A switchblade includes a casing that defines a cavity. A blade having a cutting edge has a retracted position in which the cutting edge is inside the cavity and a deployed position in which the cutting edge is outside the cavity. A spring is operably connected to the blade to bias the blade to the deployed position. An actuator is releasably engaged with the blade, and operation of the actuator allows the blade to move between the retracted position and the deployed position. A safety lever that extends through at least a portion of the casing lever has a lock position that prevents operation of the actuator and an unlock position that permits operation of the actuator.