Assisted vs. Non Assited flippers

ChasBrock

ChasBrock

Joined
Oct 4, 2012
Messages
73
I'm pretty new to the knife game and I've seen quite a few people mention not liking assisted flippers. I really like the ones I have. I was just curious why people dislike them.
 
I took the assist out of my zero tolerance 350. I like it more like that. Not sure why.
 
I can only speak for myself here: I find when I'm fondling my knife, flipping while I'm watching T.V. its just more fun when it's non assisted. I think from a tacticool standpoint it definitely makes more sense to have it assisted and I've also read that they sell much better than manual flippers but for me and my mileage, that little extra effort it takes to overcome that torsion bar when flipping my knife is just enough to be annoying. It almost robs you from that pleasurable smoothness of a manual deployment. Ymmv. Hope this makes sense :)
 
Here's one example: the very popular Cryo comes with thumb studs.

But use them and the A/O may snap open the blade with such force, you run the risk of slicing a thumb.

The excellent, manual Ener-G (model 1740, unfortunately discontinued) opens and closes perfectly, leaving my thumb feeling perfectly safe.
 
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I never could agree with the whole "The assist makes it unsafe to use the thumb studs" thing. It's a matter of technique, and a simple one at that. It's the same technique that flicks open a knife like the 0550 and 0560 with the thumb studs, and it's how one would open a Blur. A flick of the tip of one's thumb would remove it from the blade by the time it's 50% open, and without risk of slipping into the blade.

I really don't mind the assist at all. My Knockout is amazing, one of my favorite Kershaws. I only open it with the thumb studs, but the flipper works fine. An assisted flipper design is one of the easiest and surest ways to have a well deployed blade. I understand why people prefer a manual, however I don't see any reason to actively dislike it.
 
Most of my favorite models are assisted and I like it that way. I cant speak for the AO haters because I dont see their point of view. I have never had any safety issues with an AO nor do I see how one could accidentally cut themselves when deploying an AO knife. Ive been using and carrying a variety of assisted knives for 5+ years and use them daily. Some of the manuals I have when I open them, occasionally they wont open all the way. Usually because Im in a awkward spot or doing something and laying funky, with the AO's I dont have that issue, I need less room to open and how I am positioned doesnt matter as much.

From a "tactical" perspective the AO can be "loud," that is an argument I have heard. If I am being quiet I can open my 0301 easily with out making any sound :D Sometimes its fun playing Dexter
 
I took the TB out of my 0350 because I love flippers. I played with it for a few hours, then put it right back in.

I too get why some defeat the assist, but for me anyway, the 0350 seems almost perfect from the factory.
 
I prefer non assisted flippers like the Kershaw RAM and the CRKT m16. They seems to come out just as quickly with zero wrist action. So a spring assist really inst buying anything other than having to worry about replacing the torsion bar.
 
It's so easy to open most modern knifes with thumb studs, Spidey holes or especially flippers that AO just seems like an annoyance. Then you've got the issues sometimes associated with them such as rattling and failures. To me, AO is a solution looking for a problem to solve.
 
Personally, I don't mind the assisted-open. I don't always find it necessary, but I wouldn't rule out a knife because it was assisted.

Some potential issues with A/O:
- The spring is another mechanical part that can break
- Less control over the blade opening (you can't do a slow, manual opening)
- Some A/O knives are not drilled with a detent, so they cannot be operated as a manual (blade will fall open in your pocket)
- Can be more difficult to close (having to overcome resistance from the spring/torsion bar)
- Possible confusion where A/O knives are confused with automatics (switchblades)

On the other hand, A/O does have some benefits as well:
- Easier to open (no special techniques for actuating the flipper)
- Opens quickly and consistently into the intended locked position
 
A slight rattle happens after time from grease being displaced, I dont see it as much of an issue. Its hardly noticeable unless you are holding the knife up shaking it. As for as failure, I have never had a torsion bar fail on me. I have heard of it occasionally happening, thats why I have an extra bar "just in case." Problem solved.
 
i also enjoy a non assisted more. i had a zt0300 for a long while there and holy $@&#. it certainly jumped up of my hand a couple times because it took a little force to open it. and once it opened that heavy blade threw alot of force. but in general what was already said i just enjoy the smoothness of blades rather than super quick deployment. not to say you cant get a quick deployment out of a non assisted.

