How to fold a folding knife. Types of folding knife locks - description and design

Despite the innovative fashion trends of our time and the ever-growing interest in various kinds of accessories, such a stylish and purely masculine attribute does not lose its popularity. On the contrary, it is becoming more and more in demand and is used in different guises: as a souvenir, as a collection item, as a working tool, as an essential item and as a means of survival. The blade is never parted with when traveling; it is a frequent inhabitant of car and motorcycle glove compartments. Many men prefer to carry it in a purse or pocket.

In order for a knife to become truly useful and be in working condition for a long time, you need to be able to choose it correctly. First of all, pay attention to the most important and at the same time vulnerable part of the folding cutting tool - the lock. Let’s try to avoid possible mistakes and figure out what types of folding knife locks are made and in which models they are most often used. Let's get acquainted with the principles of their operation and learn the design features.

What does the type of lock affect?

The quality of a knife depends on many components. As for folding representatives of cutting tools, the key element here is the closing mechanism itself or lock. Many of the tool’s capabilities depend on its type, which include:

general folder design;
speed of opening and principle (manual, semi-automatic, automatic);
quality of blade fixation, especially when folded;
the design of the latch itself;
ease of grip of the handle, its shape;
degree of security;
performance.

Also important is the material from which the handle, linings, pin, additional elements and the blade itself are made. Buying a knife is a responsible thing and should not be rushed. Manufacturers offer a considerable price for their products, and choosing the right knife depends on how much you understand all the nuances: the mechanism, materials and most importantly, the intended purpose of your blade. When choosing a pocket knife, we want it to be durable, not break down for a long time, distinguished by reliability, quality of workmanship, ease of use and design. All these components are responsible for the types of folding knife locks, which we will get acquainted with one by one.

Types of locks

Innovative developments in the field of metallurgy and the chemical industry make it possible to create very original and bold solutions, presenting the world with a wide variety of pocket cutting tools. And very high demands are placed on the locks of folding knives, since they are the main quality characteristics of folders. And some models take into account the individual characteristics of the buyer, demonstrating options for right-handers and left-handers.

So, let's begin...

	Liner lock or Walker lock. This type of linear strip lock has crossed the century mark and is recognized as the most practical and reliable. The name comes from the main element, the liner, which is complemented by a spring and the “tail” of the blade. A minimum of various elements determines good endurance, shifting all responsibility to the quality of the liner or plate. This mechanism is quite simple and consists of a flat spring that lifts the blade. In the closed position of the knife, the liner is hidden inside the handle, and when unfolded, the free part of the plate, moving, rests against the blade heel - that’s all, the folder is fixed in an open position. To fold the blade, just push the liner slightly to the side with your finger. When choosing this type of lock, you should definitely pay attention to the spring, which is an extension of the liner. Its thickness should be less than the distance over which it extends onto the “tail”. If it is thicker, the knife will simply break from slight pressure or a light blow. This lock can be found in knives of various types; thanks to the high reliability of this design, the folder is able to withstand quite serious blade loads.
	Back lock or Spine lock, Lockback. This type can always be recognized by its characteristic metal insert, which runs along the entire handle, like a spinal column, and is equipped with a small lever, similar to a rocker arm. In this variation, the “tail” of the blade is fixed by a springy “rocker” on the side of the butt. This type of lock has its own difficulties in manufacturing, and the quality of fixation depends on the accuracy of the fit of all mechanical parts. And the appearance of slight play under load is quite expected for this model. 7 years ago (in 2008) this lock was modified and appeared to the “knife” world in a modified type of Tri-Ad lock. A pin for the stopper appeared in the lock, which took on the entire load from the mechanical side. The shape of all the operating parts has been slightly changed, the strength has been increased, and there is no increase in play when the rubbing elements wear out. A fairly common type, it is folded by pressing a part of the “rocker arm” that protrudes from the top of the handle. It is found modified in Mid lock or Front lock with a closing button located in the middle of the handle and E-lock, where the spring button is located on the side.
	Compression lock is an updated version of the “liner”, in combination with details from Back lock. The difference between the folding mechanism is that the spring does not focus on the “tail” from behind, but from above, resting on the other side against the stopper pin. It is even more durable, suitable for left-handers and has high security when closing. The handle is always equipped with metal inserts.
	Frame lock or Monolock, Reeve Integral lock. It is an improved version of the linear “liner” lock, but it does not have a handle lining, which is most often made of steel. In this mechanism, part of the knife handle is a locking plate made of a durable metal alloy. This type of design protects the spring from deformation and, while holding the folder, the hand simultaneously holds the fixing plate. A knife with this type of lock is convenient for heavy work. A common version of the “frame” lock is a rare example - Bolster lock, in which part of the bolster plays the role of a locking plate.
	Levitator lock. Very reliable, despite the complex design. The principle of this type of lock is quite simple and requires the presence of an exclusively metal handle. The basis is a special pattern, which is located on the side of the handle. It forms a spring, which, when pressed, moves the rod standing in the “tail” of the blade and releases it. A knife with such a folding system is absolutely safe for the user.
	Viroblock or Ring lock, Cogwheel lock, Collar lock. For more than two hundred years, the French, having patented this mechanism, have been using it in the production of knives, the Opinel brand. Refers to the types of locks in which the blade is fixed by turning a bolster, the role of which is played by a coupling - clasp-knife. The locking part is made of metal and has a longitudinal cut through which the knife opens. By turning the clutch you can lock the blade in the open or closed position. This type of lock has proven itself to be of very high quality, convenient and practical. In the Italian modification, this is a Collar lock, which has a locking lever on the clutch.
	Pin locks. From the name it is clear that a movable pin is used as a locking element, which, entering the grooves on the “tail” of the knife, locks the blade in both the open and closed positions. Here the blade will not be able to close on its own, which emphasizes the good degree of safety of such a mechanism. Strength-tested options include the axial Axis lock. It is comfortable for both hands, however, it needs regular cleaning, otherwise it can quickly fail. The Arc lock model is similar to its predecessor, the only difference is in the pin, which is fixed on a movable “rocker arm” inside the handle. In Rolling lock, the entire pin is immersed in the handle and functions thanks to a lever system that is brought out in the form of a small peg. The American Ultra lock made the pin move in a horseshoe-shaped groove on the “tail” of the blade and lock the blade in both positions.
	Push-button locks. It’s easy to guess that in these variations a spring button is used as a lock, reliably fixing the blade in both positions. These types of folding knife locks are found in Button lock models, otherwise Plunge lock, common in automatic folders. Axial lock is a difficult and interesting version of the lock. The active locking element is the knife axis, which has a relief structure and is connected to the grooves of the knife and handle. By pressing and turning it with your thumb, you can release the blade and hide it. Like all pin representatives, they are afraid of dirt.
	A type equipped with the already familiar moving pin, which is located in a figured groove in the front part of the handle. To remove the knife lock, it is enough to move the peg towards the tip of the blade. Practice will bring the opening skill to automaticity. The lock itself is quite practical and reliable.
	Deadbolt locks. Bolt - means rod, it is the main locking part in this kind of locks. It is located in the handle and moves parallel to the butt of the blade, thanks to a rigid spring. Simplicity, durability and power distinguishes this category from all others. In the Ram safe lock, the rod drives the lanyard, which must be pulled to release the blade. It will be difficult to handle folding knife locks of this kind with one hand, however, breaking such a “system” will be quite problematic. It belongs to the category of fasteners that are durable and resistant to external influences. Bolt lock has a pin that communicates with the bolt, which is placed on the side of the handle.
	Gear locks. From the usual, familiar-to-the-eye gear, all that remains are jagged or slightly smoothed edges, which were used to provide the rounded “tail” of the blade. In the mechanical design of Ratchet lock or Cogwheel lock, this “gear” is locked by a special overlay plate on the handle, which has a cutout for 1 tooth. When opening, the plate of the knife rises slightly and the released “gear” throws out the blade. To fold the folder, lift the plate again. For convenience, there is often a small ring on it. These folding knife locking mechanisms are common in the Spanish Navaja, African Okapi and modern models from the Cold Steel Kudu brand.
	Balisong. A very simple mechanical model of a knife lock that cannot be operated with one hand. The handle has two parts, which, moving apart 180 degrees, like the wings of a butterfly, hide the blade inside. In some models, the handles have a latch-lock, and in others they do not, being held together by the grip of the hand.
	Slip-joint is a simplified, safe and common type, popular among mid-priced camping and hiking knives. The blade easily and softly fixes the spacer, which takes on the role of a spring. It can fold on its own, provided you press hard on the butt. Folders with similar folding knife locks are not designed for heavy loads. Most likely, these are kitchen and office options, suitable for woodworking.
	Friction fixation or Friction folder. Representatives of this fixing structure are considered the oldest and most primitive, coming to us from antiquity. When open, the blade is fixed due to the friction force of the “tail” in the axial part against the handle. As a rule, there is a protruding lever on the “tail”. It helps to fully open the folder and, plunging into the handle when grasped, prevents its unplanned closure. This simplified lock is used on safety razors, peasants' working knives, and Japanese higonokami.

