The Pin

The main component of the lever lock is a pin that prevents the blade from closing. When the blade is opened completely, the pin from the handle fits snugly into a hole in the tang of blade. Once a lever attached to the knife is pushed down, it lifts the pin out of the tang of the blade, so it can close. Likewise, the pin holds the blade closed, so you also have to press the lever down in order to engage it.