retractable blade

Withdrawing cutting edge

A retractable blade is a cutting edge that can be withdrawn into its handle or housing when not in use.

Box cutters and utility knives typically feature retractable blades for safety and portability: He slid the retractable blade back into the handle.

The term also appears in science fiction for energy weapons that can be summoned and dismissed.

Related

pocket · spring · spring loaded · click · push button · snap · mechanism · hidden · conceal · extend · slide · lock · safety lock · sharp · utility · box cutter · craft knife · Stanley knife

Categories
Opposites
blade deployment mechanism

retractable bladefixed blade

Knife without hinge mechanism

sheath knife

structural permanence

retractable blademachete

Heavy broad-bladed knife

cleaver · sword · chef's knife

Family

retract, retractable, retraction, retracting, retracted, retractor, tractable, traction, tract

Familiarity
Top 500,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G