By learning about the different types of locking, choosing the best lock mechanism becomes much easier. It is already easier to determine what a folder with a particular lock is capable of, and the parameters of the handle will tell you whether the grip will be comfortable. Decide carefully on the requirements for a knife and your doubts will melt away one by one.

Answer yourself these questions:

How should the folder open: with one hand or two?

Is resistance to various stains important?

What should be the degree of strength?

What is the main purpose of the knife?

Having decided on the requirements, you can save yourself from possible surprises and inconveniences.

According to the results of an independent survey, it turned out that the title of “best folding knife” was unanimously given to models with “Frame lock” locks, followed by the “Axis lock” and “Liner lock” pin locks. Which one will be best for you is up to you to decide.
The Winauto store is happy to help with your choice, offering customers about 20 brands of folding knives. With us you will find exactly what you need. Budget and high-quality options include Ganzo folding knives, which have been demonstrating good workmanship, durability and convenience for 20 years. Well-known global manufacturers, including Spyderco, Mr. Blade", "Boker", "Gerber", "Kizer", "Opinel", "Kizlyar", "Mora", "Skif", demonstrate their cutting “masterpieces” of various directions. Grand Way folding knives will delight you with their wide range, accessibility and functionality.

"Winauto" will make your shopping dream come true!

The urbanization of the modern world has led to an increase in the popularity of folding knives (in common parlance - “folders” or “folders”, from the English folder - a folded object). Such a knife is compact and convenient for a city dweller, attracts less attention, and is usually absolutely legal to carry. It can be used for a variety of operations - opening envelopes and cardboard boxes, opening plastic packaging, cutting tape, etc. In a critical situation, it can also be used as a personal defense weapon. There was even a special term for the knives of a city dweller - “everyday carry knife” or EDC knife (from the English abbreviation EDC - Every Day Carring).

The activities of human rights organizations in many countries of the world have led to the fact that folding knives have come to replace fixed-blade knives in law enforcement agencies and even in special units operating in urban environments. These knives are called “tactical”. While superior to city knives in strength and reliability, they are inferior to them in size and weight.

In addition to self-defense, they can be used for a wide variety of operations - breaking doors, breaking through office partitions and, of course, cutting ropes, etc. These knives are often used as auxiliary knives in military units, as well as tourist (camping) knives or knives for working in field conditions.

Main types of blade clamps

The achievements of modern metallurgy and inorganic chemistry, the introduction of new materials processing technologies make it possible to bring to life the most daring design ideas. Close interaction between knifemakers and hand-to-hand combat experts allows us to create original models of tactical knives with enhanced fighting qualities. As a result, new models of folding knives appear with an unusual blade shape, ergonomic handles, and additional design elements that increase the convenience and safety of using the knife.

Knives with increased cutting properties

There is no perfect knife. Certain design solutions and elements increase the performance of a knife for performing certain types of work. In addition, no two people are the same; they have different hand sizes; they may have a leading right or left hand. For those who are not experts in the field of blades, the variety of designs creates certain difficulties when choosing a knife to suit your needs.

Design of folding knives

Folding knives have a long history and have gone from primitive designs to high-tech products, the manufacture of which uses the most advanced technologies.

A typical folding knife is a blade with a single-sided sharpening, mounted on the axis of the handle. When folded, the knife blade is hidden in the handle.

The main structural elements of a knife are the blade and the handle.

In the classic version, the blade rotates in the plane of the handle. Much less common are knives in which the axis of rotation of the knife is perpendicular to the plane of the blade. Such knives look very original, but are inferior in reliability to knives of classical design. An exception to this rule is hinged knives with a transverse blade opening.

In most folding knives, when open, the blade is in line with the handle. Among folding knives designed for personal self-defense, you can find knives in which the blade can be fixed in an intermediate position - perpendicular to the handle. In this case, the knife turns into a knife with a brass knuckle grip of the type of the famous “push daggers”, which originate from the daggers of the hidden carry of card players of the Wild West. The advantage of such knives is a simplified striking technique - a blow is similar to a blow with a fist.

The STI company even developed the Tai sabaki knife (from the name of the Japanese technique of turning the body), in which the blade can be fixed in six positions, which allows you to expand the technical arsenal of striking.

STI knife with blade fixation in several positions

According to the principle of opening, knives can be divided into knives:
- with manual opening and closing of the blade;
- with semi-automatic and automatic blade opening;
- fully automatic.

In knives with semi-automatic opening, to bring the blade into working condition, it is enough to move the knife blade slightly, and then it is brought to working condition by a special spring.

Semi-automatic knives and automatic knife (right)

In knives with automatic opening, you only need to press a special button or a folding trigger guard on the handle (#4 a). In knife literature, such knives are often called “automatic” or “automatic knives,” although this is not entirely true, since the reverse operation of folding the blade is performed manually. A classic example of such knives is the “Italian stiletto” and its numerous clones.

