You should always carry a pocket knife with you. It is necessary to keep one on hand at all times in case you need to make cuts around the house or while traveling. Pocket knives look sophisticated owing to their unique locking mechanisms.
All knives include a locking system to prevent the blade from sliding out of your pocket. It is often overwhelming to learn how to close different types of knives, particularly if you are just beginning to use knives.
You should learn how to safely store and close your knife before using it to prevent any accidental cuts. Generally, a knife locking mechanism will consist of a piece that is responsible for blocking the pivot movement of the blade.
The knife blade will fly out of the knife upon release of the button. Although it may seem unnecessary, it is important to learn the correct way to close a pocket knife.
An important function of the lever, frame, button, or other parts of the knife is to act as a security clasp, which enables the blade to be released.
These features differ from knife to knife. In this article, we will cover the most popular knife lock system so that you can handle your pocket knife safely using the right technique for opening and closing it.
Following is an explanation of how to operate and close the most popular knife locks. Now let’s get started!
The proper way to close a lock-back knife
Lockback is an extremely common type of locking system. This feature is quite common on knives such as folding knives, hunting knives, decorative knives, etc. More frequently than many other locking mechanisms.
Many people refer to this locking mechanism as a “back lock”. However, I prefer the term “Lockback”, as it is the appropriate term since the knife’s lock is located on its spine.
Knives of this type are similar to those that utilize an axis lock. Their blades are curved, and their tails have prominent clefts. If the blade is pushed straight out, it can be easily clicked into the locking mechanism using the cleft.
A torsion bar at the back of the knife provides a simple means of locking and unlocking the knife as you open it.
We will now look at the toing and froing necessary for a Lockback knife’s closure
1. You must first grasp the Lockback knife with your dominant hand. A blade should be pointing away from you at a nighty degree angle.
2. You must immediately see a blade fall after you have pressed the lock there. Additionally, if you keep the exposed part of the blade at a 90-degree angle, you will be able to release the blade without damaging your finger.
3. The blade release should be pressed with the thumb of your dominant hand.
4. Depress the blade on the handle spine and fold the blade away from your dominant hand while keeping it pressed on the handle. ‘
5. Once the blade has been inserted into the handle chamber, a “click” will be heard. Once this is done, the lock button can be released.
The blade can be unlocked again by pressing on the blade release, and then the blade will be easily folded back onto the frame.
In addition to being useful, the lock-back is also safe. The locking mechanism is extremely strong. It is highly unlikely that the blade will accidentally be released.
These knives typically feature Lockback systems, which are highly reliable and convenient for both ordinary cutting tasks and intense tasks which can be deadly if the blade is exposed unintentionally within your pocket. Knife safety is always on our minds, so it is a great product for most people.
Here are some tips on how to close a slip joint knife
In terms of folding knives, knives with slip joint locks are among the most laid back. There is no locking mechanism on a slip joint pocketknife. It is only a detent that must be moved out of the way in order to open the knife. The detent serves to semi-lock the blade. Once you apply downward pressure to the blade, the detent will release.
The steps necessary to close the slip joint can be outlined as follows:
1. The knife handle must be held in your dominant hand. If the pivot screw faces away from your body, ensure that the blade is facing upward.
2. Carefully grasp the blade with the tip of the nail nick on the non-dominant hand.
3. To close the blade, apply downward pressure.
4. Fold the blade into the handle cavity to the extent possible.
You will notice that the finger choil is slightly elongated with a slip joint. The finger guard is a very useful feature. In the event that the knife is folded into you when in use, the extended choil will make it very difficult for it to do so.
However, you should still use caution when working with a slip joint. Due to the fact that once the blade is applied a moderate amount of pressure, the joint slips and the knife will collapse into your finger. For the knife to open, you should apply sufficient pressure on the blade.
Slip joints are not recommended for heavy-duty tasks because I view them as somewhat risky. On the other hand, they are very useful for basic daily tasks. You will become more comfortable opening this type of pocket knife, even with one hand, due to its ease of closing.
A slip joint knife is considered to be one of the simplest locking mechanisms. However, it can be quite dangerous as well. Take care when handling the knife when you are cutting. Since the blade will be released by any downward pressure, the possibility of an accidental cut is high.
Bringing a Frame Lock Knife to a Close
Many pocket knives are equipped with frame locks. A frame lock resembles a liner lock, however it does not have G10 handles. Additionally, the liners on frame lock knives are a little thicker. The knives otherwise function the same.
