A Switchblade Comb Is A Fun Take On The Knife Design. Unlike The Knife, The Switchblade Comb Can Be Taken On A Plane.
The switchblade looks cool. The blade firing out at speed and satisfyingly clicking into place is one of the great joys of the knife world. However, many legal codes of countries around the world don’t look fondly on the fast-moving blade. But that cool factor has endured and can be seen in switchblade combs. And they have the added benefit of being far, far cheaper than even the lowest-quality stiletto.
Switchblade combs?
Yes. It’s a comb that deploys like a switchblade. Maybe you’re looking for a comb with a burst of excitement, or a comb that isn’t made of cheap, flimsy plastic. Or maybe you’re a Jet or a Shark that needs to look good for their next rumble.
No matter what the reason, the switchblade comb is a fun little tool to have. This knife… I mean comb shows what the switchblade comb is all about.
Etrading Italian-Style Automatic Comb
This comb is a perfect example of what a switchblade comb can be. The handle is made from pearl-toned polymer, and the blade is made from 440 stainless steel that’s built to last. At nine inches in length, with a five-inch handle, the comb sits well in the hand and feels good to use.
The stainless bolsters help take the look to the next level, and it all comes together thanks to the push-button deployment that sends the comb out in a blink. Additionally, there is a trigger lock-out that prevents the comb from opening in your pocket or bag.
This is a fun piece that you can show off to friends and keep your hair well-coiffed too.
MSRP: $10.50
Tops Knives Tac-Rake
For something a bit more robust there is the Tac-Rake from TOPS Knives. This beard comb is of the fixed-blade variety (yes, not a switchblade but it’s so good) that’s made from black traction-coated steel meted to a tan canvas micarta handle.
It’s only 5.88 inches in total length so it’s probably not the best comb for a full head of hair, but it is specially made for a beard and will keep your facial hair looking clean and sharp. The fact that you’ll feel like a champ while using it is just an added bonus.
The included leather sheath makes traveling with the comb easy and stress-free.
MSRP: $105
Microtech UTX-85
This OTF comb is the Cadillac of combs. The blade is stainless, and the handle is anodized aluminum. It’s luxurious to use, and the dual-action mechanism deploys and retracts the knife in the blink of an eye.
The teeth are nice and fine so it’ll brush your hair and your beard with ease. Adding to the tactical nature of the comb, the glass breaker at the butt of the piece is a handy tool to have on your person. And, since this isn’t a proper sharpened knife, you can take this with you wherever you go from a baseball game to a restaurant and even on a plane.
MSRP: $340
BeardAir Tactical Beard Comb
For a tactical combing experience, there is this sleek comb from BeardAir. With a blade made from 17-4PH steel, and a handle made from aviation aluminum. It’s light and strong, and the automatic open/close function deploys the comb with speed and style.
Unlike the other combs on this list, the Tactical Beard Comb comes in all sorts of different colors so you can find the one that fits your aesthetic the best whether it’s a more traditional black knife with red accents or something more wild like the olive green and pink one above.
The Cogent Flipper Folder From Civivi Is Ready To Cut Through Pretty Much Anything
The Cogent button-lock folder from Civivi is well put together. It has a great feel and a classy blackened stainless steel damascus blade.
Civivi uses 10Cr15CoMoV and 9Cr18MoV stainless steels in the damascus mix. The blade has a full flat grind designed to slim the edge geometry down for efficient slicing.
Testing The Civivi Cogent
Skiving 6-ounce leather was no problem as the Cogent did the job aggressively and noisily—the author easily could hear the crunch on each skive.
First up on the test agenda: 20-pound bond copy paper. The Cogent zipped through it without hesitation. The blade was super smooth during slicing. I used a push cut for a full slice. The knife most definitely has a fine edge.
Staying with a push cut, I used the Cogent to effortlessly slice single-walled cardboard to shreds. The edge never stalled in dispatching the medium. Man, this thing is wicked sharp! There was no twisting of cuts, just straight slices. In fact, it sliced so quickly I had to really watch my fingers to avoid cutting them.
I took it up a notch by slicing plastic board. It was like there was no variation at all in the speed and control of cutting. The only difference was the absence of the zipping noise emitted by the cutting of the cardboard. It was nice, quiet slicing with no hang ups.
There was some 6-ounce leather on the bench for skiving. I decided to slice just a part of it up first. Talk about aggressive cutting! I could easily hear the crunching from every skive. The Cogent sounded like it was actually taking a bite out of the leather—which I guess it was. I did some skiving on another piece of leather with similar results. This knife is a wicked sharp cutter.
