Abstract: The blade of a folding knife is pivoted on a D-shaped pivot axle which also serves to lock the side pieces and belt clip of the knife in place. A thumb pin used to open the blade is also D-shaped and press fit into place in the blade. The blade has transverse grooves at its base to aid in extracting the knife from a sheath. The blade is locked into place by a side-lock plate, which is held in place by ridges in the side pieces. The side pieces are preferably made of rigid plastic, but with soft inserts in the sides for improved gripping.

Abstract: A hand tool such as a knife or a combination tool includes multiple blades, each independently rotatable on a common axle between a closed position within a handle of the tool and an open position extending from the handle. Each blade is positively but releasably locked into its open position. Those blades which remain closed are biased toward the closed position when the opened blade is locked into position and also as it is opened and closed. A single locking, releasing, and biasing mechanism serves all of the blades in one handle.

Abstract: A coating material such a TiN, Ti(CN), or (TiAl)N is deposited onto the blade edge region of a steel knife blade blank by a cathodic arc process using linear deposition sources with simultaneous heating and rotation of the blade blank relative to the deposition sources. The blade edge region may be sharpened or unsharpened prior to deposition of the coating material. If the blade edge region is unsharpened prior to deposition, it is thereafter sharpened, preferably on one side only.

Abstract: A folding knife has a knife body and at least two blades pivotably mounted to the knife body. The blades are independently movable between a closed position within the knife body and an open position extended from the knife body. The blades are locked in the open position and released from the locking with a single hand of the user. The knife includes a blade selector feature which allows the user to select which blade is to be opened by rolling the knife about the knife longitudinal axis in the single hand of the user, and tactile coding so that the user can identify the position of the knife from its feel in the hand.

Abstract: A bayonet system includes a bayonet and a scabbard in which the bayonet is received for storage. The bayonet is formed with an integral blade-and-tang unit. A plastic handle is molded over the tang, with a portion of the tang protruding from a butt end of the handle. A latch plate is attached to the butt end of the handle assembly by a radial rivet to the protruding portion of the tang. The latch plate includes a pair of retainer arms fixed to the latch plate with pins that can be driven out to effect removal of the release arms. The scabbard has a housing with an integral load assembly at its upper end, integral recessed tie-down loops adjacent to its lower end, and an integral hand guard extending from one side at a position intermediate the upper end and the lower end.

Abstract: A knife sheath has a skeleton housing and an attachment that is continuous with the skeleton housing at its upper end. A liner is formed within at least part of the interior of the skeleton housing and a coating is formed over at least part of the exterior of the skeleton housing. Preferably, the liner covers the entire interior, and the coating covers the edges and lower end of the skeleton housing, except for an optional access opening in each case. The liner and the coating are desirably continuous through communication holes in the skeleton housing and made of the same material. The skeleton housing is preferably made of a rigid plastic, and the liner and coating are preferably made of an elastomer.

Abstract: The blade of a folding knife is pivoted on a D-shaped pivot axle which also serves to lock the side pieces and belt clip of the knife in place. A thumb pin used to open the blade is also D-shaped and press fit into place in the blade. The blade has transverse grooves at its base to aid in extracting the knife from a sheath. The blade is locked into place by a side-lock plate, which is held in place by ridges in the side pieces. The side pieces are preferably made of rigid plastic, but with soft inserts in the sides for improved gripping.

Abstract: A folding knife has first and second blades pivotably mounted about a common pivot pin to move between their respective open and closed positions. Preferably, the two blades pivot in opposite directions about the pivot pin. A side lock plate is positioned between the first blade and the second blade. The side lock plate includes a first finger biased toward the first blade to engage the first blade when the first blade is in its open position, and a second finger biased toward the second blade to engage the second blade when the second blade is in its open position. The fingers can be independently depressed to unlock the blades and permit them to be closed.