Brand new poster here; came for the flashlights, but this thread popped up.
I've carried a flashlight and a folding knife for decades, every day. They both get a fair amount of use, and I'd be lost without them. Ever since packaging got stronger than me, a knife has been an essential tool.
That said, I spent decades in search of the ideal pocket knife; had to be sturdy, of decent quality, and most importantly, operable with one hand, to open and close. After trying the A G Russell one-hand, which needed two to close, a Buck 110 which I could sometimes manage to flip open, a Paul axial lock which was too tricky to get open every time, I finally found the Benchmade Omega lock knives, specifically the ones with the "reverse tanto" blades by Osborne. With more weight at the tip, they could be flicked open and shut with ease.
Two years ago, I finally bought my first automatic, a Benchmade Auto Stryker OTS. I found I was able to open my regular Benchmades as quickly, and didn't have to worry about the safety switch, or carve my fingers trying to close it against the liner lock. (I HATE liner locks, for this reason. But see below).
Sadly, I was subsequently intorduced to the world of OTF. Now I have a boxful of Microtechs, Heretics, Guardian Tacticals, and more. They're incredible fun to play with, very well made, with excellent materials. I really enjoy collecting them, but I still EDC my Benchmade Contego, an Omega flipper.
I'm especially charmed by the ingenious actions that appear in the automatic world. Guardian Tactical produced an OTS knife designed by Rat Worx, which operates via a chain drive! It became a must-have. The single-action HALO is a gas to use, but need two hands to close, so it's relegated to the toy bin too. The coolest one I have is a Spyderco Vallotton, which is normally opened with a thumb stud. Gorgeous mechanicals, elegant finish. But best of all, the designer, Butch Vallotton, made a number of them with a hidden switch to operate as an automatic. It is indistinguishable from the ordinary Spyderco, but if you know how to operate it, it will spring to attention with a push in the right place. It's a liner lock, but closes with a much more finger-friendly lock. If it wasn't so rare and beautiful, I'd certainly carry it.
Automatic knives are the <expensive> potato chips of the knife world; you can't have just one. Like potato chips, they're of limited usefulness, due to their unhealthy features, but if you get the habit, that won't stop you from excessive consumption.
AT least, that's obviously been my experience with them. Thanks for indulging my ramble.