Buttons for opening semi-automatic knives and an Italian stiletto

The process of opening/closing the blade is controlled by a special slider on the handle. These knives usually have a characteristic blade play. Only specialists from the Microtek company, known for the high quality of knife manufacturing, managed to create automatic knives that are practically free of this drawback. But the price for this is their high price.

Automatic knives from Microtek

The legislation of many countries, including Russia, classifies automatic knives with a certain blade length as criminal, and their carrying in these countries is prohibited. These restrictions do not apply to semi-automatic knives.
To avoid the risk of injury if these knives are accidentally opened in a pocket, they often have a special safety lock.
The main advantage of automatic and semi-automatic knives is that they can be quickly brought into working condition with one hand. This is of great importance in knife fighting, as well as for people who, as a result of their professional activities, can only use one hand.
The disadvantages of these knives include increased sensitivity to dirt due to the rather complex design of the opening mechanism, and therefore less reliability. Cleaning the mechanism is a rather complex procedure, especially in fully automatic knives, where it can only be carried out by qualified personnel. Therefore, automatic and semi-automatic knives are poorly suited for field conditions.
Knives in which the blade opens due to its gravity (“inertial knives”) do not have these disadvantages. The most famous of them is the knife of the Wehrmacht airborne units, which is still produced in a modified version today. The knife is very reliable, has a simple design and can be easily disassembled for preventative cleaning.
Fixing the blade in the open position is ensured by special structural elements - locks (in English literature - lock). This fixation of the blade ensures safe use of the knife, especially during operations where its piercing action is necessary.
On the first primitive folding knives, the latch-lock was a special protrusion on the butt of the knife, similar to a straight razor. Currently, there are many varieties of these devices. However, only three types of locks are most widespread - back up (lock on the butt of the blade), liner lock (strip lock) and axis lock (axial lock), as well as their varieties. All of them allow you to create knives that can be opened with only one hand, and provide a fairly reliable fastening of the blade in the open position.

A type of lock on the butt of a blade

Lock on the butt of the blade(back up lock) is considered the most reliable. But knives with this type of lock are difficult to fold with one hand. In addition, there is a possibility of accidental folding of the blade when the handle is squeezed tightly.

Knives that use a type of back up lock, which was originally used on Spanish Navaja knives, are free from this drawback. A similar lock is used on the South African Okapi. In this lock-clamp, the blade is locked in the open position by the protrusion of the butt, which fits into the hole on the spring bar of the lock. To disengage the lock, just pull the special ring. In modern versions, the ring is replaced by a more compact and convenient folding bracket - a lever.

Linear lock(liner lock) compared to the previous one, allows you to close the knife with one hand (in fairness, it should be noted that due to the asymmetry of the design, this is not entirely convenient for people with a dominant left hand). Experts believe that in terms of the reliability of fixing the blade, this lock is inferior to the lock on the butt of the blade - under strong longitudinal load, the end of the locking strip may disengage with the heel of the blade.
Much less common is the ring lock, which is used on French Opinel knives, which have been produced since the late 19th century. This lock has a very simple design - a ring with a slot. To unlock the blade, simply turn the ring so that its slot aligns with the line of the blade. The same type of lock was used on the original domestic knife “Fortel”.

In addition to the classic ones, there is a very interesting type of hinge-frame type knives. In these knives, the main design element is special frames or hinges, which simultaneously secure the blade. Such knives are characterized by high reliability of locking the blade in the open position while the knife is held in the hand. They have a symmetrical shape, making them equally convenient for both right-handed and left-handed people.

Frame knives consist of two frames, the planes of rotation of which are mutually perpendicular. Among domestic knives, these include “Chizhik” by master Konstantin Sazhin and “Skat” by the company “NOKS”.

Frame knives “Chizhik” and “Scat”

Of the hinged knives, the most famous is the Philippine balisong (butterfly knife) and its antipode, in which the plane of rotation of the blade is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the knife. The latter is, perhaps, the only knife with a transverse blade tear-off, which ensures very reliable fixation of the knife blade in the open state.
Among articulated knives, pantograph knives have the most complex design. Typical examples are the German Paratrooper knife and the Smith & Wesson Power Glide knife.

Knives with transverse blade rotation

The Paratruper knife, patented in Germany in 1938, is sometimes mistakenly called a Wehrmacht airborne knife. An indispensable condition for knives for parachutists is the ability to open it with one hand, but the Paratrooper cannot be opened with one hand. The reason for this misconception was the name of the knife, which translates as “paratrooper”. However, this name is not related to the purpose of the knife, but to the fact that its opening resembles the opening of a parachute canopy. A unique feature of this knife is that the length of the blade when open exceeds the length of the handle.
The main disadvantage of hinged frame knives is the inability to open the knife with one hand and the complexity of the design. The only knife of this type that is devoid of these shortcomings is the famous Philippine balisong knife (see “Brother”, No. 8, 2012).

Articulated knives

In most folding knives, when folded, the blade is completely hidden in the handle of the knife. Only part of the butt protrudes from the handle (for this reason, double-sided sharpening of the blade is not used in folding knives). However, there are knives in which, when folded, the blade comes out of the handle - semi-folding knives. A classic example of such a knife is the daggers of Admiral D’Estaing. This design combines the advantages of large fixed-blade knives and the small dimensions of folding knives. This design of knives was quite common on hunting and huntsman knives in the last century. It is with this knife that Kuzmich cuts a pineapple from the garden in the popular comedy “Peculiarities of the National Hunt.”

Half-mounted knives

The downside to these knives is that they require a sheath to carry them. Knives are free from them, in which the blade is retracted into a special groove that extends from the handle when the blade is folded.
The Soviet knife designed by A. I. Shilin, deputy chief designer of the Kovrov plant No. 2 named after. K. O. Kirkizha (State Union Plant No. 2). The knife was developed as part of a competition to select a folding knife for officers of the Soviet Army, which was held in 1944, and took second place in this competition. According to some reports, a small test series of these knives was made in 1945. However, for unknown reasons, the knife never entered service. The knife had a blade with double-sided sharpening. When folded, the blade was hidden two-thirds of its length in the handle. To carry the knife, a wooden sheath was used, inside of which there were special hooks that ensured automatic extension of the blade to its full length when the knife was removed. In addition to the blade itself, the handle of the knife contained a standard set of tools necessary in everyday life - an awl, a corkscrew, a screwdriver, a can opener and a bottle opener.

Officer's knife designed by A.I. Shilin and its modern Chinese analogue

The ideas laid down by Shilin have now been used by the Chinese to develop a special knife that is in service with the Chinese police.

You've finally decided to make your first folding knife. This is right. In any case, this gives me great pleasure, and the result inspires new creativity. Give it a try. You won't regret it anyway. Someone smart once said: “it’s better to do it and then regret it than to regret not doing it.”

Since you have already made up your mind, it means you have some design ideas. Let's assume that you have chosen a lock (Liner Lock), and this is one of the best knife locks. If not the best. It contains a minimum of parts, which means it has maximum reliability.

