Automatic folding knife with a button: types of mechanisms and selection rules

The incredible popularity of such switchblades can be explained quite simply and in one word – spectacular! Precisely with “!” familiar because it really is. The frontal knife has won the hearts of all men on the planet. It is also simply called “frontal” or “miscarriage”. The names have a certain slang vocabulary, words that are hard on the ear, they already speak of something aggressive and incomprehensible. But during this article we will try to understand the appearance of such names for this unique blade. He is to the liking of both “knife addicts” and mere “mortals”. Indeed, the blade is ejected directly from the handle itself, and it looks quite beautiful.

An example of a switchblade.

History of origin

This section is covered in darkness. Having studied many sources and realized that in fact there is no single explanation for the origin of this blade. Some sources write that such a mechanism is already a couple of hundred years old, while others say that they appeared in the mid-20th century.

It is known for certain that such products appeared at the beginning of the 20th century and were especially popular among US sailors. The front cutter was convenient for them due to its ease of throwing out the blade.

When, during a storm, you hold on to the mast or anything else with one hand, and you need to cut the cables. It was at such moments that an automatic folding knife was simply necessary.

Front switchblade from the early 20th century.

Then the Second World War played a huge role in the production of all blades, including switchblades. After the war, there were quite a lot of disabled people, and an automatic switchblade, which could be operated with one hand, helped such people a lot.

But also this frontal knife has gained enormous popularity among bandits of various stripes. This was a mandatory attribute of the criminal element. This is where the names mentioned above most likely came from and they have stuck to this day. But as time passed, laws changed and so did the rules of trade.

The “Pirate” blade is a modern replica.

In 1987, there was a revolutionary breakthrough in the manufacture of front switchblades. American Mr. Ron Miller came up with an innovative spring mechanism for the blade.

And they were adopted by the American army. And a visiting master named Charles Oke made an additional contribution to blocking and unlocking the blade. In those days they called their products “Black Knife”.

An interesting fact is that at one time Mr. Ron never patented his invention. And today, all companies producing such a product consider it their duty to launch a line of frontal flow products.

But, unfortunately, there are quite a lot of fakes, original good blades “walking” around the world. Let's try to understand this issue in more detail in order to protect our readers from such a bad purchase.

Types of switchblade locks

There are many different types of switchblade locks. From the simplest retro options to modern complex designs. Let's look at the most common ones.

• Auto Lock is considered one of the most reliable options. Automatic ejection thanks to a light push of a button. Stable fixation, does not require special care.
• Liner Lock - an extended linear lock. Its quality depends on the similar properties of the liner. The spring that lifts the blade is flat.
• Back Lock is a recognizable type of mechanism with a characteristic insert along the entire handle. It can also be considered a reliable option for a lock, but provided that all parts of the structure have been carefully fitted.
• Button Lock is a lightweight design based on a button spring; the blade is quite firmly fixed in both the closed and open positions. It opens and closes with one hand, but is very afraid of litter, dust, dirt, and especially sand.
• Automatic - fully automatic closing and opening. Very convenient in hiking conditions. The automatic switchblade performs well in extreme and everyday situations. But, like many other mechanisms, it simply cannot tolerate dirt.
• Plunge Lock is a good, reliable mechanism, but only if the knife remains clean. The blade is fixed by

a pin that fits into the “heel” of the blade.

Just like with side or front ejection, it is impossible to say for sure which types of switchblade locks are good and which are not. Each option has its own weaknesses and strengths. But in general, you can definitely trust the listed options. After all, we have chosen the most common, popular, and therefore the best. After all, what better way to advertise this or that thing than public opinion about it. In this case, types of switchblade locks.

Operating principle

The main criterion when operating a product with a retractable blade is high-quality manufacturing of internal mechanisms and impeccable assembly.

All moving parts must fit together precisely to ensure smooth operation of any automatic folding knife.

