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What reservations would you have with taking an auto knife into the wilderness?
- Thread starter peripatew
- Start date
First of all I'll can say about that is WOW!
Now back to the topic, I have a bench made auto and its a well made knife but I' dont think it is as heavy made as a griptillian. I believe in a survival situation I would rather depend on a BM Griptillian 551 as far as benchmades go.
dantzk8
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Auto knives are made for 1) impressing you friends and 'playing' and 2) sticking someone. Since (I hope) you wont be doing the latter, and the former has really no relevance in the wilderness, neither does an auto.
In fact, there are very few folding knives that have any business being in the wilderness, and most all of these begin with the word 'swiss' followed by the word 'army'. Even then, they shouldn't be your primary carry.
In fact, there are very few folding knives that have any business being in the wilderness, and most all of these begin with the word 'swiss' followed by the word 'army'. Even then, they shouldn't be your primary carry.
Absintheur
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Mister Murphy has been living with me for a very long time and I have learned you never trust anything with moving parts when you will be far from help. The more parts it has the less reason to trust it has been my experience. Take an auto if it trips your trigger but I would have a FB tucked away in reserve.
Wow, how ignorant is this statement auto arent made for playin or stickin; theyre made for ease of operation; specifically opening. Folders have come a long way; many are quite capable of handling task that were once reserved for fixed blades only.
I say got for it, just carry a back-up. No one should head into the woods with one blade anyhow:thumbup:
-sh00ter
If a single action auto goes down in the field, you effectively don't have a knife. Without carrying replacement parts, the only way to avoid problems of mechanical breakage is to have a double action auto (or carry multiple knives- but then your screwed when you need a blade ASAP and you have to dig another knife out). This is why I don't even like AO's for EDC or the field- another mechanism to break, fail, get gunked up, etc....
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be careful young brother, the law states the auto cannot be concealed!
Has to be carried in sight, so in a pocket, under an outer garment, in a pack are all a stretch. Like most things, it can depend on why you came into the attention of the law enforcement officer as to what will happen for carrying concealed... (I have students/friends that work for EPD or are state Troopers.)
Hey, I can teach you several openings with folders that are as fast or faster than an auto. Give me a shout!
be safe... Ted
Which ones have you tried?
What problems did you encounter:thumbup:
Quite a few, both cheap and expensive. And the problems, of course, are the same as with all other folding knives - poor handle ergonomics, poor durability, difficulty in cleaning and maintenance - and in addition to all this fun, the lovely jamming issues particular to automatic opening knives. More moving parts, higher chance of failure. Get dirt on the knife, it jams eventually, or just starts acting erratic with the opening. Not that much fun, really. Automatics like dirt, ice and small splinters of wood even less than other folding knives. Honestly? Can't really see even just one upside to using an automatic knife, ever. Well, granted, they do tend to be more expensive than other knives of similar blade length, so perhaps they might serve as a status symbol for some, I don't know. I would much rather have a non-automatic folding knife - more simple, more reliable - but fortunately have no need to make that choice, since I just carry fixed blades instead. :thumbup: If the gods for some reason erased fixed blades from the world and made me carry folders, then I'd carry a SAK.
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be careful young brother, the law states the auto cannot be concealed!
Has to be carried in sight, so in a pocket, under an outer garment, in a pack are all a stretch. Like most things, it can depend on why you came into the attention of the law enforcement officer as to what will happen for carrying concealed... (I have students/friends that work for EPD or are state Troopers.)
Hey, I can teach you several openings with folders that are as fast or faster than an auto. Give me a shout!
be safe... Ted
Thanks for the advice. I hope my original comments didn't seem ignorant. Rather, I'm enjoying that Oregon is so great for all things knife!
Part of the reason I'm considering an auto, is simply because it's awesome. I really like the scale autos, like the Lobo.
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OK. I said, "Why would you?"
That said, check out Blade Play web site. Great service, range from excellent to crap, and fun to wander around.
HD? You are an addict.
(edit: btw, check out that little Mtech manual. $10 and a decent little pocket blade or gift to a neighbor.)
Kis
enjoy every sandwich
That said, check out Blade Play web site. Great service, range from excellent to crap, and fun to wander around.