A little history. The modern linear lock was invented by Michael Walker in 1981. The most important thing that Michael did was create an independent blade fixation system that has only one spring. The lock's leaf spring not only locks the blade in the open position, but also ensures its secure fixation in the closed position.

In addition, this lock allows you to open and close the folding knife with one hand. This invention in the full sense of the word changed the face of the modern folding knife. Honor and praise to him for this.

Make a sketch of the future design on paper or in some graphics editor. For example, it turned out like this:

First of all, choose your materials. It is preferable for a blade, since if moisture gets inside a folding knife, the moisture is not so easy to remove. Therefore, if there is something to rust, it will rust. If there is a thermal operator capable of working with high-carbon alloyed stainless steels, then you are very lucky in life (at the level of happiness).

If not, you will have to work on hardened material, and this is not easy. To drill holes in hardened metal, I use ceramic and glass drills with an arrowhead tip. You need to work hard, at low speeds, but carefully. You can chip the drill. And, of course, monitor the heating of the part. Be sure to refrigerate frequently, otherwise it will release.

Give the desired shape to the blade. I have used blades from Tramontina Professional Master series knives several times. They are a little more expensive than regular kitchen appliances from this company, but they are made from Sandvik 12C27 or 1.4110 from Krupa. This is good steel.

For folding knife dies, I recommend titanium. Despite its small thickness, it is quite strong and has sufficient rigidity and springing properties. In addition, titanium is lightweight and does not rust at all. There are some peculiarities in titanium processing.

Titanium should be worked at low speeds. For example, I couldn’t cut a 4 mm plate with a grinder, but I could easily cut it with a hacksaw for metal, although it took a long time. The thread in titanium must be cut slowly, with oil, going back every 0.5-1 revolution.

To cut out the contour of the locking spring in the lower die, at the place where it is supposed to end, I drill 3-4 holes with a diameter of 2.5 mm, connect them, insert a hacksaw blade there and off we go. Slowly, almost to the hole for the axle. In this place, I also recommend drilling a small technological hole for a clear end of the cut. All that remains is to saw through the line of the stopper itself. Here it is necessary to leave a reserve, which is then removed when setting up the lock.

The second, upper, die has exactly the same dimensions (as a rule) as the lower one. But it must have a recess for a hole for opening the knife. All mating holes should be drilled in batches. Start with the holes for the axle. Do not forget that the diameter of the holes for the fastening screws in the lower die must be threaded, and in the upper one the diameter of the screw.

So everything is cut and drilled. Select, or make your own, two fluoroplastic or bronze washers that will be used as a bearing on the axis of rotation (folding) of the knife. Insert the axle into the lower die, install the locking pin, washer, blade, and fold the future folding knife.

If something doesn't match, adjust it to the correct size. This must be done very carefully and carefully. Remember Zhvanetsky: “One careless movement: and you are a father.” Well, everything fits together!

On the locking spring of the lower die, mark a place for the ball and in this place drill a hole with a diameter 0.1-0.2 mm smaller than the diameter of the ball. I use balls with a diameter of 1.5-2 mm, from the bearing. Then, in a vice (placing a piece of hot metal under the ball, otherwise it will fit into the jaws of the vice), press the ball into the locking plate. The ball should protrude outward by approximately 0.5 mm. The thickness of the washer on the axis between the blade and the die.

Next, using a marker, draw in the place on the heel of the blade where the ball will move and fold/unfold the future folding knife several times. A clear mark from the ball will be visible on the blade. Stepping back 0.3-0.5 mm from the place where it (the trace) ends, drill a hole into which the ball will go in the folded position of the knife. Carefully bend the plate in the desired direction.

Assemble your future folding knife without the top die and adjust the lock (your stopper is cut out with a margin). Do this very carefully (remember Zhvanetsky). As soon as the lock engages, stop. Assemble the folding knife completely, with the top die, and try folding/unfolding it several times, apply force (as if cutting something). Do this several times. And put it off until tomorrow.

Final adjustment of the parts of a homemade folding knife.

Sleep with the idea that you have made your first folding knife. The next day there will definitely be something to finish. Bring the castle to condition. The locking plate should not reach the upper end of the heel of the blade, otherwise it will fall all the way to the top plate and jam the lock.

If the spring is too tight (depending on the thickness and brand of used

It can be used for a variety of operations - opening envelopes and cardboard boxes, opening plastic packaging, cutting tape, etc. In a critical situation, it can also be used as a personal defense weapon. There was even a special term for the knives of a city dweller - “everyday carry knife” or EDC knife (from the English abbreviation EDC - Every Day Carring).
The activities of human rights organizations in many countries of the world have led to the fact that folding knives have come to replace fixed-blade knives in law enforcement agencies and even in special units operating in urban environments. These knives are called “tactical”. While superior to city knives in strength and reliability, they are inferior to them in size and weight.
In addition to self-defense, they can be used for a wide variety of operations - breaking doors, breaking through office partitions and, of course, cutting ropes, etc. These knives are often used as auxiliary knives in military units, as well as tourist (camping) knives or knives for working in field conditions.

Main types of blade clamps

Knives with increased cutting properties

There is no perfect knife. Certain design solutions and elements increase the performance of a knife for performing certain types of work. In addition, no two people are the same; they have different hand sizes; they may have a leading right or left hand. For those who are not experts in the field of bladed weapons, the variety of designs creates certain difficulties when choosing a knife to suit their needs.

Design of folding knives
Folding knives have a long history and have gone from primitive designs to high-tech products, the manufacture of which uses the most advanced technologies.
A typical folding knife is a blade with a single-sided sharpening, mounted on the axis of the handle. When folded, the knife blade is hidden in the handle.
The main structural elements of a knife are the blade and the handle.
In the classic version, the blade rotates in the plane of the handle. Much less common are knives in which the axis of rotation of the knife is perpendicular to the plane of the blade. Such knives look very original, but are inferior in reliability to knives of classical design. An exception to this rule is hinged knives with a transverse blade opening.
In most folding knives, when open, the blade is in line with the handle. Among folding knives designed for personal self-defense, you can find knives in which the blade can be fixed in an intermediate position - perpendicular to the handle. In this case, the knife turns into a knife with a brass knuckle grip of the type of the famous “push daggers”, which originate from the daggers of the hidden carry of card players of the Wild West. The advantage of such knives is a simplified striking technique - a blow is similar to a blow with a fist.
The STI company even developed the Tai sabaki knife (from the name of the Japanese technique of turning the body), in which the blade can be fixed in six positions, which allows you to expand the technical arsenal of striking.

STI knife with blade fixation in several positions

According to the principle of opening, knives can be divided into knives:
- with manual opening and closing of the blade;
- with semi-automatic and automatic blade opening;
- fully automatic.
In knives with semi-automatic opening, to bring the blade into working condition, it is enough to move the knife blade slightly, and then it is brought to working condition by a special spring.

Semi-automatic knives and automatic knife (right)

In knives with automatic opening, you only need to press a special button or a folding trigger guard on the handle. In knife literature, such knives are often called “automatic” or “automatic knives,” although this is not entirely true, since the reverse operation of folding the blade is performed manually. A classic example of such knives is the “Italian stiletto” and its numerous clones.

