Automatic Knives

[ISCS Yoda]

On top, number 3 is a peanut switchblade, number 4 is an Italian stiletto, 8 and 9 are autos, too.

On the bottom, number 3 is a red Italian stiletto, and not visible is a similar Italian stiletto with bone handles.

 

[Patrip]

I have been carrying auto knives for 25 years. Love them. First ones did not have the safety and when I got my Benchmade with the safety I never used the safety.
Until…
A few years ago I was at a western store trying on a pair of pants and when I went to put MY pants back on I felt a scratch on my leg. Checked my leg and I found my knife opened and the point was sticking thru the pocket and a superficial scratch from my knee to my hip. I got back to my hotel and got my medical kit from my truck and got the bleeding stopped without stitches. The inside of my pant leg looked like a massacre happened in there. Lol

I was trying to get the bleeding stopped asap because I had to go back to that store as they had a 1911 that I wanted in the gun case and they were closing soon.

Priorities huh.

Lesson learned. Still carry the auto knives. ALWAYS use the safety. The knife sits too close to other body parts in my pocket. Lol

 

[DRYHEAT]

Spyderco Autos bought at the 2010 S.H.O.T. Show - Las Vegas
top: C117 CITADEL 92mm • center: C121 EMBASSY • bottom: C121BK EMBASSY

 

[bph9]

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.

With the auto's they are noted also for breaking their springs and at the worst time. Even assisted opening knives can and do brake their springs but usually not quite as often.

Gerber makes a good gravity dagger but daggers were never meant to cut things with and often when you are out an about you need to cut things like string, plastic wire ties, food etc. etc. I currently carry a Kershaw auto knife. Its reasonably priced compared to the top of the line $300 and $400 dollar prestige knives. If I remember correctly I think I paid $120 for my Kershaw and so far has not broken its spring. I had 2 Hubertus autos and both promptly and almost immediately broke their springs and Hubertus is supposed to be a good German knife.

My Kershaw auto has a Spey blade not a dagger blade making it handy for most cutting tasks.

I have own 3 Gerber assisted opening knives and so far they have not broken their springs and the blades are spey blades, not dagger blades, again making them far more useful than any dagger auto knife.

Below is my Kershaw launch