[Chris Bucklen]

Hello everyone! I was just wondering if there were any automatic or spring assisted knives made during the Renaissance? If so how were they made? Where were they made? Any information would be greatly apreciated. Thanks.

[Bill Grandy]

I'm unaware of any automatic knives such as modern switchblades, though that doesn't mean they didn't exist (there were a lot of wacky experimental weapons in the Renaissance, so just because I haven't seen one doesn't mean there isn't a surviving example out there somewhere). However, there were daggers meant to be used in the off hand in conjunction with a sword that had spring loaded blades that split apart to aid in parrying. Here is one such example from the album section:


http://www.myArmoury.com/albums/photo/4342.html

I've handled a couple antiques that are like this. Usually there is a switch on the guard right next to the thumb that you push forward and the blades spring out. To close it you have to use your hands to push the blades back into place where they snap shut.

I'm not totally certain of where in Europe these were most popular. I've seen German and Italian examples, but I haven't seen a large enough sample to say whether or not they were used all throughout Europe (and they are all certainly more rare than a standard dagger).

[Chris Bucklen]

I have seen pictures of these pieces in a few books in my personal library and on the Internet. These blades along with the spring technology used in wheel-lock firearms made me curious about spring loaded knives. Thank you for your answer very much.