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Spring Assist Open Knife

P

peppy53

Joined
May 21, 2006
Messages
4
I am new to this forum and kinda new on how to find a good knife.
I am looking for a spring assist knife that I can count on to open with one hand and lock. I hope I am understanding the words spring assist open, as it will do what I hope it will. Am I right ???
I was on this forum for about two hours last night and you folks really know your knifes. Most of the time I had know idea what knife you where talking about. So I hope you can lead me in the right direction. What is the best?? THANKS :D
 
Buck makes a cool assist that you can unlock w/one hand and open, the better versions of this knife are avail. ATS-34 I believe or it maybe 154CM either way thier great blades
 
If you're looking for an assisted opening knife, your best bet is to stick with a company known for their AO offerings. My two strongest recommendations are Kershaw and SOG. Both have produced models with assisted opening mechanisms for many years, and both are respected brands who will stand behind their work. In particular, take a look at Kershaw's Leek, Chive, Scallion, Boa, Blur, Spec-Bump, Avalanche and Mini-Mojo models. SOG's Flash and Twitch series are well-known and of decent quality, but their new Trident line incorporates many refinements.
 
There are many spring assisted knives. Are you looking for small (like a Mini-Mojo or Chive) or large (like a Spec Bump or Offset)? Are you looking for something inexpensive like a Kershaw, SOG, or Buck? Or something more high-end like a Combat Elite? Or a custom from Darrel Ralph or Ken Onion? You have to help us narrow it down.
 
I really don't care about money. As they say you get what you pay for.
So $80.00 To $150.00 is what I think a good price range. OK :D
 
peppy53 said:
I really don't care about money. As they say you get what you pay for.
So $80.00 To $150.00 is what I think a good price range. OK :D
Click to expand...

I can recommend these ( because I own them).

Kershaw Stainless Leek $39.00 smaller than the rest on this list but a well built frame lock, good for carrying in dress clothes

Kershaw Tactical Blur - $59.00 very fast and solid lockup - well worth the price

Kershaw Avalanche - $80.00 another very fast knife, very high quality

Kershaw Spec/Speed Bump - $75.00 a little slower than the others , but a larger sized knife, extremely well priced, this is the uncoated limited production model ( you can find them on line)

SOG Trident $59.00 - Nice knife for the price , handle has a cut-out so material can be cut without opening the knife.

A saved my favorite for last

Camillus Dominator Tanto $140.00 Titanium frame lock , has a very strong A/O spring that runs almost the length of the frame. A little harder to open but a very high quality knife.
 
Was not impressed wihta SOG Trident. The one I handled had a significant vertical bladeplay (maybe just mine)
Received Spec/Speed bump last week - and just happy with it! Blade is unusually shaped, but it's for purpose. Great handle.
 
Lenny_Goofoff said:
Was not impressed wihta SOG Trident. The one I handled had a significant vertical bladeplay (maybe just mine)
Received Spec/Speed bump last week - and just happy with it! Blade is unusually shaped, but it's for purpose. Great handle.
Click to expand...

Yes I've heard similar comments on the Trident, while mine is acceptable ( to me) it does not have the same tight lock-up as the others I mentioned.

Overall the Spec/Speed bump is probably the best deal out there right now. I jumped on it as soon as they became available.....
 
The Kershaw Avalanche is a great deal and a great knife. Also like the Kershaw Spec Bump with the G-10 and S30V blade steel. Just don't like some of those funky Kershaw pocket clips!
 
I own both the Kershaw and SOG assisted openers. Had them for a couple of years now and never had a problem with either. I would recommend either. With the money you are willing to spend, get both and enjoy. If you spend any time here on the forums, you'll be buying more knifes then you need :D
 
If youre looking for an inexpensive spring assist knife, the kershaw leek can be had for as little as $45
 
I own some of the Kershaw Onion designs (Blackout, Leek, Scallion, Chive, etc.), and esp. like the Leek and Blackout for use. No blade play or any problems whatsoever. I've handled the SOG Flash II (I or II: it was the larger one) and was impressed with the feel of it and shape of the blade. Its spring-opening wasn't as strong-feeling as my Kershaws, but I liked the ergonomics better, just didn't buy one.

I've also handled the Buck assisted-opener, forget its name. I did not like the added safety on the back; felt like it gets in the way. Benchmade also makes a great knife that you can keep or remove the assisted-opening bar, whatever your preference. Although I'm a big Benchmade fan, I don't own one, and the name and # or it escapes me at the moment.

Jim
 
You know you don't need AO for one-handed opening, right? Something like a Spyderco with its hole, a Benchmade or other with thumb-studs, etc. are all easily opened one-handed. That being said, I found myself almost irresistably attracted to the the blue-black Kershaw Chive. Tho I have concerns about that anodized aluminum in a pocket with other stuff, so now I'm thinking of the somewhat larger Kershaw Scallion with black handle.

One thing you want to consider is how, when and in what setting you'll (mostly) be using the knife. This may affect the style, blade-length and type of opening you'll choose. For example: I figure my Spydero Delica 4 is kind of "marginal" for work, but I know my CRKT S-2 would't fly at all.
 
Benchmade 670 Appartion (forgive the spelling) is an assisted opening knife with 154cm steel. You can even choose if you would like it to be "optimised" , or not.
 
Get the plain jane Kershaw Leek (Plain edge framelock). It's only about $45. Buckykatt posted a link to it. Use and enjoy it while continuing to look and consider others. But the Leek is worth owning whether you need it or not. It offers more than a glimpse into every good thing about a well designed assisted opening pocket knife and, is reasonably priced to boot. It may not be your ultimate pocket knife choice, or even on your top 10 list but, it has few vices and, is virtually impossible to dislike.
 
If you want a small AO knife, the leek is sort of the standard. If you want to pay a little more and get a little more, you can get the G-10 and S30V version for just under 100 bucks (while the normal 440A versions are around 45).

If you want a larger knife, the Spec Bump is a standard and solid choice. It is large, but fits the hand well and isn't clunky. Very unique knife. About $120.

I you want to go even bigger, there is the Offset. It is around $180.

There is also a titanium and ZDP-189 Leek coming out. It will be around $200, but well worth it.
 
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