Best assisted openers

I like my Kershaw Onion Leek. I just got a Camillus Heat and like that, and was even thinking of getting the Camillus Dominator. But on further thought, I don't like the fact they don't have safety locks for when the blade is closed.
 
Wow, 4"?? Not many that size, I'm afraid. Plenty in 3" to 3-1/2", though.

I've got a few, I'll give you my thoughts...

  • SOG Flash II: My first AO, I got it when it first came out. Odd handle shape, feels cheap, but tougher than it looks. AO is very positive, and the bolt-action blade lock is simple, strong and easy to operate. Love the deep deep carry clip design, too; with the matte gray clip, it's hard to even see against denim.

  • Kershaw Whirlwind: My second AO, and a disappointment. Very hard to start open, and my thumb tends to drag on the pointy stud, resulting in maybe one successful "pop" every five tries. (And five tries leave my thumb achy!) Handle is very light, but typically ergonomic in the Onion style.

  • Kershaw Blur: The best of the Onions, at least of the one's I have. Angled thumbstud doen't hang up on my thumb like most of the other Kershaws, and it opens harder than the the rest of 'em, too, almost as vigorously as the Heat. Grip-tape inserts make for a very secure grip, and the overall grip is more handfilling than other Onions. Not exactly discreet with the standard red anodized grip, though, but it's also available in all black, too. (Or if the red isn't obnoxious enough for you, there are a few rare *purple* ones out there!)

  • Camullius Heat: Damn fine knife for the money. One of the strongest openers I've seen, big fat thumbstud makes it easy to pop open reliably. Mine has a black-coated blade, wish I'd got the plain...

  • Kershaw Mini Boa: Cute lil' bugger, good looking, and sheeple-friendly. If you use the flipper, it's extremely easy to open reliably, but the thumbstuds are worthless. Once open, though, it's very, very small, enough so that it's a bit tricky to cut with.

  • Benchmade Apparition: Aside from the AO, it's one of my favorite recent Benchies. Very solid feel, very useful blade shape, very elegant look with the polished bolsters and kudu-style scales. The AO is unique in that you can remove it if preference (or legality) dictates. I have little problem opening it reliably, althought my thumb drags occasionally, keeping the blade from opening fully.


Don't have a Kershaw Bump, but it's on my Christmas list!
 
losangeles said:
and was even thinking of getting the Camillus Dominator. But on further thought, I don't like the fact they don't have safety locks for when the blade is closed.
Click to expand...

The ROBO mechanism is the only assisted opener where I don't think a safety lock is needed. The others that I've tried all open with relatively little force and motion. The ROBO, at least on the two I have, is very stiff and requires a significant amount of motion before it cuts in. It is far less likely to open in your pocket than just about any liner or frame lock that relies on a ball detent.

--Bob Q
 
I normally shy away from the bottom end steels but the Kershaw Black Out that I had was a very nice knife. I recommend it highly. I always get the partial serrated models when I buy the cheaper steels and it held up and performed quite well until I gave it to my son who still uses it. Of all the Kershaw assisted openers I've had it seems to have the longest lasting torsion bar springs of them all. It was much easier to work the lock and hold onto then the Leek, or Scallion I have also.

One thing I will say about Kershaw. They have a top notch customer service dept.
 
Another vote for Camillus Heat.

Also have a Chive, but it's very small in my hands.

Tactical Knives magazine had a rundown on 6 of them (AOs) 2 months ago. I picked the Heat based on the reviews... Happy with. Isn't small, but I usually carry a CS Voyager 5".


Ad Astra
 
Hmmm, seeing that picture of the Kershaw Spec Bump makes me want to buy that one. Well, it's off to ebay I go to look for deals on it!
 
Curious why the Kershaw Avalanche has been left out of this discussion so far. I have one, G10 scales, S60V blade, nice size, deep carry; only about 1/4 inch of the scales sit above the clip. It doesn't have a safety, 3 inch blade, 4 1/2 inches closed, the thing is built like a tank.

I also have a Wild Weasel, and although I like it, it seems a little flimsy compared to the Ken Onion Avalanche...

By the way, you can close the Wild Weasel using the tip of your thumb on the lock, but the lock on the Avalanche is so strong and so well protected you have to use your thumbNAIL to move the liner lock to close it up.
 
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