POCKET KNIVES
For everyday use, pocket knives are more versatile than fixed blade knives. The traditional slip-joint pocket knife does not have a locking-blade mechanism but relies on tension from a flat bar or back spring that allows the blade to be folded in and out of the handle when a certain amount of pressure is applied. From its earliest origins, the pocket knife was intended to fill the need for a multi-purpose tool that was easy to carry. The ability to carry a cutting tool in one's pocket meant workers were no longer burdened by wearing a sheath on their side. Plus, pocket knives are considered to be safer than toting a fixed blade knife in a sheath. However, folding blade utility knives are typically harder to clean, less durable and not intended for heavier tasks.
The idea of having a multi-purpose tool where the blade folds into the knife's handle dates back to the early Iron Age. During the pre-Roman era, pocket knives were made using a bone handle with a single blade that would fold in and out of its handle freely. These early folders were called peasant knives. Not because peasants could afford them, but because workers were given the knives to make certain tasks easier to perform. Peasant knives used for heavy cutting often had a bolster or tensioning screw that applied friction to the blade tang to keep the blade open similar to today's locking blade. As cutlery centers in England began to mass produce the pocket knife, it became known as a penny knife based on the low cost of ownership.
The value of pocket knives to society continued to increase as the daily blade became easier to tote and use. A growing need for portable tools led cutlery manufacturers to add a second blade. This revolutionary folding knife with dual blades changed the requirement for workers to carry multiple knives for specific tasks. A sudden avalanche of ideas led to the development of the most popular multi-tool knife of all time, the Swiss Army knife. Not only were different blades (e.g. - plain or serrated) available, the predecessor to today's work knife included pliers, bottle openers, tweezers, toothpicks, scissors and even a corkscrew. Today, pocket knives are routinely personalized for common tasks. For example, an electrician's folding knife may include a locking screwdriver blade and compact wire-stripping tool.
Most pocket knives require the user to open the blade by inserting fingernails into slots on either side of a closed blade. This cumbersome procedure required a worker to use both hands. The need for easier blade deployment using a single hand led to the invention of thumb studs and secure frame lock features. With quicker access to the blade, the pocketknife that originally evolved as a portable tool was redesigned to meet a growing demand for personal protection. The gravity knife developed for the military allowed the blade to be opened with one hand using inertia. What followed was a spring-loaded, push button knife with a locking blade known as a switchblade. As the pocketknife was now a weapon, Congress passed laws in the mid-1950s prohibiting ownership of automatic knives except for first responders and limited military applications.
At Sarge Knives, we manufacture pocket knives and compact folders designed for lasting durability and outstanding performance. Each comes with a stylish handle and functional frame-lock for safe, secure operations. Our ultra sharp knife blades are made from highest quality stainless steel and feature our fine craftsmanship. The only hard part is picking one that fits your style. But, with our promotional pricing, why not order several and take advantage of our FREE Shipping?
Order your new pocket knife today!
