Patent ID: 8286357

Claim:
A folding knife comprising: a handle, said handle including a first wall spaced apart from a second wall, a central longitudinal axis, a front end, and an opposite rear end; said first wall having a first slot disposed near said front end of said handle, said first slot being completely surrounded by said first wall; said first slot having a first slot axis which is oriented substantially perpendicular to said central longitudinal axis of said handle; said second wall having a second slot disposed near said front end of said handle, said second slot being completely surrounded by said second wall, said second slot having a second slot axis which is oriented substantially perpendicular to said central longitudinal axis of said handle; a blade having a tip and an opposite base, said base pivotally connected to said first and second walls of said handle so that said blade can be placed in an extended position, and a fully folded position between said first and second walls; said base of said blade having a notch; a locking lever disposed between said first and second walls, said locking lever including a front end, a middle section, and a rear end, said middle section pivotally connected to said first and second walls; a spring disposed between said first and second walls, said spring contacting said rear end of said locking lever and urging said front end of said locking lever toward said central longitudinal axis of said handle; a thumb post slidably disposed within said first and second slots, said thumb post extending completely through said handle, and said thumb post longitudinally movable along said first and second slots; said front end of said locking lever having a hole and a tab; said thumb post received by said hole in said locking lever and projecting outward in opposite directions therefrom; and said tab received by said notch in said base of said blade when said blade is in said extended position, said tab retaining said blade in said extended position.