What do you think of presentation autos

Bailey Bradshaw

Bailey Bradshaw

Joined
Sep 13, 2001
Messages
816
I have a couple of new designs that I am considering making as presentation autos. I have not done one, so I have no idea of what collectors think of them. I like them because they give a little "gadget" appeal without the legal implications a regular auto has.

I have handled a couple of Warren Osborne's and really liked them ( who wouldn't like Warren's folders!!!?) I know Alen Eleshwitz makes some and I like his as well.

What do you like about them/dislike about them.
 
"Alen" ... LOL

They are more of a trick than an actual feature. My take is it is still an auto, LEOs I have spoken with have considered them an auto. It is a neat technical trick but adds nothing to the utility of the knife. If you had an order for one great ; but otherwise?

-Sam.
 
I have played with the Elishewitz presentation auto at the local knife shop (R&J Cutlery) and it was pretty cool. Very well made and everything, but I can't really see any need for something like that.

However, if they had that same knife as a full auto, I would love it! :eek: :D
 
Bailey, YOU UGLY PIECE OF......;)

IT'S ABOUT TIME YOU GOT ON HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!:D

I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT AUTO'S. PERIOD! I'm glad your here though.

Tell the misses hello too.

Darby
 
Personally, I enjoy owning a few autos and one of the coolest folders I have seen in the last couple of years was the collaboration folder, auto, presentation auto that Michael Vagnino, Tim Hancock and Boyd Britt got together on. All three modes are controled by one button. I was tempted to get one, very tempted. (just could not since I have enough knives on order through 2003 to keep from getting any others :)).

The main attraction was not the obvious "gadgetry" but the knife itself. Some beautiful Damascus by Tim with the action, fit and finish that Michael is so gifted with coupled with getting to talk with Michael and Tim about the knife. It was the first time I had the chance to meet Michael and his wife and he spent time with me as if we had known each other for years.

I guess what I am trying to say is if the knife appeals to me the mode of operation is not as important, but it does add even more appeal. At the same time, from the point of view of the market, it may narrow some on a presentation auto vs a full auto vs a manual. I feel that the market widens as you progess through that order of the "hierarchy".

Because I enjoy them and live in an auto friendly state, given the same knife and a choice of one of the three and no budget concerns I would choose a full auto first, but I still think the market is wider for a manual. (That should tell you that my taste does not necessarily follow the mainstream market :D.)


Bailey, if I was considering a presentation auto I would try to come up with a way to make it work in a full auto mode or offer a full auto model or style. It will be interesting to see what you decide to do.
 
I like them, and they're neat to play with. The problem I see with any auto is that it usually drives the price through the roof! I'd rather own a well made, embellished conventional folder, with prime materials, rather than a presentation auto for an extra $600-$800!
 
I picked up my first presentation auto at the recent ECCKS in NY this past weekend. It was an Elishewitz Emperor in damasteel with inlaid brass decoration, etc. Primarily, I picked it up because of it's general beauty and precision. The opening mechanism was secondary for me--but that said--after getting it home and really playing around with it--I have to say that I really like it.

It does not present any legal problems in my area. It appears to be very precise and solid with no "wobble" in any direction (which it should for a knife in that price range:rolleyes: )

It does require a 2-step operation to open it. (press the rocker bar and then thumb it the rest of the way open) However, I do not think it was designed as a self defensive type blade, so speed was probably not built into it's "thinking".

Overall, I think the design makes sense for a high-quality folder that does not see itself as primarily a self-defense piece.
 
Kile,
A presentation auto has a mechanism that when triggered opens the blade to about a 25 to 35 degree angle from closed.

After looking around last night let's call it 30 to 90 degrees :D.
 
on more traditional folders like you make bailey....a presentation auto mechanism would be very nice

i would need to know the precise legal status of such a blade (regarding interstate sales and owning one) ... before i would ever consider buying one though....
 
OK, that gives me a good idea of what to expect. Understanding your first attraction to the knife would be it's styling and materials, woudl the mechanism ADD to the attraction ( providing the price increase isn't more than say $75)?

I have in mind a small gents folder. I don't make tacticals, so I hadn't considered the speed in opening to be an issue.

Thanks for everyone's input.

Darby.......watch your language, my wife reads some of these threads:p
 
Auto: Push button

Manual: Open with thumbstud

Presentation Auto: Push button *and then* open with thumbstud

Huhh?

I just don't get it...

-Michael
 
Originally posted by Bailey Bradshaw
OK, that gives me a good idea of what to expect. Understanding your first attraction to the knife would be it's styling and materials, woudl the mechanism ADD to the attraction ( providing the price increase isn't more than say $75)?
Click to expand...

My personal opinion would be that it adds to the "value" of the knife (especially at only a $75 price differential) simply because it is relatively unique and does require a fairly precise degree of workmanship for it to function properly and consistently. It becomes a "step above" the ordinary if well executed.

I wish you luck with your project-- and please come back and share it with us. :)
 
I think a maker such as you, who offers a really well-made knife to start with and then offers it in a presentation auto version would do especially well. Regardless of how 'useful' it would be, the gadget factor alone would make me smile. And, truth-be-told, most gent's folders of this kind are admired more than they are put to hard use, so absolute function isn't as critical. Curb appeal is! ;)

I have a Levin knife with a presentation auto action and I like it for this reason. It's fun. Allen E's knives worked superb. I handled them, and he knows his stuff.

Coop
 
Originally posted by Chefget
Auto: Push button

Manual: Open with thumbstud

Presentation Auto: Push button *and then* open with thumbstud

Huhh?

I just don't get it...
Click to expand...

Ditto :(


"Hunters seek what they [WANT].., Seekers hunt what they [NEED]"
 
Thanks for the input. I really appreciate and enjoyed hearing your opinions. I heard what I figured I would hear, but just to be sure....

Steve C....if you want one, e-mail off forums and you can have the first.

:)
 
Bailey,
I just had 2 folders at the East Coast Custom Knife Show this past weekend in New York. One was a full auto convertible that could be disabled to presentation auto or enabled to full auto. It sold.

The second folder was just a presentation auto. I had a customer that requested I bring the knife home and put a leaf spring in it. So I am.

Folders that have only the presentation auto feature sell much slower than the folders that have full auto and presentation auto features combined.

I've had lots of eyebrows raised at presentation autos. More folks prefer some sort of a full auto feature. Based on this I will coninue to offer convertible autos.(full auto AND presentation auto combined)

If you need any help with the presentation auto I'd be glad to help.

Now get to work.
Ron
 
Presentation only on a traditional folder really does have an appeal (at least to me.)

Folks if you ever get to a show that Ron does, you owe it to yourself to check out the folders you might see there. I remember one in particular that had a hidden switch (very hidden :)) that would change the mode of the knife. It was another one of the most outstanding folders I have seen in the last couple of years. The knife easily stood on it's own even without the mechanisims.
 
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