What is a "friction folder"?

[drdl]

What exactly is a "friction folder"? What type of locking mechanism does it use?

Thanks,
David

 

[Tightwad]

The friction folder is probably THE oldest type of folder
invented. Romans carried them to use as eating tools.

What are they?? Well , they have no backspring like a
slipjoint and no locking method at all. Usually they
are a piece of stag horn with a simple slit cut just about
wide enough to let the blade fit. Then the blade is
wedged in with a pivot pin driven through both
side to hold the blade.

To use them is again simple. Fold open the blade
with the "friction" holding it open until the blade
can be place in the cut to create enough pressure
to use the knife. No fuss, no bother, Anyone could
make their own. Basic knife.

 

[Paul Work]

The smaller, non-locking Opinel models are a modern day example. Some friction folders have a tang extension like a straight razor so the thumb can aid in holding the blade open.

Paul