i've only owned one automatic...a cheap one i bought when i was at my place in AZ. It kept opening up in my pocket,haha. Very inconvenient. I am also very fond of the Kershaw spring assist knives. I have owned and carried a couple different Leeks then one day was at a local sporting goods store and they had on sale a Kershaw Oso...for $19.99. Spring assist with composite grip with some scales on the grip. Good steel,razor sharp,i think the blade is 1/4" longer than the Leek. This is probably the best knife for the money i have ever run across...if the sale comes back i will buy several.....Mike