The gravity knife was intended almost five decades ago. Yet, it remains to be in breaking news as discussion or hot gossip as a part of the attraction. The previous topics its legitimacy, while the latter measure its fame.
So, what is a gravity knife? Is it allowed? How does it work? What are its uses? Read on to get replies to these questions.
Summary: What Is A Gravity Knife
A gravity knife is a little tool with a blade folded in the handle, which is released because of hand motion as well as a gravitational force. The main idea of its construction is to support releasing the folded blade with simply one hand. So, when the other hand is unavailable, it is simple to open this knife with just a wrist flip.
A gravity knife is genuinely a tool that many tradesmen use about daily, extending right from dock laborers to workers. unfortunately, these knives have been in the governance of proper rules and laws because of which they have witnessed the banned status. Yes, people with these knives were arrested in the past because of the strict laws.
Though, now, the great news is that a modern struggle for knife buyers is all settled to make the gravity knives’ property as well as use legal, at most limited in the state of New York. This will save knife buyers from an unjustified arrest.
History of The Gravity Knives
The gravity knife was mainly designed to support soldiers and crew members of aircraft in releasing themselves from their parachutes that got twisted in objects such as trees at the time of landing. Hence, it was created in such a form that just one hand could open as well as use it.
Founded in Germany, these knives were introduced during World War II. While the war, the German soldiers would get confused at times in their parachutes. Nearly all knives of that time required two hands to open. This tool built it tough to use these knives in this situation.
Moreover, the chance of being caught by the allied forces was always there before becoming free from the difficulty. So, a knife that could open with just hand was introduced.
Later, the allied officers who took them from the German culprits returned to the United Kingdom and the United States. They termed these knives as gravity knives, as they applied gravity to open. A gravity knife was designed before the discovery of an affordable and safe switchblade knife.
It is created by the German air force, the first gravity knife came in 1937. It was called the Luftwaffe Fallschirmjäger-Messer.
Gravity Knives Types
In terms of how the blade opens, there are two types of gravity knives, which are as follows:
- Standard: It looks like a folding knife with one of the sides owning a hinge. For opening such a gravity knife, it serves to press the lever on the side and flip the wrist in a rear-handed way. This lever adjusts the blade and stops it from turning loosely on the hinge. The flick’s inactivity brings out the full blade while freeing the lever holds the blade in its open position.
- Out the Front (OTF): This is the form in which the blade switches in the hilt. It is built to glide out straight. This time, the lever is over the front of the corner atop the handle. You just lack to pull the lever to turn the handle forward, take the hand back, and glide the blade forward where the lever locks it.
There are some further varieties to examine. Once the German gravity knife became popular, its British version was soon introduced in England. This knife was built to operate as a secondary combat weapon.
It was pretty like the German knives. Though, there is a variation in terms of handles, which can be of smooth wooden or plastic.
Even a butterfly knife is thought to be a gravity knife. Yet, there is a variation. This knife depends on the actions of your hand, not on the gravitational force.
Moreover, in the case of this pocket tool, the handle has two parts that you can flick just like the butterfly’s wings. You necessitate moving the two parts away from opening the handle.
One excellent example of a modern-day gravity knife is Paragon Warlock.
Best Gravity Assisted Knife Reviews
Among various options, it can be difficult to pick the best gravity knive for your lifestyle. In this article, we at BestDamascussKnife will give you the guide on what is a gravity knife? Also we have made made a list of some of the best choices out there to assist you to make a choice.
Here is the list of top 10 best gravity knives:
- Kershaw Clash Folding Pocket Knife
- Kizer Tactical Folding Dagger S35VN Blade Carbon Fiber Handler Knife
- Gerber Remix Tactical Knife
- Smith & Wesson SWHRT9B 9in High Carbon S.S. Fixed Blade Knife
- Smith & Wesson SWMP4LS 8.6in S.S. Assisted Folding Knife
- Gerber Quadrant, Straight Edge Flipper Knife
- Gerber Remix Knife
- KA-BAR Becker BK2 Campanion Fixed Blade Knife
- Cold Steel 92R39LSF Rubber Training Leatherneck SF Knife
- Outdoor Edge MiniGrip – Mini Folding EDC Pocket Knife
Editor’s Note: We will update this list as more gravity knife hit the market.