In this case, we will try to consider the operating principle of the most popular samples from Microtech and Ultratech:

• The knife models are not important here, but what is important is that they use mechanisms that eject the blade when the spring is stretched. It itself is made in such a way that it has a lock at the end, and other forces will be applied to it to hold it in different positions;
• the entire mechanism is located along the handle, the blade moves along a special “shaft”. The frame has two locking locks when opening and closing the product. It is tightly secured in the handle;
• When the blade moves, the spring mechanism stretches or folds back. By moving the button (lever) forward or backward, the release lock opens or closes, which holds the blade by the shank;
• Thanks to the force of the spring, the blade is thrown back or taken back, and then fixed.

Microtech frontal ejection blade, disassembled.
In fact, everything is not so difficult. If you disassemble an automatic knife, then a person who understands at least a little mechanics will quickly figure out what’s what. It’s quite difficult to describe in words, you need to see it once in your life and everything will fall into place.

Advantages and disadvantages

As you know, there is no perfect blade. And any knife created by man can have both disadvantages and advantages. The main question is what more? Let's look at the advantages and disadvantages:

Advantages

the blade can be quickly brought into working condition;

if only one hand is free, you can use it with ease;

Structurally small in size, you can carry it in any pocket.

Flaws

the handle determines the width of the blade, a design feature;

complex preventative cleaning of a knife; over time, like any object, it can become filled with dust and small debris, and it can be difficult to disassemble;

a dubious drawback, but it occurs in cases where the blade is made of poor quality. The likelihood of it folding.

If you are more meticulous, you can find some other points. But it seems to us that the advantages are much more significant. And I would definitely like to note that proper care of the mechanism guarantees the reliability of the blade. If you take the best specimen and do not carry out preventive cleaning on time, it can fail at any moment.

Types of locks

A switchblade must have a very reliable mechanism for fixing the blade in the working position. It doesn’t matter whether it’s an automatic cutter with side ejection or a knife with frontal ejection of the blade. The reliability of the mechanism should be as good as possible. There are several types of blade ejection and retention devices:

• Lock-back. This type is found quite often in classic American knives. A special spiral holds the notch in the butt of the blade, which allows you to securely fix the blade;
• AXIS-Lock. The mechanism is patented. In the groove of the handle, a spring rod moves forward or backward, depending on the position of the blade. The complexity of the mechanism makes the knife difficult to clean, but it is considered one of the best;
• Liner-Lock. Along the handle there is a plate in the “cocked” state. During opening, the pressure of the plate moves it towards the heel of the blade and secures it;
• Clasp-K. The locking part is made in the shape of a metal ring. By turning it, it is easy to fix the blade;
• Balisong . A simple mechanism used in butterfly knives. There is a lock at the end of one half of the handle;
• Slip-J. The castle is mid-priced, but popular among tourists. The blade is fixed with a spacer, which acts as a spring.

An example of the operation of the “Liner-Lock” lock.
The types of locks presented are some of the most popular among products with a retractable blade.
It is also important what materials the handle is made of, the pins themselves, spring mechanisms, plates, etc. This point must also be taken into account.

Criterias of choice

To become the owner of a good switchblade, you need to consider several important characteristics when purchasing a model. First of all, the purpose of the product is determined; from this point the choice of the type of knife, the material of its manufacture, the manufacturer, and a number of other criteria will be based.

Material

A blade made of a special stainless alloy is considered ideal. The handle material can be:

• metal;
• natural wood;
• high strength plastic.

Models, the design of which involves moving forward, differ in technical parameters and different purposes, but the material used to make the blade is always steel.

Wooden

Metal

Plastic

Knife type

Convenient automatic switchblades have gained popularity among a wide range of consumers due to the ability to choose from several types:

• frontal;
• with side discharge;
• semi-automatic;
• stilettos

Special units use only automatic products, which differ from conventional knives in several additional functions.

Frontal ejection

Side discharge

Semi-automatic

Stylet

Lock type

Gunsmiths make a front-mounted automatic knife with a blade clamp. There are several types of locks for fixing the working position:

1. Liner Lock – a spring securely fixes the blade and is an element of the handle.
2. Back Lock – a spiral is installed in the handle, clamping a special part that fixes the blade in the desired position.
3. Clasp Knife - to secure the blade, a special ring coupling is used that rotates during fixation.
4. AXIS Lock – pin lock.
5. Balisong – used in butterfly models.
6. Ultra Lock – frame and linear locks are installed simultaneously.