A frame lock knife is relatively lightweight and has a minimal design. A frame lock knife, as its name implies, actually has a lock that is part of the knife frame as opposed to the liner.
With the frame lock, you would see the frame lock covering the back of the knife as you open the blade. A separate piece of hardened steel is concealed within the knife’s frame, which serves as the knife’s locking mechanism.
Let’s have a look at how to properly close a frame lock pocket knife.
1. Place your dominant hand on the handle of the knife. It is important to ensure that the blade is facing upward and the pivot screw is pointing away from you.
2. Please push or pull the frame lock on the side of the knife carefully. Frame locks are usually located on the side of the handle of the knife.
3. Press your thumb against the frame to remove it from the way of the blade. Close the blade using the index finger.
4. You should now move your thumb out of the way so that you can close the blade using your index finger. The blade should now be folded as far as possible into the handle cavity.
In spite of its simplicity, the frame lock mechanism is extremely robust. This mechanism is found in knives such as utility knives and tactical knives. It is very convenient for opening and closing. The outer frame of the knife is essentially just an extension of the handle.
New frame-lock knives are fitted with an over-travel stop that prevents the frame from moving too far. So, please be careful not to push the frame too far while pushing it. Doing so may damage the blade.
Knives with Liner Locks – How to Close Them
Among the various locking mechanisms used in folding knives, the liner lock is the most common. As with frame locks, this locking mechanism is constructed with an inner lining similar to those found in frame locks.
When you open the knife, you find that the outer portion is primarily made from G10, and the inner part is a metal portion (basically the liner) that retains the blade.
Liner locks provide a highly secure locking mechanism as they are quite robust. In some knives, the liner is located on the back, while in others, it is located on the front.
An example of how to close a liner lock is similar to how to close a frame lock. As mentioned previously, you must push the frame itself aside in order to unlock it. When applying the liner lock, instead of pushing the frame on the side, you should push the metal part which is inside the G10 handle. Some knives have the line at the bottom.
With your finger, you can slide aside the lock bar located on the liner. By doing so, the pivot screw will be free to move and the blade will be released.
In the following section, we will examine the specific steps required to close a liner lock pocket knife.
1. Using your dominant hand, grasp the knife handle. Assure that the blade is facing upward and the pivot screw is away from your fingers.
2. By simply pushing it to the side of the handle, you are able to displace the liner lock arm. Liner and handle must be parallel to each other.
3. Then, once the pivot screw has been released, slowly close the blade with your index finger.
4. Make sure that your exposed thumb is out of the way once you have folded the blade approximately 1/4 of the way. Once you hear it clicking into the knife chamber, fold the remainder of the blade.
New knife users have reported the greatest number of injuries due to liner lock. Consequently, it will be easier for you to handle if you go slowly.
There are many similarities between a frame lock and a liner lock. There is a possibility that you may confuse the two. You should look for a small opening on the handle’s side. This is the side through which you need to enter. The entrance is typically on the left hand side. Right-handed individuals will have no difficulty locating it.
Only a small number of left-handed knives feature the lock arm on the opposite side. The locking mechanism, however, does not affect the functionality of the knives as its reliability is unaffected.
Here is how you close a button lock knife
As many people find the button lock very desirable and flashy, it is considered to be a novelty locking system. This type of blade lock mechanism is generally found on stiletto knives, rescue knives, or spring-loaded folders.
In this article, we will describe how to safely and quickly close a button lock knife.
1. To begin, you must hold the button lock knife with your dominant hand. You should keep the push button facing upwards. You should also keep the blade facing away from your body.
2. By pressing the button lock on the handle with your thumb and holding it down, you will be able to move the blade freely.
3. Initiate the downward movement of your blade with your pointer finger.
4. When you have closed the blade about 1/4 of the way while holding it with your pointer finger, you will move your thumb over and grasp the side of the blade, and bring that the rest of the way until it clicks into position.
My favorite type of lock is the push-button lock because of its simple and easy opening and closing mechanism. Essentially, there is a coil spring located inside the pivot screw, and so the spring tension is built up when the blade is closed all the way and locks into place. By pressing the button, you are releasing the pressure that has built up and causing the blade to fly open.
There are numerous advantages to this locking mechanism, but it is equally risky at the same time. Because you can release the blade with a single push of the button, there is a possibility that the knife could open accidentally in your pocket and cause a serious injury.
