Switch Blade Knives Switch blade, switchblade, flick, or automatic knives have been around for several centuries, but first went into wide production after the American Civil War. The earliest know examples come from 18th century France and England and were basically stiletto knives mounted with a spring onto the ends of flintlock pistols to be used defensively if the weapon misfired or the wielder didn’t have time to reload. The earliest American switchblades were buck knives with spring loaded releases, the first of which was the Korn Patent knife. Modern style switch blades became popular after World War 2, when soldiers returning from Italy brought back Italian stiletto style switchblades, which has become the basis of modern switchblade knives.
