What Is The Function Of An Automatic Or Assisted Opening Knife. What Purpose Does It Serve.

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Night Rider said:
But what do I gain from having one? Is having an auto opener or an assistant opener a necessity or an aesthetic?

I want to be really clear if somebody else wants an auto opener or an assisted opener great. I have no problem with that.

I just don't see what I'm gaining from having one. I had a CRKT igniter assisted opener and it was more of a pain in the ass then it was worth.

I like the Benchmade Freak but I could never bring myself to buy one (Assuming SWMBO we'll even authorize the purchase) because I just couldn't come up with a single application in my life where an assisted opener would be necessary. Cool to have? Sure but not necessary.

I'm not trying to criticize other people's choice of an assisted opener or an auto opener.

I started this discussion hoping that somebody could explain to me what makes an assisted opener or an auto opener necessary.


I know this is going to sound insulting before I say it but that's not my intent. One thing I noticed is it nobody that's responded to this discussion has been able to say well my assistant opener or my auto opener was useful for this specific function and that's why I bought it.
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I don't know what your occupation is but I'm a maintenance worker at a factory. I have the Buck 110 auto. Many times I've had to cut something while my other hand is occupied holding. An assisted opener or an auto is great for that. Especially if you're up in the on a ladder or scissor lift. Frequently, for me, a one handed opener is invaluable.
 
KevininPa said:
I don't know what your occupation is but I'm a maintenance worker at a factory. I have the Buck 110 auto. Many times I've had to cut something while my other hand is occupied holding. An assisted opener or an auto is great for that. Especially if you're up in the on a ladder or scissor lift. Frequently, for me, a one handed opener is invaluable.
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I'm retired.

I don't have any objection to an AUTO opener I just wasn't sure actual assisted opener would be worth the extra cost for me.
 
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I don't want anybody that reads this discussion to think that I somehow "look down" on assisted openers or switchblades.

The most frequent time that I see them is somebody using one for a fidget toy. I think that's where the idea about one more moving part to break got into my brain.

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This is today's knife. A buck 110 Slim Select. It's actually one of my favorite knives.

I can already open it with one hand and I just don't see how it would make my life immeasurably better if it was an assisted opener.

I owned a CRKT ignitor T for several years and the assisted opening feature on that was a massive pain in the ass.

I really wanted a Benchmade Freek

FB_IMG_1694450609692.jpg
^Stock Photo^

But I wanted it because I like the knife not because it was an assisted opener.

I guess ultimately I see that assisted opening mechanism as the weak point of the knife.

I started this discussion because I was looking for more information to overcome that perception.

Before I say what I'm about to say I have to tell you that I think that an auto opening Buck 110 is an abomination against nature and I am absolutely convinced that Hoyt Buck is rolling over in his grave right now

Having said that I don't necessarily dislike assisted opening or automatic knives. I don't disparage people that own them. And I hope that nobody took my question as intended to be insulting towards people who purchase and carry Assisted Opening knives.

I'm just trying to figure out if or why  I would want one.

I'm not in the market for one. I'm not asking you guys to convince me. I was just trying to see what your thought processes were when you bought one.

Whatever your assisted opening knife is would you have bought that same knife if it wasn't assisted?

Was the assisted opening feature the make or break feature that caused you to buy the knife?
 
hso said:
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Large Dessert Warrior Kalashnikov Dagger Auto - Donut

Once upon a time, our buyers contacted Boker and ordered some Kalashnikov "Desert Warrior" knives. Somewhere along the chain of communication, the spelling got an extra "s" and ended up on the desk of a designer. The result: The Dessert Warrior. And you know what? Were not complaining!Have you...
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Enabler :)

Dang, US$200 for a used Boker? Ok, that's an AUS8 blade . . . dang it . . . I know that my thinking is no good for the ball club :)
 
The purpose is to deploy the blade faster.
This could be convenient In ordinarily situations and possibly an edge in defensive situations.
The most important thing is that it just looks cool!
 
One type that I find interesting are the OTF autos. The way those mechanisms release, the torque doesn't cause them to be shifted in your hand. OTOH the release and retraction is like a double action pull. Takes very deliberate and some a very firm actuation which for aging tired-aching hands is a no-go. One would also hate to have a situation where the blade cannot be retracted. IDK if these are really practical tools in the field or dirty environments.

The spring tension that opens autos and the assisted variants is another that has to be overcome to close. Manual openers are easy to close once the lock is released. The guys will hold the button on autos and close the blade on their hip, leg, etc. I don't like that as a slip can result in a fairly severe cut.

