Thoughts on "automatic" knives

[LoboGunLeather]

Here in Colorado for most of my life "automatic" knives (also known as "switchblades") have been prohibited as dangerous and deadly weapons. Couple of years ago the law changed, allowing routine possession and carrying of these knives (subject to maximum blade length of 3.5", and a few municipalities still having local ordinances prohibiting these knives).

Never gave it much thought. Years ago in the Army I
"liberated" a Camillus rigger's knife with push-button blade. Working as a contractor and in the leather shop I regularly found it handy to have a pocket knife that I could open with one hand, and got along quite well with a Gerber lock-blade folder with thumb-stud (fine knife, IMO).

Recently saw a sale flyer from a knife distributor offering the Boker brand (old line German cutlery company, fine products), "magnum" model automatic. 3.25" hollow-ground clip-point blade, grooved and contoured aluminum grip, recessed push-button, AUS-8 stainless blade. In short, a very good quality automatic knife at a pretty reasonable price. Fully capable of all the uses I have for a pocket knife, probably including field-dressing a deer if needed.

I bought one. I like it. I understand that there are cities and states in which this knife would be most unwelcome, but where I live and spend most of my time it is perfectly legal to own and carry in my pocket (on its built-in pocket clip).

Thoughts and opinions? Am I just an old man entertaining youthful enthusiasm for a previously denied toy?

 

[JayFramer]

In Las Vegas where I live you can't have a blade longer than 3". But you can easily get a CCW and carry around a Glock 20 in perfect legality. Explain THAT.

 

[Imissedagain]

Then there’s the Brass Knuckle infringement.
The sound of an Italian stiletto opening on a quiet night.... music to my ears.

 

[jeffrefrig]

I've never owned nor seen a "switchblade" knife, but I recently bought two spring assist opening knives at, of all places, Graingers Supply. (I posted about this purchase a while back on this forum.) They are Taiwan made with Smith & Wesson name, called S & W SWATMB, M.A.G.I.C. assisted opening. Belt clip, nice handle. I use it every day. Holds a nice edge for an inexpensive knife. (Gave the other one to my wife. Hope it was a good idea!!!) I don't know what the difference is between spring assist and switchblade? I'm really ignorant between the difference.

 

[Daniel Howe]

I have a couple Italian Switchblades or Stilettos for the same reason, real handy to open a knife with one had. My carry knife is a Boker Kalasnikov 74. AUS8 blade and pocket clip and $40 a third the cost of one of the Italian automatics.

 

[OLDSTER]

I've carried an auto every day for years ( legal or not). This is my current inventory;

L to R; Bushmaster Tactical, Piranha Bodyguard, Boker Kalish., and Gerber Covert.

 

[kwselke]

Texas knife laws were changed to allow automatic knives a couple of years back also. I've considered getting one. There are so many opening, closing, and locking knife systems available these days the added expense and complexity of a spring loaded, push button, automatic knife is hard for me to personally justify.

I have primarily carried thumb opening Spyderco knives for over a decade and am well practiced with one hand opening and closing mid-back lock Delicas and Enduras. The muscle memory I've developed over the years of carrying them makes me confident I could deploy one of those as fast or faster as an auto.

That said, I also have a couple of flippers, an assisted opener, and a Waved opener. There is a cool factor to an auto. I will probably get one eventually. Just do not fool yourself that a knife fight is won by a cool movie like display of a blade. Knife collecting is meant to be about having tools you enjoy and that fulfill your needs, so if you want an auto get one.

 

[kwselke]

I don't know what the difference is between spring assist and switchblade? I'm really ignorant between the difference.

With a true switchblade you press a button or switch to open the blade. With an assisted opener you press on part of the blade (flipper or thumb stud) to get the spring to assist the energy you applied to start the blade openning.

 

[steveno]

I bought a automatic Benchmade with a 3 inch blade at a gun show at the Merchandise Mart in Denver and this was at least 30 years ago for $165. it was probably illegal to carry but I don't believe is was illegal to own. there sure was a LOT of automatics for sale and there was always a bunch of cops walking around and they didn't seem to be concerned about them.

 

[s&wchad]

Michigan legalized switchblades last year. I’ve owned a number of them over the years and am glad that I can now carry one. Like Colorado, we need a statewide preemption law to nullify a myriad of local ordinances that no one could keep track of. It’s also time for the Federal Gov’t to repeal the Switchblade act of 1958. They don’t enforce it and it creates issues with warranty service.

We are fortunate to have a huge sellection of quality automatics on todays market. My current EDC is a Benchmade CLA. It’s light weight, has good action, a safety and nice drop point blade. I prefer it over knives with a coated metal handle because the G10 doesn’t show scratches and wear from carrying in a pocket with other daily essentials.

They are highly addictive and can be harmful to your wallet!

