Assisted opening knives

[CWL]

I'm surprised that this discussion has gone this far and nobody has chimed in about Benchmade's fine line of assisted-opening knives such as the axis lock. Some of the earliest designs and still some of the best.

 

[Bobo]

I have a Gerber FastDraw assisted opener I got at WalMart for about $45.
http://www.gerberstore.com/index.php?xpage=itempage&xid=711

One of the main reasons I got it is it has a great blade lock. It's hard to see in this photo, but it's a sliding button that automatically slides backward and locks into the blade when the blade flips open. To close the blade you must slide the button forward as you close the blade. It is very strong and rigid. It would be almost impossible for the blade close on your fingers. I had this happen with a liner lock - it wasn't pretty!

 

[Pax Jordana]

I have two kershaws, a blur and a leek (yay walmart). I'd recommend either.

I got my buddy a one of those hip Gerber F.A.S.T. knives, which didn't fit my fat thumbs, but he's a bit leaner than I, and he's thrilled with it.

RyanM,

They're a definite gray area here in PA.

If all else fails, there's an interesting case on the books here that specifically defines a knife with a manual 'safety' (i.e. the Leek) as not being an auto.

Though, I think the spring assist is manual myself, and I'm hoping to live out my life without having to consult a jury about it.

Edit: I oughta cite myself for clarity.

Where opening knife required lock to be released, and
once lock was released blade could be exposed by flip of
wrist, knife did not have blade which could be "exposed in
an automatic way"

-from http://pweb.netcom.com/~brlevine/pa.txt

 

[hso]

Assisted openers and autos are worthless if the spring fails.

I would agree that an auto with a broken spring is about useless (unless it is a double action with a thumb stud), but keep in mind that most, if not all, assisted opening knives have a manual opening stud that would allow you to open the knife as if it were a standard manual opener.