EP3560666A1

EP3560666A1 - Folding knife and replaceable bit for use with said folding knife

Info

Publication number: EP3560666A1
Application number: EP19171193.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Frans Albert WIERSMA
Original assignee: Kato Group BV
Current assignee: Kato Group BV
Priority date: 2018-04-26
Filing date: 2019-04-25
Publication date: 2019-10-30
Also published as: NL2020828B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a folding knife (1) and a replaceable bit (208) for use with said folding knife. The folding knife comprising a handle (2) and a blade (5), wherein the blade comprises an end surface at the tang (51) of the blade, wherein the handle comprises a locking bar (7) that is biased to move in a bias direction from an unlock position into a lock position, wherein the locking bar comprises a contact surface at the free end to abut the end surface when the blade is in the fully unfolded position, wherein the contact surface at the free end of the locking bar is arranged to cause the locking bar to slip in a release direction opposite to the bias direction over the tang towards the unlock position when the blade is folded from the fully unfolded position towards the fully folded position.

Description

BACKGROUND

The invention relates to a folding knife and a replaceable bit for use with said folding knife.
US 6,490,797 B1 discloses a blade lock for locking the knife blade of a folding blade. The knife blade is locked by selectively moving a blade locking mechanism into and out of alignment with the end surface of the blade. The blade locking mechanism is a disc that is replaceably mounted on the free end of a spring formed as a part of one of the side panels. The disc cooperates with a conical recess provided in the end face of the blade, so that as the disc wears, it will maintain an effective lock merely by seating deeper into the recess.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The known blade lock can prevent unintentional folding in of the folding knife during cutting. Although this significantly improves the safety for the user of the folding knife, it also inherently presents the disadvantage that the folding knife, in its locked state, can be used as an attack weapon. Because of this potential for misuse, several governments have issued regulations that a folding knife should fold inwards when sufficient pressure is exerted on the tip of the knife blade.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a folding knife and a replaceable bit for use with said folding knife, wherein misuse of the folding knife can be prevented.
According to a first aspect, the invention provides a folding knife comprising a handle extending in a handle direction and a blade that is foldable relative to said handle about a pivot axis perpendicular to said handle direction between a fully unfolded position and a fully folded position, wherein the handle comprises a handle body and a slot in said handle body for receiving the blade in the fully folded position, wherein the blade comprises a tang that is received in the slot and that is connected to the handle at the pivot axis, wherein the blade comprises an end surface at said tang, wherein the handle comprises a locking bar extending in a locking bar direction and having a fixed end that is connected to the handle body and a free end that is biased relative to said fixed end to move in a bias direction perpendicular to the locking bar direction from an unlock position alongside the blade when said blade is in the fully folded position inside the slot into a lock position at least partially inside the slot when the blade is in the fully unfolded position, wherein the locking bar comprises a contact surface at the free end to abut the end surface at the tang in the locking bar direction when the blade is in the fully unfolded position, characterized in that the contact surface at the free end of the locking bar is arranged to cause the locking bar to slip in a release direction opposite to the bias direction over the tang towards the unlock position when the blade is folded from the fully unfolded position towards the fully folded position.
The locking bar is biased into the lock position to prevent accidental folding of the blade. However, in contrast to the prior art locking mechanism, the locking bar according to the present invention can be automatically displaced towards the unlock position when the blade is intentionally folded or when a force is exerted onto the blade as a result of misuse that causes the blade to fold. By providing the contact surface at the free end of the locking bar, separate slip-joint mechanisms are not required. Hence, the resulting folding knife can be kept relatively simple in construction.
In a preferred embodiment thereof the blade generates a force acting on the locking bar, wherein the contact surface is arranged for generating a reaction force acting on the end surface of the tang with a first component parallel to the locking bar direction and a second component in the bias direction. The second component of the reaction force causes the locking bar to push itself away from the tang in the release direction.
In a further embodiment thereof the second component exceeds the bias on the locking bar when a moment of force of the blade about the pivot axis is ten Nm or less, preferably five Nm or less. By carefully choosing the threshold at which the blade is allowed to fold in, accidental folding of the blade can be prevented while ensuring that the blade actually does fold when a considerable moment of force, e.g. more than ten Nm or more than five Nm, is generated on the blade.
