Has anyone seen the new Smith & Wesson Out The Front Knifes? I was wonder if they are some type of automatic blade knife?

Out-The-Front indicates that the knife is a push-button (automatic) of some type and instead of the blade swinging from the side and away to the front it shoots directly out the front of the knife...

Heh..... you mean the finger actuator?

I've only seen two types of out the front knives, automatic and gravity drop. The latter type have to be pointed down to open. The button pushes an internal part away from the blade allowing it to free fall. Both types are illegal in Washington.

All the out the front knives on S&W.com are advertised as either "assisted opening" or "assist, finger actuator." Assuming that you have to push the blades forward against a spring before another spring zips them out the rest of the way then both types would not be "spring knives" under Washington law making them legal here. That would make them slightly interesting mechanical variations but still not appealing to me.

Here is a good video of the mentioned knife as it mentions pros and cons. I don't know of the legality in your locality.


Here is another vid which is a very good comparison of OTF knives.

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Steve
The Lounge Rant Master