What reservations would you have with taking an auto knife into the wilderness?

peripatew

peripatew

Joined
Jul 31, 2007
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I'm looking at a new folder, and I've posted a few times about my search. But I'm curious how you guys feel about taking an auto knife into the wilderness?

The main two that I'm looking at right now are the Benchmade auto mini-rukus and the Lone Wolf Harsey D2.

I like the Axis of the Benchmade, but I like the auto of the Harsey better, but it is a liner lock.

I think I'm ok with it, but long term care would be my concern. I don't know enough yet about the mechanics of these knives to make this decision.

What are your thoughts?
 
I would tend to say that if it can stand up to hard EDC, it will probably be fine in the woods too.

I would also say that as long as you back it up with another simpler folder (opinel comes to mind) and/or a fixed blade, you will be more than set.
 
siguy said:
I would tend to say that if it can stand up to hard EDC, it will probably be fine in the woods too.

I would also say that as long as you back it up with another simpler folder (opinel comes to mind) and/or a fixed blade, you will be more than set.
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Opinels are inexpensive and light but still strong and sharp so i would second siguys response
 
I'm not familiar with the two knives you have mentioned, but in general an auto has more things that can go wrong. Sand, grit an other stuff can gum up the works. I've messed around with an auto the wasn't working well and it didn't have a thumb stud or anything as a backup. If it failed to open automatically you had to use two hands to open it. Some autos have small controls (locks to prevent the blade from accidentally opening, etc) and when you hands are cold that can be a problem.

While I like the axis lock, I wouldn't be concerned about a liner lock if it is from a reputable maker/manufacturer.

If I carry a folder in the woods, it is usually a Benchmade Griptilian or a Gerber Gator (not a one hand opener/closer, but it is my beater).

That's just my 2 cents. YMMV

Good luck with whatever you go with.
 
What reservations would you have with taking an auto knife into the wilderness?
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Basically what Seahawk posted.

If the auto mechanism breaks in when you're in the wilderness (or at sea), great customer service is of no help
 
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I've taken a Microtech LUDT as my only knife a lot of times when I was mainly collecting autos and never had a problem. Worked great.

I always take my Hubertus Camper as a folder. On leverlocks or even on the coil LUDT if the spring breaks it still works as a manual.

I have tried my UT6 but it is too sensitive to dirt so I'd avoid any d/a OTF
 
I try to keep things simple and stick to a liner/frame lock or lock back. I have a protech Magic that would be perfect for a trip in the woods but I would back it up with a knife with fewer things to go wrong.
 
The only auto I own is a stilletto style knife that is more at home in a gangster story than anywhere else. It looks like a stag handled paring knife! Mac
 
Just like shotguns (IMO) the more parts it has, and the more complex the design/function, the better the odds of one the key parts breaking and rendering it inoperable or unsafe.
 
I was in the middle of writing this then realized Rupestris essentially wrote the same thing above me, but I will share to reiterate my opinion.

My opinion is the simplier the device the better especially if you need it to last long term in the woods. I don't know exactly how these knives work, but I would say your better sticking to a regular folder or even better a fixed blade!
 
A friend and I did a small test: auto knife versus thumb stud.

Difference was negligible in opening time.



other points: in most locales...even on the trail, an auto is an illegal carry, CCW or not. In some places, the stilletto blade with two edges sharpened, is also illegal...so, two charges possible.

Not suggesting it is rational, but it is often the law.

So...begs the question...Why would you?
 
Kismet said:
So...begs the question...Why would you?
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Why do we do anything Kismet? Because it's there? Cheap Thrills? Some deep seeded deficit in our personality? Left over desires from a past life impacting our karma in this incarnation?

But I digress:jerkit:

Here's one I always take with me. Well, actually not THIS one, this one is one of a couple extas I have because they are so hard to get. But my normal one is just like this. I love the one handed operation of the main blade. The tiny blade is incredibly useful, that's actually the main reason I bring it:thumbup:

The springs are replaceble with hand tools in these and in my 8 year old one I've replaced the spring once. I love the fat stag on this one. With the cap lifter and corkscrew it's great for drunken parties
camper4.jpg

camper2.jpg

Here it is all closed up
camper3.jpg


This is sort of like Nessmuks knife but with a saw. It's a Limited Edition 98 Custom Hubertus put out. I've never used this one but it's got a really nice combo of blades.
98.jpg


This one has really nice stag. Excuse the sucky pic. It's a Hubertus Forest Messer. I've actually used this one a bit. The saw is a bit longer than the others.

This one is cool in that in order to fire the main blade you push down on the little pen blade. I guess you could call it a "covert auto"
fm1.jpg

The Forest Messer also has an extremely cool blade etch
fm2.jpg
 
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This is sort of overkill but fun:eek:

I had a knifemaker friend of mine combine 2 Mikov kits. The one w/ the bottle openers and the one with the saw into one huge camper. It's a handful and nearly a pound!
mikov.jpg


Here's 2 of my favorite auto probably next to the Hubies. The Microtech LUDT.

Check out the blade shape. Very nice. There is a blade, a body, a button, a button spring and a blade spring. Not that many moving parts considering. The green one is a 95 or 96 model, I've not used it much due to the collectible factor but the other a 2001 model has got used a LOT. Springs are widely available and you can take the whole thing apart with a torx.
LUDT.jpg
 
Now to move on from the Wilderness to the hunt:D

This is a blade I' have used quite a bit to gut deer. Got it full of blood and hair and it still worked fine.

It's a Ltd. Edition Hubertus Safari Club. I think they allegedly made these for some hunting club in South Africa.

Anyway I love that it has the little blade to get under the skin then you can open the deer up with the "gut" blade w/o puncturing the meat or bowels, then use the main blade and then celebrate by uncorking a bottle of wine:thumbup:
safari.jpg


Also in the hunting mode is the AKC "Speed Hunter" It's not quite as well made as the Hubertus and the mechanisim is not as sturdy but it's also a good deal cheaper.
sh.jpg
 
Thanks for the pics hollow dwell.

As far as the legality, I'm in Oregon, so anything goes! As far as auto's are concerned that is.
 
Here's another I wouldn't worry about taking into the woods. It's a Microtech Lightfoot LCC.

It opens either by the thumb stud or by pushing the side of the bolster which releases a heavy duty leaf spring. I have never taken this one hiking but have actually butchered deer with it and despite the MANY parts it has not messed up. I guess if you were worried about messing up the action on it with mud or blood you could just use the thumb stud.
lf1.jpg

lf2.jpg
 
I have serveral Benchmades with the axis lock. If you use your thumb and first finger to pull the axis pin back, I flick of your wrist causes the blade to swing out and lock. It takes a few times to get the feel so it doesn't swing out part way, yet not too hard it doesn't lock. The Griptillian is pretty easy to do because the handle is wide enough to get a good grip with your three other fingers.
 
hollowdweller said:
This is sort of like Nessmuks knife but with a saw. It's a Limited Edition 98 Custom Hubertus put out. I've never used this one but it's got a really nice combo of blades.
98.jpg
Click to expand...

That’s what I’m talking about… would love to have one of those, very nice:thumbup::thumbup:

-sh00ter
 
Hollowdweller, I wondered if you were going to post those Hubertus knives. The are really neat.
 
I would never take an automatic knife to the wild, unless I had no other choice. I'd rather not take any folder, in general, but that's a different discussion. Automatics are unreliable, even more so than folding knives usually are. The last, absolute last thing I want from my knife is unreliability.
 
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