Favorite A/O Knives?

DullKnifeTerminator

DullKnifeTerminator

Joined
Nov 20, 2012
Messages
27
Hey everyone!

I see that most of the talk in this section of the forum is dedicated to switchblades, but for those of you that are familiar with "Assisted Opening" mechanisms, which brand/line of knives do you feel has developed/produces the best A/O mechanism? Which model(s) do you consider to be the best/your personal favorite(s)? I'm personally very partial to the Speedsafe A/O mechanism that Kai USA uses (I love my ZT0200 Military Folder)!

ZT0200.jpg
 
Assisted opening knives by design are not necessarily the same as automatics. With an auto, you press on a switch or button to actuate the blade, you don't necessarily have to touch the blade. Knives with AO mechanisms require a specific amount of resistence to be overcome by pressing the blade/flipper/thumbstud, when the AO mechanism takes over.
 
My Kershaw Spec Bump has been my favorite since I bought it in 2007. I've owned Blurs, Leeks, a Mini Mojo, a Baby Boa and SOG A/O knives, but the only one I've kept is the Spec Bump.
 
My Kershaw Burst spring broke after a few days

I like the Benchmade Barrage, my only grievance about it would be the thumb poking handle spikes and the bulbous shape of it
Buck Paradigm is very nice, fancy handle and clip

I Do not think i have any other spring knives, though i am sure i will remember one in a quarter
 
My favorite AO overall is the G10 Needs Work by Kershaw. The AO is very "snappy", the blade shape is excellent for utility type tasks, and the G10 handles are both aesthetically pleasing and functional. :D

3831337313_98e672e06b_o.jpg
 
Hmm... Good question. Let me see, I like my Blur, Piston and, well, all of them really.

PS: I love my regular Needs Work as well, PG5768.
 
Yes, the blade shape and handle offset make it a very useful knife, regardless of the handle material.

Squashfan said:
Hmm... Good question. Let me see, I like my Blur, Piston and, well, all of them really.

PS: I love my regular Needs Work as well, PG5768.
Click to expand...
 
#1 - Kershaw Leek
#2 - Kershaw Blur (I actually like the feel of the A/O on this one better, but I like the Leek as a knife more overall)
#3 - ZT 0301
 
ZT0400.

Very sad it was discontinued. There's a Kershaw that's very similar. Don't recall the model number off the top of my head.
 
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