clasp knife

a large pocket knife having a blade or blades that may be folded into the handle.

Origin of clasp knife

First recorded in 1745–55

The sergeant took a clasp-knife from his pocket, and bent down to cut the arm-strap.

The Gadfly |E. L. Voynich
“They must be three-quarters full by this time—whatever,” remarked Fergus, wiping his clasp-knife on the grass.

The Buffalo Runners |R.M. Ballantyne
One suggested a clasp-knife at the throat, another a stick in his neckerchief, twisted to throttling-point.

Tales of Mean Streets |Arthur Morrison
Stefanone, being left alone, sat down again, pulled his hat over his eyes once more and felt in his pocket for his clasp-knife.

Casa Braccio, Volumes 1 and 2 (of 2) |F. Marion Crawford

Then he took the meat and bread from the same shelf, and, cutting some of each with his clasp-knife, tried to eat.

Jess |H. Rider Haggard

clasp knife

a large knife with one or more blades or other devices folding into the handle