A folding knife has dual operational modes. In a first modality, the knife is opened and closed manually. In a second modality, the knife is fully automatic. The user is able to use the knife in either mode, manual or automatic when the blade is in the closed position. In the automatic mode a bolster defines a trigger that causes the blade to move automatically from the closed to the open position. In the manual mode the user manipulates the blade manually to move it from the closed to the open position. A dry fire safety prevents firing of the knife with the trigger when the blade has been opened manually.