Hello
I have a question about knives... Does automatic mean it is a switchblade, where the blade pops out by pressing a button?
I want to buy a knife like that, but am not sure about the vocabulary.
Can you recommend a nice automatic knife, or one that the blade pops out at the press of a button? In the less than $100 range?
O.K. so it was actually 3 questions.
I hope all you guys had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Some are called 'assisted opening' such as a line made by Kershaw and I thought they were not considered switch blade design.

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Lynnie, Professional Pest

Hey Plunky....I'm certainly no expert, but I think that automatic, as opposed to the "assisted" knives that Joni mentioned, are illegal in most locations. Hopefully someone more knowledgable than I will step in and either verify that to be the case, or let me know I'm full of poop.

Brian~

AFAIK, "switchblade" is a subset of "automatic" knife. It refers to a knife where the blade pops out/in at the flick of a switch, usually a slider type switch. There are other types of automatic knives as well. Usually an automatic knife is illegal -- check your local laws. Sometimes there are exceptions for hunting, fishing and one-armed folks (as well as LEO/Military).

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NRA Life Member

I recently bought a Pro-tech Stinger, which is a "California legal" auto knife (AKA switchblade) because the blade is less than two inches. I was looking for something quite small as Japanese knife laws have become stricter this past year, but I like the convenience of a pocket knife. In doing research I learned that in Japan if the blade is less than 5.5 cm (2.16") switchblades are legal, at least theoretically. It is very well made, and cost about $100.

YouTube - Protech Stinger

"Benchmade" are probably the best automatic knives made, but I doubt you'll be able to get one in the hundred dollar range. I have one as my everyday carry duty knife.

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- Change it back -

The assisted opening knives aren't switchblades by Federal definition anyway. To be a switchblade it has to be a knife with a blade that opens automatically
1. by hand pressure on a button or other device on the handle or
2. by operation of inertia, gravity, or both.

The assisted opening knives work by manual pressure to operate the mechanism rather than a button or gravity etc, so they're not switchblades.

Although some states and butt head senators like mine wanted to include them in the definition of switchblade.

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Pete.

One of my older sons has collected automatic knives ( push button ) for years, most of this is from him. The Laws vary from state to state. Arizona and Oregon are the only two states we know of that push buttons are legal for regular people to possess. Law Enforcement and active military are general exempt for possession. Pro -Tec will not sell their knives to any one except Law Enforcement or active military with written proof of qualification. Assisted knives are generally legal most everywhere, but " they " are trying to outlaw them also. We have ads on our web site selling auto knives, I don't know how they do it, and I don't see any reference to who can buy legally. I'm sure someone knows more about this subject that this post, but take it for what it's worth.

I was in Kosovo back in 2002-2004. Automatic knives there were about 3 euros. No, the quality was not up to Benchmade standards, BUT for the money, they weren't bad.

If you know anyone who is serving over there, they could probably send you one or bring it back. Check with your state's National Guard HQ.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

I have several assisted opening knives and find them to open as fast or faster than autos. But the autos are pretty cool.

I would definately check your local laws before buying.

Switchblades laws vary by state. Some states they are legal to own but not to carry, some states you can do both, some states neither. These are Italian made, by Due Buoi.

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Misty

Autos and switchblades are the same, auto just sounds more socially acceptable. My carry knife is a Benchmade HK 14700, it has a 4" blade. I've been very happy with it, it's rugged, fast, and holds an edge. They can be had for around $100 from on-line knife shops. Just remember, your responsible to know the laws where you live. If there's any question about legality I suggest you look at assisted openers instead.

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Don't kiss smiling dogs!

I carry and use balisongs (butterfly knives). They are the best work/utility knives available IMO. Just like switchblades were invented to prevent women from breaking their nails trying to open the blade, balisongs were once popular with sailors as work knives. People associate each style with gangs and/or the martial arts, but that was never the original purpose of either.

With balisongs there is a skill set to be learned, but once in place their use becomes second nature.

I just wish the * politicians would leave decent folks alone so that they can live their lives. The switchblade laws of the '50s curbed gang violence about as well as gun control has stopped murder in chicago.

Good entry level balisongs would be the Benchmade 42 and the Spyderco Spyderfly.

Here are links to sites with information on auto knife legality:

State Switchblade Laws

KNIFE LAWS of the 50 STATES - Introduction and LINKS

+1 for Gunlovingirl! Due Buoi makes a great knife.

I'd buy an assisted opener before a balisong, the learning curve isn't as steep or potentially painful.

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Don't kiss smiling dogs!

