a blade having a tang portion; and

a handle comprising a first handle portion and a second handle portion, each handle portion being substantially elongated such that the blade will be substantially covered by the handle portions when in a closed position, and each handle portion is adapted for contact by a user during operation of the knife, the first handle portion being pivotally coupled to the second handle portion at a handle pivot for pivoting movement of the first handle portion relative to the second handle portion, the blade tang portion being pivotally coupled to the second handle portion at a blade pivot spaced from the handle pivot for pivoting movement of the blade between an open position and the said closed position, the first handle portion being coupled to the blade such that pivoting movement of the first handle portion in a first rotational direction causes movement of the blade from the closed position to a partially open position and further pivoting movement of the first handle portion in a second rotational direction, opposite the first rotational direction, causes movement of the blade from the partially open position to the open position.