Front-type automatic switchblades are distinguished by their design features. In some products, the blades open automatically, in others the closure is carried out by moving the slider.

Purpose

The blade, made of high-quality steel, does not require sharpening for a long time, the cutting edge remains very sharp. These qualities have made automatic products in demand for performing a variety of jobs in the arsenal:

• hunters;
• fishermen;
• tourists;
• travelers.

Based on the group of people who use such a tool, knives are conventionally divided into hunting, tourist, and fishing. Automatic knives are produced especially for the military, in which the blade has several additions, for example, teeth for sawing. There is a separate category of products for extreme situations. The durable blade of survival knives allows you to cut down branches and butcher the carcass of an animal. In case of special need, an automatic knife can become a reliable defender against enemy attacks.

Manufacturer

There are many companies involved in the production of switchblades. Products from the USA, France, Italy and Sweden are considered the best. The TOP 10 includes the following companies:

• Kershaw;
• Opinel;
• Zero Tolerance;
• Cold Steel;
• Buck;
• Gerber Legendary Blades;
• Spyderco;
• Emerson;
• Benchmade;
• ProTech Knives.

In recent years, models made in Russia, at a factory located in Zlatoust, have become very popular. These unique products with a patterned handle and a durable blade are a worthy addition to the collections of bladed weapon lovers.

Extra options

In addition to the opening mechanism itself, an important role is played by the presence of a safety lock, which secures the button and prevents the knife from opening spontaneously. Also, the choice should be made in favor of products equipped with quality certificates and warranty cards. Switchblades are constantly being improved, their design changes, and their appearance becomes more attractive. The latest models are distinguished by their original design, aesthetics and special decor. Of course, these parameters do not affect the functionality of the product in any way, but they still add several points in favor of such a knife.

Features of operation

There is an opinion among ordinary people that a front knife is a disposable product, but this is not true and we will dispel this myth a little later. Due to its design features, the shape of the handle tends to look a little like a prism. And, accordingly, the blade cannot be larger than the product itself when folded.

The purpose of such knives is more suitable for EDC (everyday blade) and in some cases for tactical use, but not often. With a front-feed cutter, you can perform a variety of everyday tasks. But in reality, it is not designed to perform heavy and complex tasks.

Alas, even the best automatic folding knife has a slight play in the blade. Even the most “branded” models can’t escape the design feature. Automatic folding knife, does not like sand, cutting carcasses, or high humidity.

If the product has undergone some serious testing, it should be disassembled, cleaned and lubricated. All this can be done at home. But ask yourself, will you succeed? If you don’t want to take risks, find a master who will undertake all the operations.

Be careful, there may be such a model.

But often people prefer to do it themselves, because it’s so interesting to disassemble and assemble your pocket “favorite”. Let's try to give a little instructions, and then it's up to you to decide:

1. When you begin to disassemble a knife, be sure to make sure that you have all the appropriate tools. The screwdriver bits fit exactly into the screws on the handle.
2. When disassembling it in half, be careful, the spring may jump out at the most unexpected moment. And searching in the corners of your room can end in disaster.
3. After cleaning and blowing, you need to lubricate the parts. Choose a proven one, the best recommended one is a weapons grade one.
4. When assembling, it is recommended to set the blade halfway. This will make it easier to assemble the knife.

To perform these manipulations less often, do not throw your blade anywhere. Do not use it with abrasive materials or leave it on dusty surfaces. Follow him, and he will help you out in difficult times.

Types of structures

In fact, the automatic knife has two types of design. Their peculiarities lie in the fact that the first mechanism performs only one function, and the second two. That's the whole difference.

An example of two “semi-automatic” knives.

1. A variant of a knife with one functionality, it has a lever on the handle, and when folded the spring is always “cocked”. By pressing it, the blade, under the force of a spring mechanism, is thrown out and fixed. But you need to return it to its original position manually. So to speak, “charge for release.”
2. Systems that include two operations: ejecting the blade and returning it to its place are in much greater demand. According to experts, of all knives with frontal blade ejection, they occupy almost 90% of sales on the market. The design has two springs in the handle: one for ejection, the other for folding. This option is simply more convenient.

