Assisted Openers? Dislike? Why?

hardheart said:
solution to a problem that doesn't exist, and just creates more potential problems
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This horse has been beat to death. Many of you don't have a need for AO. But when some old timers come in here and tell how their dexterity has been declining and the AO makes a one handed opener possible, it shows there's w use for it.
What's a waste to you may be a saving grace for someone else.
 
wave, auto where legal (like Cali), flippers, tang w/tail (like friction folders), use two hands, carry a fixed blade.
 
The OP asked a question, and I don't see any reason not to answer it.

I have cut myself on numerous occasions, I can't seem to train my thumb to push the thumb stud, to start the assist, but stop before it continues onto the edge.

Also, like has been said before, I really don't feel like anything is missing with a standard folder, and I prefer Spyderco.

I guess this issue is like manual versus automatic transmissions... Automatics are easier, but I don't like I missing anything, driving my manual.

Marion
 
hardheart said:
solution to a problem that doesn't exist, and just creates more potential problems
Click to expand...
Very nicely put! :cool:
I honestly can't see any practical reason to have the system on a pocketknife, if it's a one hand opener and closer. Besides, like many said, it has more parts so there is a possibility of something going wrong - I'm a BIG fan of the KISS principle.
 
I like it. I have no problems overcoming the tension when closing the knife. I can open and close a blur faster than all manuals out there, cept maybe axis/hawk locks.

If needed, I can also open it by catching the thumbstud on a pocket or hitting the flipper on my knee. This could have a real world use... but I dunno.
 
They offer no added utility over any single hand opener but they do add some complexity that can increase the chances for failure. That's why I don't buy them. "Coolness" is not a factor me at all. I don't use autos either because I consider them either dangerous without a safety or fussy and hard to open with one. I guess I feel about the same as Knarfeng about it. Features are fine if they provide some meaningful utility to the product. Assisted opening provides no utility, only "coolness."
 
Like most everyone else I jumped on the early AOs but once the "cool" factor wears off I have little use for them. Have no real dislike but don't see that opening speed is important; most of the knives I have can be opened as fast as any of the AO's I own; my Dejavoo and Ritter Griptillian for instances.
 
I don't own any, but have handled a few. The problem I've had is that I initiate opening the blade with the stud as normal, then the blade jumps away from my thumb, and finally my thumb catches back up... with the cutting edge. I'm sure that changes quickly with use, but it's kind of disconcerting.

The A/O I really like is the ZT 030x. The fact that it has a flipper, and the balance between the spring tension and blade mass seems to work very well. The blade deploys very easily and positively, but without too much 'thwak', like you get with tightly-sprung sidewinder auto's. I think the A/O deployment is more appropriate for real-world civilian use, where you're not necessarily trying to clear the zip code when you go to cut some string.
 
Seems to me the only advantage of an AO is when it's carried
tip-up with a pocket clip. Since I don't use the pocket clip
it doesn't matter much to me.
 
A_Blade_Afficionado said:
This horse has been beat to death. Many of you don't have a need for AO. But when some old timers come in here and tell how their dexterity has been declining and the AO makes a one handed opener possible, it shows there's w use for it.
What's a waste to you may be a saving grace for someone else.
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Thanks for all the comments. I can see your points. But I agree with Afficionado. For some it is needed, hence why they make them. But just because you don't have a need, does not mean anyone else does not.

Now the reason I like them. I have short fingers. And with most OH openers I can not smoothly open them. Ones with a hole in the balde instead of a thumb stud I really struggle with. Sometimes I need to do a 2 stage open because my thumb is not long enough to push it totally open. I do not like opening the AO with the thumb stud. I like using the tang on the back. I use my index finger to push on that and "woop", it is open. Solves my problem. But I do understand your comments and I thank you for sharing them with me.

Have a great day and enjoy using whatever knife you love.
 
AO usually adds cost and weight (though some people like the added weight). One-hand opening makes a lot of practical sense. Smooth, consistent opening makes a lot of practical sense. AO adds complexity, but is wickedly fun. For users with impairments of hand mobility, AO can be the best (sometimes the only) way to obtain easy, smooth opening.

As always, it is not about the knife, it is about the user and how, when, where, and why he or she will use the knife. Don't pick the knife and then try to adapt to it. Think about yourself, the user, and then pick the knife best adapted to you.
 
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CountyRat said:
As always, it is not about the knife, it is about the user and how, when, where, and why he or she will use the knife. Don't pick the knife and then try to adapt to it. Think about yourself, the user, and then pick the knife best adapted to you.
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Wiser words have not been said before. :thumbup:
 
I prefer the blade opening to be under my control instead of relying on springs, torsion bars and whatnot. Don't care for flippers either.
 
Knife Outlet said:
They offer no added utility over any single hand opener but they do add some complexity that can increase the chances for failure. That's why I don't buy them. "Coolness" is not a factor me at all. I don't use autos either because I consider them either dangerous without a safety or fussy and hard to open with one. I guess I feel about the same as Knarfeng about it. Features are fine if they provide some meaningful utility to the product. Assisted opening provides no utility, only "coolness."
Click to expand...

hardheart said:
solution to a problem that doesn't exist, and just creates more potential problems
Click to expand...

Pretty much sums it up for me also.

I see no need for it.
 
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