Many states consider button lock knives to be illegal or restricted because of the ease of removal. Always exercise extra care when handling automatic push-button knives.
What is the proper method for closing a bar lock knife or axis lock?
Almost all pocket knives are equipped with bar lock mechanisms, which generally provide a more convenient experience when in use. Bar locks provide a safe and secure method of closing a knife.
It is imperative that none of your fingers be in the path of the cutting edge while closing the knife. There will be posts sticking through the surface on the side facing up and away from the pivot. The posts must be pulled out of the way so that the blade can be free to move.
In the paragraphs that follow, I will describe the specific steps that you will need to follow in order to properly close an axis lock knife.
1. As a first step, you should hold the axis lock knife with your primary hand.
2. On both sides of the handle near the base of the blade, you will typically find the locking bar or the posts. Retract the posts with both of your thumbs and your pointer fingers.
3. As you close the blade, you should use your other hand to push it towards the closing position. It is important to keep your fingers clear of the paths as well.
4. Stop pulling the locking bar when the blade has been closed approximately 1/4 of the way. Ensure that the blade is fully closed.
The bar lock is considered to be one of the most classic knife locking mechanisms. Benchmade has decided to call their axis lock by the name “Benchmade Axis Lock” rather than the traditional bar lock.
There is a small bar inserted into a slot in the handle of the knife. It is perfectly positioned inside a notch in the blade’s rear. There is a spring-loaded bar attached to the blade.
When the bar is pushed backward, the blade is free to move around the wing. If you let go of the handle, the built-up spring tension releases the blade. Hence, the axis lock operates.
The Benchmade Axis Lock is generally considered to be a very durable and secure locking system. Once you begin using it, closing and opening it becomes second nature.
A guide to closing a compression lock knife
A compression lock knife is extremely similar to a liner lock knife. There are, however, some important distinctions. On opening the knife, you can see a liner on the top scale that is exposed.
The liner lock has the appearance of a liner lock, but unlike the traditional liner lock where the liner has to be pushed from the inside, there is a cutout on the back scale that gives access to the liner.
Now let’s examine how compression locks work and how they should be closed in a safe and effective manner.
1. Keep your main hand on the handle of the knife. As a result, the blade is suddenly released. Therefore, be sure that the blade is oriented at 90 degrees.
2. You should push over the locking mechanism with your dominant thumb towards the back of the handle. By doing so, you will be able to freely move the blade.
3. Slowly close the blade with the other hand.
Closing a compression lock knife is pretty much the same as closing a liner or frame lock knife. In this case, gravity may also be used to close the knife. When you hold it at a 45-degree angle and depress the lock, the blade will drop and close.
I will not get too technical, but a compression lock makes use of a liner inside the handle to hold the blade. It is the piece of metal on the side of the knife that closes or opens it. This metal piece fits snugly into the knife’s base.
With a single hand, close the knife
I dedicate this to all my knife enthusiasts. Right, we must open the knife with a little bit of sass, don’t we? You can try opening and closing folding knives using only one hand if you have been using folding knives for some time now. You will be able to enjoy your knives more using this technique.
If you are not familiar with how to handle a pocket knife, you cannot try this method. Unless you have a great deal of experience with knives, you should avoid closing your knife with one hand. Otherwise, you run the risk of injuring yourself.
So go slowly at first, and you will soon be accustomed to it. It will take some practice to complete the following steps. It is always helpful to have a reputation when learning something new.
In order to close a pocket knife with one hand, we may use either of the following two methods:
1. As a standard, you should disengage all fingers from the back of the knife. Your thumb, middle finger, and pointer must be used to hold the device by the pivot point. You should place your thumb on one side of the pivot point and your middle fingers on the opposite side.
Do not place your index finger on the pivot point. You can easily drop the blade into the handle chamber by pressing your pointer finger against the spine of the blade.
2. Using the stylish method – Use the knife in the same way as you would with the traditional method. Be sure to keep all your fingers away from the closing mechanism. You should only grasp it by the back and sides.
It is the only difference that you do not have to free your pointer finger. Make sure that you have the best grip possible on the knife handle using all of your fingers. The knife blade must be straight and pointing up at the ceiling. Now comes the tricky part, so make sure you pay attention during this process.
In addition, perform a wrist flip as well as flicking the blade. Do this rapidly while forcing the blade to close. Do not forget, that you will not be able to master this trick overnight. Consequently, don’t become frustrated if you do not succeed on your first attempt.