handle

Highly detailed (50K polygons), accurate size and shape. Blade and handle are in two meshes, so the blade opening can be easily animated with simple PSR animation. Internals are approximate, I couldn't find a good technical reference.

History

During the 1950s, large numbers of folding switchblade or automatic opening knives with locking blades were imported from Italy to the United States. These Italian switchblades were commonly and popularly referred to as stilettos, since most incorporated a long, slender blade tapering to a needle-like point, together with a slim-profile handle and vestigial cross-guard. The majority of these Italian stiletto switchblade knives used a now-iconic bayonet-style blade with a single sabre-grind edge (often unsharpened) and a long opposing false edge. The stiletto switchblade was designed primarily as an offensive weapon, optimized for thrusting rather than cutting. Most of these knives were designed with a locking device which locked the blade in the open position, and this lock, combined with the stiletto blade profile, enabled the knife to be used as an effective thrusting or stabbing weapon. The stiletto switchblade is produced to this day in Italy and many other countries.