I have several assisted opening knives with the flipper and they are just as fast as any switchblade and probably safer to pocket carry. The Kershaw Brawler, OSO Sweet, and Leek are excellent, well-designed knives with great steel and they are cheap. Oklahoma recently made switchblades legal to carry but I don't really see the need for one other than the "cool factor". If I could find a Kershaw quality, reasonably priced, automatic where the blade came out the front I'm sure I would buy one.