Places all over Oklahoma sell switchblades(automatic knives) and many people carry them, but from what I understand, they are very illegal to carry. I have had several but got rid of all of them, because I don't want to get caught with one. If it was a $50 fine I might risk it but I believe the penalty is much more severe and it could vary from county to county, so I would never carry one. I have two Camillius Heat knives that are assisted opening and activated by your index finger instead of your thumb
and are just as fast as a switchblade.

Smith and Wesson made automatic knives several years ago in their Military and Law Enforcement line. I think they were restricted to those groups. I checked the home page recently but could find no mention of them so I am assuming they no longer make them. I paid less than $100 for mine but that was back in the 90's.

for a classic look-hubertus are great. for a more modern look-benchmade are fabulous. the classic italian knives are just that classic. there is a lot of junk out there too. know what you are buying.

Congress passes law that "assisted opening folding knives are NOT SWITCHBLADES." The amendment was added to the Homeland Security Appropiations Act Of 2010 and was signed on Oct.28,2009. The fight was over a rule change to add to the Switchblade Knife Act Of 1958 and targeting the importation of assisted opening knives by designating them "SWITCHBLADES". Sponsors in US Senate were (R) Texas John Cornyn, (D) Mark Pryor, Arkansas, (R) Orin Hatch Utah. Sponsor in the House were Rep. Bob Latta (R) Ohio, Walt Minnick (D) Idaho.
Info source Jan 2010 Americn Rifleman Page 67.

This is a Kershaw Leek. Assisted opening knife. It is as fast as a switchblade to open, and legal most everywhere, where switchblades are not.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

You've not lived until you have had a automatic knife accidentally spring open unexpectedly in your front pocket.

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- Change it back -

I won't disagree about the learning curve, or painful part. I will add, however, that my stubby inarticulate thumbs find balisongs far easier to open than any blade with a thumb stud. Of course others MMV on such things.

Balisongs can also be opened ambitextrously with the cutting edge oriented up, or down in a forward grip, or in or out in an icepick grip. There are also no springs to fail.

As with switchblades, check to make sure there are no state, or local unconstitutional laws regulating their carry so as to keep out of hot water.

Coming originally from Illinois, where having something resembling a ball peen hammer in a mechanics tool chest qualifies as an illegal weapon, I've always wondered?
In the "shall issue" CCP state I currently reside, what brain trust was the one responsible for making automatic/assisted/switchblade knives illegal. Or is this seeming dichotomy just another example of legal schizophrenia one so often encounters?
(I won't even go into how we can "have" suppressors, but not "use" suppressors?)

While automatic does mean the blade pops out by pressing a button, not all automatics are switchblades. Some automatics are called "front openers" because their blades pop out the front when their buttons are pushed.

You can find a wide variety of knives at a wide variety of prices, but they will also be in a wide variety of quality. Google "automatic knives" and it should bring up a whole bunch of sites that sell them.

I've carried just about every kind of knife available at one time or another and have learned a lot, sometimes the hard way. Switchblades aren't toys and there are some available that are too dangerous to even consider putting into a pocket. Before you buy one try to learn as much as you can.

I carry a Buck Serius assisted opening. I carry it clipped inside my left pocket when my right is filled with Colt Mustang .380! Had an interesting experience at Hoover Dam. I made sure to leave the .380 AND spare magazine (that's another story from Gateway Arch in St. Louis) in the Jeep but forgot about my Buck. OK, get in line and empty your pockets into the tray. (Man I hate that!) Guy picks up the Buck and asks how does it open? So I told him and he almost went ballistic. That's a switchblade! You can't have a switch blade! Ever try explaining something to one of those guys -- like it's an assisted opening knife NOT a switchblade? Don't bother! He ended up telling me to go back to my car and lock it up. Man! That's as bad as trying to get through an airport! After all of that, I made sure to go on the long tour to make up for it.

I like my Buck -- it's a good knife for the money. I ran across a special deal and picked it up for less than $50.

My Gerbers came with a small paper explaining why they're not a switchblade. That stays in my walet.

Also for those that don't do well with thumb studs, both my Gerbers and Kershaws can also be activated with an index finger.

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Pete.

Good thing you didn't blow up the damn with your pocket knife. Idiots.

I really don't feel the need for an assisted opening knife...Been a fan of the Spyderco Endura for years. I can flip it open manually without even thinking about it, or flip it open with the inertia method.
As for Bali Song butterfly knives, I like them a lot, but cannot carry them due to Ohio law...butterfly knives are named specifically as prohibited weapons, along with nunchuks...Too much movie-hyped excitement, I guess.

Maybe next they'll add 'strike-any-where' matches & 'Chinese throwing stars' to the list like they have in NY...




I should get a good knife.....

smith sells a great assisted knife about 38.00 and lightning fast