3 Blade Deployment Mechanisms of Pocket Knives

Pocket knives, without a doubt, are the most dominant knives these days. People love to carry these knives in their pockets as they assist them a lot in their routine cutting work. 

These knives come in a variety of shapes and sizes. These are all folding knives. Their blades can be folded inside their handles. 

However, the thing that differentiates different types of folding knives is the blade deployment. 

Following are the three blade deployment mechanisms possessed by the pocket knives. I have explained each of these mechanisms in detail. 

1. Assisted Deployment Mechanism

Assisted opening knives or spring assisted mechanism is considered the most durable. There is a spring that serves the blade deployment. 

You have to open the blade to a partially opened position and then the spring comes in action. The spring then opens the blade automatically to full position. 

So, spring does the deployment work, but you have to put an effort to partially open the blade. There is a safety lock to lock the blade in folded or opened positions. 

2. Automatic Deployment Mechanism

Automatic deployment mechanism includes a safety lock as well. There is a push button and upon pushing it, the blade deploys at once. 

You don’t have to touch the blade, just push the button. The blade is opened to full position itself by just pushing it. 

3. Manual Deployment Mechanism

Manual deployment mechanism is present in the traditional pocket cool knives. This mechanism is pretty simple. There is a safety lock called back lock which locks the blade in each position. 

When the blade is folded, it locks it there. When it is opened to full position, it locks it again. As the name suggests, you have to manually deploy the blade. 

You need to pull the blade to open it, Also, you have to manually fold the blade back into the handle. So, these are the three blade deployment mechanisms found in different pocket knives!

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What Features the Best Survival Knife Should Possess?

Generally, a survival knife is the one that ensures your survival in all circumstances. Many people think that it is just another weapon that can be used against the attackers. 

And I know why. People tend to use knives for self defense, but those knives are not useful in emergency situations. 

A survival knife, on the other hand, has the features that make it a capable knife which allows you to survive in harsh conditions. 

It does not only refer to one situation, but every emergency situation. For example, this knife is handy in fighting wild animals, it can be used to break glass and cut seat belts etc. 

Sturdy Blade

A survival knife always has a sturdy blade. To ensure your survival, the blade must have the strength. Usually, the blade has the strength to cut even the harder materials with ease. 

Moreover, it has to be strong so that you can get rid of the attackers and wild animals in the wilderness.

Partially Serrated Blade

A survival knife does not have a non-serrated or entirely serrated blade. Rather, it has a partially serrated blade. 

This makes it a knife that can be used for thrusting, stabbing and slashing. In fact, all cutting actions are possible with this knife. 

Comfortable Handle

A survival knife should have a comfortable handle. It must never feel uncomfortable in your hands, You should be able to use it with ease. 

The handle should easily fit into your hands,. It must not be very thick or very thin. A comfortable handle allows easy usage. 

Easy to Carry

Another feature that a survival knife should possess is the ease of carry. It must be small and foldable so that you can easily carry it into your pocket. 

Yes, it can be a fixed blade knife, but you also need a sheath for carrying it as well. So, a foldable knife is a better option for survival. 

Tactical Parts

There must be some tactical features possessed by a survival knife. These tactical features allow you to use it in an emergency situation. 

These knives often come with additional seat belt cutter, fire starter and glass breaker. These parts help you survive in different emergency situations.

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A Couple of Easiest Balisong Knife Tricks for Beginners

Balisong knife is a strange but spectacular knife. With strange, I am referring to its shape. It has two handles which is quite rare for a knife. 

However, it makes it a unique and gorgeous knife. There are many reasons behind its popularity apart from its uniqueness. 

It is easy to carry because the handles are folded to conceal the blade. One significant reason why it is so popular is because it can be used for playing tricks. 

Generally, people think it is a slightly difficult knife for beginners to use. But, it is an easier knife for performing tricks. 

There are certain very easy tricks that even beginners can learn and perform quickly. Following are those tricks explained:

Latch Drop

If you love balisong knife for tricks, this is a trick you can play pretty easily. There is always a latch on this knife. 

This latch is located on bite handle commonly, but sometimes on the safe handle. To play this trick, you need to hold the pocket knife from the latch on the bite handle.

Keep your thumb and index finger on the latch. Then, swing the knife in a rocking motion. Rock it forward and make sure that the safe handle goes forward with the latch still in your hand. 

Rock forward it and then open the blade. This is perhaps the easiest trick that beginners can play on this knife. 

Backhand Screwdriver

This is another very easy to play balisong knife trick. For this trick, hold the safe handle and throw the knife at a 45 degree angle. I mean, it must be thrown in a horizontal manner. 

With the safe handle in your hand, you will throw the bite handle and the blade. Use your thumb and index finger and turn the knife like a screwdriver and then open it. This is the trick.

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What I learned about the traditional karambit knives?

Like many of you, I love to keep knives, not only for self-defense, but to maintain a unique collection of weapons. It may sound surprising to you that I have more than hundreds of different knives. For past couple of years, I have focused my interest on the knives. I explore and do research on different knives available in the modern times and in the past. Among the great collection of knives, the least I have are the karambit knives. Maybe, I was unaware of the interesting designs, multi-uses and strength of these knives. 

I also have a collection of a few vintage knives, the knives used on several famous occasions such as a Bowie knife used in the American Civil War. I like learning about the history of these knives and how they had been used in the past. Last week, I got an opportunity to learn about the karambit knives. I was not pretty keen to know about these knives, but their unique curved style encouraged me to do so. So, following are a few significant things I learned about them.

The origin of Karambit knives

The knives which we know as “Karambits” all over the world are called “kerambit” in Malaysia and Indonesia. This exotic blade was used by the West Sumatra Minangkabau people in their agrarian culture. During the 11th century, karambit knife was an indispensable device for the farmers to harvest root-crops and rice. 

It had a shape like a claw and was known as Kuku Macan which means a tiger’s claw. The Indonesian warriors considered karambit as a last-resort tool opposing the Dutch colonists. Karambit knives were used as self-defense tools a long ago by the Indonesian women who tied them to their hair. Several modern weapon designers still consider karambit a feminine tool. 

The parts of traditional karambit knives

The traditional karambit was not different from the modern ones. A simple traditional karambit had three fundamental parts. 

Handle

The handles of traditional karambit knives were mostly made of buffalo horn or hardwood. Like the modern models of karambits, the older ones also used synthetic materials including metals. The traditional karambit handles were stronger and durable. 

Curved Blade

When it comes to cutting blade, the traditional knives were different from the conventional knives. The main difference is that karambit blade is curved just like a tiger’s claw. The traditional blades also varied, as there were knives without or with serrations, and were double as well as single edged.

The Retention Ring

In the modern karambit knives, you know it as the safety ring. The karambits of 11th to 13th century also possessed safety ring or retention ring. However, it was not necessary to incorporate a safety ring in the karambits, but as they evolved, the ring became essential part of these knives. Even in the modern days, a safety ring is the item which sets these knives apart from the other knives. So, I learned that there were no design differences between the ancient and modern karambit knives.

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