I have to admit that my fondness for automatic knives at least partially stems from my youth. Growing up, autos weren’t legal where I lived, so it was rare to see one in person. At best, you might run across someone’s older brother who had picked one up cheap from Mexico or some such. It was dull as a spoon, and the action was slow, but you still pined for it.
Times have changed, and automatic knives are now legal in most parts of the United States. There are still some restrictions here and there as to blade length and other aspects. By and large, though, the days of hiding your switchblade from Johnny Law are gone.
But is an automatic knife right for you? Let’s run through the pros and cons.
Pro: Automatic Knives are Fast
If speed is a factor when it comes to knife selection, automatic knives score highly. There is no fumbling around trying to flick the blade open with your thumb or index finger. Push a switch or button, and the blade deploys in the blink of an eye. At least, that’s what is supposed to happen.
Con: Automatic Knives Can Fail
If you don’t properly maintain your knife, which includes cleaning the inner workings, you might be surprised when nothing happens after hitting the switch. Pocket lint, dirt, and other debris can work their way inside and foul the mechanism. The cleaning procedure differs by model and construction. But most often, the application of canned air will clear up many issues.
Pro: Automatic Knives are Convenient
If you’re in the middle of a project, being able to deploy your blade with one hand can be very convenient. Sometimes, you just don’t have both hands free. You can easily hit the switch and cut what needs to be cut while you’re holding parts together with the other hand. If you have an out-the-front (OTF) model, you can also close the knife via the switch.
Con: Automatic Knives Are Expensive
Ounce for ounce, an automatic knife is going to have a higher price tag than a manual knife that’s similar in size and features. This stands to reason, as manufacturing one is going to be more involved than building a flipper or slip joint folding knife. But if you shop around, you might find a good sale price on something that’s definitely worth the price of admission.
Two Favorite Automatic Knives
I own several autos that I’ve picked up over the course of the last decade or so. If I had to pick two, they would be the Kershaw Livewire and the Buck 110 Auto.
The Kershaw Livewire is the first OTF I’ve had, and it’s a lot of fun. The knife is well-made and comfortable to hold and use. The blade snaps into position fast and cycles back into the handle just as quickly.
The Buck 110 Auto is sort of nostalgic for me. I’ve owned and carried a traditional 110 for ages. Like many other knife nuts, it was one of my first blades. As a kid, I’d heard rumors about 110s that had been modified into automatics. But I never actually saw one. So, when Buck came out with the real deal, I had to get one. And I’ve never regretted that decision.
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