Types of Switchblade Knives

A switchblade knife, also known as an automatic or flick knife, is a type of knife with a blade housed within the handle and driven out by a spring when the you press the release mechanism. Switchblade knives either open from the side or out the front.

  1. Side-opening Switchblades

    • A side-opening switchblade is thin knife easily mistaken for a standard folding pocket-knife. The switchblade has a button on the side of the handle that releases the blade when pressed. The internal spring shoots the blade out from the side of the handle. The blade locks into place; you can return it to its sheath manually by holding the button.

    Out-the-Front Switchblades: Single-Action

    • Out-the-front (OTF) switchblades have similar internal mechanics to those of side-opening switchblades, but the blade slides directly forward out the top of the handle rather than the side. Side-opening and OTF switchblades also differ in that an OTF blade can be sharp on both sides.

      Single-action OTFs necessitate you to compress the spring manually using a lever and then retract the blade. As a result, these knives can have stronger springs, which make them open more vigorously than the double-action variety.

    Out-the-Front Switchblades: Double-Action

    • Double-action OTFs' blades retract and extend automatically with the use of a sliding button. The spring tension occurs via the movement of the button, which allows you to return the blade to its sheath quickly. Double-action OTFs will not open accidentally as easily as single-action OTFs, which makes them safer to carry.

    The Legality of Switchblade Knives

    • Due to street violence and deaths caused by switchblade knives, the legality of owning, buying, selling or trading switchblades differs from state to state. (Please refer to the U.S. and State Knife Laws links in the Resource section.) Switchblade knives are illegal in most countries.