The history of switchblades starts in 1891 when Scottish inventor John Inglis invented the switchblade knife. Though his invention was a novelty item, it wasn't until 1904 that the first real commercial production of these knives took place. This is also about the time when gang scabbards were reaching their peak and becoming popular among criminals because they were much easier to conceal from police officers. 

The switchblade was well-liked by gangsters because of its ease of use, portability, and quickness so it is not surprising that a number of prison breakouts occurred in which inmates used them to escape their captors. A lot more sophisticated designs began to appear after World War 1 as both military and civilian markets expanded. One of the most significant developments in switchblade knife technology was its use in the Prohibition era. 

Though they were illegal, switchblades were widely used to smuggle alcohol throughout the country. One of the most well-known was "Reno", whose nickname was derived from his place of employment at the Reno Club. During one specific arrest on December 17, 1934, five men responsible for using these types of switchblades to illegally transport alcohol from one state to another were arrested along with an additional six knives. The stunt earned him his nickname "Reno".

Characteristics of Switchblade Knives

Switchblades are a type of folding pocket knife. They almost always have one or two blades that can be released using the thumb stud, and many models include a third "clamshell" blade that is also released by the thumb stud. The Swiss Army Knife ranks as one of the most recognizable automatic knives because it has an array of other features such as multiple tools, a toothpick, and tweezers among others.

The design was born in Germany during World War I when soldiers needed to pack small arms inside their pockets for quick access. Controlling the knife using a button or lever made the blade come out immediately when needed and could be easily re-cocked, preventing the knife from accidentally opening. This design has stuck around all through recent history, with many models remaining commonplace today.

Characteristics of different types of switchblades include lack of manual safety, limited steel (with alloy steel preferred), a lock-back mechanism that can be released by either hand, and of course, having the blades exposed for quick and easy access. Many other characteristics can be applied to switches like having the knives available on only one side (such as most Swiss Army Knives), having interchangeable parts or blades (some models have double blades in one model), or different colors for aesthetics.


Popular Types of Switchblades

Switchblades are a type of folding pocket knife. They are made with a small blade that is hinged to one side of the handle so it can fold into the handle which, in turn, can be opened via one quick motion. There are many types of switchblade knives, some of which have locking mechanisms and some which do not. Here are the five most popular types of switchblades:

1. Linerlock

This type of switchblade knife has a blade that is held in place by a locking mechanism called a liner. Unlike the next switchblade, it does not have a spring that holds the blade open. A liner lock blade is opened by pressing the release button and lifting up on the top of the handle.

2. Slip Joint

Also known as a "non-locking" spring-assisted folding knife, this type of switchblade has an internal spring that assists in opening and closing the knife so there are only two points where you must put force into opening it: when you initially press down on the release mechanism and when you push down on the handle to lock it into place (it locks automatically). This type of knife is actually legal to manufacture and sell in many states.

3. Push Button

This type of switchblade has a blade that does not fold into the handle. The blade is held in place by a spring that pushes it into the handle opening and closing it. However, unlike the previous two switchblade types, this one opens with a push button located on the top of the handle. Any pressure you apply to this button will cause it to open up (or shut down) the knife blade.

4. Out the front (OTF)

The Out the Front Knife is a type equipped with a spring that pushes the blade out of the handle when pressed down. It does not have a button or release of any kind. The blade is pushed out of the handle and then locked into place via an internal mechanism.

5. Side-Button Knife

These types of switchblades are opened by pushing a button located on one side or the other, sometimes both, of the handle. It was created with the express intention to get around laws banning switchblades because it does not have a "button" at all and therefore is prohibited from being considered a switchblade within those bans.

Key Benefits of Switchblades

If you don't know what types of switchblades are, they are cool knives where the blade is located within the handle and can be flipped out of or closed into the handle. There are many benefits to these types of knives and there are a deep variety of switchblades on the market today. The following is a list of some of the benefits that people have found in their switchblades as well as some recommendations for specific brands:

  • No Easily Accessed Blade 

This makes it harder for children and those with disabilities to access it such as an elderly person. Just by visually sighting out its location, most people would not attempt to pick up this type of knife unless they knew what they were doing.

  • Very Small 

This type of knife is very small, so it can be hidden easier than a knife with a longer blade.

  • Versatile 

You can do almost anything to a switchblade. You can open boxes, cut rope, carve wood, or even use the reverse blade as an ice scraper.

  • Compact 

Switchblades are very compact and lightweight so you will have fewer problems carrying them around or storing them in your pocket.

There are many different options for switchblades on the market and there is one that is right for everyone. If you choose this knife, there are many different styles that fit your needs. If you are a hunter, Switchblades has you covered with their wide variety of different hunting switchblade options. Honestly, these knives can come in very handy in all different types of situations and I recommend investing in one.

Switchblades are Useful Tools

Different Types of Switchblades are a new trend in the kitchen for people who enjoy cooking. The handles are made from durable, scratch-resistant plastic, making them easy to clean and less likely to suffer damage from spills or minor drops on the floor. There's no need to worry about stains! They're dishwasher safe. The blade is made with a well-balanced steel edge that can be sharpened with ease, making it perfect for slicing through ingredients with minimum effort. It comes in three different styles: thick and thin blades and serrated edges.

For serving, slicing, and dicing the wide blade is a great tool. It's perfect for cutting through large hunks of meat and vegetables. The thin blade is great for peeling fruit or grating hard cheeses. The serrated edge is ideal for cutting through bread or pastry dough without tearing it. It has an ergonomic handle that gives the user more control over the knife, reducing the risk of accidents when making fast cuts. It also makes it easier to keep a grip on the blade when cutting slippery ingredients like eggs or tomatoes. 

For storage in the kitchen, the knife can be hung by its handle from a hook. The plastic cover keeps it sharp and clean to use whenever needed. We'd like you to try our first-ever kitchen tool. We believe that once you get your hands on one, you will immediately notice the difference between this product and the more expensive knives you may have used before.