Bolster Lock Knives

Bolster Lock knife conceals its entire mechanism within the decorative metal bolster at the front of the handle. Inside, a short rocker arm is pinned to the tang; when the blade swings open, a lug on that arm snaps against a hardened back-stop, wedging the tang so securely that the edge cannot close until the user deliberately pivots the bolster itself. This single external part—often engraved or inlaid—thus becomes both the lock and the release: pressing it downward lifts the rocker arm clear, allowing one-handed folding while leaving the handle profile sleek and symmetrical. Because the load path runs through the bolster, the system is extremely strong, yet visually identical to classic Italian stilettos, making it prized for dress knives where elegance and security must coexist.