Buttons for opening semi-automatic knives and an Italian stiletto

In fully automatic knives, both opening and closing of the knife occurs automatically. Moreover, the blade extends from the handle along the longitudinal axis of the blade (frontal ejection of the blade), and in the closed position it is completely retracted into the handle. This allows the use of dagger-type blades with double-sided or one-and-a-half sharpening in such knives, but imposes restrictions on the width of the blade - it cannot be greater than the width of the handle.
The process of opening/closing the blade is controlled by a special slider on the handle. These knives usually have a characteristic blade play. Only specialists from the Microtek company, known for the high quality of knife manufacturing, managed to create automatic knives that are practically free of this drawback. But the price for this is their high price.

Automatic knives from Microtek

Fixing the blade in the open position is ensured by special structural elements - locks(in English literature - lock). This fixation of the blade ensures safe use of the knife, especially during operations where its piercing action is necessary.
On the first primitive folding knives, the latch-lock was a special protrusion on the butt of the knife, similar to a straight razor. Currently, there are many varieties of these devices. However, only three types of locks are most widespread - back up (lock on the butt of the blade), liner lock (strip lock) and axis lock (axial lock), as well as their varieties. All of them allow you to create knives that can be opened with only one hand, and provide a fairly reliable fastening of the blade in the open position.

A type of lock on the butt of a blade

Lock on the butt of the blade (back up lock) considered the most reliable. But knives with this type of lock are difficult to fold with one hand. In addition, there is a possibility of accidental folding of the blade when the handle is squeezed tightly.
Knives that use a type of back up lock, which was originally used on Spanish Navaja knives, are free from this drawback. A similar lock is used on the South African Okapi. In this lock-clamp, the blade is locked in the open position by the protrusion of the butt, which fits into the hole on the spring bar of the lock. To disengage the lock, just pull the special ring. In modern versions, the ring is replaced by a more compact and convenient folding bracket - a lever.

Linear lock compared to the previous one, it allows you to close the knife with one hand (in fairness, it should be noted that due to the asymmetry of the design, this is not entirely convenient for people with a dominant left hand). Experts believe that in terms of the reliability of fixing the blade, this lock is inferior to the lock on the butt of the blade - under strong longitudinal load, the end of the locking strip may disengage with the heel of the blade.

Much less common is ring lock, which is used on French Opinel knives, which have been produced since the end of the 19th century. This lock has a very simple design - a ring with a slot. To unlock the blade, simply turn the ring so that its slot aligns with the line of the blade. The same type of lock was used on the original domestic knife “Fortel”.
In addition to the classic ones, there is a very interesting type of hinge-frame type knives. In these knives, the main design element is special frames or hinges, which simultaneously secure the blade. Such knives are characterized by high reliability of locking the blade in the open position while the knife is held in the hand. They have a symmetrical shape, making them equally convenient for both right-handed and left-handed people.

Frame knives consist of two frames, the planes of rotation of which are mutually perpendicular. Among domestic knives, these include “Chizhik” by master Konstantin Sazhin and “Skat” by the company “NOKS”.

Frame knives “Chizhik” and “Scat”

Knives with transverse blade rotation

The Paratruper knife, patented in Germany in 1938, is sometimes mistakenly called a Wehrmacht airborne knife. An indispensable condition for knives for parachutists is the ability to open it with one hand, but the Paratrooper cannot be opened with one hand. The reason for this misconception was the name of the knife, which translates as “paratrooper”. However, this name is not related to the purpose of the knife, but to the fact that its opening resembles the opening of a parachute canopy. A unique feature of this knife is that the length of the blade when open exceeds the length of the handle.
The main disadvantage of hinged frame knives is the inability to open the knife with one hand and the complexity of the design. The only knife of this type that does not have these shortcomings is the famous Philippine balisong knife.

Articulated knives

Half-mounted knives

Officer's knife designed by A.I. Shilin and its modern Chinese analogue

The ideas laid down by Shilin have now been used by the Chinese to develop a special knife that is in service with the Chinese police.

The blade is the main part of the knife. The piercing and cutting properties of the knife depend on it. The main factors that determine the operational characteristics of a blade are the material and technology of its manufacture, as well as its shape and cross-section. The blades of modern folding knives are made from corrosion-resistant types of steel. On blades from well-known manufacturers, the steel grade is often stamped on the blade at the base of the handle. On cheap knives you can often see the inscription on the blade - “stainless” or “rostfrei”, which simply means “stainless steel”. Currently, the knife industry uses several dozen different grades of steel. Since different countries have different standards for designating steel grades, the same steel may have different designations. The most common steel grades used for the manufacture of folding knife blades are shown in the table.

For an inexperienced user, it is enough to take into account the fact that the more expensive the steel, the longer it holds an edge, but this increases the fragility of the cutting edge and makes it more difficult to edit the knife at home. The quality of the blade is largely influenced by the technology of thermal hardening of the steel used by the manufacturer. With proper heat treatment, even relatively cheap types of steel provide good cutting qualities of a knife, and vice versa, even expensive types of steel with flaws in heat treatment will not provide good quality of the blade. This is precisely the reason for the high cost of folding knives from well-known manufacturers who have modern equipment and carefully monitor the quality of the blade.

The hardness of a cutting edge is expressed in Rockwell units. Typically, folding knife blades are hardened to 42–60 HRC. The higher this number, the longer the knife holds an edge, but this comes at the cost of less resistance to impact loads and the difficulty of sharpening the knife. And, conversely, at low HRC values, the cutting edge is more ductile, easy to sharpen, but does not hold an edge well. When the hardness increases above 61 HRC, the blade of knives with a normal spine thickness becomes very fragile. Blade blades hardened to 42 units. or less, has low strength and is difficult to cut ordinary materials. This indicator is not given on the packaging of knives. Even when describing the model on the manufacturer’s website, it is not always possible to see it. When using a knife, it is necessary to take into account the fact that the knife blade is very sensitive to temperature increases. That is why you should not stir up the coals of a fire with a knife or use an electric sharpener for plumbing or carpentry tools to sharpen it.

The surface of the blade can be polished, matted, blued, chrome-plated or have a special protective coating.

Polishing increases the blade's resistance to corrosion, but this surface shines in the sun, which is not entirely acceptable in tactical knives. Matting increases the anti-reflective properties, but worsens the corrosion resistance of the knife.

When a blade is blued, a thin layer of protective oxide film is created on its surface, and the blade acquires a dark color. When chrome plating, a thin layer of chromium is applied to the surface of the blade, which prevents corrosion of the blade, but not its cutting edge.

In modern knives, blade coatings made of synthetic materials (epoxy resins, Teflon) are becoming increasingly common, which provide high resistance to moisture or acidic and alkaline environments. Because this coating prevents the blade from reflecting in the sun, it is often called "anti-glare" and is often used on tactical knives. The disadvantage of such coatings is low wear resistance and sensitivity to scratches.