Principles for choosing a good knife

Choosing the right front knife is quite a difficult matter; the situation on the market is such that almost half of the products are Chinese fakes. But you shouldn’t be afraid, because you have helpers in us. Let's try to determine the main criteria for choosing an automatic folding knife:

1. Automatic and semi-automatic products must be purchased from trusted manufacturers; such products are designed for a very large number of cycles - opening and closing.
   Price tags for “branded” manufacturers start from 20 thousand rubles. Take a closer look at “Boker”, the price is more affordable and the quality is good.
2. If you are interested in the option from Chinese craftsmen, also give preference to factory-made products. Don’t look at what “brand” is printed on the blade. It's rare, but you can buy a decent blade, especially from Chinese replicas.
3. Pay attention to the material of manufacture, steel grade, type of lock, again the manufacturer, how the handle is made. Check the “play” of the blade when opening, it will definitely be there, but it should be minimal.

Budget version of the Boker blade.
Mini-conclusion: purchase an original “brand” product, and your soul will be at peace with the quality. But not all people are so rich as to invest in a knife for 30-40 thousand rubles, and over time find out that it doesn’t suit him, doesn’t like it, or something else.

Therefore, a good option would be: to begin with, purchase a normal Chinese replica for 2-3 thousand rubles, and having already felt it and understood whether you need the original, draw the appropriate conclusion.

Offers from European manufacturers

Undoubtedly, the leader in the production and quality of flow cutters is Microtech. The switchblade from this company is the best product on the market. There is an opinion, but it has not been proven in any way, that the founder of this company, Anthony Marfione, was inspired to create front-facing knives thanks to Korean copies of German Bonsa knives.

Front panel from "Benchmade".

Only he did everything the other way around. Taking cheap Korean replicas, he began to produce blades of very high quality.

We don’t know whether this is true or not, but the fact that Microtech is ahead of the rest is unambiguous. The American one is practically at the same level.

In fact, these two companies can be called the flagship for the production and distribution of retractable blade knives throughout the world. But there are several more companies that should not be ignored: the Italian Fox Knives, the American Smith & Wesson, the German Boker and again the Americans Hogue.

All these competing companies supply the market with pretty good products, so we recommend that you take a closer look at them.

Products from Russia

In this case, you can only shrug your shoulders and remain silent. We do not have any Russian manufacturers of knives with frontal blade ejection. But I would like to note that some factories produce automatic products with side ejection and push-button knives.

Blade from the Titov mechanic's workshop.

Let's mention them: “Company LLC PP Kizlyar”, “Zavyalova’s Forge” and Zlatoustovskaya. The only mention was found on a specialized forum about the Titov Mechanic’s Workshop, which produces knives with frontal blade ejection in small quantities.

I can only say to this company: “Bravo guys, keep going!”

European manufacturers are quite easy to find in any specialized store, as many as you like.

Rating of popular products

Making ratings is a rather thankless task, we will try to voice information from users of these knives. That is, we will not award any places, but will simply announce the blades that people liked the most:

• Benchmade Black Infidel . The blade will not pass under our legislation, so have special documents for it. The center button will allow you to work both left-handed and right-handed. Blade strength is 60 or higher HRC. Overall length 9 inches (almost 23 cm), quite bulky but very reliable;
• MICROTECH "UTX-85 2-TONE TAN" . A fresh new product on the market, but it has already managed to win its fans. The handle is made of anodized aluminum alloy, the blade is 7.9 cm long, with a hardness of 62 HRC. A knife for everyday carry, and there will be no problems with the law;
• MICROTECH "TROODON SATIN" . And again we have an American, reviews are pretty good about him. Blade length is 7.9 cm, hardness is 62 HRC, butt thickness is 2.4 mm. The price tag is steep, almost 50 thousand rubles;
• Boker Plus Lhotak Falcon . Reasonable price, only positive reviews. Handle made of anodized aluminum alloy, blade 8.5 cm long, hardness 59 HRC, spine thickness 3 mm, folded length 12.5 cm. Knife for everyday carry. The company is German, and the manufacturer is Taiwan;
• Fox Concord, Black Aluminum . The price category is budget. Made in Italy. Blade length 8.5 cm, folded length 12 cm, spine 2 mm, Out-the-Front Double Auto lock. Quite an interesting inexpensive option that deserves attention.