*side note a slot controlled deployment is nice if your in a crowded scene, it doesnt look like your about to attack someone after the violent opening
 
I prefer flippers, but after taking the torsion bar out of one of my blurs, I decided I liked the AO on that model anyways. If the knife has a flipper on the blade like the Cryo, I could see taking out the tosion bar. All of my spyderco's aren't assisted and I really like them. I prefer the spydie hole to thumb studs.
 
flarp said:
Personally, I don't mind the assisted-open. I don't always find it necessary, but I wouldn't rule out a knife because it was assisted.

Some potential issues with A/O:
- The spring is another mechanical part that can break
- Less control over the blade opening (you can't do a slow, manual opening)
- Some A/O knives are not drilled with a detent, so they cannot be operated as a manual (blade will fall open in your pocket)
- Can be more difficult to close (having to overcome resistance from the spring/torsion bar)
- Possible confusion where A/O knives are confused with automatics (switchblades)

On the other hand, A/O does have some benefits as well:
- Easier to open (no special techniques for actuating the flipper)
- Opens quickly and consistently into the intended locked position
Click to expand...

A fair list -- thanks.

"Hate" is too strong a word.
I recently purchased an Oso and a Volt II at good prices before they disappear.

I like them, but suspect I will like even more the manual flippers I have on order -- the Chill and Groove.

The A/O I care for the least may be the Cryo's. That model seems too small for the strong assisted opening it comes with.
 
BobSig said:
Most of my favorite models are assisted and I like it that way. I cant speak for the AO haters because I dont see their point of view. I have never had any safety issues with an AO nor do I see how one could accidentally cut themselves when deploying an AO knife. Ive been using and carrying a variety of assisted knives for 5+ years and use them daily. Some of the manuals I have when I open them, occasionally they wont open all the way. Usually because Im in a awkward spot or doing something and laying funky, with the AO's I dont have that issue, I need less room to open and how I am positioned doesnt matter as much.

From a "tactical" perspective the AO can be "loud," that is an argument I have heard. If I am being quiet I can open my 0301 easily with out making any sound :D Sometimes its fun playing Dexter
Click to expand...

+1 to this post and in particular the bold part. Every time someone brings this up it baffles me how they'd be opening the knife that they'd be able to cut themselves? :confused:
 
I prefer manual knives.

I don't hate AO/spring assisted knives. I love my 0301. I have big paws so it fits my hands just right and I like the weight of it. I tend to lean away from assisted openers for legal reasons.
The laws in my state are pretty vague in regards to knives. Automatics are legal to own and carry but not to conceal (well if the only part they can see is the pocketclip isn't that concealed?). There is no mention of AO knives. If I were to get pulled over and searched/detained/whatever and the officer found the knife, they might construe that as an Auto (because you only have to press on the flipper/thumbstud a little and *click*) and next thing I know i'm being charged with carrying a concealed weapon. Don't need those problems.

So, in short, I guess having manual folders just saves me the hassle.
 
Thanks everyone for your opinions. Certainly some things I didn't consider. The three knives I use as daily carries are all assisted. Maybe I should get a decent manual just as a comparison.
 
Maybe it is just me, but I feel like I have "outgrown" assisted openers. When I first started buying knives, I looked almost exclusively for SpeedSafe models, but now I am to the point that when I buy one, the first thing I do is see if it will work without the torsion bar. The only reason I still have some assisted is because many models do not have a stand-alone detent.

To me, a good manual opener is like a good manual transmission. Sure, an automatic is easier to use and arguably shifts faster, but you just don't get to "feel" it working.
 
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