Recently, as the industrial production of Damascus steel has become cheaper, more and more blades are being made from it. Damascus steel is produced by forge welding several layers of steel with different carbon contents. As a result, a beautiful pattern appears on the surface of the blade. Modern industrial production of Damascus steels makes it possible to pre-design the shape of this pattern (“mosaic Damascus”).

The combination of low-carbon steel strips, which provide ductility, and high-carbon steel, which ensures the hardness of the cutting edge, allows you to create blades with excellent performance qualities. In addition, the cutting edge of Damascus steel knives has micro-teeth, which increase the cutting ability of the knife.

Knives with Damascus steel blades look very impressive. However, it should be borne in mind that the risk of receiving a defective Damascus steel blade is much higher than when purchasing a knife with a regular steel blade. This is due to the rather complex technology of manufacturing such steel.

Doly, which are often called blood flows, are longitudinal grooves along the axis of the blade and serve to lighten the weight of the blade. At the same time, they increase the rigidity of the blade in the transverse direction. Sometimes they are through-cuts.

Ricasso— the unsharpened part of the blade at the handle serves for the convenience of sharpening the knife.

False blade came from combat knives with a fixed blade with a one-and-a-half sharpening.

Folding knives use a variety of blade shapes. For ordinary household operations, knives with a straight blade or a blade converging to the tip are preferred. The disadvantage of the classic blade shape is its lower strength at the tip, since the thickness of the blade smoothly decreases towards the tip. Blades in the form of “tanto” or “modified tanto” are free from this drawback.

At the beginning of this century, first on knives with a fixed blade, and then on folding knives, a special blade shape with a reinforced tip began to be used. If increased cutting properties are required from a knife (knives for self-defense), blades with a blade having a convex or wavy shape are used. At the end of the last - beginning of this century, knives with a sickle-shaped blade, which is characteristic of Malaysian karambit knives, came into fashion. Such a blade does not cut, but rips up the surface of the target like a plow. Knives with such a blade are used for self-defense or for cutting car seat belts. Knives in which the blade is located at an angle to the handle serve the same purpose. This idea received its maximum development in knives with pistol grips from STI.

Flat wedge It has high performance qualities, combining blade strength and a sharp blade. Due to the uniform distribution of force, it cuts well soft materials of large thickness. Disadvantages: difficult to sharpen, does not cope well with cutting hard materials.

Chisel profile— differs in manufacturability and ease of sharpening. It is widespread on the blades of Asian knives. It has excellent chopping properties and cuts thin materials well.

Plano-concave wedge and its variety, a flat-concave wedge with an inlet, is distinguished by its ease of manufacture, is easy to straighten and sharpen, and performs excellent shallow cuts. Disadvantages: low mechanical strength, difficulty cutting thick materials due to protruding side ribs.

Wedge profile has excellent cutting properties. The disadvantage is the fragility of the cutting edge and the difficulty of sharpening (it is necessary to sharpen the entire plane of the blade). The wedge-shaped section with inlet is free from this drawback.

Pentagonal profile combines manufacturability, strength, good cutting qualities, and is easy to straighten. Disadvantages: difficulty in sharpening when restoring the cutting edge.

In addition to the blade, folding pocket knives can have additional auxiliary tools - an awl, a corkscrew, a can opener, and a bottle opener. In the so-called “Swiss Army knives” the number of such tools can reach several dozen. Such multifunctional knives are called “multi-tools.” For self-defense, knives with two working blades are also produced, which allow you to hit a target with forward and backward strokes of the hand without changing the orientation of the knife or changing its grip.

Part of the blade blade may be sharpened in the form of a saw for cutting fibrous materials. In knife literature, such sharpening is called “serator” or “sereitor” (from the English. serrated"sawtooth") In self-defense knives, serrated sharpening makes it easier to cut through thick outer clothing and can be done along the entire length of the blade. The configuration of the teeth of this mini saw may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. The presence of a serrated blade makes it difficult to sharpen a blade at home; for this you need to have a special tool and skills to work with it, or contact an appropriate specialist.

The design of most modern folding knives allows you to open them with one hand, both right and left. For this purpose, there are special elements at the base of the blade - cylindrical pins, round or square dies or holes in the blade (the round hole is protected by a patent owned by the American company Spiderco, and other manufacturing companies are forced to use other forms). It is more convenient to open knives with protruding elements - pins or dies, but they reduce the effective length of the blade.

At the beginning of this century, a special device appeared on knives in the form of a hook on the spine, which ensures automatic opening of the knife when pulled out of a trouser pocket. Owners of such knives should be aware that if the trousers are made of thin material, then after several cycles of drawing the knife they will most likely be torn.

Much less common on modern knives is a special semicircular cutout on the blade. Most often it is used in models that have several working blades or tools, or in knives without fixing the blade, which are well known to the older generation from Soviet times.

Another element that makes it easier to open the knife is the flipper. flipper"fin") - a special protrusion on the butt of the blade. To open a regular knife, just move the blade a little, pressing the flipper with your finger, and then move the blade into the working position with an energetic swing of the hand. In semi-automatic knives there is no need for such a swing; the blade is brought to the working position automatically by a spring mechanism.
In addition, the flipper plays the role of a kind of guard, preventing the hand from slipping onto the blade.

The most common grip for folding knives is a straight diagonal (fencing) grip. In this grip, the thumb is located on the butt of the blade. For more comfortable control of the knife, a special notch is made at the point of contact of the thumb on the butt of the blade. The part of the handle adjacent to the blade may also have a notch.

Handles

The handles of most modern knives have a stacked design consisting of an internal frame in the form of metal strips - liners and linings. Blade fixation elements and an automatic opening mechanism (for semi-automatic and automatic knives) are mounted inside the frame.
Simple monolithic handles with a groove for the blade or handles made of a bent strip of steel are rarely found in modern knives, mainly in the French “Opinel” and African “Duk-duk”. Previously, the parts of the handle were connected into a single whole using rivets. The axis of the blade was also riveted. In modern models, screw connections are usually used for this. The use of screw connections allows you to eliminate the loosening of parts that appears during the operation of the knife, regulate the “softness of the blade,” and facilitate disassembly of the knife for maintenance work. Most foreign folding knives use screws with a figured Torx slot. To work with such screws, you need a special tool - screwdrivers or socket wrenches with a corresponding head. Some companies include such keys with the knife, otherwise they have to be purchased additionally.

The shape of the handle, its cross-section, as well as the texture of the lining determine the convenience and safety of using the knife. The rectangular cross-section of the knife is technologically advanced in production, but is not convenient when performing long-term work with the knife. The round handle fits comfortably in the hand, but it does not allow you to determine the orientation of the knife by touch. Therefore, oval-shaped handles are most convenient. The rectangular shape is compact, but does not provide protection against the hand slipping onto the blade. The wedge-shaped handle better protects the hand when working with the tip of the knife, but when trying to pull out a knife stuck in dense material, the hand will slide off the handle. Small pocket knives often have this shape for performing small household jobs.

