Automatic/Switchblade Knives

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Flattop5

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Automatic/Switchblade Knives

These are not mine, I just found the links (however, I do have one of those knives: the big, wood-handled Hubertus lever-lock in the 3rd photo, to the right of center. Apparently, Hubertus no longer makes the big ones). Re: photo #2, see the "vendetta" switchblade at bottom left?? Cool! Never seen one until now.

https://douhave-upload-prod.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/posts/63461e20242be6572741506b.jpg

https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https://i.redd.it/3qvc9ddnuua81.jpg

https://scontent.fphx1-1.fna.fbcdn....vnJTISEMX7Lq4JO9LJMVQ8j2LJhlN3uIw&oe=668B8F15


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There is a Bill DeShives Leverletto automatic if you look closely.
Screenshot-2024-06-03-10-10-52-PM.png
 
I am legally allowed to own and carry one where I live now but I no longer own any. After having one open up in my pocket (the safety broke twice) two times, getting cut on both my leg and hand - I lost my liking for them.

I carry two pocket knives every single day - but not any mechanically assisted opening ones. I carry a Spyderco Delica and the tiniest little SAK that goes on a keychain - mostly for the scissor and tweezers. My main focus of a knife is as a tool, not as a fighting weapon so speed is not really that important to me. Aside from which, I can open the Spyderco pretty darn fast if I have to.
 
Interesting about one opening in a pocket. The only one that I ever had to do that was an Italian stiletto, fourth clockwise on top in my group picture. That huge button is the culprit. There are two more like it, in red and bone, on the bottom row. I would never carry those in a pants pocket because of that button!
 
During most of my life the possession or sale of a switchblade knife was a criminal act under federal law, and the things were classified as dangerous and deadly weapons under my home state laws. I chose to avoid any such complications.

Several years ago the federal law went away, and Colorado decided that automatic knives would be treated the same as any others; i.e.: blade no more than 3.5" length is simply a tool, not a dangerous or deadly weapon. I found a deal for a Boker Magnum automatic that I like. Stainless 3.5" clip-point, aluminum grip-frame, solid and reliable operation. Easy to carry, easily put to work with one hand when needed, enough to get some serious work done. The Boker line is good quality without the premium price tags of the high-end products.

Since then, as I have travelled to other places I have found it best to research the laws for your routes and destinations because local and state laws are all over the charts. In some places any automatic knife is unlawful to possess, transport, or sell. In other places blade length restrictions may be as short as 2", or as long as a medieval broad sword. Concealment may be an issue in other places. Impossible to tell what you might be walking into without doing the research in advance. What is perfectly legal in Colorado or Tennessee might result in felony prosecution in other places.

My point is to be careful and avoid conflict with such restrictions. Nothing ruins a family trip or vacation quite like an arrest, finding a bail bondsman, retaining a defense lawyer, and doing the courthouse dance for months on end.
 
I used to carry a cheapo Tac Force spring assisted opening knife — basically a legally distinct switchblade — until it eventually broke on me, partially opened inside my pocket, and nearly cut me.

Nowadays, the closest thing to a switchblade that I carry is a Cold Steel Ti-Lite IV, which only resembles a stiletto switchblade in design, but can still be opened with a flick of the wrist.
 
I've owned a number of automatic knives over the years, but for me they were just a novelty. For my own uses I prefer just a manual opening lock back of some kind.
 
I've carried this Benchmade automatic every day for 10 years or so. A few years ago I came upon an auto accident that had just occurred. The driver of one vehicle was bleeding profusely so I pried open the door and reached in to try and stifle the bleeding with one hand and was working to get the seatbelt off with the other. My hands were slick with blood and I couldn't get the seatbelt off so I reached back with my free hand and pulled out my Benchmade and popped it open to cut the seatbelt so I could get better access to the wound to stop the bleeding. The driver lived.

That's not the only time I've needed to open a knife with only one hand under adverse conditions so I'm a believer in automatics as a vital tool.

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Faulkner said:
I'm a believer in automatics as a vital tool.
Click to expand...

Early American made auto knives were designed for utilitarian purposes. Like all things, the intent was misused and stilettos, criminals, etc. led to their temporary demise. I'm glad to see they're back.

I picked up part of a collection recently. All US, various makers including some Shapleigh Hardware knives. Some of the colors are impressive. The little pocket autos are anything but threatening.

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Love switchblades!! Of course, me being me has to abide by my personal knife and shoe rule which is...... Buy no foreign made knives or shoes. So I settle on Benchmade, Microtech and Piranha. The least favorite being the Benchmades, as some of the offerings are slow to fire.

The exception to my rule is..... If the knife I want is not made in this country, German and Italian may be substituted. Solingen and Stilettos add a nice touch.

Acceptable shoes are Alden, Rancourt, Double H, American Frye, Gokey and Russell Moccasin.

Why?? Both of these industries have been decimated by Chinese junk. Smith and Wesson aids in that process as does the NRA.

I'm done:D
 
Onomea said:
Buck 110 auto:



Click to expand...

I used to have some super nice Italian stilettos made by Frank Beltrame. They had Sambar Stag and Camel Bone handles. He makes a nice product that sells out fast if they have premium handles. I really liked them, but when I needed to raise money to buy something expensive, I sold them. I might have even sold them here.

Now the only automatic I have is a Buck 110 auto like Onomea’s above. Folks used to buy a standard Buck 110 and send it off to someone that would make it into an automatic. Some were good and some were junk! When the Buck factory decided to make them, I bought one because I have always liked the 110. Mine works great, but it is definitely HEAVY compared to other autos. I don’t carry it so that’s not a problem. It’s my house knife.
Larry
 
boykinlp said:
...Mine works great, but it is definitely HEAVY compared to other autos. I don’t carry it so that’s not a problem. It’s my house knife.
Larry
Click to expand...
Heavy indeed, which is why I carry it on my belt if I am gonna carry it with me.

Carrying it got me out of a jam recently: A few weeks ago, having a picnic with my wife in a local park, we needed to cut that deli sammich in half we'd just bought to share. Well sir, my Buck 110 made short work of it. Split the pickle, too.

My wife was suitably impressed, as wives should be.

Useful knife, that 110 auto...:)
 
Onomea said:
Heavy indeed, which is why I carry it on my belt if I am gonna carry it with me.

Carrying it got me out of a jam recently: A few weeks ago, having a picnic with my wife in a local park, we needed to cut that deli sammich in half we'd just bought to share. Well sir, my Buck 110 made short work of it. Split the pickle, too.

My wife was suitably impressed, as wives should be.

Useful knife, that 110 auto...:)
Click to expand...
Onomea, for some reason your post had me thinking about the Val Kilmer scene in “Tombstone” when he was playing poker in a saloon and one of the red sash guys was showing off spinning his gun, and “Doc” did the same thing with his shot glass! I picture you doing something similar with the auto 110 for your wife!🤣
Congrats on your spectacular performance!
Larry
 
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