An apparatus for opening a folding knife is provided. The apparatus may
include a plate having an arcuate slot and a substantially linear slot. A
cam slide may be provided comprised of an extension which extends into
the substantially linear slot, and an opening into which a post connected
to a blade device can be inserted. The extension of the cam slide
typically can be moved in a substantially linear manner in the
substantially linear slot. The substantially linear movement of the
extension in the substantially linear slot causes a sharp edge of the
blade device to come out of or go into a housing.