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

[000Robert]

The launch series is super easy to work on.
It's just a blade with a spring and the button which had another spring in it.

The problem is that there isn't much you can do about lock bounce on the Launches. New springs can help, but it's sort of a built in issue. I have 3 of them, and only the 7 locks up all the time, or at least 97% of the time.

However, taking the knife apart will be a piece of cake. It's really not bad.

I never have a problem with my Launch 1. Maybe it is because the spring is not too strong? Here is a photo of it open and you can see that the spring does not force the blade all the way open when you let it open slowly.

 

[Murdamook]

I have two autos: am AFO II, and a PT Rockeye. I carried the Rockeye every day for a year. Autos, IMO, offer no advantage over a flipper or a stud, but the opposite is also true. In fact, I hate flippers. I think they’re a novelty and I dislike having that random protrusion. The auto is just another method of deployment. If you want speed, go fixed or wave. But 99.9999% of us have no real need for anything quicker than a Buck 110 anyway. As everyone has stated: it comes down to *want* not *need*.

 

[000Robert]

The main reason that I love auto's is because I love a clean and sleek blade that doesn't have thumbstuds or flipper tabs sticking out. They are also easier to sharpen. And having a blade with a big hole in it is nauseating to me.

 

[Stahlmann]

I have two autos: am AFO II, and a PT Rockeye. I carried the Rockeye every day for a year. Autos, IMO, offer no advantage over a flipper or a stud, but the opposite is also true. In fact, I hate flippers. I think they’re a novelty and I dislike having that random protrusion. The auto is just another method of deployment. If you want speed, go fixed or wave. But 99.9999% of us have no real need for anything quicker than a Buck 110 anyway. As everyone has stated: it comes down to *want* not *need*.

Given the way wave protrusions slow down what might otherwise be lightning fast, smooth draws, they're no faster than other knives. For many, a one handed knife (which the Buck 110 is not) is indeed a need, and not merely a want.

 

[Murdamook]

Given the way wave protrusions slow down what might otherwise be lightning fast, smooth draws, they're no faster than other knives. For many, a one handed knife (which the Buck 110 is not) is indeed a need, and not merely a want.

Hence why I didn’t say 100%. I’ve never had a wave “slow down” a “lightning fast, smooth draw”. I can promise you that I can pull my Commander with deployed blade faster than you can pull an auto, spyder hole, AO, flipper, etc. Regardless, where would you like to go from here? At this point your counter feels more like you being a contrarian than actually adding to the conversation, and that’s especially obvious when you just essentially repeat what I said as a “rebuttal”.

 

[Stahlmann]

Hence why I didn’t say 100%. I’ve never had a wave “slow down” a “lightning fast, smooth draw”. I can promise you that I can pull my Commander with deployed blade faster than you can pull an auto, spyder hole, AO, flipper, etc. Regardless, where would you like to go from here? At this point your counter feels more like you being a contrarian than actually adding to the conversation, and that’s especially obvious when you just essentially repeat what I said as a “rebuttal”.

Just what did you add to the discourse? The notion that a wave-actuated knife is necessarily faster than some other knives just doesn't pass the smell test. I was simply pointing that out. I also pointed out that it doesn't always come down to "want" (vs. "need") as you stated.

Your notion that "...99.9999% of us have no real need for anything quicker than a Buck 110 anyway..." is also hyperbole. Particuarly when you actually consider what I asked about -- "functional advantage", which consists of more than speed.

 

[The Aflac Duck]

For many, a one handed knife (which the Buck 110 is not) is indeed a need, and not merely a want.

Q.E.D.

 

[Steely_Gunz]

I never have a problem with my Launch 1. Maybe it is because the spring is not too strong? Here is a photo of it open and you can see that the spring does not force the blade all the way open when you let it open slowly.

View attachment 1595364

I think the main design flaw of the Launch line is that they lock up too late unless the blade mass to spring ratio is just right.
Too weak and there isn't enough umph to get it past the button lock. Too strong and it bounces off the stop pin before the lock blocks it and locks it up.

I've replaced the springs on all of them since Kershaw will send you new ones for free. They work OK, but I'm past fiddling with $100 autos that mostly work and just buy a $300 one that will lock up every time.

I do like the Launches though. I don't regret buying any of them, but they mostly just hang out in my knife drawer.

 

[benchwarmer380]

Just what did you add to the discourse? The notion that a wave-actuated knife is necessarily faster than some other knives just doesn't pass the smell test. I was simply pointing that out. I also pointed out that it doesn't always come down to "want" (vs. "need") as you stated.

Your notion that "...99.9999% of us have no real need for anything quicker than a Buck 110 anyway..." is also hyperbole. Particuarly when you actually consider what I asked about -- "functional advantage", which consists of more than speed.

Have you ever used a waved knife?

If done properly, it's opened right as it is out of the pocket. Everything else (folders) needs an extra motion to open after coming out of the pocket.

I personally prefer autos over assisted. There's nothing really wrong with them, they just a feel like a "middle ground" so to speak between manual and auto. I prefer the smoothness and control manuals allow and the quick snap open an auto provides. The resistance needed to overcome open and close an assisted, while not really cumbersome, just isn't really to my liking. That said, I've had some good ones.

 

[Stahlmann]

Have you ever used a waved knife?

If done properly, it's opened right as it is out of the pocket. Everything else (folders) needs an extra motion to open after coming out of the pocket.