Wood & Rope
The Cogent worked its way to 214 crunching cuts on the 3/8-inch rope before the author got tired and quit.
It was time for some firestick making. Utilizing the fine edge, I whittled some curly-cues in a pine stick. I did some very fine curly-cues and some thicker ones. The Cogent was excellent controlling curly-cue thickness. The thumb notches were very comfortable during the deeper bites. The handle was quite comfy.
For some splitting action to test the lockup, I batonned the Cogent into a half-inch-thick board. It split the wood very quickly with no smears on the blade. The button lock stayed at 100 percent lockup. No wiggle here!
The last challenge was the 3/8-inch sisal rope. The Cogent worked its way to 214 crunching cuts before I got tired. The edge would still shave hair from my arm*. The blade boasts excellent heat treatment. I didn’t find one hot spot on the handle and the knife was very comfortable for heavy cutting.
Civivi Cogent: Final Thoughts
I would carry this knife every day. It holds a sharp edge longer than most. The second-best thing is the comfortable handle. It is made for using. The Cogent is an excellent folder. I’d maybe add more handle color options. I love everything else.
*Editor’s note: BLADE® does not recommend shaving arm hair to test blade cutting ability. It can result in injury or worse.
Civivi Cogent Knife Specs
Blade length: 3.47” Blade material: Blackened stainless damascus Blade thickness at the thickest: 1/8 of an inch at ricasso and tapers to the tip Rockwell hardness: 58-60 HRC Handle: Green Micarta® Liners: Stainless steel Opening: Flipper Lock: Manual button lock Knife to know: Open-handle construction for easy cleaning; handle textured; thumb notches on base of blade spine Country of origin: China Weight: 4 ounces Closed length: 4.25 inches MSRP: $115
Have a hankering to extend your wish list with a little something new? Look no further as we’ve gathered up a slew of new custom and factory blades fresh on the market and ready to please. This collection has a definite tactical and outdoor tilt to it, with plenty of fixed blades. But, we’ve snuck a few worthy folders in just to keep the balance.
Erik McCright Fighter
Fighter Specs Blade length: 7.5” Blade material: Old W2 tool steel w/hamon Handle material: Vintage Micarta® w/a fileworked frame Bolster: Textured mild steel Overall length: 12” Knife to know: Erik McCright is an ABS journeyman smith Maker: Erik McCright (Jocelyn Frasier image)
Simone Milanesi Lacantina Indy
Indy Specs Pattern: Bowie Blade length: 6.29” Blade material: Mosaic damascus of K720 tool and 15n20 nickel-alloy steels forged by Spina Gianluca Blade grind: Full flat Blade finish: DLC (diamond-like carbon) Handle material: Rosewood w/carbon pin Guard & fittings: Fat Carbon Overall length: 11.6” Maker’s price for a similar knife: $2,000 Knife to know: Simone Milanesi Lacantina’s Indy won The Knifemakers’ Guild Best Bowie Award at BLADE Show 2023 Maker: Simone Milanesi Lacantin (SharpByCoop image)
Paul LeBatard Recurve Bowie
Recurve Bowie Specs Blade length: 7” Blade steel: CPM 154 stainless Rockwell hardness: 61 HRC Blade grind: The top false edge and primary bevels are hollow ground on a 10” contact wheel and satin polished; the flats are hand finished to 800 grit Blade @ thickest: 3/16” Handle material: California buckeye burl Lanyard material: Desert camo 550 paracord Double guard: 7075-T6 aluminum Overall length: 12” Maker’s price for a similar knife: $750 Maker: Paul LeBatard (Jocelyn Frasier image)
Jim Poling Dagger
Dagger Specs Blade length: 6.5” Blade material: 5160 carbon steel Blade grind: Flat/convex Handle material: Rosewood Fittings: Mild steel Overall length: 12” Maker’s price for a similar knife: $600 Maker: Jim Poling (SharpByCoop image)
A.G. Russell Knives Power Ball C2
Power Ball C2 Specs Knife type: EDC Blade length: 33/8” Blade material: D2 tool steel Rockwell hardness: 59-60 HRC Blade finish: Stonewash Blade pattern: Drop point Handle: Black G-10 w/blue pivot accent ring Pocket clip: Reversible, deep carry Lock: Linerlock Weight: 3.7 ozs. Closed length: 4.75” Knife to know: Also available in a green handle w/orange pivot accent ring Country of origin: China MSRP: $67.95 Company: A.G. Russell Knives
Halfbreed Blades CFK-02 (Compact Field Knife)