The local knife shop does get a variety of assisted and autos that come in for "adjustments". That applies to any mechanical device that allows for a moving part. In time it will need service. Disassembly of most knives is not hard for those with some mechanical aptitude.
 
I worked construction for forty years. I started out in 1980 with a big Schrade+ Uncle Henry-style folder, but I discovered there were several instances where I needed to open and close one-handed. I quickly moved on to knives I could open and close easily for general pocket duty and started using utility knives for stripping big wire.

I bought my first auto, a thick S&W-branded one, for $25 at a gun show, but only for non-work use because I insisted on heavy duty knives for work. I bought it only because it was a cheap thrill to own such a widely decried evil object. After the thrill, I went with slimmer flippers for pocket carry because they are so simple to open. The last iteration of EDC knife is a sleek US-made Kershaw auto. I have a Buck Paradigm Shift 3" auto on order because it's unique. Because I've always been a dull, shy, totally a guy from squaresville, I still think auto knives are Rebel Without a Cause cool.

IMO, in terms of strict necessity in most general situations, a quality knife that one can open and close with minimum complexity with one hand supercedes the usefulness of any two-handed folder. A decent auto is pretty much the same, only in red shoes with 4" heels.
 
My Son gifted me a Kershaw 1670 and it's just the handiest pocket knife I've ever had. I use it at least a couple of times a day with the one handed flip open design. I never really thought of it as a defense weapon but it surely would come in handy as a last resort.
 
As @hso said aside from being a bit easier to open they help to make sure the lock is engaged.
As to the downfalls IMHO it's much to do about nothing most don't really add any "extra" parts they use the same spring that hold the blade closed to assist opening via a cam on the back of the blade and they don't really cost much more. Especially considering how much I use one and how long they last.
 
Auto opener, assisted opener, manual...whatever. I just miss a decent carbon steel blade that takes and edge and holds it well.

I can't stand stainless blades. And coming from an era where EVERY pocket knife used to have a carbon steel blade, I kinda resent having to pay extra to get a quality blade that should be standard in the first place. Heck, decent pocket knives used to be things companies gave away. Somewhere I'm sure I've got on old Purina pocket knife.

I do have a couple thumb opening knives somewhere that are OK. I haven't carried them in a while, favoring some ceramic (manual) pocket knives which work fantastic for most everything I need a knife for. I used to have a thumb opening ceramic knife, but eventually broke the blade and then found out they don't make that one any more.
 
Night Rider said:
Is this a frequent occurrence in your life?
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You'd hope not, but once would be more than enough. Fire extinguishers, blowout kits, etc. use aren't frequent occurrences, but that one time you need them you really need them. That said, a one hand opener will do in such a case of inappropriate gravity orientation. ;)
 
My first "switchblade" was a paratroop knife, Camillus if I recall correctly, in bright orange nylon. Punching the unguarded button deployed a hook shaped blade used for cutting chute shrouds, which were made of tough 550 cord. The Germans applied the gravity knife, the fallschirmjager, for such duty. Most of us won't have to cut ourselves out of a harness or seatbelt whilst suspended from it, but I suspect that anything that facilitated that process would be welcome.
 
Just FYI ya can open a knife one handed without a thumb stud been doing it with my Buck 110 since the late 70s. If you don't want to spend money for easier don't, but that doesn't make it not easier just more expensive lol.
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mavracer said:
Just FYI ya can open a knife one handed without a thumb stud been doing it with my Buck 110 since the late 70s. If you don't want to spend money for easier don't, but that doesn't make it not easier just more expensive lol.
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I'll be impressed when you close a 110 one-handed.....
 
OK, you did it! Your finger is in a position I wouldn't consider safe but if it saves a few shekels, why not?
 
Mav,

Both of those techniques are unsafe. While I can do them, I won't and won't show others how to do them. I've seen to many people cut doing it.
 
My current is a Benchmade 950 Osborne (not auto). I like the stud (although in my work uniform pants it sometimes engages and partially opens when being taken out) and the sliding lock. Both offer very fast opening.

As far as opening other knives without holes (spyderco) or studs; my method is to pinch the blade (thumb, forefinger and middle finger) and give it a downward snap to open. It uses the handle weight to open.
 
hso said:
Mav,

Both of those techniques are unsafe. While I can do them, I won't and won't show others how to do them. I've seen to many people cut doing it.
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Handling a sharp knife is unsafe for many. Daughter just sent me a video of guy stabbing himself with a OTF at the knife counter of a store.
My opening technique is no more unsafe than using a thumb stud.
As for my finger being in the path of the blade on closing, there's a bit of illusion in the picture the knife is pointed down enough, the blade won't defy gravity.
 
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