History Main / SinisterSwitchblade

-->-- '''Chorus''', "Eddie's Teddy", ''Film/TheRockyHorrorPictureShow''

* Inverted in ''Film/IndianaJonesAndTheKingdomOfTheCrystalSkull'' as Mutt Williams carries one but is on the side of the heroes, and it is most often used for [[MundaneUtility regular cutting tasks]] as opposed to a weapon. He does flick it open in an attempt to intimidate the two KGB agents, but closes it after [[NeverBringAKnifeToAGunfight realizing they're predictably carrying guns]].

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.

* Inverted in ''Film/IndianaJonesAndTheKingdomOfTheCrystalSkull'' as Mutt Williams carries one but is on the side of the heroes, and it is most often used for mundane cutting tasks as opposed to a weapon. He does flick it open in an attempt to intimidate the two KGB agents, but closes it after [[NeverBringAKnifeToAGunfight realizing they're predictably carrying guns]].

* Inverted in ''Film/KingdomOfTheCrystalSkull'' as Mutt Williams carries one but is on the side of the heroes, and it is most often used for mundane cutting tasks as opposed to a weapon. He does flick it open in an attempt to intimidate the two KGB agents, but closes it after [[NeverBringAKnifeToAGunfight realizing they're predictably carrying guns]].

* In ''Film/Halloween2018'', Dr. Sartain has a retractable blade inside his pen. While this is ostensiblyy because he spends most of his time looking after [[AxCrazy Michael Myers]], [[spoiler: he turns out to have been EvilAllAlong and he murders Sheriff Hawkins with it]].

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.

As the above states, when this trope is applies almost always expect it to be the iconic Italian Stilleto Switchblade.

In real life, a lot of countries ban or severely restrict switchblades, flick knives and similar weapons such as {{Butterfly Kni|fe}}ves. 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).

** Played straight with Rolo, an assasin who can combine his TimeStandsStill powers with a switchblade.
* In ''Anime/CowboyBebopKnockinOnHeavensDoor'', [[BigBad Vincent]] uses a switchblade to cut Faye's top before brutally killing one of his own henchman.

* Series/{{Highlander}}: In the episode The Sea Witch one of Alexi's thugs carried around a classic Italian Stiletto as a back-up weapon to his [[HandCannon Desert Eagle.]] It's seen quite prominently on screen when he draws it on Richie and later on Richie's girlfriend of the week just as Duncan arrives in a BigDamnHeroes moment. Both scenes make sure to highlight him clicking it open.

* 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 [[NeverBringAKnifeToAGunfight 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, 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.]]

* In the 1988 FilmAdaptation of Creator/SvenHassel's ''Wheels Of Terror'' (aka ''The Misfit Brigade''), the Legionaire's throwing knife has been replaced by a large switchblade, with a blade twice as big as the handle.

* Played with in ''Film/DirtyHarry'', where the titular character carries a hidden switchblade when he goes to confront Scorpio and stabs him in the leg with it. Harry's not evil, but he's a definite CowboyCop who's not at all opposed to violence towards perps.

[[quoteright:350:[[Anime/CowboyBebopKnockinOnHeavensDoor https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/cowboy_bebop_switchknife.jpg]]]]
[[caption-width-right:350:''Click!'']]

->''"When Eddie said he didn't like his teddy you knew he was a no-good kid\\

In real life, a lot of countries ban or severely restrict switchblades, flick knives and similar weapons such as [[ButterflyKnife 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).

-->'''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...

[[folder:Webcomics]]

-->'''Ms. Keane:''' Girls! Girls! No fighting!\\
'''Blossom:''' But Ms. Keane! Arturo's holding a deadly--\\

'''Blossom:''' --comb.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Web Comics]]
* In ''WebComic/GunnerkriggCourt'', Jack is introduced leading the rest of the class to see a lake which (thanks to some crazy experimental science/magic) immediately boils away. He then proceeds to draw what appears to be a switchblade (from the way it clicks and the way the panels are framed), but is then revealed to be an umbrella ([[TricksterArchetype he didn't warn them it was about to come back down again]]).

[[folder:Web Comic]]

* In ''GoblinsLifeTHroughTheirEyes'' one of the alternative Minmaxes carries twin flip-''swords'' (or very large daggers).

* 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 a switchblade-style ''[[ShootHimHeHasAWallet comb]]''.

* Wrestling/JayWhite from NJPW is nicknamed the "Switchblade" and is certainly sinister enough, considering his ManipulativeBastard tendencies.