Automatic Knives - Pros / Cons

[s&wchad]

I love switchblades and started carrying one a few years ago, when Michigan legalized them. My EDC is a Benchmade CLA. It's strong, sharp and tough as nails. The handle is G10, so the only real wear is on the pocket clip. The clip is cheap and easy to replace, so I can always get another one and make the knife look like new again.

Before the change in our law, assisted opening knives were classified as switchblades and illegal. Back then I carried a good manual folder. Automatics aren't that much faster than manual knives with a thumb stud, but there's nothing wrong with having a little style!

The only jewelry I wear is a wedding ring, so I accessorize myself with a nice watch, pocket carry in a sharkskin holster, and clip a nice pen and knife with a little flash in my pockets. Others rarely notice, but I don't do it for them. I appreciate the little touches of quality.

I have a number of other auto knives to choose from, but there's no use putting wear on them. Manufacturers tend to discontinue models and the collector values go up when that happens. Some automatic, especially vintage Italian stilettos are worth a good amount.

Here's a few of my other Autos. Some are in drawers with manual openers, but you should be able to tell the difference.

 

[opr1945]

Here in Michigan a long time ago the legislature passed a law outlawing switchblades. I was told it was right after the movie West Side Story with the Jets vs. the Sharks came out. The courts defined switch blade as one that opened by mechanical device, such as a button or lever.

some time later manufactors convinced the US bureau of Customs, that assisted opening knives, for import and taxation, were not switchblades because the movement required to open the knife was movement of the blade directly by the operator. No button, lever or device involved. Eventually some courts accepted this distinction and ruled that assisted opening knives were not switchblades. Other state courts declined to accept the distinction or just did not address the issue. Leaving it murky if AO knives were legal for carry. (local city, township and county ordinances are another issue.)

A year or two ago Michigan repealed the prohibitation on switchblades. resolving the issue here.

Laws in your state may very. Look and see. Save $ and lawyer's fees.

 

[Absalom]

Due to dexterity and range-of-motion issues, thumb-stub knives have become two-hand jobs for me. Nothing wrong with that, but the right auto knife can be a help.

I actually got an auto knife much earlier, though. The main utility is indeed with gloves and when your hands are cold, wet, or otherwise not at their best functionally, which occurs in the Pacific NW outdoors for a significant part of the year.

While the classic "Italian" switchblades are mostly good for soundling and looking cool at the moment of opening (the knife equivalent of photogenically racking the slide of a pistol just before the shootout), there are some excellent utility auto folders.

My choice has been the Gerber 06. Nobody will call it elegant, but you can get it with various blades and you can mash that big button with the coldest thumb.

Shown next to its Benchmade-Emerson CQC-7 colleague which I've had for over 25 years.

 

[OLDSTER]

I carry an "auto" every day, and have for many years. My current inventory; L to R

Bushmaster Tactical ( assisted), Boker Kalish., Piranha Bodyguard, Gerber Covert., Pro-Tech Godson.

 

[Rob613]

I carry a tanto Gerber 06 auto with G10 handles.

Autos are only legal in NY when hunting, fishing or trapping but no one really enforces that outside of NYC.

 

[yeti]

Currently carrying a MicroTech Ultratech OTF & love it. I enjoy Benchmade, SOG & Gerber autos. Still like assisted, but prefer autos. A good quality side open or OTF, you can't go wrong. Just check local knife laws in your area.

 

[Triggernosis]

I can open my assisted-opening flipper Kershaw Oso Sweet just as fast as my brother's automatic Buck 112. But I can't open my brother's auto 112 when I'm wearing gloves, but can open my Oso Sweet.

 

[garddogg56]

In the early 90's I was introduced to auto and spring assisted knive by one of my apprentices caus he was sick of me 30' up on a ladder with my Right hand busy holding something while reaching around my back to open the sheath of my Buck 110 so I could cut in a cable on a transformer, so at that time they gifted me my first one hand open knife a Benchmade Stryker..Now I own dozens of spring *** or autos.I call them off-hand knives.

 

[Oracle]

Switchblades, aka automatic knives, can get you in deep manure very quickly. I believe spring assisted knives might be legal in Washington state but may be subject to the interpretation of LEO/Courts. I don't want to pay attorney fees, I would rather spend the money on S&W revolvers.

