Given the ever more superb spring-assisted flippers and thumb-studders available, do automatics still provide a real functional advantage?

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Stahlmann

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Given the ever more superb spring-assisted flippers and thumb-studders available, do automatics still provide an actual functional advantage? Are they worth the premium price in terms of functionality?
 
Side opening ones...not really. I personally find that non-assisted AXIS locks are the most functional of all because you can flip them closed just as easily as opening them, without putting any digits in the path of the blade. Other knives you either need 2 hands or the side of your leg or something else to close, or you have to put fingers or your thumb in the path of the closing blade.

D/A OTF autos might be the best style - in those terms - of knife other than a fixed blade. But of course they're expensive, don't do well with dirt/dust, and aren't legal everywhere.

Autos are fun regardless though. My Kershaw Launch 11 has barely left my pocket since I got it, despite my carbon fiber Random Frankenleek or CF/M390 Bareknuckle being perhaps more utilitarian and easier to close.
 
I've seen people with arthritis and other issues that reduce the dexterity of their hands and fingers prefer autos since they only require the push of a button or the press of a slide switch to open.

For a person with fully functional hands, thumbing a knife open seems as easy as breathing. But for people with hand/finger issues even such a simple act can prove difficult.

Personally, I just think autos are cool :cool:.
 
I recently found out that the pain in my thumb is the first sign of arthritis per my doctors xray interpretation. I definitely prefer autos and have a couple of otf's but the action of slide can cause a flair up if repeated often and the same goes for unassisted thumb stud openers. I still carry both styles but only on days where I don't expect repeated use. Otherwise it's button ots autos or flippers, I really appreciate Kershaw speedsafe as they open and lock up reliably. I do have some higher end ots and really other than aesthetics I don't see where the extra cost comes in and lean more towards Kershaw Launch autos. Not really trying to turn this post into a Kershaw ad but they have proven to be great in both function and value. Crossbar lock style are also a good option but for those I lean heavily towards Hogue's offerings and really look forward to the crossbar auto I saw teased in a bladeshow video.
 
I find autos to be faster and easier to deploy than thumb openers and even more so than flippers.
 
Functional advantage is not the reason I personally buy autos. I buy them because I enjoy them. I honestly thought I was over my obsession with autos a couple of years back, and sold most of them off, but now they've started calling to me again. I like them because they are fun and cool to me, and I'm comfortable with that being my sole justification for purchasing and carrying them.

The one exception is the AXIS lock, where I have always disliked autos (and even more so spring assist for that matter), due to the functional disadvantage of eliminating easy one handed closing, defeating half of the purpose of such an ingenious and well-designed lock (IMO).
 
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In short "no." Realistically 99.99 percent of the population has little need for whatever negligible speed difference there is between deployment of an auto and any other one handed knife. If you get right down to it I doubt that most of us actually need a one handed knife at all for most circumstances, but I digress. That said need isn't the driver, wanting is fine and more than sufficient as a reason to have either or both.
 
A D/A OTF utility knife would be cool. I wonder if you remove the blade, is it still a knife or whatever? 🤔
 
killgar said:
I've seen people with arthritis and other issues that reduce the dexterity of their hands and fingers prefer autos since they only require the push of a button or the press of a slide switch to open.

For a person with fully functional hands, thumbing a knife open seems as easy as breathing. But for people with hand/finger issues even such a simple act can prove difficult.

Personally, I just think autos are cool :cool:.
Click to expand...
I know in some states, if one has certainly disabilities, they can carry an automatic, even if they are otherwise banned.
 
Fastest , for me , is wave opening . By far !

Front pocket carry , as fast as I can raise my hand from pocket level ...knife is open and ready for business . :cool: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

By the time you are fumbling with a button , stud etc , my waved knife is already open . :p
 
There are few sounds on this Earth that come close to the satisfying "CCClllllick" of an Italian (or clone/knock-off) side opening switchblade.

You don't get that with a spring assist.
 
Never seen a superb assisted blade.
I HATE assisted knives. I own zero. I have a few that were but have been deassisted. It’s either manual or auto for me. No real advantage just fun. These are just my preferences
 
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