 

[Breakaway500]

An "automatic" knife is no more or less deadly than a 10 round vs 30 round magazine. Hollywood mentality has warped most elected ones....and those "evil" hoodlum auto knives..BIG murderer mags..and "assassin silencers" are so banned.
Here in the Commiewealth of Ma you can't even buy a sling shot. I kid you not. Those crazy lawmakers must have read David and Goliath one too many times...

 

[Bladeswitcher]

I lost some enthusiasm . . .

I lost some of my enthusiasm for automatic knives when they made them legal in my state. I eventually sold off about half my collection of automatics. I still have a dozen or more. My daily carry knife is not an automatic, however. I carry a Kershaw Leek assisted open. It's just as fast to deploy and I like the slimness.

There never was any good reason to make "switchblades" illegal. It was just a panicked reaction to a couple of movies in the 1950s. Before the federal switchblade act was enacted the U.S. Justice Department testified AGAINST its passage. Dumb law.

You want to see something funny, track down some of the magazine ads from the 1920s (or so) where they were advertising self-opening knives to seamstresses and housewives . . .

 

[Old_Cop]

If an officer finds the need to pat you down, your problems might be more serious than your knife.

There are no winners in a knife fight.

After a visit to Ciudad Juarez we walked to the parking lot through the tunnel on the US side. Two young men were standing there and as we passed we heard the unmistakable sound of an opening switch blade. My friend opened his and as soon as we reached the stairs, we ran. A barrage of rocks hit the cars around us as we left.


"When you're a Jet, you're a Jet all the way..."

 

[stu1ritter]

When Colorado's automatic knife law changed I immediately bought one. Had always wanted one but the law is the law! Bought a Benchmade Phaeton out the front (H&K Version) and just absolutely love it. Even my 54 year old Swiss Army knife stays in the drawer these days and the only thing I use is the automatic, it is just so convenient. Reasonable steel in the blade, sharpened in the Japanese method and it stays quite sharp for long periods of time. Great knife. I join you Ray in my enthusiasm for an automatic knife.

Stu

 

[gwpercle]

To me the classic Italian Stiletto Switchblade is still the sexiest looking auto opener.... I own and carry ( for using not personal defense) Kershaw's with assisted opening but I've owned several Stiletto's through the years.

Being a knife enthusiast my whole life , I find the idea that these are so dangerous and deadly that the honest citizen must be prohibited from owning them , extremely laughable....did the lawmakers get upset when they saw " West Side Story" ?

I can do a more harm with a legal machete !

Think I'll go price some Stiletto's and see if I can afford one with stag handles !
When you reach a "certain age" you tend to start living "wild"...
Buy one..old men deserve their toy's !
Gary

 

[Old TexMex]

I can open my spyderco manual (paramilitary) as quickly or more so,and more quietly than my benchmade auto. No safety to disengage with the Spyderco.
Though I have a couple switchblades, I don’t find any advantage when compared to a high quality, well designed manual opening knife, particularly when silence was essential.
Now that I think about it, a switchblade being opened by someone who means me harm is a good alarm, just to let me know that my antagonist is bringing a knife to a gunfight.

 

[Farmer17]

I have about 30 or 35 knives and was always fascinated with switchblades and when Oklahoma changed their laws about 5 years ago I bought a few. Everyone seems to like the Bokers but I had two that I wasn't really impressed with but my Lighting out the front automatic is my favorite work knife. I didn't think it would hold up to heavy construction use but its doing fine and holds an edge a long time and it was under 35 bucks. It's really handy when you're holding something with one hand and need to make a cut and you can pull it, make the cut, and put it back in your pocket without looking.

 

[Old TexMex]

To me the classic Italian Stiletto Switchblade is still the sexiest looking auto opener....

Being a knife enthusiast my whole life , I find the idea that these are so dangerous and deadly that the honest citizen must be prohibited from owning them , extremely laughable....did the lawmakers get upset when they saw " West Side Story" ?


Gary

Gary, remember that was also the time that the ONLY instrumental song was ever banned from radio! Link Wray’s RUMBLE

 

[ContinentalOp]

I see no reason why they should be banned.

Having said that, I don't see a (practical) reason for me to own one. I've got a few Spyderco Delicas that I carry and I can easily open and close them with one hand. I don't carry them for self defense, so speed isn't of utmost importance to me, though I doubt any difference would be neglible, especially if disengaging a safety is involved.

I did own a spring-assisted folder for a while, a Kershaw Leek. Ended up selling it. Carrying it with the safety engaged made it cumbersome to open, and carrying it with the safety disengaged was not comforting.

One area I think automatics can be very useful is in situations where you need a knife but are wearing gloves that make it difficult to open a manual folder. For that reason I've thought about getting one, but it isn't a priority right now.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

If you insist, get one that stands out.
Have owned and used them for years and they hold no particular fascination for me.
I prefer the one hand opener.
Your Kid has enlisted and is going over there?
Get him-her a strong blade one hand opener.