Anyone have any recommendations on automatic knifes? What is a California approved knife?

I'm looking for a general utility knife and my trusty Gerber Sportsman requires 2 hands to open. A push of a button would be mighty easy.

Thanks

I have several Benchmade automatics. Well made knives, quality materials and lockwork. They collaborate with makers like Mel Pardue, Alan Elischewitz and others. NOT cheap but not exhorbitant in price. I like 'em..................one eye joe

Checked them out.....OUCH! My wallet is crying! Nice full sized auto about $190. My 50 year old Gerber might work just fine.

Anyone have any less expensive alternatives?

Again, Thanks

Good morning John! Here are my Due Buoi stilettos from Italy. They aren't cheap, but are pretty reasonable and the quality is great. They do make cheaper plastic handle ones, but I'm not fond of plastic, either in my guns or my knives. The top one is my everyday utility knife. I've used it for everything from opening letters and boxes to stripping wire for a number of years now, and it's never given me any problems. I'll send you a PM with some more info. They are available through Skm.

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Misty

I believe automatic knives are allowed for military and police in most states. Check the laws before you purchase.

I like my spring-assisted knife - the Kershaw Leek. It's just the right size and very easy to open with one hand.

S&W does make some very nice spring-assisted knives.
Smith & Wesson (Assist) - Spring Assisted Knives (ALL) - Blade HQ

The CRKT knives with the Carson flipper are also very fast-opening one handed knives. Affordable too.

Hey Gunlovingirl----Those are some beautiful stilettos you have there...............one eye joe

I'm with Barb, the Kershaw Leek is just the right size and very convenient, literally as fast as a spring blade knife. The blade steel is great, takes a edge and holds it under all kinds of daily use. Is made in the USA. I have carried the flat black one for a couple years and feel lost without it.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Well, there are these:






But the one I rely on is my Boker Speed Lock that I picked up at the factory in Solingen:

+ 1 on the benchmade auto's...a high quality knife

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

Look on Ebay they have thousands of knives. Also Smokey
Mountain Knife Works is close to you as you most likely know.
Don

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"Don't worry be happy"

Spring loaded openers are illegal to carry in California over 1.5 inches.
I have a Benchmade Ruckus SV30 that is just fast enough.

If an officer in Cal.asks you to open your knife.. use 2 hands

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Fe Feo Fuerte

I just bought a few of the new SW Vipers (see earlier thread) and really like them. Bought one for every day and one for the safe. Cost less than $30 if orderd through SW and less if you troll the 'net. They are sort of "semi-auto" but with a bit of practice, prove to be very fast and are one handed operation.

Another fan of Kershaw Leek knives.

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- The Federalist #46 -

I have an Italian stilletto-type push-button automatic knife, but it won't
open. I have messed w/ it, played w/ the lock, can't pull it open.

Any ideas from the experts on this thread?
Thanks.

Broken spring probably. Most of them are a "v" type leaf. With the lock in the lower position while pressing the button try to slip a piece of hardwood or hard plastic under the tip and pry gently up. Without a nailnick they can be tough to open.

Another vote here for the Kershaw Leek. I have two, that's how much I like them. It has gone everywhere with me for the last couple of years.
The size is just right and it's easy to operate. It's also ambidextrous which is important to us southpaws.

Regards,
Arkdweller

Ti-Lite : Tactical Knives, Folding Knives, Pocket Knives (Cold Steel)
While not a true auto knife, I the Cold Steel TI Lite is what I carry every day. It has a small catch that rests against the seam of you pocket. If you draw it out right, the catch will slide against the pocket seam and be open when the knife is out of your pocket. It is, however, probably too long for anyone in California, but I thought I would point out an alternative to a auto opening knife.

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J.D. Roy

Kalashnikov 74, Kalashnikov Automatic Knife

I have one, very nice knife for the price. Almost 4 yrs old too. Been thinking about gettin another one.