Product | Manufacturer | Shop | |
---|---|---|---|
Kershaw | |||
Kizer | |||
Gerber | |||
Smith & Wesson | |||
Smith & Wesson | |||
Gerber | |||
Gerber | |||
Ka-Bar | |||
Cold Steel | |||
OUTDOOR EDGE |
1: Kershaw Clash Folding Pocket Knife
- Speedsafe Opening
- Pocket Clip
- Liner Lock
- Multiple Styles
PROS
- It is an ideal EDC knife, easy folding pocket knife and necessary for everyday jobs—survival tool, accuracy cutting for specific projects, cutting boxes, self-defense, home protection, or the ideal gift
- Its speedSafe Assisted Opening presents a quick and safe open with an effortless pull of the flipper
- The ambidextrous flipper and reversible clip enable all users to easily open the Clash one-handed
- The locking liner assures the blade stays securely open while the use
- It is general all-purpose use for everyday home requirements, hunting, fishing, farming, climbing, camping, hiking, ranching, or first responders
CONS
- It has no cons.
2: Kizer Tactical Folding Dagger S35VN Blade Carbon Fiber Handler Knife
- 65″ Stonewash
- Ki4513A2
PROS
- This knife is designed by Elijah Isham and accuracy engineered by Kizer
- It has a 3.65 inches CPM-S35VN blade features super toughness, edge retention, and wear and corrosion resistance
- Its handle is made of Carbon Fiber, Titanium, and the Blade is made of CPM-S35VN /Weight:4.19 oz /Overall:8.3″
- It is an excellent safeguard for any hiker, landscaper, backpacker, hunter, wilderness guide, electrician, or anyone in need of a reliable everyday carry
- It is an outstanding everyday carry for various jobs including opening packages, stripping wire, removing splinters, cutting zip-ties,aggressive animal defense, and making fire kindling
CONS
- It has no cons.
3: Gerber Remix Tactical Knife
- Serrated Edge
- 30-000433
- Black
PROS
- The circular ring in the handle gives extra security while in use
- It has a stainless steel G-10 handle for a firm grip in all conditions
- It has a slim, lightweight handle
- It is best for tactically inspired, tip-up pocket carry
- It has a corrosion-resistant tanto blade
CONS
- It has no cons.
4: Smith & Wesson SWHRT9B 9in High Carbon S.S. Fixed Blade Knife
- 7in Dual Edge Blade
- TPE Handle
- for Outdoor, Tactical, Survival and EDC
PROS
- Dimensions: The knife is 9 inches in overall length with a blade length of 4.7 inches and a weight of 7.7 ounces
- Durable: Its blade is composed of good 7Cr17MoV high carbon stainless steel with a black rubber wrapped handle
- Dependable: Swift and comfortable access with the handy belt or boot sheath making it perfect for everyday carry
- Secure: Have confidence that the blade will not slip with the security of the handguard
- Guaranteed: This product is covered by a limited lifetime warranty.
CONS
- It has no cons.
5: Smith & Wesson SWMP4LS 8.6in S.S. Assisted Folding Knife
- with 3.6in Serrated Clip Point Blade
- Aluminum Handle
- for Outdoor Tactical Survival and EDC
PROS
- Dimensions: 8.6 inches overall length with a blade length of 3.6 inches and a weight of 7.6 ounces
- Durable: The knife blade is made of strong 4034 black oxides high carbon stainless steel with a black aluminum handle with rubber inlay
- Dependable: Swift and comfortable access with the handy belt or boot sheath making it perfect for everyday carry. and M.A.G.I.C. assisted opening making it ideal for everyday carry
- Secure: Have confidence that the blade will not slip with the security of the handguard
- Guaranteed: This product is covered by a limited lifetime warranty.
CONS
- It has no cons.
6: Gerber Quadrant, Straight Edge Flipper Knife
- with Pocket Clip
- Bamboo
- [31-003731]
PROS
- The Quadrant is a new Flipper knife with a Bamboo handle scales and a smooth blade to set it apart.
- Deploying the blade is natural and easy with a strong finger flipper.
- A straight edge sheep foot blade is created for style and efficiency with an ample cutting edge to handle those everyday jobs.
- A pocket clip secures the knife while it is not in use.
- The Quadrant features a 2. 7 Inch 7Cr17MoV stainless steel blade
CONS
- It has no cons.
7: Gerber Remix Knife
- Serrated Edge
- [22-41969]
PROS
- Lightweight at only 4.2 oz
- The circular ring in the handle provides additional stability
- It has a corrosion-resistant, 2.9 inches fine edge blade
- An anodized aluminum handle adds support and corrosion resistance
- It is perfect everyday carry companion
CONS
- It has no cons.
8: KA-BAR Becker BK2 Campanion Fixed Blade Knife
PROS
- It is a full tang heavy duty field knife suited for camping chores.
- It is made in Olean New York, U.S.A
- It is designed by Ethan Becker
- It is Manufactured by KA-BAR Knives Inc.
- It is Comes with a hard shell black nylon sheath.
CONS
- It has no cons.