HD? You are an addict.
(edit: btw, check out that little Mtech manual. $10 and a decent little pocket blade or gift to a neighbor.)
Kis
enjoy every sandwich
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Not sure what your term for a single action and double action are?
But really the only thing that could realistically break on an auto would be the spring, and all of the knifes I posted pictures of would be capable of opening with or without a spring. The hubies even have nail nicks.
About 5 years ago I was backpacking for 4 days and had a spring on the Hubie Camper break. I just opened it by hand.
I personally like a bigger blade than most folders offer, so I carry a fixed blade too.
However I'll step out on a limb here and say that a lot of the people who say they are unsuitable have never used one.
Not sure what your term for a single action and double action are?
But really the only thing that could realistically break on an auto would be the spring, and all of the knifes I posted pictures of would be capable of opening with or without a spring. The hubies even have nail nicks.
About 5 years ago I was backpacking for 4 days and had a spring on the Hubie Camper break. I just opened it by hand.
I personally like a bigger blade than most folders offer, so I carry a fixed blade too.
However I'll step out on a limb here and say that a lot of the people who say they are unsuitable have never used one.
You think that limb will hold the both of us
the few autos I own could all be open (and closed) manually if for some reason the spring were to fail:thumbup:-sh00ter
Not ignorant at all. Any quality folder with a loop or a thumb stud can be easily opened one handed so this is a moot point. The only thing that an auto knife offers over a regular folder, is being very quickly deployed. Unless you race the clock everytime you have to cut something, the only time ths would be meaningful is if you're defending yourself.
As far as the novelty factor, the OP proved this imself when he said, "Part of the reason I'm considering an auto, is simply because it's awesome." So it seems I'm right on both points.
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With one hand.
After carrying autos around the farm here I can't hardly deal with a fixed blade with a snap on the sheath or a tight sheath. I like them where you can get them out with one hand.
A lot of times I'll be holding something in one hand and need to cut it. With a fixed blade or an auto I can.:thumbup:
'Around the farm' isn't out in the wilderness. Your knife breaks, gets lost, murphy shows up, its no big deal. You can run back to the shed/house/garage and grab another. This goes to the folding aspect in general.
And as I said before, any quality folder can be easily opened one handed. Spyderco, benchmade, there are all sorts of flavors. Sure an auto is going to be faster, but is this extra second (literally) going to make a difference?
Add to this the fact that most folders aren't built to handle wilderness chores (autos especially) and you have another reason why autos have no place in the wilderness. Theres a reason why you won't find any reputable outdoorsman/survivalist with an auto or even a folder for a primary carry.
Don't get me wrong. I DO like autos. I've got several of them. In fact my usual EDC is a protech. Its small and works well with a suit and doesn't offend the folks I come across with at work. However they don't have any place in the wilderness anymore than a ka-bar would for pocket carry .
See you keep thinking that autos are all about speed, when really theyre about opening ease. Autos are just the ultimate in one hand operation; its not about fast deployment to stab someone, its about effortless one hand operation.
Autos are awesome, knives in general are awesome; does this make all knives novelty items?
For some reason I have a feeling no matter how I try to explain this, youre not going to see things my way; autos will always be only good for stabbin people in your eyes. Guess well have to agree to disagree on this one
-sh00ter
And? I can open any number of my folders with one hand just as easily. It just isn't as fast.
Autos are awesome, knives in general are awesome; does this make all knives novelty items?
Depends on what you bought it for. That said, unless you're serving warrants there isn't any real need for one, and even then a knife probably wont even be an issue. People buy autos for the neato factor and the satisfaction of having the blade flick open with the press of a button. They don't buy them because they have some pressing need that an auto can fix.
If you disagree with this, I'd love to hear a situation where an auto would be suitable but a spyderco wouldn't.
For some reason I have a feeling no matter how I try to explain this, you’re not going to see things my way; autos will always be only good for stabbin’ people in your eyes. Guess we’ll have to agree to disagree on this one
I'm all for open discussion, but that kind of precludes you saying stupid things like that I think autos are for stabbing people in the eyes. The bottom line is that automatic knives are almost entirely designed for defensive uses and light to maybe moderate (and thats stretching it) cutting tasks. They have thin often double sided blades and less than bullet proof locking mechanisms that aren't conducive to any sort of wilderness use. That would of course explain why many of them are restricted to LEO purchase only.
