How to Close a Pocket Knife with Ease

how to close a pocket knife

Table of Contents

When you need to make quick cuts, a tool like a pocket knife might come in handy. Knives are available in a wide variety of styles, each with its unique method for locking the blade.

No matter what kind of knife you are using, it should be easy for you to sheath it and put it back where it belongs in your pocket when you have finished using it. This is why you need to know how to close a pocket knife quickly and easily.

Testing the Waters

If you have never used a pocket knife before, it might be challenging to figure out how to operate the different kinds of locking mechanisms. There are a few essential pocket knife locks that you need to be familiar with before you can unlock any knife you come across.

Pocket knife locks are far less sophisticated than you would expect, and there are only a few of them. When you finally get the hang of it, opening any knife will seem like second nature.

Different Types of Pocket Knives

two types of pocket knife

The type of pocket knife you own would change the type of locking mechanism. Since a variety of knives are available in the market, there are various methods of sheathing different pocket knives.

 Types of Pocket Knives

  • Knives with Liner and Frame Locks
  • Knives without a Lock
  • Button Lock Knife
  • Axis Lock Knife

Tips on How to Close a Pocket Knife

There is a wide variety of knife blade locks, but they all function according to the same fundamental principle. This principle involves a component that stops the pivot movement of the blade. It only releases when it is moved out of the way.

It may be necessary to press a button, lever, frame piece, or another component of the knife to release the blade. This will vary from knife to knife.

Even if you have never used a pocket knife before, it will not take you long to become proficient with them. The majority of knife locks are not difficult to understand once you learn how they function and what to look for.

Tackling a Linear and Frame Lock

pocket knife with lock

A liner lock knife and frame lock knife need specific handling. On the bottom of the hilt, locate the liner or frame portion behind the blade.

It is possible to lock a knife in place by moving the blade’s outer or inner liner. Directly behind the blade, you will find something that looks like a sawtooth.

A piece of the knife’s inner lining is used in liner locks, while the outer casing is used in frame locks to hold the blade in place.

Thumb the frame or liner away from the blade. Aim for a face-up position with the blade. Make sure the blade is not in touch with the locking mechanism by moving it out of the way.

Once you have released the lock, you will notice a difference in the knife’s feel. Moving the locking mechanism is less likely to result in a cut if you hold the knife upside down.

Before closing the blade with your dominant hand, you must move your thumb. Hold the blade in your other hand while moving your thumb.

It is important to make sure that the blade is completely in the slot. The blade does not stay closed with the frame or liner locks.

How to Close Lockless Knives

lockless knife

Holding the hilt of the knife with the sides of the grip is the first step. It is important to keep one’s fingers away from the slot where a blade will be. For a safe and solid grip, position your hand such that your palm and thumb are on one side. Make sure the tips of each of your fingers are resting in the center of your hand.

At no point should the blade point inward. If you are unable to maintain your hold on the blade, it will roll away from you.

With your stronger hand, grab the back of the blade and pull it toward you. Keep the sharp edge of the blade between your thumb and index finger as you hold it. There is a ridge that runs along the top of the blade of many knives. This will make them easier to grasp.

Keep a tight grip with your fingers on the blade so you do not accidentally cut yourself.

Place the knife blade into the slot in a cautious manner. Check to see that the pointed edge of the blade is thoroughly embedded in the slot. When the safety sheath is engaged, the blade should not automatically open again.

Perform the motion of opening and closing the knife with two hands until you become comfortable with it. You can try to close it with one hand once you are more confident.

Pressing the blade against a solid surface allows you to close the blade without your fingers.

Closed Position of the Button Lock Knife

Hold the blade in your dominant hand. Keep it perpendicular to the top of the hilt. Make sure your fingers are not wrapped around the hilt of the blade when you shut the sheath to avoid cutting yourself on the sharp edge. You can use the button lock knife with one hand. But practicing with both hands is a good idea.

Use your thumb to press the button on the hilt. The button lock is located on the hilt, near where the blade joins the handle. It is not uncommon for the button to look like a little cylinder protruding from the blade.

With different manufacturers and designs, its look may vary. You can unlock the door by pressing and holding the unlock button.

There may be a buildup of dirt and debris in the locking mechanism if you are having problems pressing the button. Blow it away with your breath or use a tiny wire to remove the debris from the container’s interior.

Use the hand that is not your dominant one to close the blade. When you press the button, the blade will become more pliable. Make sure your fingers are not touching the slot as you tighten the blade down.

Unless the button is pressed again, the blade will stay locked in place by the great majority of button locks. If your knife has a lock, look in the owner’s manual to determine if it can be kept safely in its sheath. 

Sheathing an Axis Lock Knife

Pull the hilt pin towards you with your thumb until it snaps into place. The pin on the side of the knife will be connected to a wire in the shape of a U, known as an omega spring. The blade may be freed from its sheath by holding the knife perpendicular to the ground and drawing the pin back.

Push the blade back with the opposite hand. As you slide the blade to the closed position, keep the pin in the pulled back position.

To avoid injuring yourself, keep your fingers away from the hilt’s base. Always keep your fingertips on the sharpened side of the blade when using a knife.

Remove the pin to release the blade from its stowed state. To add new tension to the blade, you must first remove the pin from the blade’s hilt.

Axis locks keep the blade in a safe position, whether open or closed until they are re-engaged. Omega springs will make it more difficult to pull the blade open, though.

Safety First

When trying out these helpful tips about how to close a pocket knife, many considerations must be given attention. If you do not know how to use a pocket knife, even the smallest of pocket knives could cause injury.

Before you close the knife, check to see that none of your fingers are touching the blade. If they are, you might cut yourself.

When you close a pocket knife, bear in mind that the blade will swing toward the handle. Because of this, you should pay attention to where your fingers are when you close the knife.

Keep in mind

When you are opening or shutting your pocket knife, be on the lookout for corrosion and damage.

These are the details you should check before practicing closing a pocket knife. These factors might result in the knife being inoperable, ineffective, or causing injury.

Now that you are aware of how to properly handle a pocket knife, pay more attention to its condition and maintenance as well.

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