9: Cold Steel 92R39LSF Rubber Training Leatherneck SF Knife
PROS
- The Blade Length is 7 inches
- The knife Handle length is 5 inches Long
- The overall length of the knife is 12 inches
- Material: Santoprene
- Leatherneck S/F Trainer
- It is an innovative cutlery company Cold Steel’s most famous knives, including this Leatherneck-SF, are now available in safe, rubberized trainer editions
- Perfect for solo practice, training, and demonstrations
CONS
- It has no cons.
10: Outdoor Edge MiniGrip – Mini Folding EDC Pocket Knife
- 2″ Stainless Steel Blade
- Rubberized Nonslip TPR Handle
- Lanyard Attachment
PROS
- It is an outdoor Edge signature mini knife ideal for key chain or pocket
- The blade length is 2.2 inches, overall length of 5.1 inches
- The blade is made of steel 8Cr13MoV Stainless
- The handle is rubberized TPR with a lanyard
CONS
- It has no cons.
The Opening and Closing Of Gravity Knives
A gravity knife operates by relying on inactivity and the gravitational force to release its folded blade. When it was created, the idea of spring-driven knives was not very popular. Hence, there was no chance of the spring mechanism to be involved in it.
While a fixed combat knife can be opened with one hand, it is large and is expected to get departed from its case at the time of parachute landing. Though, a gravity knife is short enough to implement carefully inside a pocket with a zipper.
The blade simply falls open when the knife leads towards the ground. When not in use, a lever holds the blade intact in its position by locking it. Once the blade is out, you can flip it back to prevent accidental falls at bay. This is how a gravity knife is between the easiest knives to open, carry, and use.
Even today, a gravity knife’s blade with a blunt-spear point remains folded in a frame built of metal. This case is inside a wood handle. As you flip the lever residing on a side, the blade stretches out from the frame and opens completely because of the force of gravity.
Closing the blade is similarly a breeze. Just flipping the switch again, which appears in freeing the blade’s lock. By flipping the hand in the frontward motion, the blade becomes unfold, while otherwise, the switch is released to protect the blade in the frame.
As contrasted to a standard folding knife, a gravity knife is nearly alluring. This is because you can open and use it with just one hand. The recent knife’s closing mechanism is normally too hard to be flicked with just one hand.
Gravity And Other Knives Similarities
The Switchblades and gravity knives are frequently mutually used, as they both are much alike. Some people consider a gravity knife to be a switchblade kind. Though, they both are distinct.
The principal exception is how they both work. Both knives indeed have their blades embedded inside their handles. Nonetheless, the opening tools each of them follows is changed.
The Gravity knives employ a locking lever and lead to open because of gravity after moving the level. On the opposite, switchblades or OTF knives work with the guidance of spring being in the handle. Pushing a button automatically frees the blade. So, unlike gravity knives, switchblades are automatic.
Many latest folding knives appear with a pin close to the folded blade’s side. You lack to flick this pin to open the knife with just one hand. This suggests they are identical to gravity knives in terms of functionality. Nonetheless, unlike gravity knives, these knives come with strong hinges. In other words, a user of a gravity knife can more instantly draw and open the knife than a user of a folding knife holding a pin.
Utilization of Gravity Knives
In its first days, the gravity knives were used to support soldiers while alighting or falling from airplanes to evade being caught in a difficult situation. Although they were not created as fighting knives, gravity knives were also used for battles
These knives were additionally accessible with various attachments such as an awl or marlinespike. The marlinespike is normally used in marine ropework and is identified to untangle knots. Likewise, the awl is beneficial for prying open, piercing, and fixing blocked weapons. All these addons folded into the knife.
The legality of Gravity Knives
The concern with the legality of gravity knives has been the description of the knife, which can differ from country to country. Though, in the bulk of states, a gravity knife is legal. In other states – such as New York till the change this year – administrators had put gravity knives in the identical category as a switchblade, which opens into a locked position with the push of a button.
The gravity knives are intended to open with gravity or a flick of the wrist so that they can be opened one-handed while the other hand is occupied. That is why the knife is very famous as a tool for tradespeople.
Repeat, commonsense has not been eternally controlled when it occurs to laws governing these knives. Some countries outlaw gravity knives, including the United Kingdom and Canada.
Other countries are contemplating laws to lift the ban on gravity knives, including Ohio. Other states are considering legislation that involves lifting bans on some type of “automatic knives,” which in some states can include gravity knives.
Conclusion
The gravity knives are created to be opened with just one hand because of which they are famous amongst people involved in a trade or normal chores needing knives. Although they are now certified in New York, they are yet banned in other American states. Therefore, it is wise to check the laws and then purchase, carry, or use gravity knives.
Product | Manufacturer | Shop | |
---|---|---|---|
Kershaw | |||
Kizer | |||
Gerber | |||
Smith & Wesson | |||
Smith & Wesson | |||
Gerber | |||
Gerber | |||
Ka-Bar | |||
Cold Steel | |||
OUTDOOR EDGE |
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