In another embodiment the contact surface is a planar or substantially planar contact surface that extends in a slip direction that is oblique to the locking bar direction and the release direction. More in particular, the slip direction is arranged at a slip angle relative to the locking bar direction in a range of forty-five to eighty degrees, preferably in a range of fifty to seventy degrees. By providing an oblique contact surface, the reaction force can be resolved in the aforementioned two components, one of which is direction in the bias direction. By choosing the slip angle in the specified range, it can be ensured that the magnitude of the second component is sufficient to exceed the bias on the locking bar.
In a another embodiment the locking bar overlaps the end surface at the tang in the handle direction when the blade is in the fully unfolded position, wherein the contact surface at the free end of the locking bar extends along said overlap. Hence, the locking bar does not completely fit in the slot behind the blade in the locking bar direction. Instead the locking bar can rest with its contact surface in direct contact on the end surface of the blade.
In yet another embodiment the handle body comprises a first side panel and a second side panel extending in the handle direction, wherein the first side panel and the second side panel are located on opposite sides of the slot, wherein the fixed end of the locking bar is connected to the first side panel. Hence, the locking bar can be biased relative to the first side panel.
Preferably, the locking bar is integrally connected to or is formed as a single piece with the first side panel. Hence, no separate parts are required to form the locking bar.
More preferably, the first side panel and the second side panel form the outer panels of the handle. Hence, the side panels can form a so-called 'frame', wherein the locking bar is a part of said frame.
In another embodiment the locking bar direction is parallel or substantially parallel to the handle direction when the locking bar is in the unlock position alongside the slot. Hence, the locking bar can lie flush or substantially flush with the handle body when the blade is in the fully folded position.
In a preferred embodiment thereof the blade is provided with one or more grooves in the tang facing towards the locking bar in the release direction when the locking bar is in the unlock position, wherein the locking bar is provided with a ridge protruding in the bias direction, wherein the ridge is arranged to engage with one of the one or more grooves in the tang when the blade is folded from the fully unfolded position towards the fully folded position. The interaction between the ridge and the one or more grooves can provide local resistance to the folding of the blade, e.g. to position the blade in one or more intermediate folding positions between the fully unfolded position and the fully folded position.
In another embodiment the locking bar comprises a locking bar body and a replaceable bit that is arranged to be fitted to the locking bar body at the free end, wherein the contact surface is provided on the replaceable bit. The replaceable bit can thus be replaced by a similar replaceable bit, e.g. in case of wear, or by one or more alternative replaceable bits, e.g. with different contact surfaces to cause different folding behavior.
In a preferred embodiment thereof, when the blade is in the fully unfolded position, the locking bar body terminates short of or at the end surface of the tang in the handle direction and the replaceable bit overlaps the end surface of the tang in the handle direction. The overlap ensures that contact surface rests on and directly contacts the end surface at the tang. Moreover, by terminating the locking bar body short of or at the end surface of the tang, the locking bar body does not influence the interaction between the replaceable bit and the blade.
According to a second aspect, the invention provides a set of the folding knife according to any one of the embodiments that feature a replaceable bit and one or more alternative replaceable bits for replacing the replaceable bit at the free end of the locking bar body, wherein at least one of the one or more alternative replaceable bits has a contact surface that is different from the contact surface of the replaceable bit. By providing the folding knife as a set with one or more alternative replaceable bits, the end user can choose from different folding behaviors depending on which replaceable bit is ultimately fitted.
According to a third aspect, the invention provides a replaceable bit for use with the folding knife according to any one of the embodiments that feature a replaceable bit, wherein the replaceable bit is arranged to be fitted to the locking bar body at the free end, wherein the replaceable bit is provided with a contact surface that is arranged to cause the locking bar to slip in the release direction opposite to the bias direction over the tang towards the unlock position when the blade is folded from the fully unfolded position towards the fully folded position. Said replaceable bit can be sold separately to replace a worn replaceable bit or to replace a replaceable bit that does not meet the regulations.
