Thoughts on "automatic" knives

[Richard Simmons]

I believe they should be completely unregulated. They are no more “dangerous” than any other tool. The fact is the biggest plus to having an auto is the ease of one handed opening. There are any number of scenarios where the ability to open a knife one handed can be a real benefit.

There are plenty of non-automatic knives that can be opened one handed every bit as easily and quickly as an auto whether they be assisted openers, waved models, folders with thumb studs, flippers or balisongs, etc. Many states and municipalities don’t consider those knives as “dangerous” and in need of regulation.

An auto isn’t necessarily the most rugged or best designed knife for all uses but they aren’t “dangerous”.

 

[Faulkner]

I carry a Benchmade automatic on and off duty every day.

Once, I was sitting in my patrol car in a parking lot on the rural intersection of a 4-way stop sign, we'd had reports of folks busting through the intersection not even slowing down. Had been sitting there not 5 minutes when there was head on collision between two pickup trucks right there in front of me, they both must have been doing about 40 mph when they hit.

I radioed in the incident to dispatch and then jumped out and ran to the nearest smoking, hissing truck. The driver was unconscious and bleeding profusely. I pulled on a pair of nitrile gloves from my BDU pocket and was checking the guy out when I found a bad gash on the guy’s abdomen. At this point the overwhelming aroma of gasoline hit me and I figured I needed to get the guy out. I put pressure on the wound but I couldn’t reach the seat belt release, so I reached back on my belt and pulled out my Benchmade automatic, my hand was a little slimy with blood but I was able to hit the button and as soon as the blade popped out I cut the seat belt and was able to get the driver away from the vehicle and gasoline.

Later as I was pondering the event, I don’t think I could have so easily opened a manual knife in this situation. I guess I could have always reached down in my boot and pulled out my STIFF KISS fixed blade knife, but I’ve always been a proponent of automatic knives since this event.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Another here who finds a properly carried Spyderco to be faster than a switchblade, and my switchblade doesn't even have a safety. However, at 74, I do not carry a knife as a weapon. A 2" M15 or a 325PD serves that purpose.

In MA, switchblades are not illegal to possess, but illegal to carry. I possess a Benchmade Emerson-design tanto auto, because I had the chance to buy it at a reasonable price, and I liked the construction.

I note that the auto can be opened more quietly (with two hands) than the Spyderco; it's just not as fast.

 

[BB57]

I've carried a Kershaw Leek for the last few years and it's an excellent knife for the money. It readily takes and keeps a sharp edge and it holds up well without chipping or edge rolling.

In MN, however its status is a bit vague. As an assisted opening knife, it may or may not be considered to be a "switchblade" under MN law. State v. Quimby in 2008 defined a
"switchblade" as a spring powered knife that opens when a button is pressed.

The Leek has a stud on the sides of the blade that can be used to open the knife far enough for the spring assist to finish the task, but is also has what Kershaw calls a "thumb stud" on the back of the blade that protrudes through the handle that can be pushed to start the blade opening process. That comes very close to the "when a button is pressed" language and I'd normally say it's illegal. However, I see them being sold all over the place in MN - Dicks, Scheels, Cabelas, Joes Sporting Goods, Walmart, etc.

Mine does have a lock, but its a non issue.

 

[CalmerThanYou]

I have a OTF that is branded by H&K....the quality is good but I doubt they actually make it.
OTF keeps the knife streamlined and simple. I like it.

 

[pawngal]

I have a OTF that is branded by H&K....the quality is good but I doubt they actually make it.
OTF keeps the knife streamlined and simple. I like it.

