Auto vs. Manual Opening, Which is better?

flyfishrman

flyfishrman

Joined
Jul 23, 2006
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Just curious about your opinions. I've always been fascinated with AO knives and I have had a couple. I like them, but I always seem to go back to my manual opening knives. So which is better and why?
 
If it's going to be my EDC knife and its AO, it has to be a leverlock. Other types of auto's have a tendency to pop open in my pocket, never happened with a leverlock.

I guess due to the slight possibility your AO mechanism might break throughout the day, I'd go for a manual. I know my switchblades definetly aren't the strongest, they aren't built for alot of abuse.
 
I have carried my Severtech for almost 5 years and it has never accidentally opened in my pocket. The buton is below frame level, I suppose thats the key. The "beater" is the one on the top.

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realstagman said:
Just curious about your opinions. I've always been fascinated with AO knives and I have had a couple. I like them, but I always seem to go back to my manual opening knives. So which is better and why?
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IMO Manual is better. Because auto serves no purpose to me. I know that lots of folks carry a blade at least partly for SD. I don't. For me, a knife is purely a tool. If I can grab it and open it with one hand, that is useful. The other hand may be busy holding something. I can open one handed with a hole or a knob. I don't need a push-button.

Auto doesn't add anything except fear factor and police factor. I don't carry a blade for either of those. So for me manual is better. I completely understand that YMMV.
 
severtecher said:
I have carried my Severtech for almost 5 years and it has never accidentally opened in my pocket. The buton is below frame level, I suppose thats the key.
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Ah, must be. I've always had auto's where the button protruded. Car keys and such would set it off :grumpy:
 
Automatic plunger locks and other automatic locks are known for being weak compared to other modern locking mechanisms (hold the Benchmade Auto-Axis and a few Dual Action liner locks). Additionally, tightly wound springs can snap leaving the knife utterly useless in a survival situation, automatics manage to scare people, and they are in most places, illegal. Overall, reliability of automatics are nowhere near that of manuals, hold a few select autos. OTF or Out The Front automatics have had many issues, and there are a select few which are reliable. In any way, the automatic has move moving parts so that means more parts to break. To me, automatics are just a toy I enjoy at home. But when I go out or plan to be in a situation involving the usage of a knife, I carry a Sebenza or Para Military.

Another argument some people make are that automatics are faster. This is not true as firing an auto requires strategic thumb placement which can take time...a Wave is instantaneous as it is open as soon as it leaves the pocket. Many competent users can open most modern one handed knives as fast as any auto.
 
For me I prefer manual openers. I can get mine out and opened fairly quick.. If needed for a self defense knife I want it simple and reliable. For that reason I don't like waved knives for self defense. It has a hook on it and anytime you have a protrusion on something it increases the chance for it to hang up on something which is not what you want on something used for self defense. I carry a Glock or a 1911 for self defense. I'll guarantee you I can get it out of holster and on target faster than someone can extract and deploy a knife..... Something a lot of people fail to think about when carrying a knife that might be used in a self defense situation, is it will be impounded for evidence afterwards and it will get used in court. If you are carrying a very tactical looking knife or an assisted opener, rest assured that the victims attorney will use that against you in court. JMO
 
knarfeng said:
IMO Manual is better. Because auto serves no purpose to me. I know that lots of folks carry a blade at least partly for SD. I don't. For me, a knife is purely a tool. If I can grab it and open it with one hand, that is useful. The other hand may be busy holding something. I can open one handed with a hole or a knob. I don't need a push-button.

Auto doesn't add anything except fear factor and police factor. I don't carry a blade for either of those. So for me manual is better. I completely understand that YMMV.
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I'll mirror what Knarfeng said. I can get my liner-lock open nearly as fast as any auto (we're talking a difference of 16.9 billionths of a nanosecond here) and, even then, I don;t need it open that fast. An auto has a mechanism inside that can break (I have one now.....it's broken) and then it becomes not only a manual but a pain in the ash manual. Plus, when an auto opens, it feels like I've momentarily lost control of it. I mean it just doesn;t feel right.