The various aspects and features described and shown in the specification can be applied, individually, wherever possible. These individual aspects, in particular the aspects and features described in the attached dependent claims, can be made subject of divisional patent applications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be elucidated on the basis of an exemplary embodiment shown in the attached schematic drawings, in which:

figure 1 shows a side view of a folding knife with a handle and a blade according to a first embodiment of the invention, wherein the knife is in a fully unfolded position relative to the handle;
figure 2 shows the folding knife according to figure 1 with the blade in a fully folded position relative to the handle;
figure 3 shows a cross section of the folding knife according to the line III-III in figure 1;
figure 4 shows a partially exploded view exposing the interaction between the handle and the blade;
figures 5A and 6 show bottom views of the folding knife according to figures 1-4 during the steps of folding the blade from the fully unfolded position towards the fully folded position;
figure 5B shows a side view of the interaction between the handle and the blade;
figure 7 shows a partially exploded view of an alternative folding knife according to a second embodiment of the invention;
figures 8 and 9 show bottom views of the alternative folding knife according to figure 7 during the steps of folding the blade from the fully unfolded position towards the fully folded position;
figure 10 shows a partially exploded view of a further alternative folding knife according to a third embodiment of the invention
figures 11 and 12 show bottom views of the further alternative folding knife according to figure 10 during the steps of folding the blade from the fully unfolded position towards the fully folded position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figures 1-6 show a foldable knife, a folder knife or a folding knife 1 according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention. The folding knife 1 comprises a handle 2 and a blade 5. As best seen in figure 3, the handle 2 comprises a first side panel 3 and a second side panel 4 on opposite sides of a slot 6. The side panels 3, 4 extend in a handle direction H, i.e. the longitudinal direction of the handle 2. The blade 5 is foldable relative to said handle 2 about a pivot axis P perpendicular to said handle direction H between a fully unfolded position, as shown in figure 1, and a fully folded position, as shown in figure 2.
As best seen in figure 2, the first side panel 3 comprises a panel body 30 that which is divided into a first portion 31 and a second portion 32 by a cut-out 33. The first portion 31 is coupled to the second side panel 4 on the opposite side of the slot 6 to form the handle 2. The second portion 32 forms a locking bar 7 for locking the blade 5 in the fully unfolded position of figure 1. In this example, the side panels 3, 4 form the outer panels of the handle 2. As such, the side panels 3, 4 form the so-called 'frame' of the folding knife 1 and the locking bar 7 - as a part of the frame - forms a so-called 'frame lock'. The locking bar 7 is an integral part of or formed as a single piece with the first side panel 3, e.g. as part of a single casting. Alternatively, the locking bar may be a part of a liner that is arranged on the inside of the outer panels (not shown), in which case the locking bar - as part of the liner - forms a so-called 'liner lock'.
The locking bar 7 has a fixed end 71 that is fixed or integrally connected to the first side panel 3, a free end 72 opposite to the fixed end 71 and a locking bar body 70 extending in a locking bar direction L from the fixed end 71 towards the free end 72. The free end 72 is biased relative to said fixed end 71 to move in a bias direction B perpendicular to the locking bar direction L from an unlock position alongside the slot 6, as shown in figures 2 and 6, into a lock position at least partially inside the slot 6, as shown in figures 3 and 5A. In particular, said bias is the result of the resilience in the connection of the locking bar 7 to the first side panel 3 at the fixed end 71. Preferably, the locking bar 7 is arranged to extend substantially parallel to the handle bar direction H and/or flush with the first portion 31 of the panel body 30 when the locking bar 7 is in the unlock position alongside the slot 6.
As shown in figure 3, the locking bar 7 may be provided with a recess 74 at the transition from the fixed end 71 to the first side panel 3 to provide some resilience in the relatively rigid and/or thick material of the first side panel 3.
As will be appreciated from figure 2, the blade 2 prevents the locking bar 7 from moving into the lock position as long as said blade 5 occupies the slot at the position of the locking bar 7. However, as soon as the blade 7 is unfolded towards the fully unfolded position and clears the locking bar 7, said locking bar 7 will automatically move into the slot 6 into the lock position directly behind the blade 5. The locking bar 7 is provided with a contact surface 75 at the free end 72 for contacting or abutting the blade 5 in a manner that will be described in more detail hereafter.
As shown in figure 1, the blade 5 comprises a tang 51 that is received in the slot 6. The tang 51 is connected to the handle 2 at or about the pivot axis P. The blade 5 further comprises a tip 52 opposite to said tang 51 and a blade body 50 extending from the tang 51 to said tip 52. In this example, the blade 5 comprises a cutting edge, a heel and a spine which are known per se. One skilled in the art will appreciate that many blade designs are possible and that the blade design as shown is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
As best seen in figure 2, the blade 5 is provided with an end surface 55 at the tang 51. As shown in figure 3, said end surface 55 is conventionally provided at a slight angle to the pivot axis P, e.g. eight degrees or less, to reduce the tolerance between the blade 5 and conventional locking bars, even when the locking bar is slightly worn. In the present invention, the slightly angled end surface 55 of the blade 5 is maintained, even though the tolerance is less important.
