What is the difference between a switchblade and a pocket knife

In basic terms, a switchblade is a knife featuring a blade that springs out of the handle when a button is pressed. The typical switchblade, which is also known as an automatic or flick knife, looks like a regular folder, rotating around a hinge. But when the knife is being closed, tension from an inner spring is put on the blade. When fully closed, the tension is separated from the knife by a button.

When the button is pressed, the tension of the spring is released back onto the blade and it flicks open without any effort.

The second type of switchblade is called the OTF out the front switchblade because the blade comes out at the top of the handle, like a pen.

The opening mechanism functions the same way; the knife engages when a button releases the tension of the spring onto the blade. An assisted opening knife, sometimes called a spring-assisted knife, is a knife that springs open only after the blade is slightly pushed open with force. Spring-assisted knives differ from switchblades in that the user presses a thumb stud attached to the blade, rather than a button attached to the handle. Ownership of these knives is considered legal by the U.

Chris Carson has been writing professionally since , specializing in topics such as cats, jewelry, history and English. Her articles have appeared in "Best Friends Magazine" and on various websites. Related How to Close a Locked Pocketknife. The type names are pretty self-explanatory, but just to be clear, OTF switchblades have the blade come out of a hole at the top of the knife using some sort of track with a push bar and side-opening switchblades fold out like a standard pocket knife.

Switchblades are used for many of the same tasks that a pocket knife would be used in. The thing that sets switchblades apart from pocket knives in terms of usage, is the ability to open the blade quickly and using only one hand. This can be especially useful when you are holding something with one hand and need to cut it with your other hand.

With a switchblade, you can easily and quickly open up the blade with one hand and cut whatever you are holding with relative ease. The same thing can be accomplished with pocket knives that have a way to manually open the knife with one hand. Thumb studs and other types of opening systems on pocket knives can be used to easily open a pocket knife with one hand, and pretty much do the same thing that a switchblade would be able to do.

Pocket knives have many different styles and designs, and a switchblade fits the general definition of a pocket knife. While they are technically the same thing, the laws regarding the ownership and carry of knives make a clear distinction between the two.

There are laws in many places that relate specifically to switchblades but exclude other pocket knives. The reason for this distinction is because of the added safety issues that switchblades have.

The intent of switchblades, and pocket knives in general, is not for violence. While they may be good weapons for self-defense in certain instances, the main purpose of a pocket knife or switchblade is for utilitarian purposes and for everyday jobs that arise. So while a switchblade is technically a pocket knife, it is important to remember that the law sees them as very different things. Because of this, it is important that we look at switchblades, not as more violent or bad, but as a different type of knife than your average pocket knife.

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