The concave shape of the handle provides a more secure grip, but is not entirely comfortable. The convex shape of the handle fits perfectly in the hand and is comfortable for work. This is the shape of the handle that time-tested Finnish-type knives have.

Even more convenient is the convex-concave handle, which is often used on tactical knives. Modern knives increasingly use handles of complex shapes that take into account the ergonomics of the hand. However, its configuration is designed for a medium-sized hand, and a person with a large or, conversely, small hand will not be able to take full advantage of its advantages.

Overlays

For their manufacture, materials of natural (wood, bone, horn) and artificial origin (metals, plastic) can be used. The main advantage of wooden overlays is their “warmth” and the beauty of a natural material. Expensive designer knives can use exotic woods with a very beautiful texture. The main disadvantage is poor wear and moisture resistance. A multi-layer varnish coating in some way solves the problem, but at the same time the reliability of holding the knife in the hand decreases. Another natural material is horn and bone. Handles made from these materials are well polished and look very nice. Disadvantage: They can crack and scratch easily. Metal linings are highly durable, but in the cold season, knives with such handles are inconvenient to use. In addition, they are difficult to hold in a wet or sweaty hand, even if they have a notch on them. In modern knives, titanium alloys based on aluminum or titanium are used for their manufacture. Damascus steel can also be used in expensive designer knives.

Materials based on synthetic resins make it possible to imitate the structure of natural materials and at the same time avoid their inherent disadvantages, although they are inferior in weight. One of the most popular materials of this type is one of the types of textolite “Micarta”. Recently, linings made from various types of plastic, such as ABC, Zitel, Kydex, etc., have been increasingly used. These materials are technologically advanced, moisture-resistant, durable and resistant to the external environment. They allow the production of overlays of any shape with any texture pattern - from a simple roughness inherent in the overlay material itself, or a rectangular notch to specially designed surface types. Thus, the knives of the CRKT “For Those Who Serve” series use a special honeycomb structure that prevents the knife from slipping in the hand. Rubberized inserts or structural elements such as sandpaper inserts are used for the same purpose.

At the end of the handles of many models of folding knives there is a through round hole for attaching a lanyard or lanyard to it.

Security Elements

Although modern designs of blade locks are quite reliable, nevertheless, as noted above, there is a possibility of accidental folding of the blade. To prevent this, modern knives have special fuses. For knives with a lock on the butt, they are usually located in the cutout area of the locking lever. In models with a linear lock, they are located in the front of the handle under the thumb. Supplementing the blade locks with safeties practically turns the knife from a folding knife into a knife with a fixed blade.

To safely carry semi-automatic and automatic knives, the safety must prevent the knife from opening in a clothing pocket if the trigger is accidentally pulled. Therefore, in such knives the fuse often has a double effect - it blocks the blade in the closed and open state.

Clip for wearing

An almost obligatory attribute of modern folding knives is a steel spring clip. In knife literature, the term “clip” is often used to denote it. clip clamp, paper clip). It ensures convenient carrying of the knife in clothing pockets or on a trouser belt.

Many knife manufacturers make the clamp adjustable—that is, it can be attached to different sides of the handle depending on whether the owner is right-handed or left-handed. In addition, sometimes you can change not only the side of the clamp - at the base or at the end. In this case, the knife in the pocket will be oriented either with the tip down or up. Some experts believe that when wearing a knife with the tip up, there is a possibility of a cut when trying to get the knife out of your pocket if, for some reason, the blade comes out of the handle. At the same time, with this orientation of the knife, it is brought into working condition more quickly.

In some models of folding knives, the clip attachment point is not Z-shaped, but shaped like the letter “L” or “P”. In this case, when the knife is carried in a clothing pocket, the upper part of the handle is hidden from external view - only the spring plate of the clip protrudes from the pocket. Outwardly, it looks like an ordinary ballpoint pen.

Elements that enhance striking capabilities

For self-defense purposes, the knife can be used without opening the blade. In this case, it is used as a palm stick and the blow is delivered by parts of the handle protruding from the fist. In tactical and self-defense knives, the end of the handle, to increase the effectiveness of such strikes, often has a triangular shape or a special striking element in the form of a cylinder, cone or pyramid.

Concluding the review of folding knife designs, it should be noted that the legality of a knife, that is, the fact that it is not a bladed weapon, can only be determined by law by an expert. Therefore, when purchasing a knife, you should always ask the seller for a copy of the information sheet for the certification test report (in common parlance it is often called a “certificate”). The absence of such a document, no matter what the seller says, may indicate that the knife you like has not passed the test to be a bladed weapon. Moreover, it is best if such tests were carried out by the parent organization “Forensic Expert Center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs”. It is better to always have a copy of this document with you, which will allow you to avoid unnecessary conflicts with law enforcement officials.

Most of the high-quality folding knives on the Russian knife market are products of foreign companies. Unfortunately, most serial domestic folding knives are inferior to foreign ones in almost all respects, and original models can rarely be found among them. Russian craftsmen and knife companies prefer to create knives with a fixed blade, and among them there are very original models that have no analogues abroad, which include the knives of Vitaly Kim, the Kondrat knife, the NDK-17 knife (a saboteur knife designed by Kochergin) . This is largely due to the more complex technology and the expensive equipment required for it. Among Russian craftsmen, only a few design and produce original handmade folding knives that are not inferior to foreign ones (including in price). As an example, folding knives from the Ural master Urakov and the workshop of the Shirogorov brothers are shown. The rapid pace of development of the Russian knife industry allows us to hope for the emergence of domestic folding knives that are not inferior to foreign models.

Anatoly Fomin. Magazine "Brother" 2013-01

The folding knife as we know it now appeared about three hundred years ago. It was then that a lock was invented that allowed the blade to be locked in the open state. But in fact, the history of folding knives is much older.

A short excursion into history

Folding knives have been known since the times of Ancient Rome. Then every self-respecting Roman had to carry a folding knife with him. This is due to the fact that it was considered good manners to come to a party with your own cutlery, namely, a folding knife was used for eating. It was also used as a “pocket” tool and, to some extent, a self-defense weapon. The design of these knives was extremely simple: the blade was attached to the handle on a hinge and was either hidden in the handle or taken out of it with a simple turn. In the open position, the blade was held solely by the force of friction, and when cutting, by the stop of the shank on the handle. Of course, this design was primitive and short-lived; the knives often failed.

The prevalence of folding knives both in Ancient Rome and in other countries in later times is also due to the fact that carrying a large knife or dagger was punishable by law. At the same time, a folding knife was considered safe, non-threatening, and anyone could carry it. So, in the 16th century in Andalusia, in the south of Spain, Navaja folding knives appeared and became very popular. This was due to the tightening of anti-weapons legislation, which prohibited representatives of the “low class” from carrying full-fledged weapons.

Springs and locks as part of the knife design appeared at the end of the 18th century, in America, during the War for American Independence. The folding knife even became part of the field equipment of the Continental militia. The knife was also popular among the settlers, who actively used it on the farm.

