Those who have never carried a folding knife and never used it will be difficult to understand why others do it. Meanwhile, in the right hands, a knife is an excellent multifunctional tool with which you can make a lot of useful things.
During hostilities, the presence of a knife in a soldier is considered mandatory. This weapon is included in its equipment. Depending on the specifics of the combat missions performed, one or another specific type of knife is used. A knife is also indispensable during hunting or fishing. In normal urban conditions, there is no need to bite the wire or carve the carcass of a hunted beast. Nevertheless, in a peaceful environment, a person is faced with life situations, with which the knife will help him cope.
An automatic folding knife (popularly called a “city-style knife” or “tactical”) is a versatile multi-functional tool with which you can perform a number of necessary actions: cut a box or tape, sharpen a pencil, etc.
What types of folding knives are there? What is their story? Who is involved in their production?
The first folding knives. Start
The very first examples of folding knife models appeared in ancient Rome. Compared to the modern version, Roman folding knives were very primitive. Both their appearance and the principle of operation were simple. Very often, such knives broke. Nevertheless, the demand for them was constantly growing. Compared with a stationary knife, a folding one was more in demand. This is due to the presence of such an advantage as the ability to hidden wear.
The emergence of Spanish Navas
In the years of the late Middle Ages, a ban on carrying large knives was active. An alternative to products with fixed blades was the emergence of large folding cutting products - bulk, having a semicircular toothed shank with a corresponding slot in the butt of its size. The Spanish Navaja has a large blade and is considered the longest folding knife. It was used as a means of self-defense and robbery. A hidden blade made it easy to carry. The Navaja owner could safely carry it in his pocket without risking injury. The homeland of these cutting products is Spain.
French folder
A folding knife invented by the French, like the Spanish Navajas, took over the baton in the creation of such products, the beginning of which was laid in Ancient Rome. The folder is considered the first product in which the blade is fixed by a special rotary mechanism. Folder folding knives, depending on their functional purpose, come in various sizes and designs. The scope and range of consumers of this product during its consumption has expanded significantly.
Folding Knife Mechanisms
Nowadays, there is an intensive improvement and modification of folding knives. New mechanisms appear, additional elements of equipment. The design of modern folding knives is much more attractive than their predecessors. Aesthetic improvement is achieved through the use of various decorative overlays. Depending on the external design and the principle of operation, folding knives can be divided into the following categories:
- Automatic folding knife.
- Semi-automatic . It features reliable mechanisms and locks. Opening the blade requires additional effort.
- Skeleton . In the manufacture of the handle for a given knife, no overlays or additional materials are used. It is made of the same material as the blade itself. For such a knife is characterized by the presence of a simple handle containing through holes.
- Flick knife. In this product, the blade is thrown forward due to the spring, which comes into effect when you press the shutter button. The folding knife in comparison with other folding knives has an advantage in time. The ejection of the blade in this mechanism is much faster, without requiring additional effort. You can remove the blade from the handle with one hand. This model of the folding knife mechanism is used by the military and hunters.
- With blade lock. Mostly these are large items. Under the law, special permissions are required to wear these blades.
- Without a clamp. Such a product is popularly called a penknife. This is a simple folding knife in which the blade fits snugly into the handle without additional fixation.
- Keychain knife. Small dimensions are characteristic, which reduces the functional purpose of the blade. Used as a gift.
- Butterfly knife".
Auto folding. The performance characteristics and requirements for the knife
For the production of folding automatic knife blades, heavy-duty stainless steel is used that can withstand heavy loads and does not require frequent sharpening. The handles of such knives are made of rubber, plastic or metal. The main requirement for the material to the handle is high strength and durability. Particular attention is paid to the selection of the shape of the handle. The choice of a convenient handle with a tight fit in the hand can be considered correct. The use of this knife is legally limited: it requires special permission to own it. It is forbidden to have a blade exceeding nine centimeters in length in this cutting product.
How does the automatic knife mechanism work?
A distinctive feature of the mechanism is its ease of use. To use this knife, it is not necessary to have special skills, as for knives - “butterflies”. It is enough with a finger to press the shutter button, which will activate the handle mechanism. The knife is equipped with a special lock that folds the blade into the handle and holds it there or throws it out of the handle. The mechanism works by opening and closing the knife.
Mostly, a frontal ejection knife is equipped with automation. It is characterized by the ejection of the blade and its folding along the longitudinal axis. But there are also automatic folding knives with lateral ejection of the blade. In this case, the process of opening and closing the knife occurs along an arc from the bottom of the handle. Features of the mechanics were reflected in the production of blades. The automatic folding knife for frontal ejection is equipped with a double-sided sharpening blade.
Russian manufacturer “Mikrotek”
One of the widespread manufacturers of folding knives in Russia is the company Mikrotek. She produces folding automatic knives of Russian manufacture. Mostly these are blades having double-sided sharpening. But there are also samples of knives with one-sided sharpening, partial and full serreitor. A characteristic feature of the products of this manufacturer is that the manufactured series of knives has a frontal ejection of the blade.
- Microtech Scrab single edge. A model that is considered one of the most popular among consumers. The blade has a convenient clip that allows you to carry it freely in your pocket without fear of losing. The knife is equipped with a special cullet in the form of a metal cone, inside which contains a tungsten ball. It is indispensable in extreme situations when you need to break glass in a car. In Russia, this knife received a certificate and is used as a household item.
- Microtech Scrab double edge. A variant of the knife manufacturer "Microtek" with an identical design. Its difference is the presence of a blade with double sharpening.
- Microtech Makora I. Opening - closing this knife is done with one finger. The handle is equipped with anti-slip inserts located in its side parts. The button is large, which makes it possible to use a knife with gloves.
