If you are the type of person who loves camping trips, DIY’s, crafting, or woodwork, then you might have used this tool already. A pocket knife is a handy tool that you can use anytime you need to cut things up or for self-defense. It can be dangerous, but no one can’t deny its usefulness and benefits. To know more about pocket knives, let’s tackle it some more.
A Step by Step Procedure of Closing A Pocket knife
Understanding how to close a buck knife or any other type of folding knife depends on its locking mechanism. You should first be familiarized with the types of locks and choose what’s best for you. One of the most common locking mechanisms in pocket knives are liner locks and lock backs. Here are some safety guidelines you can follow to understand how to close a knife for each type.
1. Liner Lock
The liner is the metal part of the handle in which the scales are attached. If the blade is open, the liner will move in the back of the blade so it won’t close down. Lock this kind of knife by following this;
- Push the tab of the liner towards the outside scale.
- You can now easily lock the blade after freeing the tang.
2. Lockback
This type of locking mechanism is very safe and strong for knives. However, It’s also hard to close it with just one hand unless you practice. The lock is on top of the handle, and you need to reposition your hold to reach it. It has potential danger, especially if you accidentally drop it on the floor.
- Close the knife by applying pressure in the spine.
- It will draw back the spine from the notch cut out of the blade, which enables the mechanism to close.
3. Slip Joint
Slip Joint knife is one of the easiest knives to close down. However, this kind of knife is not advisable to be used in heavy-duty work since it can be easily opened when downward pressure is applied to it.
- You can easily apply pressure on the back of the blade to close this kind of knife. The blade will close once it was forced in a downwards motion.
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4. Frame locks
The frame lock is a bit similar to the liner lock. The mechanism works when the frame holds the blade in position when the knife is open.
- If you want to close it, you just need to apply pressure on the frame lock mechanism of the knife.
- Once you apply pressure, you can pushed down the blade to close it down.
5. AXIS lock
This lock is usually made for Benchmade Knives and patented by Benchmade. When the blade is opened, the bar is thrust by the spring onto the cut-out shelf on the blade’s tang. The spring helps to hold the tension on the bar so it won’t slide back.
- Close it by drawing the bar back.
- Once the bar is out of the way, push down the blade to its position.
Common Problem You Can Encounter When Closing A Pocket Knife
- Shredded Pockets
Make sure to properly close the folding knife before putting it in the pocket. If you don’t close it properly, there are chances that it can open while inside your pocket that can cause injury or damage in the clothing.
- Difficulty in Closing
Some people can experience problems in pushing the knife’s blade down. The reason for this could be damaged in the knife’s locking mechanisms when its not taken care of adequately.
Types of pocket Knife
Some people enjoyed collecting different kinds of pocket knives. It’s beautiful and at the same time very useful in daily tasks. Here are some types of pocket knives that you can check out.
1. A peasant knife.
Pocket knives were created long ago, and some of these knives can’t be called pocket knives. This type of knife is designed for easy holding and not usually hidden inside a pocket. Before, they use iron or bronze to create the blade while the handle is crafted from wood and bones. It can be dangerous because the knife is not made with a locking mechanism causing the user to hold the tang directly.
In 1650, pocket knives became popular with farmers, herdsmen, and gardeners popularizing the term peasant knife.
2. The Slip Joint Knife
England started to experiment and add some modifications on how to close the knife when it wasn’t used. Around the year 1660, a folding knife with a slip joint appeared in the market. Though the slip joint shows that it locks the blade, the truth is that it doesn’t. The tension just helps the blade not to come out of its holder.
Here are some kinds of slip joint knives that you may know or have already.
- The Barlow Knife
The Barlow knife was named after its creator in England. It has a long handle and has a clip point and pen blade. It became popular in the United States that even the mother of George Washington gifted him this kind of knife.
- The Camper Knife
Camper knife has different tools and blades inside it, which is useful if you’re outside and enjoying yourself. It has a can opener, scissors, screwdrivers, cork opener and so on. They also called this type of knife as a multi-tool knife because of its different tools insides. A great example of this is the swiss army knife that you can see anywhere, especially with campers.
- The Canoe Knife
When you look at the knife, you will know that it looks like a canoe, which is the origin of its name. It has two different blades on both ends of the handle. The usual blade used in this type of knife is a drop point blade and a pen blade.
- The Congress Knife
This type of slip joint knife usually has four different blades. The Two blades on each end is a spear point. While the other blades could be sheepsfoots, coping and pen blades.
- The Peanut Knife
It got its name because of its small size, and you will see that it has two blades. It has a clip point blade and pen blade on the same end.
- The Pen Knife
The penknife is developed for the purpose of cutting a point in a quill pen so it can be used properly. The traditional pen knife is a small type of pocket knife that has two blades, one in each end. It’s easy to hide and do not stick out, which can be carried even if you’re wearing a suit.
- The Sodbuster knife
This knife is very affordable, and anyone can buy and use it. It has a single blade and is also called a modern-day peasant knife.
- The Stockman Knife
A classic knife used by cowboys and herdsmen in America. It has three kinds of blades, which are the clip point, sheepsfoot, and spey.
- The Trapper
It was used by trappers to skin hides of animals. It has a clip point blade and a spey blade on the same end of the handle.
3. The Tactical Folding Knife
Soldiers typically used this knife, which is characterized by a fixed blade in its mechanism. It also has a thumb stud on the edge that helps to open it with one hand. Some companies created a tactical folding knife with a clip to it so you can easily use it without digging your pockets. Aside from that, the blade is sharp and some of its edge is serrated for cutting hard objects.
Conclusion
People who use pocket knives or buck knives should understand the possible danger it brings. They should also learn how to use the knife’s locking mechanism. Despite the convenience of this tool, owners should be able to understand how to take good care of it adequately and how to use it wisely.