The result is quite interesting, there are knives worth 50 thousand rubles, and there are also for 5 thousand rubles. The audience for front switchblades is quite wide. And with different financial capabilities. So you can find a tool to your liking, for the appropriate amount in your pocket.

Switchblade - the best switchblades in the world: history and evolution

The first attempts to create switchblades in Ukraine, with a blade that can be independently removed when a lever or button is pressed, began to be made a very long time ago. However, the 18th century became a full-fledged period that marked the beginning of the mass distribution of such knives. It was then that in Italy they began to produce, first handicraft and then quite en masse, the products we now know as the “Italian stiletto.” Here it is worth immediately making a clarification for those who come across this term for the first time - despite its name, this knife is not directly related to stilettos with a fixed blade, although sometimes it corresponds to them in the proportions of its blade (quite long and narrow). Such folding stilettos were initially created to be quite impressive in size (like most folding knives of the Mediterranean of that time, which were either a large knife or a small folding sword), and, as a rule, did not have a guard. They were opened by pressing a special button located on the handle plate (on many modern models of classic stilettos, opening occurs both using a button and using a special lever combined with a guard). Also, unlike their ancestors, many knives currently produced have a safety lock that protects against accidental or spontaneous opening.

It’s worth noting right away that despite the ongoing release of classic models, the very concept of the Italian stiletto did not remain stagnant - it received its bright development in several design directions at once, one of the brightest representatives of which was the line of Ti-Lite knives from the Cold Steel company (though , it does not use an automatic opening system, but the general concept of the Italian stiletto can be seen very clearly, albeit made in a techno style).

As for classic manufacturers, it is worth noting such current companies as SKM, Frank Beltrame, AKC, as well as a number of other Italian companies (and, of course, this also includes replica manufacturers located in Southeast Asia). Also, in addition to stilettos and stiletto-shaped knives, it is worth mentioning a number of knives, the appearance of which was formed in the 20th century - switchblades, which have a classic “knife” appearance, with a not very long and fairly wide blade. They became most widespread at the beginning of the 20th century, since in many countries they had (and in some still have) quite serious legislative restrictions.

For example, in Russia, the length of their blade should not be more than 9 cm, otherwise they will immediately be classified as edged weapons. By the way, it is for this reason that the variety of models of such knives is quite small, and most of them, available to the general buyer, are inexpensive Chinese models (however, here it is worth making a reservation right away and saying that all this applies to those switchblades whose blade is removed by pressing the button). As for Italian stilettos, which have a lever opening system, legal restrictions do not apply to them - formally they belong to the category of knives with “assist”, and not to automatic switchblades.

As for the further development of the idea of ​​switchblades, at the very end of the 20th century another branch, unlike the others, began to form - frontal knives (or in common parlance “frontal knives”). Of course, the idea of ​​a knife with a blade that can be removed forward, rather than opening to the side, has attracted people for a very long time, but it did not go beyond a limited number of piece products (unlike the same stilettos). That is why the period of their development was the end of the 20th - beginning of the 21st centuries - after all, it was at this time that high-precision machines (including CNC) appeared, which made it possible to produce such products not only individually, but also in batches (and for their flawless operation the general level workmanship and quality of fit must be several times higher than for a conventional folding switchblade).

The leader in the field of design and manufacture of such knives is undoubtedly the Microtech company - it owns the largest number of models of frontal knives, as well as a number of innovative solutions in the field of their manufacture. In addition to it, some other manufacturers also make front-facing cameras, in particular Benchmade and Boker (although the range of these companies is much lower).