- Microtech Makora II. The design of this knife is identical to the Microtech Makora I. From its predecessor, the Makora II is distinguished by increased dimensions: with a significant lengthening of the blade, the width and thickness of the product remained unchanged. Improvements touched and anti-slip inserts. They are made of carbon fiber or textured metal sheets. Makora II looks much more aesthetic than its predecessor.
Automatic folding knives Zlatoust
One of the most popular Zlatoust automatic knives is the knife “NS - 3”. In the manufacture of this product, knife steel grade 40X10S2M is used. The hardness of the blade is 56HRS. Product weight is 150 grams. For the manufacture of linings, past stained and waxed wood is used. The knife blade is decorated on both sides with ornamental engraving. The design of the knife “ - 3” consists of a riveted case, a steel axis of the blade, fixing parts made of durable steel and a spring designed to eject the blade. The design of this product allows, if necessary, to disassemble it, which greatly facilitates the repair process. The knife is supplied with a sheath made of leather, with a button - a clasp and a suspension. You do not need permission to purchase this knife. According to the legislation of the Russian Federation, the automatic folding knife “NS-3” is not a cold weapon.
Automatic Chrysostom folding knives are made by a few manufacturers who periodically provide their new models. The mechanisms of the products are equipped with the Back Look system, which provides convenient opening - closing the knife and fixing the blade. A characteristic feature of these knives is the presence of engraving on the blade and an interesting decoration of the handles.
Folding automatic knife “Bear”
Talented Ural gunsmiths continue to improve their products. One of the most exclusive Zlatoust folding automatic knives is a model made of stainless steel and having a gorgeous bear pattern on the handle. This folding automatic knife got its name “Bear”. For the manufacture of this product, the craftsmen use steel with nickel and gilding. The blade is processed by blackening.
- Width is 2.5 cm.
- Length - 8.2 cm.
- The total length of the knife is 19.5 cm.
Making the knife “Bear”, the masters of Zlatoust, in addition to working on lathes, use traditional processing and decoration using engraving cutters for varnish and metal. Skillful use of nickel and gilding procedures allows you to create an exclusive designer sample of the original folding knife.
Making knives in Worsme
Historically, leather, soap, and locksmith crafts were developed in Worsma: the manufacture of knives, scissors, a surgical instrument, cutlery, and weapons. The city is famous for its craftsmen - manufacturers of knives.
The most famous manufacturers are: Bulat LLC, Vyaldin workshop, Metallist LLC, Ponomarev workshop, AA Fursach workshop, Svarog LLC, AV Yurov workshop, Hermes LLC, Titova A. workshop S., Kustari LLC, Zhbanova workshop, Sedova workshop are the most famous companies that produce folding automatic knives.
Vorsma is known to connoisseurs of edged weapons both in Russia and abroad. Many of the manufacturers collaborate with well-known masters in Russia and abroad - gunsmiths, carvers, jewelers ("Union of Masters", "Union of Artists", "Guild of Masters - Gunsmiths").
Folding knife “Lynx”.
One of the most popular models of the company - manufacturer “Workshop Zhbanova”:
- total length is 205 mm;
- blade length - 9 cm;
- blade width - 21 mm;
- thickness - 2.1 mm;
- handle width 25 mm;
- handle thickness - 22 mm;
- producer - I. Zhbanov
For the production of the blade steel x12mf is used. hardness - HRS 62. The blade is held in the handle by means of a clamp and is thrown out automatically. The product relies on a certificate. The package does not include a cover.
Folding automatic knife “Flint - 2”
One of the most famous product models of the manufacturer is Sedov’s Workshop.
Damask steel with HRS 64 units is used for this product. The handle is made of hard rubber.
- The length of the knife is -213 mm.
- The length of the handle is 123 mm.
- The thickness of the handle is 20.4 mm.
- Blade length - 88 mm.
- The width of the blade is 14.1 mm.
Laser engraving is applied to the surface of the blade.
Italian knife manufacturers
The most successfully represented by Italian knives are two popular companies:
- Extrema Ratio. The most famous manufacturer of knives, officially collaborating with the Italian Ministry of Armed Forces. Extrema Ratio products have characteristic asymmetric sawn shapes. For the production of blades, steel grade N 690 is used, with a hardness of HRS - 58 units. The blades are equipped with double-sided or one-and-a-half sharpening.
- Frank Beltrame. An Italian manufacturer specializing in the manufacture of automatic folding knives in the shape of a stylet. The dagger-shaped long blade of Frank Beltrame models 12 cm long is designed for stabbing and is considered a melee weapon. The handles of these knives are made of deer or bull horns . The design of the products is equipped with convenient automation, which includes a reliable spring system. Knives are equipped with a guard and a fuse.
Experts recommend
They can not only cut the tape or cord or open any packaging or sharpen pencils. It can also be used as an improvised opener or screwdriver; some models are equipped with separate special blades for this.
There are folding knives equipped with sling cutters, bat, which are used by rescuers, firefighters and motorists.
Those who decided to buy a folding knife, experts recommend, when choosing the appropriate option, pay attention to the following criteria that distinguish a good product:
- grade and quality of steel;
- how comfortable the handle is;
- Is the blade locking mechanism reliable, ensuring the safety of the owner;
- the presence of factory sharpening;
- acceptable appearance and dimensions of the product;
- the presence of a clip in the case for easy wearing;
- the presence of an accompanying expert opinion that the knife is not a cold weapon;
- and of course, the price - it should be optimal.
The correct selection of a folding knife should provide the owner with the convenience of its operation in various life situations, as well as eliminate the problems associated with the wearing and use of the product.