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.
A knife requires far more skill and training than a pistol.
Price on Amazon: $10K.
That’s a fine rule. My sainted Granddad told me “A man should always have a knife in his pocket.” I was 12 and he said it as he was giving me his old Schrade folder.
It’s been retired to a place of honor in our home but I still have it along with the Schrade Old Timer that still lives in my tackle box.
L
A bargain. You can’t afford not to have this, for what it can do.
Accidents happen.
They are inevitable...but usually preventable.
I pride myself on knowing the orientation of my pistol and my folder on my person at all times.
One of the reasons that I do not carry a sheath knife is just as you stated.
I've had it happen.
I have nothing against sheath knifes, got quite a few of them, but there is nothing a sheath knife can do that a current manufactured folder of good quality cannot do, also.
My sheath knives usually reside in my go-bag.
A list like this that does not contain a Benchmade auto knife is pure bunk, IMHO. I carry the Pagan and I love it. There is zero chance it will open by itself. This author is making a silly argument.
I have carried a knife in my pocket constantly since I was 6.
My first one was a Queen steel.
For some reason, the idea of a close quarters knife fight scares me. I think if someone pulled a knife on me, I would try my darnedest to just get away.
I think I have some deep seated fear of knives in the hands of scary people.
I have a fairly large collection of knives, like them and they are really useful tools.
A few months ago, I was planning on a trip to Cabela's for another Benchmade Bushcrafter.
Then I found out that Benchmade donates money to far-left Democrats. Their rationale was one of pragmatism; that it's part of doing business in a blue state, that some of the Oregon dems support relaxed knife laws.
Except for their donations to leftist kooks in other states, like Loretta Sanchez.
I have several Kershaw Ken Onion designed knives and they are excellent.
I carry a stainless handled one with a Damascus steel blade when we go out on the town. It’s fancy.
Excellent quality and very easy to open/close.
I understand that every company has to donate to legislators I don't necessarily agree with because it's the cost of doing business. Benchmade is no different.
I'm a big fan of Kershaw...up to and including my Camp 10...
My automatic knife is a Glock 43. It barks over here and bites over there. I am to damn old to get in a knife fight. :)
Heck I’m a fisherman. I use my leatherman to cut through flesh and bone on fish. Same unit for 10 years. Never wore or broke Lost the last one to a thief who thought leaving it on top of my tackle box was an invitation. A dispenser of sorts. Had that one for 15-20 years. You sure you didn’t have a knockoff??
I was gifted a Buck Folder recently. Nice knife. I’ll carry next time I’m not wearing hot weather elastic waist shorts. I do wear an ultralight utility vest. But too light for that knife AND my LC9.
I bought a used Leatherman at a pawn shop for what seemed like a great price. When I got home and began to play with it, I realized one of the blades was broken.
Still worth what I paid.
I went to a flea market back in the 70s and bought a bunch of broken Craftsman sockets for small change. Went to sears with them and they replaced them with new. Not anymore. The quality has gone downhill. They’ll still replace them though.
Absolutely sure. First model. Not sure where it is, but you inspired me to go look for the broken blade. I knew right where it was. Bought their SuperTool 300 some years back. I’m sure that they’d warranty the thing, but they seem to think that putting the new blade in requires that I send it to them. Not worth the hassle.
I knew a guy that bought a Lincoln Continental for $50. He found a Leatherman under the seat, so, free car.
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