Folding knives, often referred to as pocket knives, have the eponymous feature that allows the blade to fold into a groove of the handle. This is primarily for safe transport, therefore jackknife also do not need a knife sheath. Particularly well-known representatives are that Swiss Army knifeor Opinel knives. The former usually carry a number of other functions in addition to the blade.

Essential features of folding knives

Unlike knives with fixed blade offer jackknife the advantage that they can be brought to a relatively small pack size. This facilitates transport, which can be advantageous, for example, at work or during outdoor activities. Also can a jackknife be safely transported in vest or trouser pockets, without risking injury to the same.

Another feature of folding knives is that the blade is always ground only on one side, since the blade is usually not completely submerged in the handle shell. The bowls themselves are usually made of wood or plastic and can have a wide variety of colors and shapes, but in the latter case always depend on the locking mechanism.

For more sophisticated folding knives, the handle can also be made of ivory, mother of pearl or precious metals. In the outdoor area, rubber grips are very often used, as they are still safe in the wet even when wet. Many knives are additionally provided with one or more grip recesses to minimize the risk of slipping the hand into the blade

Stability of folding knives

Unlike knives with fixed blade are jackknife but of lesser stability. This property is due to the design, since the blade is connected via a joint with the handle and is not part of a – usually – continuous metal piece. The joints can over time or after very intense stress, or wobble, which increases the risk of unintentional opening and generally the risk of injury. They should therefore only be used for work that requires relatively little effort. Of course, the quality from manufacturer to manufacturer can be subject to strong fluctuations. It can therefore happen that a high-quality, very well-made and also correspondingly expensive jackknife can be more robust than a comparatively cheap and simply processed knife with a fixed blade.

opening mechanisms

Folding knives are very easy to distinguish from each other based on the present opening mechanisms. If both hands are needed to open, it is called a two-hand knife. With one hand, the handle is held, while the other hand, the blade is pulled out and arrested. Single-Handed Knifecan be opened with just one hand. For this, the pressure of the thumb is usually enough.

Legal information on folding knives

Basically, folding knives are allowed in Germany under the weapons law. However, there are a few exceptions to consider! Thus, one-handed knives with lockable blade are subject to a leadership ban, should their blade exceed the length of 12 centimeters (also applies to fixed knives). Transport must take place in a sealed container. Exceptions are only granted if there is a legitimate interest. This interest can, for example, be derived from professional practice, sports or customs. All types of fist and fall knives and the so-called „butterfly knife“ are generally prohibited. Jumping knives are forbidden if their blade length exceeds 8.5 centimeters.

Care of folding knives

Folding knives should be cleaned after each use. It is usually sufficient to wipe them with a cloth. If rust has settled on the blade or on another piece of metal, the use of polish is recommended. When folding knives, especially the folding mechanism and the lock should be paid increased attention. Dirt can be removed with soapy water. In stubborn dirt in hard to reach places it usually does a toothpick. It is also advisable to thinly coat the blade with gun oil (eg Ballistol).