As shown in figures 3 and 4, the contact surface 75 at the free end 72 of the locking bar 7 is arranged for abutting the end surface 55 of the tang 51 in the locking bar direction L when the blade 5 is in the fully unfolded position and when the locking bar 7 has moved into the lock position. When a relatively small force is exerted onto the blade 5 about the pivot axis P in the direction of the folding, the blade 5 will generate a moment of force M about the pivot axis P. The moment of force M causes a folding force that acts onto the locking bar 7 in a direction tangential to the pivot axis P. The locking bar 7 will initially prevent said folding of the blade 5 to prevent unintentional folding.
Figures 5A, 5B and 6 show the interaction between the locking bar 7 and the blade 5 in more detail. In particular, it can be observed that the contact surface 55, at the free end 72 of the locking bar 7 is arranged to cause said locking bar 7 to slip in a release direction R opposite to the bias direction B over the tang 51 towards the unlock position when the blade 5 is folded from the fully unfolded position towards the fully folded position. Said folding may be the result of intentional folding by the user or of misuse, e.g. an excessive force exerted on the blade 5 in the direction of the folding. As schematically shown in figure 5A, the contact surface 55 is arranged for generating a reaction force F_R acting on the end surface 55 of the tang 51 in response to the folding force acting on the locking bar 7. Said reaction force F_R can be dissolved into a first component F₁ in or parallel to the locking bar direction L and a second component F₂ in or parallel to the bias direction B. When the magnitude of the second component F₂ exceeds the bias on the locking bar 7, the locking bar 7 will automatically move against the bias in the release direction R towards and/or into the unlock position.
To ensure that the blade 5 folds in at a relatively low threshold for the moment of force M, the contact surface 55 can be designed in such a way that the second component F₂ exceeds the bias on the locking bar 7 when the moment of force M is ten Newton meter (Nm) or less, preferably five Newton meter (Nm) or less. With a blade length of approximately ten centimeters between the tang 51 and the tip 52, this corresponds to a force of approximately fifty Newton (N) or less and preferably one-hundred Newton (N) or less being exerted on the tip 52.
As shown in figure 5B, the first component F₁ can be further dissolved into a third component F₃ in a direction radial to the pivot axis P and a fourth component F₄ tangential to the pivot axis P. The third component F₃ only attributes in the amount of friction (not shown) between the locking bar 7 and the blade 5, while the fourth component F₄ is related to the slip moment (not shown) between of the blade 5 about the pivot axis P. It will be clear to one skilled in the art that these forces, although relevant for the entire scheme of forces in the folding knife 1, do not play a significant role in the determination of the moment of force M of the blade 5 about the pivot axis S and the second component F₂ that counteracts the bias of the locking bar 7.
In this exemplary embodiment, the contact surface 55 is a planar or substantially planar. The contact surface 55 extends in a slip direction S that is oblique to the locking bar direction L and the release direction R. Preferably, the slip direction S is arranged at a slip angle A relative to the locking bar direction L in a range of forty-five to eighty degrees, more preferably in a range of fifty to seventy degrees. The higher the slip angle A, the more difficult it becomes to overcome the bias.
As further shown in figure 5A, the locking bar overlaps X the end surface 55 at the tang 51 in the handle direction H when the blade 5 is in the fully unfolded position. This allows the contact surface 55 at the free end 72 of the locking bar 7 to extend along and contact the end surface 55 of the tang 51 within said overlap X. The overlap X can further prevent that the locking bar 7 slips completely behind the blade 5 in the handle bar direction H, thus making it impossible for the locking bar 7 to fully lock the blade 5 against folding.
Figures 7, 8 and 9 show an alternative folding knife 101 according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention. Said alternative folding knife 101 differs from the previously discussed folding knife 1 in that its blade 105 features an alternative tang 151 with a plurality of grooves 156 facing in the release direction R. The alternative folding knife 101 further comprises a first side panel 103 that features an alternative locking bar 107 with a ridge 178 protruding in the bias direction B. When the alternative locking bar 107 is in the unlock position, as shown in figure 9, the grooves 156 are directly opposite and/or face the ridge 178. Said ridge 178 is arranged to engage with one of the grooves 156 in the tang 151 when the blade 105 is folded from the fully unfolded position towards the fully folded position. The ridge 178 may be forced into and out of engagement with consecutive grooves 156 during the folding to provide a stepped folding. More in particular, the engagement can provide local resistance to the folding of the blade 5, e.g. to position the blade 5 in one or more intermediate folding positions between the fully unfolded position and the fully folded position.
