Are knife safeties a good idea?

[Billy The Blade]

No ones “close call” compares to a person who used to be on here who was nearly castrated by a Kershaw leek. The short version is that a Leek fired in his front pocket (tip down carry) and the needle fine tip sliced through his pocket, his underwear, and then sliced into his scrotum

...Sounds like a Kershaw EEK !!
No doubt the Leek is a very popular model, though.

 

[Billy The Blade]

-I'll add that I agree with original builds of knives, with safety measures in mind should be adequate, but when a piece requires an added safety, it should be well designed, and unobtrusive.
B.T.B.

 

[eisman]

I'm curious; just how would you design this type of knife without a safety?

Those buttons open the blades. You can't carry tip up or tip down, because you have both. Pressure on the button will deploy the blade, even in your pocket.

As for single button blades, unless there's a separate lock hard use will unlock the blade as you grab tight on the handle and put pressure on the blade. This is a very simple design that works very well.

 

[Billy The Blade]

Those are unique pieces.
My only thought would be
obtaining one or more 'pocket
slips' if a tip up or down carry is
desired. The bails on the two may make be more of a customized slip, or perhaps a belt pouch.
I agree that auto's in general, &
depending on the design, some
assisted have safeties for good reason.
Simple, and effectively designed & positioned, as mentioned.
B.T.B.

 

[Billy The Blade]

Edit, to add...
Maybe I should have said position
of button & lock, instead of 'tip up or down, as these pieces are multi
bladed/implement...

 

[John_0917]

I generally buy manuals---but if its assisted or an auto, I won't even look at it if it doesn't have a safety.

Made the mistake of buying a Kershaw Launch---its never carried because of the lack of a safety----hasn't opened on me, but that's because I never carry it----just an accident waiting to happen----its very sharp and I value my flesh parts.

And because many of the Launch models don’t consistently lock...

 

[DocJD]

I'm curious; just how would you design this type of knife without a safety?

Those buttons open the blades. You can't carry tip up or tip down, because you have both. Pressure on the button will deploy the blade, even in your pocket.

As for single button blades, unless there's a separate lock hard use will unlock the blade as you grab tight on the handle and put pressure on the blade. This is a very simple design that works very well.

Thanks for the pics ! I've never seen that type . Very interesting .

 

[eisman]

Those are unique pieces.

These are definitely not "unique". They made hundreds of thousands of these. The paratroop knives were being issued decades after most of the "switchblade" laws were enacted. That's why some States exempt Soldiers from those laws specifically. They are becoming hard to find in good shape; so many were destroyed by over zealous law enforcement.

 

[Lee48]

Safeties? I won't carry an auto or assisted opener without a safety, except for DA OTFs. The only manual opening knife I've ever owned that had any semblance to a safety was an Al Mar Quicksilver. It had a bail-type device you closed over the knife tip to prevent it from opening while being carried. I always used it although it was probably redundant.

I also use seat belts, I don't drink and drive and I always look both directions before crossing the street. I didn't get to be this old by being stupid.