It’s not secret that the assortment of stores sometimes leads the buyer to a dead end because of diversity. When people are buying a pocket knife for everyday use, they either ask questions and find the process of using it so difficult or don’t ask questions at all. A pocket knife doesn’t lose its relevance in everyday life due to the lack of alternatives and a variety of useful configurations, but one thing remains unchanged – the safety of use. Despite the small size of the tool, it can still damage if used improperly. That is why when choosing a knife, you should pay attention to the blade locking mechanisms and know how to close a pocket knife safely.
It should be noted that people who are not experienced with pocket knife do have difficulty choosing a knife locking mechanisms, but there are basic mechanisms that should be highlighted in order to dispel the myth that all pocket knives are the same.
Blade locks in pocket knives fall into several categories, but all locking systems are similar: a piece that blocks the rotation of the blade in the form of a lever, button, or other element, allows you to start movement when moving in a different direction.
In addition to the attractive design, manufacturers of pocket knives equip the tool with a locking systems, but there are models without a locking system. If you have identified the complete absence of a locking mechanism, then this guide will help you figure out how to close a pocket knife and whether it’s possible to close a pocket knife or not. In the article, we will look at the features of various blades and types of knives, as well as the possibilities of their safe use.
Classifications of closing mechanisms in pocket knives
Each knife has its own advantages and disadvantages, depending on the application of the tool. Any folding knife can be closed, which is why it is called a folding knives, but choosing the right mechanism to close a pocket knife in the tool is the first task that needs to be dealt with.
There are a lot of locking mechanisms used in lock knives. Also, the buyer gets access to a huge number of designs and various materials. Manufacturers most often produce knives using several technologies, however, depending on the application of the pocket knife, you can find the right model. Which locking mechanism is right for you – let’s figure it out!
Locking patterns for pocket knife currently in use fall into the following categories:
● Slip Joint pocket knife
● Frame Lock pocket knife
● Liner Lock pocket knife
● Lockback pocket knife
● Button Lock pocket knife
● Axis Lock pocket knife
● Compression Lock pocket knife
The locking mechanisms on this list are general, but there are more unique methods of closing blades that are often used by individual companies.
In the case when a pocket knife cannot be blocked, you should read the article in more detail. The following sections discuss the main categories of locks used in modern pocket knife mechanisms and explain how to operate them safely.
Easy step-by-step guide to every locking mechanism
Slip Joint Knife – a mechanism with no locking system.
How to close a knife without a locking mechanism?
Knifes, in which there is no locking mechanism called Slip Joint knives and has a classic spring design. So, knives of this format are the most common type of pocket knives and their sharp side blades are closed by resistance with a spring responsible for blocking. Such knives can also boast of their “legality” and mobility. These knives open and close more easily than other types, but aren’t suitable for heavy loads.
Further, an extremely simple algorithm is proposed on how to properly operate the slip joint knife. It should be noted that by practicing opening and closing the bar lock each time you will do it faster. So, in order to safely open a pocket knife with such a closed position of mechanism, you must:
1.Place the knife in your dominant hand so that the turn of the spring is directed away from you, and the blade is looking up. Be sure not to use your fingers to block the slot that holds the blade closing mechanism in place. This step may seem so obvious, but trust me, how often people ignore this basic recommendation and injure their hands.
2. Gently grasp the blade with your other hand and slowly push (on some pocket knife models you can use special fingernail protrusions for a firmer grip) to move the tool into the knife’s handle.
3. Closing the slip joint knife is a very responsible moment, because here you can get some injuries if you don’t follow the correct algorithm. So, first you need to make sure that your fingers aren’t in line with the blade and move slowly while gradually pressing the blade into the groove. If the knife blade is fully inserted into the hole, then it should not pop back out if you remove your hand. However, you should make sure that the blade has entered the groove of the knife handle to the base before releasing the firm grip.
There are also some useful tips that make it easier to operate such a mechanism for those who find it difficult to understand the concept of a knife slip joint blocking mechanism.
First, if you don’t want to use your hand to close the knife, you can place the blade on a solid surface. And secondly, instead of using one hand at first, you can use both hands, however, in some situations, using the knife with the dominant hand may seem more convenient.
Remember that for safe storage and carrying of the tool, it’s necessary to press the blade all the way into the hole in the knife handle.
Frame lock
Frame Lock knife mechanism is a mechanism in which the locking plate is part of the handle cavity, in contrast to the Liner lock, which uses a hidden moving plate. Knives of this format are usually strong due to the metals used such as titanium and stainless steel in the mechanism and are safe because the plate must be wrapped around by hand, making picking up the knife impossible under heavy loads.
Frame Locks allows you to tightly fix the knife blade, which is undoubtedly convenient for most tasks. It should be noted that the algorithm for operating such knives is almost identical to the Liner Lock: to unlock the blade, you need to press the plate, then remove your finger and assemble the knife.
The frame locks mechanism is found in many models of knives of different price segments because it has good characteristics and allows you to control the tool with one hand. The Frame Lock pocket knives lock format is widely used in the production of many companies and therefore it will be useful for the user to study the opening and closing algorithm. So, to close a pocket knife with a Frame Lock device, you should:
1. Place the knife in your dominant hand with the knife blade and point facing away from you.
2. By using your thumb above the handle of the tool, move the lock in relation to the cavity of the knife handle.
3. Hold the plate with your thumb and use your index finger to push the blade into the lock.
4. Remove your thumb while continuing to press the blade into the groove in the knife handle until the final click occurs.
It should be noted that this device lock is a solid and simple concept for knife operation because the holding element of the open or closed blade belongs to the outer frame of the tool.