I can legally carry an auto but I don;t. One buddy says "Hey, get one of the Presidio autos....they're great". I say, you get it man (he did) I'm happy with a liner or frame lock, or an Axis. I have to admit, though....I like that Presidio Auto Axis !!!!! It's got so much grip (and it's a big knife) that I feels ok when it springs open. Now that one (and probably others) I don;t mind, but I'm still not going to buy one. Each to his own....
 
Manual is more fun(as compared to A/O), though I would probably pick up a D/A if it was legal here.
 
In my view, an automatic has the potential to be a better knife.

There simply are times when minimal dexterity or hand movement is needed. It is not a matter of speed, just neccessity.

There is no mechanical reason an auto cannot be made as tough or reliable as a manual opener.

But, it is a mute point for most of us, as the artificial market inhibitor of various laws prohibits carry.

Like those SEVERTECHs, BTW.
 
Autos are neat ,but leave me cold for practicality . I'm a simplicity kinda guy ! Must confess I wouldn't mind a nice Halo , or a really elegant DA .

Chris
 
I like folding knives that are as simple as possible (while still being able to lock). This is because I am clumsy but I like to take stuff apart. So Auto knives with lots of little springs and screws are basically out, even if I could legally carry one.
Regarding opening speed: Sure, manual knives with things like Wave hooks and Spyder holes may be a bit slower and need more dexterity than an auto knife. But like I said, I am clumsy, so if I need a knife out as fast as possible a fixed blade is faster than anything else.
 
I used to think it would be cool to have an auto, and I was always angry at the US government for not letting the common folk carry them, but now I'd rather just have one of my AXIS lock knives.
 
I dont know about which is better, I think it is more a function of the specific knife than it is whether or not its an auto. I think Dalton's, Protechs, Micortechs, ect are just as good as any manual as far as function and reliability.

For most people though, autos are illegal to carry, so just by default you'd have to go with a manual or take the risk of getting in trouble just for carring the knife.

Auto's definately have the fun factor on their side though, for me at least.
 
Auto's for me (Assisted opening is fun and legal). I've held and opened Spydercos and Benchmades that are manual, but I just love the AO on my Leek! I get the fun factor ginshun is talking about... cool sound when it flies open (I can open manuals very fast too.

I don't know... If someone offered me a Viele 2 (sp?) in place of my Leek... I just might take it, cause that is one fine knife.
 
Contrary to popular belief , autos aint that fast , many sidewinders have a saftey , and DA OTF's like the Scarabs require a lot of thumb pressure . A Wave beats them consistently . Unless your sanity is in doubt , i would not carry a single act OTF in a pocket . The auto axis knives I have seen are no faster to deploy than the Manual model . There may be advantages in situations where only gross motor skills are operating . OTF's are way to subject to dirt , dust , and such to be depended on in a tactical situation .

I deplore the nonsencical laws on the books , if all were repealed , the average crackhead would still be carrying his faithfull steak knife or boxcutter .

Chris
 
I don't care much for autos. I pretty much prefer manual. I would probably get an auto if I could, but I wouldn't appreciate it more than others because its an auto. For me, it's not so much the name or type of knife (fixed, manual, bali, auto, etc), but the model itself that makes me appreciate it.
 
In Oregon we can legally own and carry auto knives without restriction. As a southpaw, most of them have never interested me.

Anyways, I shopped for auto axis Benchmades when they came out because they are completely ambi and found that they didn't add anything other than a "gee whiz" factor, (and a purchase premium) to the regular axis, which is plenty fast enough.
 
Boats said:
In Oregon we can legally own and carry auto knives without restriction. As a southpaw, most of them have never interested me.


I believe the only restriction is that they cannot be carried concealed...
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