Assisted Opening knives... Where's Spyderco?

J.B said:
I´m not old enough to need assistance in opening my folders. By the way, obviously neither is Paul (The Deacon). :D

More seriously said, an AO assures opening of a flipped blade. So it seems to me a little like a cure for a self created problem. A Flipper works best with an AO and limits the lock option to liner lock (except for the pass-through lockbar from SOG). For my liking that narrows down the options too much.

JB
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SOG's pass-through lockbar seems like the way to go if you want "Back lock" security. I can open and close my Twitch 2 one handed easy enough. I'm soon to go "Dr. Frankenstein" here and go into my laboratory and build my very own "Spyderco Modified Opening Assisted Knife".... Hey! "S.M.O.A.K." Kinda' like that... "smoke"... I CALLED IT! Name is mine!:D:p:p
 
I like a knife that is easy to open and close with one hand. Spydercos achieve the easy opening just fine without AO. If they added AO, it would making closing the knife more difficult.

I also dislike the feel of an AO knife jumping in my hand when the spring engages. It seems to sort of "unseat" the knife in my hand. I find myself having to shift the knife in my hand before using it.
 
jag-engr said:
I like a knife that is easy to open and close with one hand. Spydercos achieve the easy opening just fine without AO. If they added AO, it would making closing the knife more difficult.

I also dislike the feel of an AO knife jumping in my hand when the spring engages. It seems to sort of "unseat" the knife in my hand. I find myself having to shift the knife in my hand before using it.
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I only find that a problem with the larger AO's. The small ones (blade less than 2-2.5 inch), seem to work fine for me.
 
one problem I have, or had with a one assisted opener I have owned, is that it seems, that it would condition you away from a full swing to open position. If you carry it for awhile and get used to a short nudge to open the blade. When using a regular non-assisted opening, this may cause you cannot fully engage the knife.
 
No offense to those who take them seriously but, to me, the AO is a fun toy with little practical need. I bought a ProTech Ciabatta to have one to play with. It's fiddlier than most with its gravity lock, but is still kewl and has the same kick as a full auto ProTech (uses the same coil spring!). The main advantage is that it's a snappy ProTech I can legally carry!

With that all being said, though, if I feel I may need a serious quick access blade on me I normally clip on my Endura Wave. In fact when I carry the Ciabatta it's in a nylon belt pouch and my E4W is clipped in my pocket ready for when I'm attacked by a Subway 1 footer that needs to be cut down to size. Wouldn't want any condiments or other goo getting into the AO mechanisms!
 
GronK said:
With that all being said, though, if I feel I may need a serious quick access blade on me I normally clip on my Endura Wave. In fact when I carry the Ciabatta it's in a nylon belt pouch and my E4W is clipped in my pocket ready for when I'm attacked by a Subway 1 footer that needs to be cut down to size. Wouldn't want any condiments or other goo getting into the AO mechanisms!
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Ahhhh... here's where I was coming at this from a different perspective I see.... I'm looking at my knives as utility tools as opposed to a self defense weapons... If I needed my knife it that regard, I'd re-think the whole AO issue. When it comes to a self defense weapon... I have a concealed Glock for that. If I'm out... it's ready and it's with me (fortunately, my State allows CCW almost every where.:thumbup:) As for a Razor Sharp tool for self defense, might I suggest a VERY sharp spade carried "blade-up"? (I've never seen a school or bank that wouldn't let you carry one in if you "have a limp".:D). Makes a nice "walking stick".
 
This has been brought up before. I have ZERO use for assisted openers, and have said so before. OTOH, I am glad Ken Onion made money. That is free enterprise.
 
Oh, i just thought of another reason i dont like AO. This may only relate to the W&S guys, but you cant baton with the knife partly disengaged. its either open or close, no inbetween.
 
I don't see a need for more assisted openers, but I don't think it's a fad either. I think they won't be made illegal, because the original switchblade laws were aimed at "thugs" and the weapons of choice for poor immigrants(same as with brass knuckles); respectable people had guns.:rolleyes:
Now we seem to be mostly past the stupid quasi-racist laws regarding knives(mostly), so I think the AO's are here to stay.
The switchblades will remain illegal most places, but no one will care because they will have their AO's, and the the legislators won't have to admit they were wrong in the past by repealing a law. Win-win stuation all around.
But I don't see a need for a Spyderco AO right now; the wave gets it out quicker if that's what you want, and the hole works great for normal and quick opening pretty much.
Those AO's ARE addictive to flip open though; cool toys, that's for sure.
 
