece housing with the blade extending from the handle when deployed and secured by a lock on the back of the handle with a safety catch protruding from the front of the handle. This type of switchblade is one of the more recently produced, often being found in high-quality, collectible knives or pocket knives.

3. Trapezoid Switchblade 

A two-piece housing with a spring on either side or at the handle which tension causes the blade to extend from the handle when deployed. This type of switchblade is sometimes found in high-quality cool knives but more commonly, it can be found in lower-quality knives where it is produced on an assembly line after other types of switchblades are produced. 

4. Extension Lock Switchblade

A one-piece housing with a spring-loaded, double-edge blade extending from the handle when deployed and secured by a locking device incorporated into the handle. This type of switchblade is sometimes found in high-quality knives but more commonly, it can be found in lower quality knives where it is produced on an assembly line after other types of switchblades are produced.
 

5. Crossover Switchblade

Contains a spring on either side or at the handle which tension causes the blade to extend from the handle when deployed. A crossover blade also has a protrusion on the front of the handle which releases the upper hinge allowing the blade to extend when it is opened. This type of switchblade can be found in high-quality knives but more frequently, it can be found in lower-quality knives where it is produced on an assembly line after other types of switchblades are produced. 

Uses and Applications of Switchblade Knives

A switchblade is a type of knife with one large blade divided into two parts, one fixed and one folding. The fixed blade is placed at the top of the handle in the open position, while when closed, it slides into a pocket on the lower part of the handle. Switchblades are mostly used for self-defense purposes and as weapons. Here are the uses and benefits of switchblade knives:

1. Improved Work Efficiency

A switchblade is a tool that can be used to help you do your job. Unlike conventional knives, a switchblade can be easily opened and closed with just one hand movement. This is why these tools are easily used in work that requires one to use both hands to complete the task. 

A handsaw, for example, cannot be opened one-handedly, making it less efficient and more time-consuming when completing the task when compared to a switchblade knife. Aside from saws, other tools that require manual labor can also be operated by using switchblades as they are able to function alone. Examples of these tools include hammers and wrenches.

2. Quicker Carrying

Switchblades are smaller than conventional knives, making them easier to carry. The idea behind this is that it makes it easier to conceal the tool in one's pocket or purse. Switchblade knives are usually small and lightweight too. This is why these tools are widely used in the military as a means of personal defense. These small knives can be easily carried inside the waistband as they don't take up much space in a soldier's canteen or belt pouch, thus increasing their chances at survival in case of ambushes.

3. Emergency Situations

In case of emergency, having a switchblade knife can help you survive on your own. In some places, such as the country of Thailand, switchblades are used by some individuals to protect themselves from muggers and thieves during crime incidents. They usually carry them in their pockets for protection purposes.

4. Self-Protection

Switchblades can be used for self-defense purposes when personal safety is at stake. Some switchblades have a small steel blade that can be engraved with a person's name, making it easier to identify the owner and thus avoid unwanted contact. Switchblade knives are also used by individuals for self-protection in some countries in Asia, particularly Japan, and China. In the states of Arkansas, Kansas, and Oklahoma for example, individuals can legally own switchblade knives as long as they have a valid reason for this.

5. Hunting and Fishing

Switchblades are also used in hunting and fishing. Some hunters use switchblade knives to skin animal carcasses after the kill has been made while anglers wrap their fishing line around these blades to help keep them afloat in water. Switchblade knives are also used by some police officers as part of their toolkit on the job. These tools are often used to help open up boxes or crates on-site for evidence gathering or when conducting an investigation. Some people also use switchblades for recreational purposes, such as opening bottles.