Oldest Auto

[Chris Evans]

Originally Posted by fernando

Hi Jim,
Navajas have locking systems to keep them open (as from the XVII century ?), not automatic spring opening devices .
... this not meaning that a navaja expert, ike Chris Evans, may tell us something about the switch blade semanthics.

Hi Fernando,

Flattery will get you everywhere!

Seriously, I am not an expert on any kind of a knife, that is for the likes of Forton, Domenech, Levine and others with far broader knowledge base and resourses than mine - I prefer to think of myself as an informed enthusiast who has the good fortune of being able to access resources in Spanish on navajas and Creole knives - As for other typologies, I am woefully ignorant.

On navajas&clasp knives: These made their appearance in the early 18th century, following the Bourbon Ascension in Spain and the consequent weapons bans. Despite often made claims to the contrary, I have yet to see convincing evidence that lockable folding knives pre date the 18th century in Europe.

On spring actuated automatics: I have a book on Italian switchblades that claims that the earliest known specimen dates back to the early 19th century and the genre as we know it pertains to the 20th. My examination of 19th century folding knives, even the best made ones, suggests that the then extant cutlery industry would have been incapable of mass producing automatics; Hand made one offs yes, but not mass production.

Cheers
Chris

[David]

hmmmm.....since no one has responded to my previous posting it leads me wonder whether anyone bothered to follow to my Wiki link. I do realize that not all Wiki articles are worth reading, but this one seems pretty well researched. It continues as follows:
Examples of steel automatic folding knives from Sheffield England have crown markings that date to 1840.[1] Tang stamps such as Tillotson, A.Davey, Beever, Hobson, Ibbotson and others produced automatics that have either simple iron bolsters and stag handles or ornate embossed silver alloy bolsters.[1] Some English knives have what is referred to as a "pen release" instead of a central handle button, whereby the main spring activated larger blade is released by pressing down on the closed smaller pen blade. Also in the 19th century, folding French personal defense knives marked Châtellerault were available in both automatic and manually opened versions in several sizes/lengths. Châtelleraults have recognizable features such as "S" shaped cross guards, picklock type mechanisms and engraved decorative pearl and ivory handles. About the same time in Spain, Admiral D'Estaing is attributed with a type of folding naval dirk that doubled as an eating utensil.[1] When folded closed, the blade tip would extend beyond the handle to be used at the dining table. It could be spring activated to full length if needed as a side arm, by pressing a lever instead of a handle button,.[1] but this kind of knife is very hard to find now.
After the American Civil War (1865), knife production became industrialized.[1] The oldest American made production automatic knife is the Korn Patent knife, with a rocking bolster release.[1] With the advent of mass production, which enabled folding knives to be produced at lower cost, manufacturers introduced new and much more affordable switchblade designs for the general public. In Europe as well as the United States, automatic knife sales were never more than a fraction of sales generated by conventional folding knives, yet the type enjoyed consistent if modest sales from year to year.
By 1890, U.S. knife sales of all types were on the increase, buoyed by catalog mail order sales as well as mass marketing campaigns utilizing advertisements in periodicals and newspapers. In 1892, George Schrade, a toolmaker and machinist from New York developed and patented the first of several practical automatic knife designs.[2][3] The following year, Schrade founded the New York Press Button Knife Co. to manufacture his switchblade knife pattern, which had a unique release button mounted in the knife bolster.[4] Working out of a small shop in New York City, Schrade employed about a dozen workmen.[5][4] In order to expand his company, Schrade sold a portion of his business to the Walden Knife Co., and moved operations to Walden, New York.[5][4] There Schrade became the company's production superintendent, establishing a production factory to manufacture several patterns of Schrade-designed switchblade knives, ranging from a large folding hunter to a small pocket knife.[5]

[David]

If you scroll down a bit you will find a little bit more illustrated history on switchblades here:
http://www.websters-dictionary-onlin...&sa=Search#906
This guy has an impressive collection of old switches, though he doesn't give dates on them:
http://www.autoknife.info/
Below some midish 19th century examples...

[David]

Here is an old Korn patent spring assisted knife, though i believe that it was the cork screw that was spring assisted. These went into production in the USA just after the Civil War.

[David]

Here's a spring assisted blade from the 1880s.

[David]

Here's a 19th century H. Bunting, Sheffield. Sorry i can't be more specific on the age.

[David]

An here is a Chatellerault switchblade that is talked about as an early example in a couple of the articles i linked to, though i have no specific age on this example.