Liner Locking Mechanism
As noted above, the Liner Locks knife technology is a simplified copy of Frame Lock technology. However, Liner Lock has an additional hidden plate that keeps the blade open while working. This mechanism is common in production due to its ease of use and intuitive operation, however, it can create some difficulties for left-handed people. So, let’s consider the algorithm for closing a liner lock knife with liner Locking bar technology:
1. Place the knife in your dominant hand with the blade point facing away from you;
2. By using the thumb of your dominant hand, move the liner towards the knife handle.
3. With the liner fixed on the side, begin to fold the locking piece into the groove of the handle with your index finger. After the blade is inserted about 1/4, you should remove your finger and fully insert the blade into the groove until a characteristic click appears which means that knife closed.
It should be noted that despite the insert, this mechanism, although inferior in strength to the Frame Lock blade, still copes with the basic tasks of a pocket knife.
Lockback Knife
One of the oldest and most recognizable types of pocket knife locks is the lockback knife, which predates most other mechanisms. The rear lockback mechanism device consists of a lever responsible for fixing and located along the handle of the knife and a hook located in the ledge on the back of the blade. This hook, when tensioned by the spring mechanism, enters the protrusion, providing the tool with a better grip. Due to the strong fixation of the spring mechanism, such knives are suitable for difficult tasks and the user does not need to be afraid of accidentally opening the knife.
The algorithm for closing a blade of pocket knife safely as follows:
1. Hold the knife in your dominant hand with the lock so that the blade is pointing away from you;
2. With the thumb of the dominant hand, it is necessary to clamp the latch located at the back of the blade and looking like a blade tang.
3. Having fixed this element, with your non-dominant hand, begin to fold the blade closed into the groove of the knife handle.
4. Release the lock and fully fold the blade tang into the handle cavity.
The advantage of the rear lock is manifested in ease of operation and reliability. However, there is a significant drawback: closing the lock of the blade with one hand, although possible, is problematic due to the force of the spring.
Button Lock knives
Button Lock has appeared relatively recently in production, but has already gained popularity in the creation of knives with switchblades and quick-opening knives, or so-called automatic knives.
You might say that it’s obvious how to open and how to close a pocket knife with this kind of locking system, but…
Undoubtedly, attractive characteristics, but one significant drawback distinguishes button lock knife: an erroneous pressing of the button at the wrong time can change locked position of the button locks knives and at least surprise the user, not to even mention possible injuries from unexpected contact of the sharp edge of the knife with the skin. By pressing the button, the user releases the spring device that opens the knife and the speed of opening the tool depends on the force of the spring. So, quickly releasing the blade closed before, can get you in trouble with the law. The algorithm for closing button lock knives equipped with a close button is as follows:
1. Hold the knife in a chosen hand so that the button mechanism on the knife handle is facing up and the blade sharp edge itself is pointing away from you;
2. By using the thumb of your dominant hand, firmly press the button lock.
3. By using your non-dominant hand, close the blade 1/4.
4. Release the button mechanism and fully immerse the blade into the groove of the handle until a characteristic click appears.
Axis Bar Lock
The Axis Lock technology in modern knives is quite a popular locking system for everyday tasks due to the quick opening and closing of the object. Axis lock have good characteristics of strength, pollution resistance, and insensitivity to complex tasks. This knife open is easy to operate with both right and left hand because it’s light. The disadvantage of the benchmade knives can be called the fragility of the spring. Below is an algorithm for closing a bar axis lock knife with a stop pin.
1. Hold the knife in your dominant hand with the blade pointing away from you;
2. By using the thumb of the dominant hand, you should pull the latch located on the blade.
3. After fixing the element with your thumb, proceed to move the blade to closed position with your other hand.
4. After the blade is inserted about 1/4, you should remove your finger and fully insert the blade into the groove until a characteristic click appears inside the handle cavity.
It is important to note that the use of a knife with this locking mechanism will appeal to both right-handed and left-handed people, as there is free access to the bar from either side of the tool handle.
Compression Lock Knife
It should be noted that the compression lock is somewhat similar to the liner lock, however, there are some differences in the way the blades are locked open. The upward-facing lugs on the tail end of the knife distinguish it with signature strength and reliability. The lock stacks of this device provide the user with minimal risk of injury because the fingers are not located on the blade when closing the knife. The algorithm for closing knives with a compression lock is as follows:
1. Hold the knife in your main hand with the blade pointing away from you and the handle up.
2. By using the thumb push of the chosen hand, you need to shift the element located on the handle cavity.
3. After fixing the element with your thumb, begin folding the blade with your other hand.
4. After the blade is inserted about 1/4, you should remove your finger from the latch and fully insert the blade into the groove.
Instead of summary: how to close a pocket knife
Now that you are well versed in the construction of knife blocking systems and know the main types of blocking, buying a knife will not be a difficult task for you. Of course, hundreds, and maybe thousands of different locking mechanisms have been patented in the world, but if you know the basic ones that we talked about today, then any others will be intuitive for you.
Be sure that after use your knife safely closed according to the instructions and will not harm your health. By following all the above recommendations, the user no need to worry about the safety of the knives.
Keep practicing! A few minutes a day will turn you into skilled user and there won’t be a question how to close a pocket knife anymore. But before, there should be no hurry in the process. Never forget you’re holding a knife. This means every movement of your hand or both should ensure your safety and people next to you.
And finally, something interesting you need to know as well…
According to omens and knife superstitions, never close a pocket knife that someone else has opened. This can lead to bad luck.