It might be made by Benchmade, they make/made some H&K branded knives.
Link to 2016 catalog
https://www.benchmade.com/media/forms/2016_HK_Catalog.pdf

 

[Ribwizzard]

My 2 cents on the subject;
I luv knifes as I do firearms and any quality tool, and have a substantial collection from three generations scattered around the house in every shelf or drawer .
Even so, it doesn't stop me from shelling out $200 here or there for a knife that catches my eye.
But, I have no switchblade! Not because I dont want one, or am worried about bending any laws. Its because every single one I have handled did not impress me enough to purchase.
Most with a decent size blade ( 3.5" or better) are not very smooth, and have excessive end play. I guess something about adding a spring big enough for a heavy blade just dont leave much room for blade support.
2nd , I agree that the spyderco is easier to open than feeling for the lock, then the button, keeping your fingers on what you hope is the right side of the handle.
Some will say to get a OTF then. But they are so ugly, and handle and blade shaped are usless.
Others will say get one without a lock. No way, Bro. I had my ZT flipper open in my pocket while standing in front of Redbox looking for a movie. I spent 7 hours honing that edge to a mirror and never felt that thing slicing me up, . Wasnt till I looked down and saw the puddle of blood people were pointing at that I knew I was even cut. Nope, knife is going to have a good detent or a lock before it goes in my pocket.
So , back to switchblade, all the smooth ones are just too small or have have a horrible blade and handle configuration, leaving me to say " what's the point" ( pun intended)

 

[shouldazagged]

If you have ever had to cut a seat belt while you were wearing it, you won't ever want to be without a one-hand-opening knife again. I've had that experience, and only had one that took two hands.

I haven't owned an automatic--we called them switchblades then--for over sixty years. I had a couple of cheapo knockoffs of the Italian stiletto style that you could buy for about three bucks then. They were pretty much junk, dull after two slices of Velveeta and not good for much beyond sticking stuff (or people, which I didn't do much).

I'm legally allowed to carry an automatic knife by virtue of my Kentucky concealed carry license, which I will keep active when we go permitless in July. But I really can't see spending the money for a decent one.

I have a Spyderco Endura I carry some of the time, and as others have said it can be opened very quickly. I had a SOG Flash II assisted opener with a blade just under four inches. I liked it a lot, but gave it to my nephew for some help he gave me with a balky computer. I'll get another one soon.

I had a Leek, but the smooth metal scales made it tricky for my crippled-up hands to open without it slipping; so I got a Kershaw OSO Sweet, comparable size but with textured scales (and no lock). Nice little knife, but I still want another Flash II.

 

[Echo40]

While I'm a huge fan of the classic Stiletto "Switch Blade" knife in terms of aesthetics, the design leaves something to be desired and unfortunately a lot of the ones on the market are poorly made.

I used to actually carry a legal variant of the Stiletto which opened via switch rather than the standard push-button design, but unfortunately after a few years of daily carry a screw which secured the grips and held the spring in place worked its way loose. I tried to put it back together, but ultimately I decided I decided to go with something else.

Nowadays I carry a Cold Steel Ti-Lite, which is basically a modern take on the classic Stiletto Switch Blade, sans the spring-assisted opening mechanism, yet it still be opened very quickly with a simple push of the thumb/flick of the wrist.

 

[ExRanger714]

I've carried a couple of Mexican cuchillos automaticos for years. Very handy around horses and pack-horses and while up in a tree stand wearing a safety harness.

 

[CalmerThanYou]

Spot on Pawngal. The one I have is the Turmoil. Thanks, now I know.

 

[Bladeswitcher]

So where do you guy's get these automatics?
Try to order online and you have to be in some government organization.

No, you don't have to belong to a government organization. You just have to go to the right websites. I bought most of my autos BEFORE they were legal in my state. With few exceptions they were shipped to my home in a USPS flat rate box (and supposedly, it's a federal crime to MAIL a switchblade).

If you don't have the wherewithal to find the right websites, you must not want the knife badly enough . . .
(hint: google "switchblade knife forum" and do a little reading.)

 

[Bladeswitcher]

While I'm a huge fan of the classic Stiletto "Switch Blade" knife in terms of aesthetics, the design leaves something to be desired and unfortunately a lot of the ones on the market are poorly made. . . .

