Automatic knives, valid for use?

[tech25]

I like the utility of an OTF, especially around kids. Easy to open and close one handed without changing my grip so I can retract the blade and reopen in between each cut.

Much safer for me and them than leaving a blade open while they want to "help"

At work I carry a small spyderco and a pair of Xshears (which get the most use).

 

[desert.snake]

Now I have an assist, Kershaw 1510, an extremely cool. As for convenience, OTFs are very good - I have a friend, he is an industrial climber. He always has one of the famous multitool with him, which he uses most of the time for auxiliary work. And he also has one MT OTF, with a fully serrated dagger blade, he keeps it on his chest only for 1 task, if he suddenly has to cut the rope in an emergency and for nothing else, over the past 4 years he has used it 1 or 2 times.

 

[Carl.1]

I live in a state where automatic knives are legal to carry. What's the general consensus, are they a viable option or just a gimmick?

I live in a state where automatic knives are legal to carry. What's the general consensus, are they a viable option or just a gimmick?

 

[Carl.1]

All i carry now is a Hubertos Springer.
Nothing to do with defence. All to do with practicality and ease of use. Out of pouch, open with a thumb press, use it, close it. Simples.
Uses? Endless, perfect though marking wood for cutting.
People over think knives and the conversation always ends up with the stupid talking about defence.

 

[Olumin]

Id really like an OTF just so i can play around with it at my desk. I would never carry it because lets be honest someones gonna call the cops on you when you whip that thing out in public.

 

[Carl.1]

Who on earth whips a knife out in public?

 

[Olumin]

Who on earth whips a knife out in public?

Its slag for "taking out", as in what you do every time you use it. Even in the US some are concerned with peeps calling the cops on them for carrying "murdery" looking knives (certain flippers, autos, balisongs...), itd be damn near impossible to carry something like that in europe even if it was legal. Shame.

 

[idleprocess]

Who on earth whips a knife out in public?

How else do you announce that you're taking over the aircraft?

(I kid, I kid)

However that was a joke made at my modest expense when someone needed to open a box of materials for a training class and I had the only cutting implement - a folding pocket knife in an era when thumbstuds and serrated edges were less common.

 

[nbp]

Thanks for the info guys...
A little more than I was looking to spend, but as they say you get what you pay for...

What is your budget? Ultratechs and some of the larger Heretic Knives OTFs will run right about $300 but are very well crafted, durable, USA made knives. These are my favorite makers so far from those I have tried. Guardian Tactical makes excellent USA OTFs as well and are a little cheaper. I would carry one of those without reserve as well after handling one my friend owns. Plenty of other good USA built autos as well such as Piranha, Gerber, Spyderco, Benchmade, Hogue, etc.

 

[knucklegary]

SOG (Pentagon) offers a heavy duty mil spec OTF auto made in USA. Reviewers state it opens with a nice strong action, has some recoil.. And it is moderately priced as well. I'd like to check one out

 

[SCEMan]

What is your budget? Ultratechs and some of the larger Heretic Knives OTFs will run right about $300 but are very well crafted, durable, USA made knives. These are my favorite makers so far from those I have tried. Guardian Tactical makes excellent USA OTFs as well and are a little cheaper. I would carry one of those without reserve as well after handling one my friend owns. Plenty of other good USA built autos as well such as Piranha, Gerber, Spyderco, Benchmade, Hogue, etc.

Just looking at what's available at the moment. Just bought a new house so my budget's pretty tight right now.

 

[fuyume]

I've personally never really understood why anyone would feel the need for a switchblade, and assisted opener, or even a flipper. Both of my 20+ year old Gerber AirFrames have none of these things, yet still open easily with a flick of my wrist.

 

[boo5ted]

I edc a couple different Microtechs, UTX-85 and a UTX-70. Both have been carried with no issues, the '75 is much smaller and usually only carry it when wearing slacks or dressed up. The '85 is more of the user of the pair, I work in an auto shop so it's cut everything from boxes to fan belts to hoses to zip ties. Neither have failed to open or retract on me. I have a couple other folders in the collection but the form factor and just plain "coolness" of the OTF keeps making me grab them over the folders.

 

[bykfixer]

For cutting stuff, a good old fashioned lock back with a quality blade for this user. Two hand operation for 90% of the time.

I used to carry an automatic……comb. Yup, in the mid 1970's the local hoods knew that bushy haired Peter Frampton looking kid was armed with a switchblade comb and gave me style points just for being bold enough to carry one.

 

[knucklegary]

Byk, if you stuck that switch comb in a punks eye or up his nose it could be lethal (-;

 

[nbp]

Why anything then? Why a locking blade when your grandpa got along with a slipjoint sodbuster or barlow? Why 154CM when 1095 will cut too? Why a thumbstud when a nailnick will open your blade?

There are many tools with different features for different purposes and preferences. On top of that, for many of us, knives are a hobby too, and we like trying new and interesting things. If you have found your perfect knife, that is awesome! But the OP wants to try something new. Why hassle him for that just because it doesn't fit your usage needs?

I've personally never really understood why anyone would feel the need for a switchblade, and assisted opener, or even a flipper. Both of my 20+ year old Gerber AirFrames have none of these things, yet still open easily with a flick of my wrist.View attachment 19277

 

[sween1911]

I live in a state where automatic knives are legal to carry. What's the general consensus, are they a viable option or just a gimmick?

You would need a quality auto if you intend to actually use it for outdoor, EMS, LE, military, etc. (Assuming you're in an environment where you can legally own, possess, and use it.) Old school Benchmade side-openers like the AFO series, Benchmade OTF's and Microtech OTF's are considered good to go.

There's a lot of "almost as good" knives that are fun to have and use, but I would not trust my life to them. I would do an in-depth search on hard-use reviews of any auto I intended to use for serious work.

 

[SCEMan]

You would need a quality auto if you intend to actually use it for outdoor, EMS, LE, military, etc. There's a lot of "almost as good" knives that are fun to have and use, but I would not trust my life to them. I would do an in-depth search on hard-use reviews of any auto I intended to use for serious work.

This wouldn't be for "serious" use, more like coat carry in the upcoming cold winter weather where I'll be wearing gloves and might need to have a knife handy. I have numerous Spyderco's for regular use.

 

[nollij]

I live in a state where automatic knives are legal to carry. What's the general consensus, are they a viable option or just a gimmick?

Autos can be gimmicky but it depends on what you buy. Benchmade makes a number of very good autos as well as OTF's. I own one of each and I've been pretty happy with them. That being said, an axis lock can be had for cheaper and with a little practice they can be open and shut just as fast in my experience. There's a great fidget factor to auto knives which can't be denied. It depends on your use case and budget. What will you use it for?

 

[SCEMan]

Autos can be gimmicky but it depends on what you buy. Benchmade makes a number of very good autos as well as OTF's. I own one of each and I've been pretty happy with them. That being said, an axis lock can be had for cheaper and with a little practice they can be open and shut just as fast in my experience. There's a great fidget factor to auto knives which can't be denied. It depends on your use case and budget. What will you use it for?

As stated in prior post... "This wouldn't be for "serious" use, more like coat carry in the upcoming cold winter weather where I'll be wearing gloves and might need to have a knife handy. I have numerous Spyderco's for regular use."