Button Open Button Close

[Richard D]

I hate to ask such a basic question, but can someone explain how these operate? I did a search and didn't find an answer. I am speaking of the Italian stillettos of the 1960s I've seen for sale.

[BTB0923]

I'm not sure if they all have the same mechanism, but... I have a 60's derby bolster button o/c that has a "double sear hole" mech. It has two seperate holes in the tang of the blade for a sear pin to enter when the button isn't depressed... one for open and one for closed. Here is a pic I've borrowed from Panzer showing his with the two holes in the tang...

[Richard D]

So there is one button; push and the knife opens automatically. Push again to unlock the blade, and close it manually, instead of swiveling the bolster?

[Chrisadamley]

So there is one button; push and the knife opens automatically. Push again to unlock the blade, and close it manually, instead of swiveling the bolster?

Ya you are correct. Its not Auto close....

[BTB0923]

The closest thing I've seen to a side-opening "auto-close" would be the Benchmade axis-lock knives. And even they require a slight flick of the wrist to close. I'd imagine a side-opener with a button to auto-close the blade via spring would be pretty dangerous anyhow.

[horizonod]

I think the liability of making an "auto close" side opener would be huge. The same reason they don't make double edge side openers. People like their fingers and prefer to keep blood inside their skin.