Figures 10, 11 and 12 show a further alternative folding knife 201 according to a second embodiment of the invention. Said further alternative folding knife 201 differs from the previously discussed folding knives 1, 101 in that its first side panel 203 features a further alternative locking bar 207 with a locking bar body 270 and a replaceable bit 208 that is arranged to be fitted to the locking bar body 270 at the free end 272. The replaceable bit 208 comprises a replaceable bit body 280 and a contact surface 285 on said replaceable bit body 280. The contact surface 285 has the same characteristics as the contact surface 75 of the previously discussed embodiments.
The replaceable bit 208 provides the technical advantage that it can be easily replaced when worn. Alternative replaceable bits (not shown) may be provided with different contact surfaces, depending on the desired folding characteristics. Alternative contact surfaces may for example be non-planar, e.g. to decelerate the folding of the blade 5 when the blade 5 approaches the fully folded position.
As shown in figure 10, the locking bar body 270 comprises a seat 277 at the free end 272 to receive the replaceable bit 208. Both the locking bar body 270 and the replaceable bit 208 may be provided with threaded holes 278, 282 which align to receive a suitable fastener 209, e.g. a bolt, to securely fasten the replaceable bit 208 to the locking bar body 270.
As shown in figure 11, the locking bar body 270 terminates short of or at the end surface 55 of the tang 51 in the handle direction H when the blade 5 is in the fully unfolded position. Meanwhile, the replaceable bit 208 overlaps the end surface 55 of the tang 51 in the handle direction H, as schematically indicated with overlap distance X. This ensures that the contact surface 285 at the replaceable bit 208, and not the locking bar body 270, contacts the end surface 55 of the tang 51.
The folding knife 201 may be sold as part of a set with the replaceable bit 208 as shown in figures 10, 11 and 12 and one or more alternative replaceable bits (not shown) for replacing the replaceable bit 208. The replaceable bit 208 may also be sold separately.
It is to be understood that the above description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiments and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. From the above discussion, many variations will be apparent to one skilled in the art that would yet be encompassed by the scope of the present invention.
For example, the contact surface 75 at the free end 72 of the locking bar 7 may alternatively be angled (not shown) to be inclined in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the slip force F₄ in figure 5B. In a further alternative embodiment, the contact surface 75 may be considerably shorter, e.g. it may extend only at or near the part of the end surface 55 of the tang 51 which is located at the greatest distance from the pivot axis P. Further alternative contact surfaces with different dimensions and/or shapes may be envisioned having the same functional effect of causing the locking bar 7 to slip in a release direction R opposite to the bias direction B over the tang 51 towards the unlock position when the blade 5 is folded from the fully unfolded position towards the fully folded position.

Claims

Folding knife (1, 101, 201) comprising a handle (2, 102, 202) extending in a handle direction (H) and a blade (5, 105) that is foldable relative to said handle (2, 102, 202) about a pivot axis (P) perpendicular to said handle direction (H) between a fully unfolded position and a fully folded position, wherein the handle (2, 102, 202) comprises a handle body (3, 103, 203, 4) and a slot (6) in said handle body (3, 103, 203, 4) for receiving the blade (5, 105) in the fully folded position, wherein the blade (5, 105) comprises a tang (51, 151) that is received in the slot (6) and that is connected to the handle (2, 102, 202) at the pivot axis (P), wherein the blade (5, 105) comprises an end surface (55) at said tang (51, 151), wherein the handle (2, 102, 202) comprises a locking bar (7, 107, 207) extending in a locking bar direction (L) and having a fixed end (71) that is connected to the handle body (3, 103, 203, 4) and a free end (72, 172, 272) that is biased relative to said fixed end (71) to move in a bias direction (B) perpendicular to the locking bar direction (L) from an unlock position alongside the blade (5, 105) when said blade (5, 105) is in the fully folded position inside the slot (6) into a lock position at least partially inside the slot (6) when the blade (5, 105) is in the fully unfolded position, wherein the locking bar (7, 107, 207) comprises a contact surface (75, 285) at the free end (72, 172, 272) to abut the end surface (55) at the tang (51, 151) in the locking bar direction (L) when the blade (5, 105) is in the fully unfolded position, characterized in that the contact surface (75, 285) at the free end (72, 172, 272) of the locking bar (7, 107, 207) is arranged to cause the locking bar (7, 107, 207) to slip in a release direction (R) opposite to the bias direction (B) over the tang (51, 151) towards the unlock position when the blade (5, 105) is folded from the fully unfolded position towards the fully folded position.
