What are the knives that flip out called?

AUTOMATIC KNIVES OR SWITCHBLADES Automatic knives, or switchblades, have blades that flip open with the push of a button. There are also variations that open via a lever or switch on the handle. The two basic styles of automatic knives are side opening and Out The Front (OTF).

Is an OTF knife?

Simply put means OTF stands for ‘Out Of The Front’. However, there’s much confusion over what OTF truly implies when talking about knives. In its broadest sense, OTF knives are folding knives with blades concealed inside a handle.

What is an automatic OTF knife?

Out the Front knives, or OTF’s as they are often known, are knives which when triggered, push the blade right out the front of the handle. Single action push the blade out when triggered but then must be reset or recocked before they can be triggered again.

What is a front flipper knife?

Front flipper knives are manual folding knives that use a tab which protrudes from the blade to open. However, unlike the original flipper knife, the tab is located on the blade’s spine and deploys using a sweeping motion from the thumb.

Are auto knives legal?

A switchblade (which may be known by many other names including a “pushbutton knife” or “ejector knife”) has a blade which is contained within the handle and is opened automatically by a spring by pushing a button or switch on the handle. Switchblades with blades longer than 2” are illegal to carry in California.

What is the difference between a switchblade and an OTF knife?

The typical switchblade, which is also known as an automatic or flick knife, looks like a regular folder, rotating around a hinge. The second type of switchblade is called the OTF (out the front) switchblade because the blade comes out at the top of the handle, like a pen.

Why are OTF knives banned?

Even though most states allow the possession and carrying of switchblades, some states have completely banned them, while others have some strict requirements. These laws were put in place to protect against violent crimes carried out using switchblades.

What is a manual Flipper knife?

A manual opening knife is opened using a thumbstud, thumb disc, thumb hole, nail nick, flipper, or other opening aid on the blade. Meant to be opened with two hands (or one hand, with practice), a manual opening knife requires you to deliberately open the blade into the locked position.