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.