Automatic Knives

[ISCS Yoda]

DRM50 asks: I would like to have an automatic knife. Don’t want to spend arm & leg. Don’t want anything big. Want blade to be plain
Not serrated or dagger. What’s best choice.

Understanding that asking that is like asking this crew what's the best 9mm, or .45, or pocket pistol, those types of questions will generate a zillion OPINIONS. But, in the world of keep it simple, and adding that this knife has never failed me and has never accidentally opened (others all have except those with safeties and they don't all have safeties), my choice is the Boker Kalashnikov:





These pictures cut off in the new software but that's it on top in the group picture. The Boker AK47 is compact, and sufficiently rugged for whatever you need.

 

[65-2x2]

I went through an automatic knife phase a few years back. I bought a very spendy Hubertus knife that I carried daily. It lasted about 18 months before the spring broke. I have picked up a few inexpensive, Chinese make autos, but they are no more than cheap toys. As far as I am concerned the spring assisted knives are a much better product for practical use, and are every bit as fast to deploy. I carry one of two quality spring assisted knives.

Here are some of my flea market autos. The only three in the group that a decent are the little Smith and Wesson, the Boker, and the good quality counterfeit Hubertus. The counterfeit Hubertus has outlasted the original by far. The sorriest knife that I have ever bought is the Bokermatic, shown with the blade extended.

 

[lihpster]

I have only owned and used the el cheapo brand. I am 78 with SLAC on both wrists, everything hurts when I use fingers, but I am active and us a knife on the rural acreage every day for something. A knife is like underwear for me, it goes everywhere I go. I have many, tiny, small, to huge.

The autos I have now are larger than I want to carry all the time.

A 3 inch blade is fine a double edge dagger is really not. I smuggled those across the Mexican Border more than 5 decades ago, they were $10 Stillettos as I recall.

The cheapos I have are fine but this thread kindled my interests. I like the Buck 110 and have many Bucks, but it may be little large for my pocket. Maybe the AK or Boker.

Smaller is better for me. Any suggestions as to the 2 3/4 -3 inch blade size, side opener for general cutting chores? The ability to pull the knife from my rear hip pocket, open it and use it with only one hand in play is what I am looking at. I also use them for things like fishing, cutting the line, cutting bait and things like that.

Suggestions?

I would check out the Kershaw Launch series. They have several smaller autos with blade sizes meant to follow the laws of some of our more restrictive state laws. Lightwieght but quality made, and the one I have never let go in my pocket once.

 

[crasig]

I would like to have an automatic knife. Don’t want to spend arm & leg. Don’t want anything big. Want blade to be plain
Not serrated or dagger. What’s best choice.

Strange but TRUE - I bought a number of spring knives at www.wish.com It's an american company that has knives drop shipped from Asia. Last year my Italian AKC Knives were around $20. each (in USA they get about $200.).
They have all sorts of Knives, Stilletos etc. I bought 2 nice 13" stainless Chinese autos (with a new design coiled spring) for $12. each. Just search their site for spring knives, & see what they have that interests you. Takes about a month to arrive, but worth the wait - I never got better knife deals. Hope this makes your day. C.

 

[DRYHEAT]

 

[crasig]

EYE CANDY, NOT MINE - But a collection to admire. Back before Ban - when cheap, & in many USA stores.

 

[boykinlp]

I picked up another type that I’ve never had before. It is an AGA Campolin Sicilian Ring Pull Fighting Knife With Fantastic Matching European Stag Horn Handles. Made in Maniago, Italy. The overall length of the blade is 12", the mirror polished blade length is 5.3", and the blade thickness is .15". It is stamped "A.G.A. CAMPOLIN MANIAGO - ITALY". The bayonet blade is made from 440A stainless steel and it fires strong. The lock mechanism is the ring pull system which I have never had before. The bolstered stag handle has brass liners and pins. Knife has a sliding safety button. You press the button to open and pull ring to release blade to close. This knife is new in mint condition, and comes complete with a leather pouch, certificate, and the original box.
Larry

 

[Retired W4]

This CFO II was $600 when it was first offered. Signed by Anthony an Anthony Jr. Charging is a bit of a pain but if you have to use it, retracting the blade becomes secondary and not too important.