CFK-02 (Compact Field Knife) Specs Knife type: Fixed blade Blade length: 4.01” Blade steel: N690 stainless Rockwell hardness: 59-60 HRC Blade @ thickest: .16” Blade finish: PVD coated and stonewash options Blade pattern: Pikal Handle steel: VG-10 stainless Weight: 4.87 ozs. Overall length: 8.07” Sheath: Injection-molded plastic Mounting: Ulticlip and DOTS Belt Countries of origin: Australia and Taiwan MSRP: $275 Company: Halfbreed Blades
CRKT Redemption
Redemption Specs Designer: BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-Of-Fame® member Ken Onion Blade length: 4.06” Blade steel: MagnaCut stainless Blade @ thickest: .15” Blade finish: Stonewash Handle material: G-10 Bolster: Stainless steel Lock: Crossbar Weight: 4.9 ozs. Closed length: 5.1” Knife to know: The Redemption is based on Onion’s Deadman’s Hand custom knife named after the aces-and-eights hand Wild Bill Hickok purportedly held at the time of his death Country of origin: Made in the USA in collaboration w/Hogue Knives MSRP: $225 Company: CRKT
Gerber Center Drive
Center Drive Specs Knife type: Multi-tool Blade length: 3.25” Blade steel: 420HC stainless Implements: Serrated blade, file, awl, pry tool w/nail puller & bottle opener, scissors, fine- & coarse-sided file, pliers, rotatable carbide wire cutters & strippers; magnetic flathead and Phillips bits; in/cm ruler Weight: 9.5 ozs. Closed length: 4.7” Sheath: Fabric Knife to know: One-thumb opening system; the pliers are spring-loaded; magnetic 3.2” Center-Axis bit driver; tool lock Country of origin: USA (sheath made in China) MSRP: $130-$145 Company: Gerber
Winkler Knives WK Hunter Axe LT
New LeBatard Head length: 4.75” Axe material: 80CrV2 carbon steel Blade @ thickest: .25” Blade finish: No-glare black oxide Handle: A wide variety of natural and synthetic options; contact maker for info Construction: Skeletonized full tang Overall length: 9” Sheath: Fast-draw carrier, lined Boltaron®, HD shockcord quick-release retention system, nylon belt straps, multi-carry options Country of origin: USA MSRP: $450 Company: Winkler Knives
Jesse Hu Tanto
Tanto Specs Blade length: 12” Blade material: Twist Damascus of 1084 carbon and 15N20 nickel-alloy steels Blade grind: Traditionally ground w/a shinogi-zukuri geometry Handle material: Poplar and leather w/brass spacer Habaki (collar): Copper Overall length: 17.5” Maker’s price for a similar knife: $3,000-$4,000 Knife to know: The maker is an ABS apprentice smith Maker: Jesse Hu (Jocelyn Frasier image)
Pearson Industries MOST
MOST Specs Knife type: Fixed blade Blade length: 11.375” Blade material: 1075 carbon steel Blade finish: Black Traction powder coat Blade @ thickest: .196” Handle material: Black canvas Micarta® Construction: Full tang Weight: 24 ozs. Overall length: 17.125” Sheath: Kydex Country of origin: El Salvador MSRP: $279.95 Company: Pearson Industries
Go inside linerlocks to judge its operation and workmanship.
For those who truly appreciate the custom knife, particularly the variety of folders, there is beauty in the function as well as the aesthetic qualities of the piece. Nowhere is that functional beauty more evident than in the intricacies, tolerances and precision of a well-made linerlock.
Inspecting the inner workings of the linerlock presents an opportunity to evaluate its operation and determine the degree of expertise that has gone into the finished product. In assessing what goes into the best of linerlock construction, top makers agree that the critical connection between spring and blade is the most obvious indicator of a particular lock’s capabilities. To be sure, there are other aspects to consider in the evaluation of the well-constructed linerlock, and these should never be discounted. But first things first.
Blade-Spring Relationship
“There is more to proper linerlock construction than just the blade-spring relationship,” agreed Ethan Kolar, a custom maker since 2020 with about 65 percent of his work devoted to the linerlock. “There’s a lot of small things that work together to make the knife function as it should, but the blade-spring-lock relationship is the most crucial part of the knife’s functionality as it is critical to a safe and user-friendly knife.”
Ethan Kolar uses an unusual material for the liners of his Persian Style Linerlock—15N20 nickel-alloy steel—and stipples it to boot. “It’s a good, springy material and has good wear resistance allowing the lock to have a longer life before maintenance needs to be done or the lock needs to be extended,” he wrote. Ethan opts for a smaller spring (middle panel, top) on his Persian model. (SharpByCoop image)
When Maverik Murdock watches his linerlock work, blade and spring functionality is his primary concern as well.