Even the "good" ones are terrible knives, if by "knife" you mean a working tool. The Italian switchblades are designed for one purpose: stabbing. They're not made to withstand any significant pressure against the back spring.

The lever locks are a bit better than the traditional Italian style, but not by a whole lot.

(BTW, I believe "stiletto" describes a blade shape, not a knife design.)

I do like them, though . . .

 

[Bladeswitcher]

For the gentleman . . .

 

[Donn]

Have a few automatics, they've been safe queens until the law was relaxed. That said, like a few others here, my Kershaw Leek fills the bill. It deploys as fast as any of my autos, is an easier carry, and has a partially serrated blade. All in all, a much handier tool.

 

[brucev]

Very much enjoy a Benchmade Auto Benchmite and a Benchmade Auto Presidio. The Benchmite has a blade that measures 1.95 inches, the size is not problematic in just about any jurisdiction. It is the knife I prefer to carry on Sundays at church and on occasions were I need to wear nice dress clothing. The Presidio is what I prefer to carry day by day. Sincerely. bruce

 

[s&wchad]

I finally snapped some photos of my auto's.

First up are the users. The Benchmade CLA is my current EDC, which replaced the HK OTF. The little Pro-Tech Calmigo was claimed by my wife!

This display case was purchased at an estate sale for $80. I wish it was taller and had more drawers, but it sure beats the tackle box that previously housed my folders.

A US MC-1 Paratrooper knife and some Italian stilettos. The two large knives on the bottom (A.G.A. Campolin Picklock and Frosolone) are a healthy 13" overall.

A Spyderco Autonomy 2...

Assorted American auto's and vintage German gravity knife...

A Military issue Gerber 06 Auto...

... and a factory Buck 110 Auto.

 

[pawngal]

Never considered myself to be a collector but looks like it.
Equal opportunity, from $10 Chinese to $2000 custom. The custom is the only one from hubby's collection. Somewhere also have one of those cheapo stiletto blade ones too. And I just remembered a knock-off Benchmade.

Why? No idea. Must be just for the "cool" factor. As a business owner I find myself attending a fair share of fund raising dinners. A hunk of meat and a plastic knife is not a good combination. I'll pull the Pro-tech runt out of my purse, voila!

 

[Echo40]

Even the "good" ones are terrible knives, if by "knife" you mean a working tool. The Italian switchblades are designed for one purpose: stabbing. They're not made to withstand any significant pressure against the back spring.

The lever locks are a bit better than the traditional Italian style, but not by a whole lot.

(BTW, I believe "stiletto" describes a blade shape, not a knife design.)

I do like them, though . . .

Nope, I don't try to consolidate roles when it comes to knives, so I don't have a do-all knife, I have a knife for self-defense and other knives for other purposes. I wouldn't carry a Stiletto for any other purpose but stabbing because that's what it was designed for. If I want a knife for other needs, then I'll carry one best suited for the task, and if I foresee many needs then I'd opt for a true do-all knife like the Victorinox Swiss Army Knife.
To me, a knife is a weapon first.

I am aware that Stiletto is a term which mainly describes a blade design, but the so-called "Switch Blades" are a form of Stiletto, and I prefer to simply call them "Stilettos" due to the negative reputation associated with the term "Switch Blade".

 

[CA Escapee]

Once the law changed here in CO I bought a Benchmade Coalition.

I wondered exactly how an "automatic" knife is defined. I read a fairly loose definition in the Benchmade catalog. Basically, if you can fire the knife open without touching the blade, it's an auto.

I agree that flicking a Spyderco open or using a flipper, (assisted or not,) can be just as fast as an auto. One advantage of an auto is it can be opened with gloves on. (and maybe even with mittens on)

A bit of trivia: The law against "switchblade" knives was enacted here in Colorado just after the movie West Side Story came out in the early '60's. Legislators were looking out for us and didn't want gangs roaming the streets with switchblades. A couple of years ago a couple of legislators thought it was a dumb law and sponsored a bill to overturn it. The rest is history.

Bill