What would you say in this situation?

F

Folderguy

Joined
Jun 26, 2010
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1,261
Yesterday, I was attending a lecture, and refreshments were offered afterwards. Problem was, there was a package of something, I don't remember exactly what, that was covered in plastic, and it wasn't opening easily. So I slipped my hand into my pocket and withdrew this:

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Gently flipped it open...

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and then smoothly sliced the plastic package. It opened like butter. (I keep my blades sharp...) Whereupon, a young fella's eyes half bugged with incredulity and admiration... and said something like... "that's a switchblade!"

I told him it wasn't a switchblade, as switchblades have a button on the handle to deploy the blade, but that it was a simple little flip open pocket knife. I closed it for him (one handed of course :D) and flipped it open again for him. Closed it and showed it to him again.

No problems.

By the way, that IKBS system is smoooooth...

How would you have handled this situation?
 
I would've mentioned how there's no springs of any sort involved. In my experience, that seems to make more sense to most people than the button explanation (some think the flipper is a button).
 
kya said:
I would've mentioned how there's no springs of any sort involved. In my experience, that seems to make more sense to most people than the button explanation (some think the flipper is a button).
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Great suggestion...
 
I generally open all folding knives around people I don't know with two hands so as not to alarm . In this manner I can disguise the spring assist .
 
I'd have pulled my other knife out and said "No, this is a switchblade."

^^In jest of course...you handled it nicely and with some tact. Good work.
 
In my personal experience with Assisted Opening blades is that most people don't really differentiate between "Assisted Opening" and a knife that is a switch-blade, and really I don't honestly blame them. They're different mechanics, but at the end of it it's basically the same operational goal: You press something, blade comes out. To 90% of people that rings "switch-blade".

I was reading something the other day on this forum, but I can't remember where it was... Anyway, someone was talking about how Assisted Opening knives were created as legal alternatives to switch-blades. So whenever someone questions if an AO'er is a switchblade, I'll just explain to them, "Yeah, but it works differently, and is legal."
 
jacktheclipper said:
I generally open all folding knives around people I don't know with two hands so as not to alarm . In this manner I can disguise the spring assist .
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Of course. This one's a bit tough to open two handed... [Edit: actually, my other hand was holding a bag, and made a two handed attempt quite difficult.]

BTW, saw the fellow again today and he told me he was kidding, about the switchblade comment...

He liked it. Was just messin' with me.
 
Last edited:
Get yourself a hidden release D/A!
 
futz said:
I see you modded your Ripple to a clip point. Repairing a broken tip? :p
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Actually.... no!

This knife comes with a blade that is 2.7 inches long, which is over the legal limit for carrying in Chicago. Some time ago, I cut it down to under 2.5 inches, which is the legal limit, and made it into a tanto, and then a few days ago cut it some more to make it as you see it in the pic. It's right at 2.25 inches long now, and just right for me. I really like the ease with which it opens up.

Have another one coming, not this size, but the full size one which, of course, I won't be carrying in Chicago. The new one will be in blue. These Ripples are plenty good, IMHO.
 
He liked it, he was just messing with you, but his remark could have set someone else off who would call the police. Amazing but occasionally true. You did good, talking him through it. Even if he started with suspicions, your explanation is a good way to start off a new knife knut. :)
 
Slidetechnik said:
I'd have pulled my other knife out and said "No, this is a switchblade."

^^In jest of course...you handled it nicely and with some tact. Good work.
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Actually, I thought about bringing a few more knives with me today, to show him some better stuff, but decided against it, as I don't know him all that well. Never know how he might react.

Here they are:

The Black Rhino

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Benchmade 930

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Kershaw 1650BLK

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Cold Steel Recon 1

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If I had to bring just one or two, it would have been these :D:

Zero Tolerance 0400 and 0300
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KennyB said:
In my personal experience with Assisted Opening blades is that most people don't really differentiate between "Assisted Opening" and a knife that is a switch-blade, and really I don't honestly blame them. They're different mechanics, but at the end of it it's basically the same operational goal: You press something, blade comes out. To 90% of people that rings "switch-blade".

I was reading something the other day on this forum, but I can't remember where it was... Anyway, someone was talking about how Assisted Opening knives were created as legal alternatives to switch-blades. So whenever someone questions if an AO'er is a switchblade, I'll just explain to them, "Yeah, but it works differently, and is legal."
Click to expand...

There's a lot of truth to the AO and SB question.

However, the Ripple is not assisted by anything but my finger.

Totally different class of knives. But plenty fast, and definitely quicker than the Zero Tolerance AO knives in my other pic.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
He liked it, he was just messing with you, but his remark could have set someone else off who would call the police. Amazing but occasionally true. You did good, talking him through it. Even if he started with suspicions, your explanation is a good way to start off a new knife knut. :)
Click to expand...

No kidding. Some folks are simply paranoid. Definitely wouldn't want to have to talk to a policeman, although there was nothing wrong or illegal with the knife. He might just transition into a knife knut...

BTW, he told me today he thought the knife was cool.
 
A hidden release D/A is a side opening dual action knife. It can be opened manually or automatically by a hidden release (usually a tilting bolster, scale, or hidden button). A leaf spring in the spine of the knife is propelled forward when the bolster or scale is tilted thus opening the knife automatically. One of my favorite designs in this category is the Microtech LCC D/A.
 
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