Posted on 07/22/2019 5:03:33 AM PDT by w1n1
Tacti-cool May Not Be Practical - Every once and awhile, I get asked by friends of mine whether or not automatic knives are good for EDC use. Honestly, at first I wasn’t sure, as I had never owned one. I was never a big fan of the designs, and heard way too many stories about the blades deploying in someone’s pockets, stabbing their legs.
Whether or not the stories were true, the possibility of getting poked in your manhood by your own blade is totally possible with many of the knife designs that are available. There are many knife makers that have automatic knife designs; many of them are the more popular (and expensive) knife makers. Before you read on to see whether or not autos are good for EDC, I would recommend reading about the history of the design and their relationship to what's commonly called a switchblade.
While functionally similar, the two designs share slight but important differences. A switchblade opens its blade from the handle automatically with the press of a button, lever, or switch that is remotely mounted in the knife handle or bolster. In contrast, a spring-assist design uses a lever or switch mounted on the blade or connected via a direct mechanical linkage.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF CARRYING AN AUTOMATIC KNIFE?
It is debatable, but generally speaking, automatics (being spring loaded) have a slightly faster deployment than an assisted opening knife. Other than that, I cannot think of anything else that would be considered a real benefit. To me there is not much of a difference between pressing a button and thumbing a stud on the blade. Read the rest of automatic knives.
Well, yeah.
If you're a freakin' moron.
Sheesh!...some of the stupidity that emanates from some of these so-called "experts"!
Just like the asinine argument over appendix carry for guns..."you'll shoot your balls off, kid".
Anything for a journalistic buck.
Live in the real world for a while, idiot.
I carry a H&K OTF by Benchmade.
Quick, easy, not too heavy.
I carry a leatherman tool. It is carried as a tool. But I carried it with a sharpened main blade up and could flick it open as it came out of the sheath. … for pealing an apple or for protection if needed.
In other words, about average for 'Am Shooting Journal'.
I dunno. I carried one, prolly of questionable quality, when I was a lot younger. The damn thing would open in my pocket cause the lock would slide off and my jeans would push the button.
Didn’t stab my leg or doo-dads, but it could be tough the next time I reached in that pocket. d;^)
Kalashnikov 74 by Boker. In expensive, durable. I’ve had mine for about three years now. Carried everyday and never once opened in my pocket. Pretty good deal...
And therein lies the problem.
Most modern, quality autos have a safety on them of some sort.
There are so many out there, now, that yeah, there are probably more than a few that could stab your leg.
But recognizing the drawbacks of an inferior piece of equipment is one the first steps toward using such equipment safely.
I have carried a bench made mini reflex for about 16 years. 12 of those as a volunteer firefighter. Also was a heeler for many years. When your thumb is between the rope and the saddle horn, a fast deployed knife that’s sharp is pretty handy. Blade locks tight with no movement. When the knife is clipped in your front pocket, the blade is facing to the back of the pocket. Don’t see how is could open. There is also a lock if you need it. Benchmade makes quality knives.
My EDC is also a Benchmade. A folding Karambit. Very nicely made and deploys very fast.
I carry the same model.
I had a Leatherman blade break off at the base with very little force applied...removing a dandelion.
I have a few, just for show. I carried a Boker Magnum, for awhile. Screws would back out and get lost.
I carry a Boker Magnum pocket knife for everyday stuff (stripping wire, cutting boxes, etc.)
I carry a Gerber steel for foods, i.e., cutting meat, corn, etc.
And a Kershaw Cryo for when I just want to display an intimidating spring assisted knife.
A distant relative of mine (a teen) had a fixed-blade hunting knife of good quality - but in a cheap sheath. He sat down - the knife somehow got jammed against the seat, sliced through the sheath, and his main artery in his inner thigh. He bled out quickly.
I don’t usually carry a fixed blade, but when I do the sheath has rivets in it.
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