Advice on Assisted Openers

tim8557

tim8557

Joined
Nov 13, 2004
Messages
878
I recently purchased a Ken Onion Scallion (I thinkits the Scallion, possibly the Chive). Anyway, it has the speed assist opening system that really impresses me. I also like its slim flat handle.

What other manufacturers offer folders with some sort of assisted opening function?
 
Buck has the Rush and the Tempest which are assisted openers. Then there's SOG's assisted openers like the Flash, Trident, Blink, and Twitch. You also have the Camillus Dominator, Heat and Aftermath. From Meyerco comes the Speedster and some other assorted pieces of s*!t that don't even deserve mention. Then there's the Benchmade Apparition with it's removable tension bar which can be converted from an assisted opener to a manual opener without having to take the knife apart. If I had to rate the best from a personal preference, I'd say the Benchmade Apparition comes first (because of the ability to convert from assited to manual and back). The Camillus Robo-Power models would come in at a close second. Third, the Kershaw models. Fourth would probably be a tie between the SOG and Buck Models. As far as Meyerco's assisted openers, I wouldn't even give them a second look. United Cutlery has also jumped on the assisted opening bandwagon, but I haven't seen any of them in person to comment on.
 
I own and handled many of the A/O that SUPERCHUNK listed. I found kershaw to be the best imo. Fast and solid. I found the kershaws easy to take apart and put back together. I also like the action on the camillus heat and its baby brother sizzler. The dominator and aftermath are great knives but $$$$. Combat elite RRF A/O also is $$$$. CRKT is coming out with 2 A/O
The wild weasle and voodoo, just seen pictures of them and made in USA.
I didn"t care for the sog models too much. The ones I have had slow action
and blade play. Colt models I liked. Buck needs some improvement. Meyerco
don't waste you money. Browning and harley davidson look to be the same knife, the harley's nicer. I think that pretty much covers it.
 
Cosmic Superchunk said:
Then there's the Benchmade Apparition with it's removable tension bar which can be converted from an assisted opener to a manual opener without having to take the knife apart.
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This is interesting. "Assisted openers" are, (sometimes), declared to be "automatic" knives by Oz customs which makes importing them somewhat problematic.

I'm wondering if you can order these particular knives in their manual form and get the appropriate part as a separate item and do the conversion in the comfort and privacy of my own home.
 
Most of the M16 series has the flipper, if you consider that AO, and those things are FAST - can't even compare to opening with a thumbstud (at least for me)! I LOVE the flippers, like on the Kerhsaw Onion BOA. Don't know why every manual knife doesn't have them!
 
You can also convert the Camillus Heat from assist to manual in less than a minute. It comes with the tool (small hex) to do it. For $50 or less its a good value. It's a Darrell Ralph design -- his designs are excellent.
 
I have to chime in for Kershaw. I own at least one of all the 440A and 420HC models, and I also have a Blackout (which is also 440A). I don't have any of the higher end one, though I would really love to see an un-coated version of the Leek with better steel.

The Kershaws are plenty fast. They are very elegantly designed such that the flippers don't throw off the "conventional knife" feel. Some of the SOGs with flippers look pretty ugly (IMHO). I also don't find them to be as snappy.

Kershaw also has GREAT customer service. You could probobly build a whole knife just by calling and asking for parts.
 
I just got the Camillus Blaze. Currently exchanging it for the bigger Heat. The Blaze was very smooth (Bronze Washers) and opened with more Ooomph than my Dominator. I've heard nothing but good stuff about the Heat. Check it out here: www.camillusknives.com . :)
 
slice&dice said:
I own and handled many of the A/O that SUPERCHUNK listed. I found kershaw to be the best imo. Fast and solid.
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Thanks for the infos. I only have a Kershaw Chive and I already replaced three springs (torsion bars) on it :( I love the Chive, the knife is great and Kershaw's customer service rocks, but I seldom use the knife now because of that spring issue. :(
It the other ones are worse than Kershaw, than I really shouldn't bother getting them :(
 
dialex said:
Thanks for the infos. I only have a Kershaw Chive and I already replaced three springs (torsion bars) on it :( I love the Chive, the knife is great and Kershaw's customer service rocks, but I seldom use the knife now because of that spring issue. :(
If the other ones are worse than Kershaw, than I really shouldn't bother getting them :(
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Dialex, Kershaw's service is very good and they will replace the torsion bars for you if they break. But, since that seems to be the issue, you shouldn't worry about anything breaking on Camillus' assisted openers or the Benchmade Apparition.
 
As usual, members of this forum are just a wealth of information. I appreciate members taking the time to respond to my inquiry about assisted openers.

After looking at the BM Apparition on line, I think that may be the way I go. Its a beautiful knife and the other BM's I own (just a Grip and a Mini Grip in D2) are so very well made.

I also like the price on the Camillus product which is about half of the BM.

Thanks again to all for your responses.

Tim
 
tim8557 said:
After looking at the BM Apparition on line, I think that may be the way I go. Its a beautiful knife and the other BM's I own (just a Grip and a Mini Grip in D2) are so very well made.


Tim
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I'm also impressed with the look of the Apparition. I'd like to get one but I'm a bit concerned about it getting through customs. I'll have to ask the seller if they can put it in non assisted mode or something for the trip over.
 
gajinoz said:
I'm also impressed with the look of the Apparition. I'd like to get one but I'm a bit concerned about it getting through customs. I'll have to ask the seller if they can put it in non assisted mode or something for the trip over.
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That's a good idea. Do you plan to buy from a dealer in the States?
 
Cosmic Superchunk said:
That's a good idea. Do you plan to buy from a dealer in the States?
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That's about my only option. I'll probably get it from NGK if/when they get some. The guys there will, I'm sure, do what they can to give it the best chance of getting through.
 
Cosmic Superchunk said:
The tension bar is easy to remove and the Apparition comes with the necessary hex wrench to remove it. Just remember not to loose the small setscrew.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=329986&highlight=Apparition
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First up: Excellent review and pics. Thanks for that. Almost as good as seeing it in the flesh.

Unfortunately it's not for me. As you say in your review, it's definitely a right handed knife and not for the superior left handed set like me. :D

Maybe they'll bring out a left hand version one day.
 
gajinoz said:
Unfortunately it's not for me. As you say in your review, it's definitely a right handed knife and not for the superior left handed set like me.
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You crazy Southpaws! :D I suppose if there's enough of a demand for a leftie version it may be possible. What would be great is an assisted opening Axis lock knife. ;)
 
Cosmic Superchunk said:
You crazy Southpaws! :D I suppose if there's enough of a demand for a leftie version it may be possible. What would be great is an assisted opening Axis lock knife. ;)
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Yes, dual thumbstuds and an axis lock and you've got a pretty nice "universal" knife.
 
The Camillus Heat, sizzler and the tanto model swing both ways.
I mean right and left handed. :eek:
see pictures
 
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