The contemporary folder knife is a more modern extrapolation of the primitive straight edge knife. As knives developed from their primitive use as primarily hunting tools their 'general' usefulness necessitated some design changes. Some of the earlier pocket knives were simple folding blades without a back spring. Although there may have been versions of folding knives developed previously, the Romans got the credit for creating the first folding knife. These knives were called "clasp" knives and were developed so that the blade folded back into handle. This allowed one to carry the knife in their pocket without the threat of injury.

So when we say that this site is dedicated to the fighting or tactical folders, what exactly do we mean? Well, we are definitely not talking about the traditional Victorinox (or Swiss folder) that you knew as a kid. Nor are we talking about the various folding knives with pin-up girl images. Not even for the multi-blade hunting or fishing folding knives many of you may use, in those outdoor activities. What we are talking about, are folding knives designed and manufactured for self-defence. A folding knife which will allow you to successfully defend yourself, if you have no other means to do so (God forbid).

A more detailed definition, is given here, by Brownie.

Because of its role, a tactical folder has some special features, which make it suitable for its application. In the paragraphs below, we will try to describe these features, so that a novice can at least get familiar with the basic terminology used. For more details on the various term that you might come across, when reading material about folding knives, please refer to our Terminology section.

Each and every folder I know, consists of the following parts:

• 1. The blade : This is the cutting part of the knife. In carrying mode, it is folded inside the knife handle. A tactical folder's blade should be hard enough so as not to break under severe usage, but not brittle. It should also be able to be easily resharpened.
  
• 2. The handle : This is the part of the knife you grasp, when using the knife. Usually, for folders, the handle consists of two pieces, called scales, one left and one right, held together, either by screws or press studs.
  
• 3. The blade's axle : This is the axle around which the blade pivots, to open and close. Usually it consists of a screw and nut combination, but other types can be used as well. On the more expensive folders, a bearing mechanism may be used.
  

• 4. The thumb stud : This is a feature, which allows one-hand opening of the knife. It can have the form of a stud or the form of a small metallic disk, screwed on the top of the blade, which your thumb should engage, to swing the blade from its closed to its open position. Some manufacturers use a special hole, in which the edge your thumb is inserted to switng the blade open. A knife which comes without such an opening aid (like knives with nail nicks, cannot be characterised as tactical folders, since they require two hands to open the blade, hardly efficient in an unpleasant social encounter).
• 5. The handle's screws : Used to keep the two parts of the handles together. Studs can be used instead of screws, in cheaper knives.
  

• 6. The Liner : Since the handles are the external part of the knife, its purpose is mainly to provide a grasping surface. This role has been fulfilled over the years by materials, such as wood, stag, bone, mother of pearl and lately by polymer materials (synthetics). Since the purpose of these materials is to either beautify the knife, or to provide a firm gripping surface, they cannot (until recently) cover other roles, such as protecting the blade, or providing a safe blade locking mechanism (see below). As a result, typically the handles have between them two plates, made from either steel, or bronze, or even the more exotic titanium, which serve the role of protecting the blade and providing a base, on which the blade locking mechanism is housed in. These are called the liners and you can see above, the liners of a contemporary folder.
  

• 7. The Blade Lock : As the folding knife evolved, it was clear that in order to serve its purpose, the blade should not be allowed to close, unless the user wanted to, so as to avoid injuries during use. As a result, a method had to be derived to hold the blade securely, in the open position, and allow it to swing back to the closed position when the user selected to. Various locking mechanisms have been derived over the years, in the picture above, you see one of them, called "linerlock", in which, one of the liners of the knife has been cut and the cut part has been bended in such a manner, as to engage the rear part of the blade, and prevent it from rotating back to its closed position, unless the bend part of the liner is pressed to release it.
  

• 8. The Clip : The clip is just a piece of spring steel, which allows the user to carry its knife in its pocket, so that part of the knife is accessible, for ease and quick drawing in case of an emergency, instead of searching in his/her pocket, for his/her knife. Typically, the clip is secured to the knife either by screws or by the blade's axle. On most contemporary folders, the clip can be reversed by the owner, to allow either tip-up or tip-down carry, depending on his preferences.

As we mentioned above, the technology of cutlery has evolved so much, that today folders are offered with various blade designs and various locking mechanisms, while the materials used for the production of the blade, scales and liners vary from mundane (steel) to exotic (titanium or carbon fiber). The parts described above are mostly found in tactical folders, but not only on them. Regular folders are produced with some or even all of the above features, so the distinction between a true tactical folder and a general-chores one can be very difficult.

Also, please understand that knives are designed as cutting tools. Use of your knife for any purpose other than cutting is considered abuse. As with any cutting tool, you may exploit their value prematurely or they may fail to perform if not used or cared for, properly. So, my suggestion to you? If you rely on a folder for self-defence (I hope that you carry something better than a folder for self-defence, but just in case this is your last defence tool) do not use as an axe, or as a screwdriver. Most knowledgeable knife users, have a utility knife for mundane chores (such as cutting wires, or opening carton boxes etc.), and their prime knife is used only for the purpose it was designed for.

One more thing, defending yourself with a folder is not an easy task. If you want to use your folder for such severe social confrontations, please seek the advise of a specialist. Several trainers are offering knife self-defence courses, one of them being our own knife expert, Brownie. If you live in his area, send him an e-mail and get in touch with him on this subject.

One final but very important thing: Never ever use your folder, unless you are sure that the blade is locked in the open position. Severe injury can occur, if you do not respect this rule.