“The lock fit is probably the first noticeable portion of a well-made linerlock folder, but it is a small part of what makes an overall good knife,” he explained. “The lock fit, or timing, is a good thing to look for as a sign of attention to detail from a folder maker, though there is some personal preference on how the lock fits.”
Murdock has been making custom knives for 15 years and folders for the last five with about 60 percent of his current output in linerlocks.
“Other good signs of a well-made linerlock are good fit and finish with the materials used,” he observed. “The blade should be centered between the liners when closed. This is a sign of proper pivot construction, good bearings or bushings and good alignment of the liner, back spacer and blade. Smooth travel when opening and closing the blade is also good.”
Repercussions Of A Bad Relationship
The Boomslang linerlock folder by K.C. Gray boasts a 4-inch blade of CuMai copper damascus by Baker Forge & Tool, mammoth molar scales, zirconium furniture and hidden hardware. Closed length: 5 inches. Gray’s price for a similar knife: $2,500. (SharpByCoop knife image)
In the event the linerlock fails the first critical test and the function is flawed, there are consequences.
“If the lockup engagement isn’t correct, it will do one of two things in my experience,” Maverik began. “If there isn’t enough engagement, it could create an unsafe and unstable lock as there isn’t enough lock contacting the blade, which will run the risk of the blade coming back on the user’s hand. On the other end of the spectrum, too much lock engagement can crowd the user’s thumb or thumbnail, making it difficult to release the lock and decrease its service life as the lock has less area to wear into before it has sloppy lock engagement. The most common types of incorrect lock interfaces, I would say, are the two I’ve listed. However, in my opinion, over-engagement is more common than under-engagement as it is easy to both grind more material than is needed for proper lock engagement and the blade taper angle can be easily canted less than is necessary.”
If the spring extends beyond the optimal position, the condition is commonly described as “overtravel,” and the knife’s function is significantly impaired as time and use progress.
“If the lock bar has overtravel or over engagement, it generally isn’t dangerous to begin with because the angle change on the lock bar isn’t high enough to compromise the compression strength of the lock under normal working conditions,” Murdock explained. “But that does depend on the construction of the knife and materials used. Overtravel generally just means a shortened working life of the lock mechanism where it would need to be replaced sooner than a properly timed lock. The problems with overtravel begin to show up with the reach to the far side of the lock. If the lock bar fully reaches the other side of the lock, there comes a point where it no longer has contact with the blade when open, or has minimal pressure where it can bind.”
Other Linerlock Concerns
Marverik Murdock’s Steadfast has a 3.5-inch blade in a san-mai construction of CPM 154 stainless steel and CPM 3V carbon steel. The scales are Fatcarbon® space coral and the bolsters are feather damascus. Closed length: 4.25 inches. His price for a similar knife: $3,200.
K.C. Gray has been making custom knives for a decade and collecting them for 30 years. He produces about 100 knives per year and roughly half are linerlocks. His perspective on quality workmanship includes the vital connection between spring and blade as well as other factors.
Interface
“That interface is the prime concern,” Gray observed, “and people usually talk about it in terms of ‘percent of lockup.’ Basically, that is how much the lockbar travels across the lock face toward the opposite liner. Everybody has their own idea of the ideal number. Some like as little as 10 percent lockup. I think most makers would say 40 to 50 percent would be the correct range. Too little lockup and the blade can slip off the lockbar and close. Too much and the lock will stick or even light wear will cause the blade to wiggle. So getting the lockup in the sweet spot in the middle is a sure sign the knife was well constructed.”
Detent
According to K.C., other critical elements should be considered in the overall quality of a particular linerlock.
“Other things to look for would be the strength of the detent holding the blade in the closed position,” he advised. “It should be firm enough that the blade doesn’t fall open when lightly shaken. But it can also be a problem if the detent is too strong. If it’s very strong it can make opening awkward and dangerous. Thumbs can slip onto the cutting edge or the knife can be dropped more easily. Another thing to look for is the centering of the blade between the liners. It should be bang down the middle except in chisel-ground blades.
Clearance
“Something else,” Gray continued, “is whether there is enough clearance between the liners for the thumb to get purchase on the lock to disengage it. If the blade is thick, often no relief is needed. But a thinner blade will usually need some relief cut into the opposite liner. It’s usually a sign that the maker thought the design through thoroughly.”
