Pocket Knife Styles

Pocket knives have folding or collapsible blades, which allow owners to safely carry them in their pockets, without fear of getting accidentally cut or pricked. People use the knives for a wide variety of purposes, ranging from cutting metal wires and whittling wood, to cutting up food and opening cans and bottles. Manufacturers produce pocket knives in a number of different styles, all of which have their own defining features.

  1. Jackknives

    • The jackknife is the most basic style of pocket knife, and typically consists of a single-edged blade with only one sharpened side, that is attached by a hinge to a hollowed-out handle, which the blade can fold into. However, according to 2-Clicks Collectible Knives, in some instances a jackknife may feature a blade that is double edged. There are two main types of jackknives: slip joint and locking. Slip joint jack knives are the more traditional style, and rely on spring mechanisms in order to open and close. More modern jackknives have locking mechanisms, which allow you to secure the blades in place both in the opened and closed position. While some jackknife blades are completely straight, other features grooves and teeth, which help increase their ability to grip and saw through sturdy objects.

    Multi-Blade Knives

    • Multi-blade knives are pocket knives that have a number of additional blades, tools or other attachments, in addition to a primary blade: all of which can fold in to and out of a hollowed handle. Some of the most common additional accessories you can find on multi-blade knives include bottle and can openers, scissors, saws and screwdrivers. Swiss Army is the most popular and renowned brand of multi-blade knives.

    Switchblades

    • One of the more notorious styles of pocket knife, the switchblade, typically features a single-edged, collapsible blade, just like a jack knife. However, instead of having to manually pull the blade to the open position, with a switchblade you can pop the blade open with the push of a button. The knife uses a locking spring mechanism to shoot the blade up, which releases when you press the button. Stiletto is one of the most well known makers of switchblade pocket knives.

    Butterfly Knives

    • Butterfly knives are the most complex variety of pocket knife. According to 2-Clicks Collectible Knives, these originated in the Philippines, where locals refer to them as Balisong. The typical butterfly knife features two hollowed-out sections of metal, which cradle the blade between them when the knife is closed. In order to open the knife, you swing the two handle pieces 180-degrees outward, and clasp them together to form a single, sturdy handle structure. Opening, closing and otherwise manipulating butterfly knives can be considered an art form.