Another vote for Kershaw.

I have the Kershaw Blur with Tanto blade. Its is an assisted opening and works fantastic. I picked it up at Wallyworld for $57.00 After looking on the net for one that was a pretty good price to get it the same day.

I have several Hubertus knives that have been very good knives.

Good idea. Taboo in Pa(Phila)
How about if they are part of a collection and never leave the house. Any one know?

I personally don't have a desire to own a true auto knife. The truly good ones are really expensive, and they aren't that much faster than the assisted opening (ao) knives.

I am also a big fan of the Kershaw knives. They've got something for everyone, and many of them are ao. I'm carrying the Kershaw Blur with the S30V blade right now. The S30V is a little more expensive, but in my opinon worth it. It's reasonably easy to sharpen to a wicked edge and it maintains that edge for a long time.

But if you want an auto knife, buy and enjoy. Just be sure and check your local laws before you do. There's definitely a cool factor to them.

Try Knifecenter on-line. They have pretty good prices and a real good selection.

Another thumbs up on Kershaw Onion designs. They offer a good variety of blade designs, lengths and edge options.
You can also pick them up everywhere from Walmart to Bass Pro Shop.

I just subscribed to Blade Magazine and in recent issues, I just learned that there is a "anti-knife" faction out there working to ban certain "evil" knives...the way the "evil" black rifles were/are being attacked

A proposed ruling by U.S. Customs and Border Protection would ban assisted opener knives (spring or assisted opening mechanism) under the Federal Switchblade Act. It's also being touted as an action to set the stage for folding blade knives, period, for reclassification as "evil" knives... sounds familiar doesn't it.

All of the major knife makers, Benchmade, Buck, A.G. Russell, Taylor, etc are fighting it and I hope they are successful.

I'm at the age where after 31 yrs of being a mainframe computer keyboard jockey, arthritis is beginning to make an appearance in my hands/fingers... the assisted opener was welcomed sight for me.

It looks like in addition to AR-15 parts and ammo, a run in the assisted openers will probably ensue as the word gets out.

So an assisted opening pocket knife with a 3 1/2" blade is more of a concern than a big 'ol honking fixed blade Bowie or Tanto simply because it can be opened rapidlty/easily??

Give me a freakin break... I guess here comes the mandated 20lb spring with an internal lock requirement, no doubt to protect us from ourselves. Unreal... what next, limiting the blade length on hedge clippers?

Sorry, rant off.

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Conrad
SWCA #1830 SWHF #222

I carry a Kershaw Blur. I like them so well for carry, this is my second one. I also bought one for my son. If you shop carefully, you should be able to pick one up for about $55.

Aren't the English going through something similar on knives over there right now?

old school

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C & L

Nice headknocker!

If you want a Smith and Wesson assisted opener, the Out the Front model

Smith & Wesson Out-The-Front Tanto Knife - The BudK Catalog

is kind of unique.

Not a fan of front opening knives, especially when carried in a front pocket!

Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!

I have a few Bokers that I really like! Only cost about $58 when eBay was still allowing them.

I'm very fond of the Camillus Robo Heat. It's an assisted opening knife with an excellent blade and is very reasonably priced...

Camillus Knives: Camillus Heat, Blaze and Sizzle Knife Series

The company is out of business now, but you can still find the knives. I got mine on ebay (watch out for knockoffs).

.

I have two knives that I will swear by. The first is my Benchmade 3550 Pardue Auto. This is by far the best auto that I've ever owned. I've had tons of other brands (including a very cheaply made S&W auto) and this one is the best. The finish is still holding strong after years of use and the blade it top quality.

The second isn't a true auto but is an assisted opener. The Kershaw Black Scallion is also a must have in my opinion. It's not as thin as the Benchmade and the quality's great but not amazing like a Benchmade. However, these can be bought for as little as $35 and I'd put it up against most of the other knives out there. Hope this helps.

