What's the point of assisted open folder?

L

Lemonte

Joined
Feb 2, 2011
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94
So, can someone please tell me what is really the purpose or benefit of an assisted open folder? If anything, they seem like a liability to me, as it relates to a folding knife for the following reasons:


--They could open in your pocket
If they have a safety lock, they they actually take longer to open than a manual folder (first unlock it, then open, etc.)
  • [/B]
  • They are often more expenisve
  • There are more parts to potentially break, wear out over time, etc.
  • They are more of a liablity from a legal standpoint (based on many local knife laws) to carry
  • Often, they still open at the same speed or slower than many manual knives (especially with minimal practice)
  • They really aren't as much fun to play with, since there isn't much to perfect (as far as opening them with speed or in different ways)

So, what is the attraction or benefit of assisted open folders?
 
It's really about variety. It's an interesting and different mechanism from manual folders. People still carry slip joints today even though they don't have any advantage.
 
I think that it's just an opportunity to push the tech envelope and introduce new technology. Personally, I like assisted opening blades. I also think they are very fun to play with. To think of the countless hours I have spent watching tv snapping my AO Kershaws open. I have only had one spring fail, and that's out of thousands of open/close cycles. I have a lot of AO Kershaws.
There is also the argument that they circumvent the auto laws that exist in several states. They really are as fast as autos, but arent considered such.
If you don't like them, don't buy one. They do have a niche in the knife industry for good reason. Thet are reliable, for the most part, they are fast and yes, they are fun.
 
Colog said:
I think that it's just an opportunity to push the tech envelope and introduce new technology. Personally, I like assisted opening blades. I also think they are very fun to play with. To think of the countless hours I have spent watching tv snapping my AO Kershaws open. I have only had one spring fail, and that's out of thousands of open/close cycles. I have a lot of AO Kershaws.
There is also the argument that they circumvent the auto laws that exist in several states. They really are as fast as autos, but arent considered such.
If you don't like them, don't buy one. They do have a niche in the knife industry for good reason. Thet are reliable, for the most part, they are fast and yes, they are fun.
Click to expand...
^^^Well said. :thumbup:
 
I have both assisted opening and tradtional folding knifes in my collection. I enjoy both kinds of knifes. The assisted opening don't have the cuticle busting problem that happens from time to time in folding pocket knives.
 
When I was training to be an EMT the first time I was asked to use my rescue knife I pulled it out, failed to fully deploy the blade due to adrenaline/excitement and promptly cut my fingers and was unable to help until I patched myself up. After that, during my time as an EMT I only carried A/O knives because they fully deployed every time. I don't carry A/O that often now that I've switched careers, but to me they aren't about speed, but about making sure the knife is fully opened and the lock engaged every time.
 
Lemonte said:
So, can someone please tell me what is really the purpose or benefit of an assisted open folder? If anything, they seem like a liability to me, as it relates to a folding knife for the following reasons:


--They could open in your pocket
If they have a safety lock, they they actually take longer to open than a manual folder (first unlock it, then open, etc.)
  • [/B]
  • They are often more expenisve
  • There are more parts to potentially break, wear out over time, etc.
  • They are more of a liablity from a legal standpoint (based on many local knife laws) to carry
  • Often, they still open at the same speed or slower than many manual knives (especially with minimal practice)
  • They really aren't as much fun to play with, since there isn't much to perfect (as far as opening them with speed or in different ways)

So, what is the attraction or benefit of assisted open folders?
Click to expand...

I don't own an A/O, though I am impressed with their "fun" potential; something about simple machines. :) I understand why people like them.

But personally, I don't like the idea of something else that can break/fail, or that some kook cop or hoplophobic "citizen" will try to paint it as a "switchblade." I can get any flipper open as fast & easy as an A/O. Even my non-flipper RAT 1 opens as fast with the right (but easy) technique.
 
To assist with opening!
Just fooling I couldn't resist.
I like assisted opening blades and have carried many.
However after awhile I sold them all. For many of the same reasons OP posted. Just not my cup of tea.
 
For me, more than anything, it's the "variety is the spice of life" thing; in my collection, I have several AO Kershaws (which I enjoy very much), a few manual flipper knives (again, enjoyed very much), several manual knives (most of which, after some practice, are actually faster than my AO's and most auto's), and a few slipjoints. I enjoy all of them, each for their individual charactoristics.
 
I also like the variety factor. I can relate to the adrenaline factor too in being hard to open a non assisted folder sometimes in a serious emergency situation.
Right now the only two I have are the Kershaw Whirlwind and Benchmade Barrage. Fast and for me they are fun too.
 
It's just like any other product. They make them because they can. You can apply the same logic to collecting any item, such as knives. When the wife asks " Why so many knives or guns? " my reply is just why not? Simple.

SEMPER-FI TIL I DIE
 
Lemonte said:
So, can someone please tell me what is really the purpose or benefit of an assisted open folder? If anything, they seem like a liability to me, as it relates to a folding knife for the following reasons:


--They could open in your pocket
If they have a safety lock, they they actually take longer to open than a manual folder (first unlock it, then open, etc.)
  • [/B]
  • They are often more expenisve
  • There are more parts to potentially break, wear out over time, etc.
  • They are more of a liablity from a legal standpoint (based on many local knife laws) to carry
  • Often, they still open at the same speed or slower than many manual knives (especially with minimal practice)
  • They really aren't as much fun to play with, since there isn't much to perfect (as far as opening them with speed or in different ways)

So, what is the attraction or benefit of assisted open folders?
Click to expand...

What kind of knives do you carry?
 
I carried a Mini Barrage ( spring assisted) for two years. I decided to send it back to Benchmade for a tune up. There were no problems. This was my only spring assisted knife at the time.

While it was gone I carried a Griptilion. Yes, you can pull the Axis back and flip it open. But wow, I really missed my Mini Barrage. You only have to open it 20% and the spring does the rest.

Lazy? I guess I am because spring assist is all I'm carrying.

If the spring or anything else breaks BM will fix it free. I've never had one open in my pocket. The blade is against the inside of my pocket.

OP, do you have power or manual windows in your car?
 
I think the chance of cutting yourself when opening an assisted knife is low. when opening a manual folder, I may be unlucky and slice your thumb if it doesn't open like you think it should.

I've never had an assisted knife open itself in or outside my pocket.
 
I want to elaborate on the opening in you pocket.

If you carry with the top of the blade facing the rear, along the back edge of your pocket, it's impossible for it to open.

I just stuck my thumb in my pocket and tried to open my knife with the thumb stud, on purpose. It can't open.

I never use the safety.
 
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