Features of the design of switchblades

All switchblade knives of the classic design are not much different from ordinary folders - the same handle, the same blade. The only major difference is the opening mechanism. At its core, it is a spring that is under tension when the blade is folded and is released when it is opened. It is held, in turn, by the locking mechanism - the same button with which the knife opens. While the button is not pressed, it blocks the spring, and when pressed, it releases. By the way, a design almost similar in meaning is used in knives with frontal ejection of the blade.

In addition to the opening mechanism itself, an important role is played by the safety lock, which fixes the button and prevents the knife from opening spontaneously. On many inexpensive models (in particular, Chinese-made replicas) it is missing, and this is not at all good, because such a knife can accidentally open in your pocket, and if in a situation with a classic knife this can end in a slight cut, then in the case of a front-facing camera you can get real injury (especially considering that the Chinese sometimes put overly powerful springs on their models). By the way, the same requirement also applies to those models of stilettos that are equipped with opening with the help of an assist - the presence of a safety lock on them is also very desirable (and it is worth saying that it is present on almost all classic models).

Another important feature that applies not only to automatic knives, but to knives in general, is their blade shape. In traditional stilettos and their replicas, it is usually elongated and narrow, which has a very good effect on the piercing properties of such products, but their cutting qualities can often be inferior to more conventional blade shapes. This is due to the fact that the quality of the cut, especially on soft materials, is affected not only by sharpening, but also by the geometry of the blade. And in those cases when one knife, being dull, will continue to cut due to its shape (albeit with great difficulty), the other will no longer be able to do anything. This is why the stiletto action is a great choice for self-defense, but not so good for EDC. As for front-facing blades, the choice of blades here is much wider and more varied - from traditional knife and dagger blades to curved ones in the “kris” style. In this case, everything depends on the choice of their owner and on the purpose for which he purchases such a knife. But it should be repeated again that if the folder is intended to be used constantly, then it is better to choose something in a more classic style.

How to choose a good switchblade and what is the difference between good and bad

When choosing a switchblade, you should first of all be guided by its manufacturer. Why is this so? Because it is with the category of switchblades in our country that the situation is most difficult. Almost 95% of the market is filled with Chinese products, among which it is very difficult to choose quality products. The same knives that can be bought for 1,000 rubles or even less (it is precisely these machines that can be found most often in markets and in inexpensive knife stores) become unusable very quickly. Literally within a month (or even earlier) the blade begins to play, spontaneously opening when carried in a pocket (and this is typical even for models with a safety lock - it simply fails and stops performing its function). In addition, the opening mechanism itself may break; as a result, the knife will turn into an ordinary folder with a dangling half-closed blade.

It is for this reason that it is best to choose automatic and semi-automatic knives (knives with assist) from well-known manufacturers - they last many times longer and withstand an incomparably greater number of opening/closing cycles. If we talk about a more or less affordable price, but still branded, segment of knives, then you should pay attention to such manufacturers as Boker and Benchmade (well, if the budget is very limited, and there is nothing to choose except Chinese models, then here too, preference should be given It is better to go to proven and long-known manufacturers, and to companies that produce exact copies (replicas) of knives from well-known manufacturers).

As for front cameras, the issue of quality is even more critical and important. After all, even small distortions in their mechanism can lead to jamming, and the entry of solid particles into it can lead to breakdown. That is why you should approach the issue of purchasing such a knife with the utmost care. Of course, the best possible choice here are knives from Microtech, a leading manufacturer of front cameras. The only obstacle standing in this case between the knife and its theoretical future owner is the price of the former.

The very high cost of all Microtech knives is due to the highest quality of their manufacture and the use of the most advanced materials, however, due to this, they remain inaccessible to most ordinary buyers. True, there is a solution to this situation as well - either turn to the products of other companies (for example, the same Böcker), which have their own models of frontal knives with their own design, or turn to replica manufacturers. Currently, the number of the latter in Ukraine is quite high, and anyone can buy a copy of a knife from Microtech. The only thing worth remembering is that if you buy a knife that is too cheap, you can simply lose money - that is why you should choose replicas of more expensive categories, and therefore of higher quality.

Other instructions

Folding knives: history and evolution

Butterfly knife - what is it?

Knife - how to choose the right one of good quality