I personally prefer autos over assisted. There's nothing really wrong with them, they just a feel like a "middle ground" so to speak between manual and auto. I prefer the smoothness and control manuals allow and the quick snap open an auto provides. The resistance needed to overcome open and close an assisted, while not really cumbersome, just isn't really to my liking. That said, I've had some good ones.

"...If done properly..."

Indeed.

 

[benchwarmer380]

"...If done properly..."

Indeed.

Alrighty then.

 

[rhino]

I think the only advantage of an auto is that it's cool and fun.

They're also not the one-size-fits-all solution for older people. When my dad got older, he could open a knife with two hands without a problem. At the same point in his life, he couldn't press the switch on any of the autos he tried.

 

[rhino]

Q.E.D.

The only thing better than a Buck 110 with a thumb stud is a Buck 110 with a happy switch!

 

[OrangeBlueOrangeBlue]

Hmmm... "Bad workmanship" or a poor design?

Assisted opening is a frequent crutch to cover poor action. ZT and Kershaw make multiple assisted models that are great designs (0770 probably being the best design).

I never have a problem with my Launch 1. Maybe it is because the spring is not too strong? Here is a photo of it open and you can see that the spring does not force the blade all the way open when you let it open slowly.

View attachment 1595364

That's not optimal.

 

[000Robert]

I think the main design flaw of the Launch line is that they lock up too late unless the blade mass to spring ratio is just right.
Too weak and there isn't enough umph to get it past the button lock. Too strong and it bounces off the stop pin before the lock blocks it and locks it up.

I've replaced the springs on all of them since Kershaw will send you new ones for free. They work OK, but I'm past fiddling with $100 autos that mostly work and just buy a $300 one that will lock up every time.

I do like the Launches though. I don't regret buying any of them, but they mostly just hang out in my knife drawer.

My Launch 1 has never failed to lock. And it is always on me when I put my shorts or pants on. But my fixed blade DEK1 would be the first knife that I would grab in an emergency. I love the design of the L1 and how it feels in my hands. I looked at the other Launch knives and didn't think that I would like them much. I bought my #1 son a L1 just like mine for his birthday, and he loves it as well. He doesn't have lock-bounce with his either.

 

[Murdamook]

Just what did you add to the discourse? The notion that a wave-actuated knife is necessarily faster than some other knives just doesn't pass the smell test. I was simply pointing that out. I also pointed out that it doesn't always come down to "want" (vs. "need") as you stated.

Your notion that "...99.9999% of us have no real need for anything quicker than a Buck 110 anyway..." is also hyperbole. Particuarly when you actually consider what I asked about -- "functional advantage", which consists of more than speed.

You’re arguing to argue at this point. You have made a decision and you created a thread so that you could tell everyone about the decision you made. That’s what this entire thing amounts to.

I stated that it doesn’t “always” come down to want vs. need. You’re literally just parroting my points. And yes Sherlock, the percentage supplied in the original post was hyperbole. Thank you for stating the obvious.

As for the wave: it takes next to no practice to deploy the wave from the pocket. You’re not running your knife like a gun. Even in the event that you have to deploy your knife one-handed, I highly doubt you’re in the minute segment of the population that is doing so under such stress levels as to not be able to focus for a half second on catching the back of your pocket with a wave feature.

 

[000Robert]

That's not optimal.

Why not? It works. It has plenty of spring to snap open.

 

[Boombats]

Why not? It works. It has plenty of spring to snap open.

Unless it hits your pants or some other light obstacle. The reason I stan for Benchmade Axis Assist knives is that they will always open all the way and lock. If interrupted mid-spring they do not sit slack like cheaper assists (SOG, Kershaw etc). That's what makes a good assist better than a manual and in certain circumstances as capable as a folder.

 

[BTTLBRN]

I'm having a hard time finding the forest when looking at the trees being spoken about. "Function" for what? Is this a self-defense question, or function for common every day tasks? Is it function for "fun factor?"

I have autos (both ProTech side openers and Microtech OTF) they are great and have never been an issue. ProTech autos open with serious authority, and I have never had anything even remote to a failure with the 6 I own; all of which are users and are treated as such. The Ultratech knives are have are more admittedly "cool factor" knives, not that I don't believe that they can be users, but I prefer a more stout blade for my personal daily uses.

Flippers are fine as are thumbstuds (and Spydie hole type blades); but if this is a question about operation under stress, I would think that either of those three could be fumbled under serious duress. If that is truly the "function" being spoken about, practice and mindset will be king no matter what opening method is chosen.

I can't say that I have ever been in a situation in which I cared how quickly I could close my knife as much as I could open it. It is much like a firearm - a slow reholster should be the main focus; getting it out quick is the key concern.

I agree that this just seems like a post where one's mind is made up and is seeking to present an argument not really a sincere question.

 

[000Robert]

Unless it hits your pants or some other light obstacle. The reason I stan for Benchmade Axis Assist knives is that they will always open all the way and lock. If interrupted mid-spring they do not sit slack like cheaper assists (SOG, Kershaw etc). That's what makes a good assist better than a manual and in certain circumstances as capable as a folder.

That's a valid point. My Boker Kalashnikov auto will open on up and lock if the blade hits something while opening. But I know the L1 won't so I would give it a little wrist flick if I didn't hear the snap. Problem solved easily.