At the end of the 19th century, folding knives were adopted by the Swiss army. The knife was primarily supposed to serve the Schmidt-Rubin M1889 rifle, which required a screwdriver to disassemble, as well as open canned food and perform other household functions. Such “soldier’s knives” were manufactured by Karl Elsener’s company, which later grew into the famous Victorinox.

Now folding pocket knives, which are also called folding knives, folders, are experiencing a truly “golden age”, as their popularity is growing at a tremendous pace. After all, this is an assistant for all occasions, useful in the household and safe during storage.

Design of a modern folding knife

A folding knife differs from a knife with a fixed blade primarily in that it has a movable mechanism connecting the blade to the handle. But, as with any knife, the main design elements remain the blade and the handle.

The blade of a folding knife has the same basic elements and parameters as the blade of a fixed blade knife. We wrote about this earlier in an article on. But at the same time, it also has additional structural elements associated with the need to open the knife and fix the blade in the open position.

Devices for manually opening a knife

Subdigital hole- this is a hole on the blade, usually round or oval, located closer to the handle. With its help, the folding knife is opened quickly and easily.

Pin on the blade– a special stop, for installation of which a threaded hole is drilled in the blade. The pin is screwed into it. Most knives have a one-sided peg; it can be screwed onto the desired side of the blade - under the right or left hand. There are models equipped with symmetrical pegs; they are located on both sides of the blade. This knife can be opened with both the right and left hand.

Washer- this is a peg that is located on the butt of the blade closer to the handle. It has a round or rectangular shape, with smoothed corners. The side surface of the washer usually has notches.

Flipper or fin– a special protrusion on the blade. When the knife is folded, the flipper protrudes above the top of the handle. When pressure is applied to the flipper, the knife partially opens. Further opening occurs either by shaking, or by using the thumb, or, if available, by an assist spring. The flipper also plays the role of a guard, preventing the palm from slipping onto the blade.

Wave- this is a hook on the butt, which, when removing the knife, clings to the edge of the pocket and thus opens the knife. Wave was invented by Ernest Emerson specifically for tactical knives, for which opening speed is an important parameter.

Notch on the blade- the oldest and most proven method of opening, which is now rare. Mainly used in models that have multiple blades or additional tools. Both hands are required to open.

Sometimes manufacturers combine opening elements: for example, a wave with an under-finger notch. Or a peg and flipper, like semi-automatic knives.

It is more convenient to open knives equipped with protruding elements - a peg, a washer, a flipper, but they reduce the effective length of the blade. In addition, any protruding element may interfere with the quick removal of the knife from your pocket.

Handle

If the main requirements for the handles of non-folding knives are convenience and reliability, then the requirements for the handles of folding knives are more stringent, since their functionality is wider. The handle of a folding knife is primarily a container for the blade; it should also house the folding and locking mechanisms. Therefore, the structure of the handle is more complex, and the materials used are more durable.

The handle design of a typical folding knife looks like this. The basis for the handle of a folding knife is the internal supporting frame (frame). These are two metal plates, or liners, placed parallel to each other and connected by screws or rivets. In modern models, a screw connection is more often used. It allows you to avoid loose parts that may occur during operation of the knife, regulates the softness of the blade and facilitates the process of disassembling the knife when carrying out maintenance work.

A lock for fixing the blade and an automatic knife opening mechanism (for automatic and semi-automatic knives) are mounted inside the frame. Between the liners there is a groove in which the blade is located. The presence of the groove is provided by the rear tab, which forms the spine of the handle. When we fold the knife, almost the entire blade goes into the gap between the plates.

On the outside, the liners are decorated with linings, which can be made of either natural (wood, bone) or artificial (fiberglass, micarta, carbon) materials. The lining may be missing, and then the role of the handle is played by the frame plates, which in this case are made thicker. The overlays not only serve to decorate the handle, but also improve your grip, prevent the knife from slipping in your hand, and generally increase ease of use. The combination of the frame with overlays gives the structure the necessary rigidity and strength.

In the front part of the handle, an axis is mounted in the plates, around which the blade rotates when opening and closing the knife. There is also a blade rotation limiter when open. Between the side plates and the blade inside the groove there are also gaskets, which in expensive knives are usually made of bronze or copper, and in cheaper knives - from Teflon.

If we talk about the geometry of the handle, then in shape they can be concave, convex, rectangular, wedge-shaped, with or without grooves for fingers. In cross-section - round, oval, rectangular. The shape and cross-section of the handle determine the convenience and safety of using the knife. Their role is similar to the handles of knives with a fixed blade, as we already wrote about in the article on structure.

Security Elements

Modern models of folding knives are equipped with fairly reliable blade locks. However, the possibility of accidentally folding the knife still exists. Inadvertent opening of the knife can lead to serious injury - the blade can pierce the stomach or thigh, or injure the hand in the pocket. To prevent this from happening, many knives are additionally equipped with fuses. For knives that have a lock on the butt, the fuses are placed in the cutout area of the locking lever. For knives equipped with a linear lock, they are located in the front of the handle, under the thumb.

In semi-automatic and automatic knives, the safety locks the blade not only in the open state, but also in the closed state. After all, the trigger mechanism can also be activated accidentally when the folded knife is in the pocket.

Knives equipped with clamps are comparable in reliability to knives with a fixed blade.

Carrying clip

To conveniently carry a knife in a pocket or on a belt, almost all folding knives are equipped with a special clamp, or clip, which usually looks like a steel spring strip. It is very convenient if the clip is made adjustable - that is, it can be attached to both sides of the handle, for the right or left hand - as you wish. There are models in which you can change not only the side of the clip, but also its location - at the base of the handle or at the end. Depending on this, the knife in your pocket will be oriented with its tip either down or up.

In most cases, the clamp is attached to the handle with screws. If necessary, you can remove it and carry the knife in a sheath. There are also non-removable clamps, but such knives are quite rare.

Elements that enhance striking capabilities

A folding knife can be used without opening the blade. For example, for self-defense purposes, when the knife serves as a palm stick. The blow is delivered with parts of the handle protruding from the fist. To increase the impact efficiency in tactical knives, the end of the handle can have a triangular shape or a special striking element in the form of a cylinder, cone, or pyramid.

Additional items

Folding knives can be equipped with additional elements that expand the functionality of the knife. This could be a can opener and bottle opener, a corkscrew and an awl, pliers and a screwdriver. Their number can be from one to several dozen. Their number and configuration depend on the purpose of the knife. Thus, tourist knives, in addition to the main set of tools, can have a wood saw, fishing knives can have a sling cutter, and hunting knives are equipped with a hook for ripping the skin.

A good folding knife is a synthesis of the latest technologies and modern materials. It must have not only optimal dimensions and weight, but also a reliable mechanism for opening and locking the blade. The ease of use and the speed of opening the knife depend on this, which can be important, as well as its strength and durability. Types of locks and their design are discussed in.

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How to fold a folding knife. Types of folding knife locks - description and design

What does the type of lock affect?

Types of locks

Final adjustment of the parts of a homemade folding knife.

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