History Main / SinisterSwitchblade

* The close-range weapon of Al Capone's gang in ''Series/DeadliestWarrior'' is a switchblade, referred to a "stiletto."

* The Jon Tron video ''Love Is Like Drugs'' characterizes a drug dealer as evil nigh instantly by having him open a switchblade in front of our main characters, which sends them fumbling to find a magical analogy to get them out of the situation.

* "The Cross and the Switchblade" is David Wilkerson's account of his evangelism work among gang members.

A SubTrope of KnifeNut. See also SinisterScythe and SinisterShiv, which are also bladed weapons associated with unsavory people.

When it comes to planning out the weaponry of a story, GoodWeaponEvilWeapon never fails to display itself. That said, the switchblade gets a particularly bad rep. The small size, concealability, and razor sharp edge make it almost impossible for the poor weapon to be seen in a positive light. This is especially the case with "stiletto" switchblade, named for the similarly shaped dagger. Gangsters scare their targets with a single flick of their blades, and assassins slit the throats of unsuspecting victims who barely have time to hear the ''Click'' sound given off by the weapon.

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* The murder weapon in ''Film/TwelveAngryMen'' is a switchblade,but the blade's reputation even extends to its non-usage; Juror #4 is appalled when Juror #8 pulls out an identical blade to prove that there are more copies of the supposedly rare knife than previously thought.
-->'''Juror #4''': It's ''against the law'' to buy or sell switchblade knives.

-->'''Chorus''': You knew he was a no-good kid, but when he threatened your life with a switchblade knife...

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[[folder: Live-Action TV]]

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source: https://www.lyricsondemand.com/soundtracks/r/therockyhorrorpictureshowlyrics/eddiesteddylyrics.html

* Subverted in ''WesternAnimation/ThePowerpuffGirls'' episode "Schoolhouse Rocked": When the Gangreen Gang are forced to attend Pokey Oaks kindergarten, the girl tackle Lil' Arturo when he shows off what looks like a switchblade. Turns out it was just as switchblade-style ''[[ShootHimHeHasAWallet comb]]''.

* Subverted in ''WesternAnimation/ThePowerpuffGirls'' episode "Schoolhouse Rocked": When the Gangreen Gang are forced to attend Pokey Oaks kindergarten, the girl tackle Lil' Arturo when he shows off what turns out to be a switchblade ''[[ShootHimHeHasAWallet comb]]''.

In real life, a lot of countries ban or severely restrict switchblades, flick knives and similar weapons such as butterfly knives. These weapons have such a bad reputation that even countries who allow more conventional knives to be carried without restriction have laws against them. The actual effects of the legislation range from prohibiting the use of switchblades to anyone outside the military (Hungary) to banning all switchblades with blades longer than a few centimeters (Japan) to banning the sale, use, or transport of the knives altogether (The Netherlands).

When it comes to planning out the weaponry of a story, GoodWeaponEvilWeapon never fails to display itself. That said, the switchblade gets a particularly bad rep. The small size, concealability, and razor sharp edge make sit almost impossible for the poor weapon to be seen in a positive light. This is especially the case with "stiletto" switchblade, named for the similarly shaped dagger. Gangsters scare their targets with a single flick of their blades, and assassins slit the throats of unsuspecting victims who barely have time to hear the ''Click'' sound given off by the weapon.

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* Note that a lot of countries ban or severely restrict switchblades, flick knives and similar weapons such as butterfly knives. These weapons have such a bad reputation that even countries who allow more conventional knives to be carried without restriction have laws against them. The actual effects of the legislation range from prohibiting the use of switchblades to anyone outside the military (Hungary) to banning all switchblades with blades longer than a few centimeters (Japan) to banning the sale, use, or transport of the knives altogether (The Netherlands).

* The final confrontation in ''Blackboard Jungle'' involves a delinquent with a switchblade. One of the protagonists manages to take advantage of the weapon's fragile lock to snap the blade off the handle.

* There's an episode of;''Series/ThePretender''where Miss Parker uses one as a letter-opener.

* Played with in ''VideoGame/LifeIsStrange''. When Frank is introduced, he threatens Max and Chloe with one, but he quickly proves to be something of a PaperTiger, and that he tends to BringAKnifeToAGunfight means his switchblade marks him as a bit pathetic. [[spoiler: Indeed, the worst that can happen is that Max and Chloe accidentally kill him in self defence in episode 4, if the player fails to convince him to join their investigation (and if Chloe ends up fighting him unarmed, she easily manages to stab him with his own knife). In the prequel his much more dangerous friend Damon threatens Chloe and Rachel in a similar scene (in the same place, no less) but uses a much scarier looking combat knife to make it clear that he's much more of a threat.]]

* The final confrontation in ''Blackboard Jungle'' involves a delinquent with a switchblade. It's deconstructed in that one of the protagonists takes advantage of the weapon's fragile lock to snap the blade off the handle.

*  ''Film/TheRockyHorrorPictureShow'' has the song Eddie's Teddy invoking this.

* "The Cross and the Switchblade" is David Wilkerson's account of his evangelism work among gang members. 

* There's an episode of ''Series/ThePretender'' where Miss Parker uses one as a letter-opener.

* Played with in ''VideoGame/LifeIsStrange''. When Frank is introduced, he threatens Max and Chloe with one, but he quickly proves to be something of a Paper Tiger, and that he tends to Bring A Knife To A Gunfight means his switchblade marks him as a bit pathetic. [[spoiler: Indeed, the worst that can happen is that Max and Chloe accidentally kill him in self defence in episode 4). In the prequel his much more dangerous friend Damon threatens Chloe and Rachel in a similar scene, but uses a much scarier looking combat knife to make it clear that he's much more of a threat.]]