Switchblades are pocket knives with a folding or sliding blade controlled by a spring mechanism. They date back to the 19th century and have become popular for camping and home use. However, many countries restrict their possession due to safety concerns.
Sometimes referred to as an automatic or flick knife, the switchblade is a form of pocket knife that features a folding or sliding blade controlled with the use of a spring mechanism. Most designs call for the inclusion of a small lever or button on the surface of the handle, which makes it easy to free the blade for use when and as needed. When the blade is retracted or folded, there is no chance of accidentally contacting sharp edges.
While the exact origin of switchblades is a matter of debate, most experts date the device’s beginnings to the first half of the 19th century. Knives constructed with a spring release that allowed a blade to pop out of the front of the handle or models that used a lever to activate the blade to open from the main body of the knife were found in the UK and France as early as the 19th century. Some of the models resembled small pistols that date from the same period. Switchblades that most closely resemble the knives in use today appeared just before the dawn of the 20th century.
Over time, the folding switchblade has tended to become the most popular design for knife. Such a knife is considered an ideal option for camping trips and general use around the home. Because the blade is concealed when the device is not in use, it is considered relatively safe compared to other types of knives that feature a constantly exposed blade. A switchblade is also considered to be safer than the regular camping hobo knife which must be opened manually, as there is no need for fingers to contact the blade as the blade is opened by the main body of the knife.
By the mid-20th century, many nations began passing laws restricting people’s ability to carry switchblades in certain environments. Schools have begun seizing switchblades found in lockers or in the possession of students during school hours or school-sponsored activities. In some countries, the switchblade has achieved the status of being considered a concealed weapon, making it a crime to carry one into public buildings or other areas where people congregate in large numbers. While efforts have been made from time to time to ban the switchblade entirely, such efforts remain largely unsuccessful in most areas of the world.
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