The Robbie Dalton is an EDC that is always with me, for emergencies. Robbie did some strange stuff (Kill For Peace) The Kill a Commie For Mommy was added by me on this one.

The early Benchmade (large button, no safety) was in my flight suit leg pocket whenever I had my flight suit on. The big Gerber was my EDC during my Army helicopter days

I also have a few Al Mar Prototypes. Did I mention that I like autos? There's more.

 

[Retired W4]

Forgot to show the business end of the CFO II.

 

[boykinlp]

This CFO II was $600 when it was first offered. Signed by Anthony an Anthony Jr. Charging is a bit of a pain but if you have to use it, retracting the blade becomes secondary and not too important.

The Robbie Dalton is an EDC that is always with me, for emergencies. Robbie did some strange stuff (Kill For Peace) The Kill a Commie For Mommy was added by me on this one.

The early Benchmade (large button, no safety) was in my flight suit leg pocket whenever I had my flight suit on. The big Gerber was my EDC during my Army helicopter days

I also have a few Al Mar Prototypes. Did I mention that I like autos? There's more.
View attachment 786619View attachment 786620View attachment 786621View attachment 786622View attachment 786623View attachment 786631

Those look like high quality pieces.
Larry

 

[Retired W4]

Here is an interesting swing guard. DKD (dog bone) with TWO springs, one leaf and one coil. You better hang on when you press the button.

 

[boykinlp]

Here is an interesting swing guard. DKD (dog bone) with TWO springs, one leaf and one coil. You better hang on when you press the button.View attachment 786850View attachment 786853View attachment 786854View attachment 786855

Never seen one like that before. What are the handles made of, some kind of composite maybe? Probably something lightweight.
Larry

 

[P&R Fan]

I have only had persona; experience with one automatic knife - and it was not a good one! I received it as a birthday gift and carried it (legally) for a while. One day while waiting to be seated at a restaurant my wife turned to me and asked why I had blood dripping from the top of my leg - I looked down and was shocked. The knife had partially opened and the very sharp pointy tip of the knife had cut through my pocket and stabbed me. Just a small puncture wound but a wound never the less. The safety on the knife had broken allowing it to deploy. I called the company, they apologized and mailed me out a replacement part which I installed.

Fast forward a few months later the safety broke once again and when I reached into my pocket to pull out the knife it cut me again! That was that and I got rid of it! I am sure there are many that are designed and built better than the one I had, but quite honestly I have no issues with opening my Spydeco Delica with my thumb. Maybe not quite as fast - but fast enough for me. Since I look at a pocket knife as a tool and not a weapon, speed is way down on the list of priorities for me. I would not own another one, but will admit the design of some of the better ones intrigues me.

I also carry a Spyderco Delica every day. It is one of the older ones with the plastic grip. Easier to hold on to than the metal ones. Also have on my belt my Applegate Fairbairn Combat Folder. I don't have any truly Automatic knives but I have a Ken Onion Speedsafe Opener. You just push up on the knob and it opens pretty quick. Carry my knives as backups to my handguns

 

[rockquarry]

Dangerous. Other than a lack of gimmickry, is there a disadvantage to a conventional knife?

 

[Badger13]

Another "oldie", Benchmade, Emerson CQC7

 

[Skyhunter]

I've been carrying a Boker Kalashnikov for quite some time. The Boker Kalashnikovs have different style blades and are available in different sizes.

These knives take and hold a good cutting edge and won't break the bank. They also open REALLY FAST!

WYT-P
Skyhunter

 

[ralph7]

Strange but TRUE - I bought a number of spring knives at www.wish.com It's an american company that has knives drop shipped from Asia. Last year my Italian AKC Knives were around $20. each (in USA they get about $200.).
They have all sorts of Knives, Stilletos etc. I bought 2 nice 13" stainless Chinese autos (with a new design coiled spring) for $12. each. Just search their site for spring knives, & see what they have that interests you. Takes about a month to arrive, but worth the wait - I never got better knife deals. Hope this makes your day. C.

 

[ralph7]

Got this Benchmade Bugout from the website you posted for $32. Has to be a copy at that price, but I can't tell it.
Really nice knife!

Pic is in post #47