-Marcos

buck makes a spring assisted as well. One handed and opens a quick as a auto. I also have auto's, but keep them locked up in my knife case along with 325 other friends. Gerber also makes a nice spring assisted. Buck and Gerber are 50 bucks or so for buck, and 39 bucks for the gerber. they work great.

You cant go wrong with SOG, Spyderco, or Microtech. I can't recommend Benchmade because their CS is horrendous. If I were you, I would go with a Manual SpyderCo Tenacious. With the adjustment screw set right, they can be faster then an auto and way more durable. Blade HQ has them for only 40 bucks. Link

I've had lots of switchblades and they're kinda fun at first, but the laws are a little scary concerning them. They are legal to own here but very illegal to carry, even though I see many people doing so. Laws can also vary from town to town and its just not worth getting caught with one if jail, big fines, or legal fees are possible. I have a Camillius Heat assisted opening knife that is operated by your index finger and it is just as fast as an automatic knife and is more secure in the pocket.

I think that Benchmade are great, and personally, would save up the money and get one of their autos (or, manual-open for that matter...). In my opinion, it's like quality guns; Benchmades cost more, but are worth it. I'd much rather pay extra for a S&W, than skimp and buy a Taurus.

For the money, the Kershaw's are good knives, and also made in the USA...

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NRA Life Member

I carried a Benchmade Emerson SPEC WAR Model CQC7 for about 15 years and I have just started carrying an AFO II auto . I love them both .

Now that's a knife...

The Benchmade Emerson SPEC WAR Model CQC7 was my first high quality knife, and I carried it in my flight suit for every mission. The titanium material was so light that I had to keep feeling it to make sure it was there. It is retired now, being replaced with a spring assisted Benchmade Mini Barage.

Until a few years ago I did not own a automatic knife. Injuries to my hands as well as my own interest led me to purchase two automatic knives. The one knife that I carry daily clipped to my pocket is a Benchmade 5500 ( 5500 Details | Benchmade ). I find this knife to be ideal for my routine needs. I prefer the plain edge therefore I did not opt for the 5500 SKB. When I am wearing dress cloths, at church, etc., I carry my all-time favorite knife, which is a Benchmade 3100 ( 3100 Details | Benchmade ) which I consider ideal for anything short of extreme needs. I believe the 3100 is California legal. I think the 5500 may not meet that requirement. Benchmade has several other products that would merit you interest. Sincerely. brucev.

Taylor made a automatic "california" knife" Smith & Wesson knife...there were models #1260-1260s-1265-1265s..in the early 90's for $55.oo wholesale. These were short blade and were only 3 1/2" closed...being so small these may have been legal in California?
The new spring Assist knives (legal) are really fast...

My first visit to this side of the forum. Does anyone know what Arizona law is as to carrying an automatic knife (I guess we don't call them switchblades anymore)? If not, is there a website that you could direct me to? I have a very nice Benchmade that is illegal in my old home of California but would love to carry it here in Arizona.

I am not a big fan of automatic knives, mostly because they are not legal to carry here, and a legal hassle in general, but also because I can get a Spyderco out of my pocket and open faster, anyway. For various reasons, I do not carry a knife for defensive use. For other uses, my SAK is great.

That said, I own an Emerson-design Benchmade automatic, and it seems to be a pretty good knife. It has a "tanto" blade shape, which has some advantages, and the locking mechanism is simple and strong.

The Benchmades are probably worth checking out.

Third vote for the Kershaw especially if 'thin' is your thing.
Clips in back of front(jean) pocket and just 'disappears'..
oromil

I thought this was posted earlier in this thread, but anyway here you go.
State Switchblade Laws

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Pete.

They're legal here in Az. The only restriction is that you have to be active duty military or law enforcement to mail them back for service. I have to go through a cop friend to send back my Benchmade Mini-Reflex. I bought a Microtech LUDT to use in the mean time and love it.