Other Aspects To Look For In Linerlocks
Viewed straight on two-dimensionally, some folders scream linerlock while others do not. The linerlock folding dagger by Brian Nadeau with dragon engraving by Vitalij Quaranta fits the latter category. (SharpByCoop image)
Of course, there are attributes to the well-made linerlock that are not necessarily visible. The feel in the hand and the ease of simple repetition in opening and closing contribute to the best linerlock experience.
“The blade motion when opening and closing should be smooth and consistent through the whole opening/closing cycle,” Murdock related. “Some makers like more or less drag on the blade, but it should be consistent. If the drag is excessive, it can be a sign of improper pivot sizing or too much lock bar pressure. The blade should have little or no side play when open. If it does the pivot may not be tight enough or the working surfaces may not be in alignment. The blade should be centered when closed and should be tight against the stop pin with a firm enough detent to prevent accidental deployment.”
Kolar also acknowledges the telltale signs of poor construction that are not necessarily readily apparent on sight and warns prospective buyers to consider these red flags.
“There are a few limited signs of improper construction that can’t be seen by the eye,” he commented. “Sloppy blade lockup oftentimes is very difficult to see as it doesn’t take very much for the blade to rock against the lock. How tight the blade pivots is another, as well as whether it has side play in the blade, and this is something that you can usually only feel. A good simple rule for cases such as these from both the maker and the buyer standpoint is to go with your gut on what you feel. A lock should lock up tight with no horizontal side play and no vertical lock play relative to spring size. Smaller springs can compress easier than larger.”
Questions To Ask When Buying A Linerlock
As K.C. Gray observed, the “percent of lockup” refers to how much the spring/lockbar travels across the lock face toward the opposite liner. “I think most makers would say 40 to 50 percent would be the correct range,” he opined. Brian Nadeau appears to achieve that range (far right, middle panel, top) with his dragon-themed linerlock. (SharpByCoop image)
When buyer and seller meet, the evaluation of a prospective linerlock should include more than just a consideration of the knife itself. Buyers should engage the maker in conversation and ask a few questions. A healthy dialogue always enhances the experience and gives the customer confidence in the decision to plunk down hard-earned money.
“Ask about the liner material,” Gray offered. “It’s almost always titanium in custom knives. Ask what angle the lock face has been ground to. Most often seven to nine degrees is used. Ask if the blade runs on bearings or washers. And just ask if the maker can explain the materials used and why he or she likes those materials.”
Murdock agrees. “If you are talking to a maker about his work, he should know the process and materials used and should be confident in what he does. It’s good to ask about the materials and why they’re used. If you can see the work in person and look at these points and the fit and finish, that’s a great place to start.”
The making of a quality linerlock requires attention to detail and presents challenges that go well beyond a simple aesthetic. While eye appeal is always a factor, the proof of the linerlock’s worth is in its operation. Informed buyers can help themselves in taking the time to understand the attributes of linerlock mechanics and the skill that is present in the finished product. Then, the unbeatable combination of beauty and optimal use can be attained.
CIVIVI Dracolisk aims to help you master the balisong flip without the sting.
Balisong flipping has evolved from a niche martial art into a high-speed skill sport, where the fluid motion of the handles is just as important as the steel between them. For those looking to enter the world of butterfly knives, the barrier to entry is often the steep learning curve—and the inevitable nicks that come with it. CIVIVI is addressing this head-on with the Dracolisk, a dedicated trainer designed to offer a authentic flipping experience without the risk of a live edge.
The Dracolisk represents CIVIVI’s first foray into the balisong market, and they have chosen to focus exclusively on the practice-friendly format. The 4.57-inch blade is crafted from 9Cr18MoV stainless steel, featuring a stonewashed finish and a dramatic clip point profile. While the “edge” is completely dull, the blade is ground and weighted to mimic the physics of a live blade, ensuring that the muscle memory developed during practice translates accurately to a real knife later on.
Mechanical simplicity is a hallmark of a good trainer, and the Dracolisk delivers with a latch-less construction. This design choice provides clean lines and eliminates the common annoyance of a latch interfering with handles during complex aerials or rollovers. The handles themselves are machined from lightweight aluminum with a 3D anti-slip texture, providing a secure grip even during high-intensity sessions.
Under the hood, CIVIVI opted for bronze washers at the pivots. While many modern folders utilize ball bearings, washers are often preferred in the balisong community for their predictable, smooth drag and long-term durability under the constant impact of flipping. At 4.18 ounces, the Dracolisk sits in the “sweet spot” for many flippers—heavy enough to carry momentum through transitions, but light enough to avoid fatigue.
Whether you are a seasoned flipper looking for a safe way to test new combos or a beginner starting from scratch, the Dracolisk provides a professional-grade platform to hone your skills.
