Non-locking AO Knife

H

HarryKnifeGuy

Joined
Sep 6, 2014
Messages
4
Not sure if this is the right place for this, as I'm new, but I didn't see a specific section for Assisted-Opening knives.
Pretty much, I own a couple AO's (Schrade SCHA7GR M.A.G.I.C & a cheap china knife) but because they lock open (and blade length) I cannot carry them in the U.K.

As far as I'm aware (correct me if I'm wrong) you could carry an AO knife in the U.K aslong as the blade-length is under 3 inches, and the blade doesn't lock open because it's not an automatic/flick knife.
Source: https://www.gov.uk/find-out-if-i-can-buy-or-carry-a-knife

I am looking for a knife that is Assisted-Opening that has a blade-length of under 3 inches, and doesn't lock open - does anyone know if such knife exists as I cannot find one!

P.S. I don't like normal folders for EDC if I'm honest because I feel if you're using it a lot for opening boxes etc it's just annoying having to open it lol (yes I'm lazy).

Thanks guys!
 
Last edited:
Never ran across such an animal. However, you may be able to remove the lock from an AO and be in compliance.
 
The G&G Hawk Beetle is assisted and doesn't lock open. Same with the Böker Griploc (G&G Hawk design).
 
D-R0CK said:
Just file (or tin-snip) down the liner-lock until it doesn't lock open. The spring will give it an open bias though, not sure if that's important.
Click to expand...

Good idea, I might try this with a cheap knife incase I fuck it up lol but what do you mean by an open bias?

mrdeus said:
The G&G Hawk Beetle is assisted and doesn't lock open. Same with the Böker Griploc (G&G Hawk design).
Click to expand...

Don't get me wrong, the Hawk Beetle is a GORGEOUS knife! but I just dont have 600 pounds to put onto a knife haha! The Boker Griploc is a nice blade though and 80 pounds is a bit more possible :) Thanks!!
 
I can't think of any A/O's with no lock. As for getting a locking model and removing the said lock, you'd need to find one with a spring that propels the blade all the way open. The torsion bar on the Kershaw and ZT knives only engages for about 50-60% of the opening arc. The SOGs I've handled seem to go about 75%. For those, if you remove the locking mechanism, the blade will close part-way on you. The Benchmade springs will stay engaged to 100%, but if you remove the Axis lock, I don't think there's much of anything keeping the blade closed.

You could try to find a slipjoint that can accommodate a wave-opening modification. The zip tie trick on something like a UKPK might do the trick, if your intent is to get the blade open as quickly as possible after drawing the knife from your pocket.
 
Flarp's idea of waving a slip joints will probably be the easiest way to go about it. Spyderco makes some slip joints which I think will make prime candidates for it to be waved.
 
Sanrenmu has a modern slipjoint, model 7078MUX, with a usable flipper. The slipjoint action is basically ball detente retention rather than a more traditional back spring. I think they offer at least one other flipper slipjoint.

However, a flipper isn't quite AO.
 
A Spyderco UK PenKnife was made just for you.

I have a few Benchmade AOs and there's really not that much difference opening with the Sypder Hole.
 
The UK is one place I wouldnt experiment with pushing the boundaries of their knife laws, it seems folks there have a fear of anything sharp, someplace sometime you will open your AO knife around other people and someone will cry "switchblade!".
It happens in the USA from time to time, I wouldn't want to try explaining the differences between AO and auto to a UK cop.
Personally, I would be thinking about relocating to a more weapons acceptable country, or just learn to live with carrying a boring non locking and non AO knife.
 
Maybe you could file off the teeth on that locking wheel on the Griploc, seems like that would eliminate the wheels locking capability since it is stationary around the lanyard hole.
 
HarryKnifeGuy said:
Good idea, I might try this with a cheap knife incase I fuck it up lol but what do you mean by an open bias?
Click to expand...

the spring is trying to help close it when the blade is nearly closed, and resists being opened for a bit. After you pass a certain point, it wants to spring the blade open instead, thus the "assist". I have no idea how your laws would look at that, since it isn't "locked open", but the spring does help to keep "pushing" the blade open.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top