Some knives are available with an Emerson Wave blade, they feature a "hook" which catches on a pocket and opens the knife.

 

[Muss Muggins]

Thankfully, here in flyover country, we live in free states. I carry a couple everyday, both Benchmades. A small Impel in my pocket and a larger clip on the other side. Wouldn't carry anything else . . .

 

[mmaher94087]

A Buck that's been converted to auto is very sturdy One of my favorites. The bummer is that I haven't found a LEFT handed one.. yet.

 

[sodacan]

I was a sales representative for Pro-Tech probably ten plus years ago. They make a very high quality auto, but back then they didn't have safety and could open accidentally if the button was pushed inadvertently, say in a pocket. Probably the only draw back to an automatic knife.

 

[ggibson511960]

Here in the Republic of Texas everything is legal. That said I wouldn't EDC any knife except my Kershaw Hinderer 1555TI. I have some OTF knives and they are slick to open and close, but flimsy. The Kershaw is cheap, easy to open and close with one hand, safe, and the blade is supported like any pocket folder. You can't cut yourself opening or closing with one hand, which is easy, even with my old inflexible fingers. I've given them as gifts and the recipients won't carry anything else. I have a spare in case I lose mine. It has thumb studs on the blade, but when removed the knife is so smooth it gets lost in your pocket.

 

[Chukar60]

The OP asked about pros and cons of an auto open.
I have been carrying an auto for several years and cannot think of a single con for a well built quality auto opening knife.
The only pro I can see is the ease of operation. Lots of posters claim that a spring assist is just as easy or just as fast. My experience is to the contrary.
Basically it is personal preference. For a lot of people any difference in operation may not justify the cost of a quality auto.
My daily carry knife is a Benchmade CLA. Tough as nails and has never failed to open instantly or lock securely open.
I posted this picture on another thread so pardon the redundancy, but you can see it is not a letter opener and fingernail cleaner. This thing get used.

 

[ContinentalOp]

I was a sales representative for Pro-Tech probably ten plus years ago. They make a very high quality auto, but back then they didn't have safety and could open accidentally if the button was pushed inadvertently, say in a pocket. Probably the only draw back to an automatic knife.

That's definitely a concern of mine. One of the reasons I chose the Boker was because the safety and activation button are close together so manipulating the safety isn't awkward and can be done easily.

While I want to get an OTF, I don't think I've seen one with a safety, so I'm not sure yet if it's something I'd carry. I might experiment to see how easily the blade can pop out unintentionally before carrying one.

 

[seldon14]

The only things autos do better is look cool. OTF knives are, functionally, a terrible design compared to most folders.

 

[Straightshooter2]

We can have pretty much anything in Georgia as state law defines a knife as:

A cutting instrument,
Designed for the purpose of offense and defense, and
Has a blade greater than 12 inches in length.

Anything under 12 inch blade isn't a knife and can be open or concealed carried with a very few exceptions. Over 12 inches and you need a Georgia Weapons License or a license from a reciprocal state. Oh, and my EDC is a Buck Quickfire assisted opening.

 

[HardToHandle]

I am with Muss.
Auto knives have utility. A good Benchmade Auto pretty much ruins you on Chineiusm knives.
Constabulary really doesn't care unless you disturb the public order in flyover country. That usually takes a fair effort.
My brother lives in a Commonwealth that talks about freedom a lot, but seems to have a slew of laws that make freedom difficult to live.

 

[Farmer17]

An assisted opener will do that as well.
I might also be interested in an automatic if the price and durability was more in line.
Somebody tell me I'm wrong, I'm looking for an excuse to get one.

I have a Lighting out the front automatic and it will definitely open and close much faster than an assisted opening knife which I also have several. It is handy as stated before if you are holding or carrying something and need to make a cut and stick it back in your pocket quickly but I think the "cool factor" is the biggest reason for owning an automatic and that's why I only own one, but I own about 30 other knives. My OTF Lighting knife has held up well to 7 years of heavy duty construction use.

 

[gdogs]

I really like the Gerber Covert Auto, quality knife made in America. I've carried the black one for quite a few years now, has never let me down.