Auto or not Auto?

[wuyeah]

I think especially in Benchmade and people will notice this: 420 resistor/4200 Auto; 520 presidio/5000 Auto; skyer/skyer Auto....etc.

To an experienced buyers, the question doesn't bother them. For newbies this might be a hard decision.

Any experienced person can give a word of wisdom or advise? word of caution or pts people should consider of?

 

[Planterz]

What are you actually asking?

I think the biggest factor in deciding whether or not to cary an auto is the law. Beyond that, it's merely a preference. Ironically, in the case of the 4200 and 5000 Benchmades, the regular manual versions are actually easier to use.

 

[thebladeguy]

I really don't like Autos. I don't feel like I have control over the knife. Assisted openers are fine but manual is best.

TBG

 

[madcap_magician]

That little auto benchmite can be more of a pain to open than the manual one is. >.<

 

[SIFU1A]

if its speed of deployment ya want imho its very very hard to beat a waved emerson, i can draw a waved EKI open much faster than drawing a MT makora, fumbling for the button/etc, isnt even close really.

autos are fun though, and i can see were in some cases they would be handy, gen'ly though a std folder would work just as well,

 

[DGG]

I like auto's. The good ones are very well made pieces of cutlery and they are amazing tools.

The downside is cost, legality of possession and carry, and repair problems. Because they are more complicated dirt can be an issue. I carry mine in a cheap little kydex-velcro pouch. I'm not looking for quick deployment just quick opening. The little sheath makes the knife much less exciting for non-knife folks if you get my drift.

Have you seen the Kershaw Leek model? It isn't an auto but it is very quick to open and well designed. I have several. If you are just starting a collection or looking at higher priced knives I would suggest getting it to see how you like it. It has the shape and feel of many autos.

http://www.knivesplus.com/kershaw-leek-knives.html

All the button knife nuts hang around the Auto forum. You might take a look at some of those posts.

Here is my favorite custom auto maker, Mel Fassio out of Montana.

http://www.knifenetwork.com/classifieds/index.php?ct=pres_fld&md=details&id=1255

http://customknifegallery.com/fassio1f.html

 

[brownshoe]

I like autos, but they are illegal in my state to carry but legal to own. I have one quality one, Stryker, that I've had to get repaired due to a broken spring. I got it repaired through a dealer, since they are legal to own in my state, but if I was in another state, I'd be up the creek w/o the paddle. I'd have to fix it myself. So, autos are fun, but I kind of wish I had a stryker w/o auto for ease of carry and repair.

 

[Blop]

I have the Benchmade 5000A and the 520 and second that the manual is easier to handle. Opening goes very nice in the auto version but closing is far more easier in the manual for you only need one hand.

You can close the auto one handed by pushing the blade against your leg, but for long runs it is not the best way to go.

Dust may be an issue even though i found the 5000A to be very solidly build, where dust is not a problem so far.

The auto is more a tool you can play with. You can play with the manual too but the manu has easier maintance plus.

Both models look better when auto (most unimportant point)