Folding knife (1, 101, 201) according to claim 1, wherein the blade (5, 105) generates a force acting on the locking bar (7, 107, 207), wherein the contact surface (75, 285) is arranged for generating a reaction force (F_R) acting on the end surface (55) of the tang (51, 151) with a first component (F₁) parallel to the locking bar direction (L) and a second component (F₂) in the bias direction (B).
Folding knife (1, 101, 201) according to claim 2, wherein the second component (F₂) exceeds the bias on the locking bar (7, 107, 207) when a moment of force (M) of the blade (5, 105) about the pivot axis (P) is ten Nm or less, preferably five Nm or less.
Folding knife (1, 101, 201) according to claim any one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact surface (75, 285) is a planar or substantially planar contact surface (55, 285) that extends in a slip direction (S) that is oblique to the locking bar direction (L) and the release direction (R).
Folding knife (1, 101, 201) according to claim 4, wherein the slip direction (S) is arranged at a slip angle (A) relative to the locking bar direction (L) in a range of forty-five to eighty degrees, preferably in a range of fifty to seventy degrees.
Folding knife (1, 101, 201) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking bar (7, 107, 207) overlaps (X) the end surface (55) at the tang (51, 151) in the handle direction (H) when the blade (5, 105) is in the fully unfolded position, wherein the contact surface (75, 285) at the free end (72, 172, 272) of the locking bar (7, 107, 207) extends along said overlap (X).
Folding knife (1, 101, 201) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the handle body (3, 103, 203, 4) comprises a first side panel (3, 103, 203) and a second side panel (4) extending in the handle direction (H), wherein the first side panel (3, 103, 203) and the second side panel (4) are located on opposite sides of the slot (6), wherein the fixed end (71) of the locking bar (7, 107, 207) is connected to the first side panel (3, 103, 203) .
Folding knife (1, 101, 201) according to claim 7, wherein the locking bar (7, 107, 207) is integrally connected to or is formed as a single piece with the first side panel (3, 103, 203).
Folding knife (1, 101, 201) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the first side panel (3, 103, 203) and the second side panel (4) form the outer panels of the handle (2, 102, 202).
Folding knife (1, 101, 201) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking bar direction (L) is parallel or substantially parallel to the handle direction (H) when the locking bar (7, 107, 207) is in the unlock position alongside the slot (6).
Folding knife (101) according to claim 10, wherein the blade (105) is provided with one or more grooves (156) in the tang (151) facing towards the locking bar (107) in the release direction (R) when the locking bar (107) is in the unlock position, wherein the locking bar (107) is provided with a ridge (178) protruding in the bias direction (B), wherein the ridge (178) is arranged to engage with one of the one or more grooves (156) in the tang (151) when the blade (105) is folded from the fully unfolded position towards the fully folded position.
Folding knife (201) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking bar (207) comprises a locking bar body (270) and a replaceable bit (208) that is arranged to be fitted to the locking bar body (270) at the free end (272), wherein the contact surface (285) is provided on the replaceable bit (208).
Folding knife (201) according to claim 12, wherein, when the blade (5) is in the fully unfolded position, the locking bar body (270) terminates short of or at the end surface (55) of the tang (51) in the handle direction (H) and the replaceable bit (208) overlaps (X) the end surface (55) of the tang (51) in the handle direction (H).
Set of the folding knife (201) according to claim 12 or 13 and one or more alternative replaceable bits for replacing the replaceable bit (208) at the free end (272) of the locking bar body (270), wherein at least one of the one or more alternative replaceable bits has a contact surface that is different from the contact surface (285) of the replaceable bit (208).
Replaceable bit (208) for use with the folding knife (201) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the replaceable bit (208) is arranged to be fitted to the locking bar body (270) at the free end (272), wherein the replaceable bit (208) is provided with a contact surface (285) that is arranged to cause the locking bar (207) to slip in the release direction (R) opposite to the bias direction (B) over the tang (51) towards the unlock position when the blade (5) is folded from the fully unfolded position towards the fully folded position.