I've always been faintly disappointed with conventional switchblades. Not only are they mostly flimsy impliments unsuited for any but the one-handed, (and mostly illegal in the States for reasons I don't really understand), but not much technical work seems to have been done in the last fifty years on making a multipart blade that telescopes or ladders out into a longer cutting edge. You'd think with all the new materials science we could, since we put spam in a can and man on the moon, invent a decent improved switchblade with a doubled-over or tripled-over unfolding blade.-- cloudface, May 09 2005 So this is more of a "please invent this" than a new idea?-- DrCurry, May 09 2005 Beats me, Dr. C. I was kind of hoping someone would post a link. I think it <i>can't<i> be a new idea, don't you? Never seen the like, however. I am kind of plaintive here, though, ain't I? I obviously can't think of anything cutting to say in reply...hee hee.-- cloudface, May 10 2005 Who cares if it works as a weapon? The expression on their face when you open it will be enough.-- 5th Earth, May 10 2005 </Bad Aussie accent> "You call that a knife...? Now *thees* ees a knife."</>-- Adze, May 10 2005 thats not a knife adze thats a spoon. By the way fqhwgads love the name. Interesting idea cloudface but ya swords and knives are a thing of the past for the most part, especially swords (except for decoration). I do think a switchsword would be more to impress than actually use - certainly beats a switchblade knife. Think of an LA gang or the cast from The West Side Story with switchswords instead of knives-- CombatChuck, May 10 2005 But a gun is such a clumsy weapon, that doesn't match the elegance of a sword - nor the effectiveness when used by the right person (yoda for instance).-- MikeyTheBikey, May 10 2005 Well, I carry my broad sword every where I go.-- SpocksEyebrow, May 10 2005 Yeah, I like asking people the question: if you had a choice, would you have had guns invented? It brings out the ass in people. Either way, you're going to have to promote some form of murder.-- daseva, May 10 2005 Comparing a sword with a gun is like comparing Le Cirque with a McDonalds.-- hidden truths, May 10 2005 Yeah - MacDonalds is much more lethal...-- DrCurry, May 10 2005 <poking gentle fun> Is which bit just you? The weird bit, or the outdated bit?</pgf>-- david_scothern, May 10 2005 random, halfbakery