Pre WW2 Hauptner Trick Ball-Lock Knife, c.1935

This is a UK Legal EDC knife as there is nothing to prevent the blade from immediately folding - The term "Ball-Lock" refers to the system which prevents the blade from opening in the first instance.

In 1901 the German knife maker Heinrich Hauptner of Solingen started a business making surgical and precision bladed instruments. By the 1930s, their range of medical blades extended to the production of nazi daggers, as well as this interesting advertising example made for a British Veterinarian Company as advertised on one scale and bearing the "Hauptner - Solingen" details on the other.

Having no nail nick to facilitate opening, this rare vintage pocket knife features a "Trick" or "Ball-Lock" slip joint, requiring the user to hold the knife vertically whilst depressing the blade's spine against spring pressure. This action then releases a ball-bearing lock, allowing the blade to disengage and move out from between the scales, sufficiently far to allow it to be fully opened with one hand. Closing the blade requires it to be folded back on itself but this time the knife has to point downwards. Overall, it is a very well-made precision knife but the blade has been shortened and shows signs of sharpening.

Overall length open = 11 cm
Blade length = 3.9 cm
Length closed = 7.2 cm

Code: 51401