stabman said:
I don't see a need for more assisted openers, but I don't think it's a fad either. I think they won't be made illegal, because the original switchblade laws were aimed at "thugs" and the weapons of choice for poor immigrants(same as with brass knuckles); respectable people had guns.:rolleyes:
Now we seem to be mostly past the stupid quasi-racist laws regarding knives(mostly), so I think the AO's are here to stay.
The switchblades will remain illegal most places, but no one will care because they will have their AO's, and the the legislators won't have to admit they were wrong in the past by repealing a law. Win-win stuation all around.
But I don't see a need for a Spyderco AO right now; the wave gets it out quicker if that's what you want, and the hole works great for normal and quick opening pretty much.
Those AO's ARE addictive to flip open though; cool toys, that's for sure.
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I have to admit... my hand can't stop playing with a small AO. Much like a balisong... if it's in your hand... your flippin' it (but of course in my case when using a balisong, I'm "flippin' it, floppin' it, spinnin' it, flippin' it, floppin' it, lickin' the blood, spinnin' it, flippin' it, lickin' blood, floppin' it, lickin' blood... etc. etc.):D
 
timcsaw said:
Ahhhh... here's where I was coming at this from a different perspective I see.... I'm looking at my knives as utility tools as opposed to a self defense weapons... If I needed my knife it that regard, I'd re-think the whole AO issue. When it comes to a self defense weapon... I have a concealed Glock for that. If I'm out... it's ready and it's with me (fortunately, my State allows CCW almost every where.:thumbup:) As for a Razor Sharp tool for self defense, might I suggest a VERY sharp spade carried "blade-up"? (I've never seen a school or bank that wouldn't let you carry one in if you "have a limp".:D). Makes a nice "walking stick".
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Well, the Subway shops around here wouldn't take too kindly to cutting up a sandwich with a spade and a Glock is right out of the question. You see, the "Subway 1 footer" I referred to was a sandwich, not a crippled mad man on the underground.
 
GronK said:
Well, the Subway shops around here wouldn't take too kindly to cutting up a sandwich with a spade and a Glock is right out of the question. You see, the "Subway 1 footer" I referred to was a sandwich, not a crippled mad man on the underground.
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I would use a very sharp "flat blade" shovel for a Subway sammy,,, then you can get it in one "whack" and it's a nice clean cut. And you are right about the Glock... pulverizes to much bread.:D
 
It's a good discussion. If we decide it's time, and we have capacity in the Golden plant, and we're sure there won't be a legal issue, it's always possible.

We thought we understood the laws with our bali's, only to find out they didn't care.

If we decide to do it, we'll give Thomas a call and set things up.


Thomas W said:
I'm unsure of the time necessary for an idea, feature or product to pass by the fad or gimmick/novelty stage, but we are in year 11 now with AO’s, and they are stronger than ever.

Fad...I think AO's have long past that.
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Hi Thomas,

thanx for chimin' in. I didn't mean "Fad" in a bad way. Many still consider one handers and clips a "fad" and we're going on 26 years.

I meant "fad" in the sense that everyone is jumping on the bandwagon.

Perhaps you haven't noticed, but there are a few out there that are chasing that market to "get their share".

We've always considered the AO's to be Kershaw's thing. We did our own thing. That's why if we decide to make an AO, we'll use Ken Onion's mechanism and pay the royalty to Kershaw.

sal
 
I see the legality as an issue, there's some FUD out there about Kershaw being on Canada's prohibited list. Truth, Rumor, who knows but I can see not wanting to be caught up in that kind of stuff.

I think they are here to stay (unless outlawed) just because people find them fun, and face it all of us here think of knives not only as tools but also as entertainment.
 
Sal Glesser said:
Hi Thomas,

thanx for chimin' in. I didn't mean "Fad" in a bad way. Many still consider one handers and clips a "fad" and we're going on 26 years.

I meant "fad" in the sense that everyone is jumping on the bandwagon.

Perhaps you haven't noticed, but there are a few out there that are chasing that market to "get their share".

We've always considered the AO's to be Kershaw's thing. We did our own thing. That's why if we decide to make an AO, we'll use Ken Onion's mechanism and pay the royalty to Kershaw.

sal
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As you know Sal, I have always admired your style, as well as your code of ethics. Your post here only validates that.

26 years…my, my, my, how time flies when you’re having fun. ;)

I can see more clearly now with you defining “Fad” the way you have. My vision on BF’s has not always been 20/20.

Indeed I have noticed the category being pursued, rather aggressively I might add. Always seems to be the case with something that has value. Pretty sure your have seen similar acts over the decades. Kind of hard to be flattered by the “crowd” IMO, but maybe that’s just me.

No doubt you all would bring a smokin’ AO out should that be a direction you decide to follow. Never a shortage of projects in your backyard though…decisions, decisions…
 
jag-engr said:
I like a knife that is easy to open and close with one hand. Spydercos achieve the easy opening just fine without AO. If they added AO, it would making closing the knife more difficult.

I also dislike the feel of an AO knife jumping in my hand when the spring engages. It seems to sort of "unseat" the knife in my hand. I find myself having to shift the knife in my hand before using it.
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I don't have that problem. I always disengage the lock then close the blade by pressing it against my thigh.
 
Step 1: AO with Spyderhole
Step 2: Waved Spydie with AO
Step 3: Bring Dodo back, off white FRN Lava with Cricket Blade, Bob Lum ZPD Production, and I win a contest in which I get one of every Spyderco ever made.

Sounds reasonable to me.
-Mat
 
yeah this guy killdozer is right, we really should be focusing all our efforts on convincing sal to bring the dodo back before we really start getting ahead of ourselves.
 
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