Which brings me to my final point. What I said earlier still holds true. You won't see any wilderness instructor/expert carrying an auto in the bush. They aren't made for it. Again, this is from a guy who's edc IS an auto. They have their place, but the bush isn't one of them.
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I've carried a broad range of auto's hiking, camping, and hunting in Alaska with never a problem. I also used to carry one when I worked road crews, and still occassionally carry one working here in the Prudhoe Bay oil fields. All three enviroments in which Murphy loves to lurk.
To say "carrying auto's is good or bad" is to paint a picture with a pretty broad brush. Just as some fixed blades are more suitable than others, likewise is the case in auto's. a $7.00 China special auto for example would be an exercise in p!ss poor judgement. A Benchmade AFO, Microtech Socom, etc. would be a fine knife to carry, and no more delicate than any other folding knife. Really, if you've ever replaced a spring in most autos, you've probably noticed they're not all that complicated, and don't usually have that many delicate parts to concern yourself with.
If I were considering another auto for wilderness carry I'd consider:
handle comfort and blade design. big comfy handles and flat ground blades are my thing. but blade design, grind, etc. is another topic altogether.
I would NOT carry a double action OTF, though I've had good luck with a single action Dalton Cupid until it got too clogged with mud and cement to open independently, then I helped it awhile, until I could wash it properly.
I myself would prefer a coil spring auto, with your average button lock. KISS simple and very tough. One thing I would be aware of is the fact that if your knife does get gritty,nasty or if your sear just plain goes out, your knife could be a bit of a PITA to pack for the rest of the trip, and a bit dangerous.
I personally would be comfortable with either of your choices as an auto. I used to own a D2, and absolutely loved it until I sold it to a buddy of mine in a fit of stupidity. I'm still trying to buy it back....
good luck in your decision!
To say "carrying auto's is good or bad" is to paint a picture with a pretty broad brush. Just as some fixed blades are more suitable than others, likewise is the case in auto's. a $7.00 China special auto for example would be an exercise in p!ss poor judgement. A Benchmade AFO, Microtech Socom, etc. would be a fine knife to carry, and no more delicate than any other folding knife. Really, if you've ever replaced a spring in most autos, you've probably noticed they're not all that complicated, and don't usually have that many delicate parts to concern yourself with.
If I were considering another auto for wilderness carry I'd consider:
handle comfort and blade design. big comfy handles and flat ground blades are my thing. but blade design, grind, etc. is another topic altogether.
I would NOT carry a double action OTF, though I've had good luck with a single action Dalton Cupid until it got too clogged with mud and cement to open independently, then I helped it awhile, until I could wash it properly.
I myself would prefer a coil spring auto, with your average button lock. KISS simple and very tough. One thing I would be aware of is the fact that if your knife does get gritty,nasty or if your sear just plain goes out, your knife could be a bit of a PITA to pack for the rest of the trip, and a bit dangerous.
I personally would be comfortable with either of your choices as an auto. I used to own a D2, and absolutely loved it until I sold it to a buddy of mine in a fit of stupidity. I'm still trying to buy it back....
good luck in your decision!
I never said that a Spyderco wouldnt suffice in most any situation (I actually EDC a Delica 4 and have never thought, man I wish I had my auto). Thats not the point Im trying to make; autos are just (like I said before) the ultimate one handed knife.
You misread my statement (and looking at it, maybe it was worded poorly), what I meant was that in your view/eyes, autos are only good for stabbin someone; which were your own words:
That is true; you probably wont, and never will, find a wilderness expert that carries or even endorses an auto of any sort. Does this make them useless in the woods? No. Would it hurt him to carry an auto with him into the woods (not as his only blade, mind you)? No.
And lastly
You say you EDC an auto; is it to show-off to your co-workers/friends? Is it for sticking someone? OR, is it because its an easy to use, one handed knife? Just wondering
-sh00ter