What's the point of assisted open folder?

[dustycanuck]

One of my favorite AOs is my SOG Trident. I EDC it at work quite often, and the business-like click when it opens and locks just sounds good. Also, I think it may intimidate whatever clamshell or cardboard packaging I am about to assault, because they never last long after I hear that 'Click'

 

[Chipped Karambit]

I have to agree. Auto or manual is best. I can flip a thumbstud safer and faster than carrying a spring loaded knife where the detent is all the is keeping the blade from castrating me. Autos have locks usually when closed. assisted are just there. Considering I can open my PM2 or Fox Karambit with the Emerson wave faster than some spring loaded knives. I dont get the point

 

[Dorito Monk]

The only draw for me is the "cool factor" and the coolness of the assisted opening mechanism has long since worn off. I tend to avoid assisted opening knives now because that little spring or bar is just one more useless gizmo that can break and will need replacing.

 

[Lemonte]

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.

Good point.

 

[Lemonte]

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.

Well said. Makes sense

 

[Lemonte]

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.

Interesting point. Never thought of it from that perspective.

 

[Lemonte]

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.

That has pretty much been my feeling on them as well. I have owned many of them in the past. I don't like the idea of them being able to open (potentially) in my pocket if not locked. That being said, a number of people on this post have made some good points I hadn't really thought of.... I guess it is just about variety and what you enjoy..... obviously knife collection is as much a hobbie as anything else for many of us.

 

[Lemonte]

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

I can relate with the wife asking that question.....

 

[Lemonte]

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?

Ha! Good point. I do have power windows in my car. However, if I could put a manual window down as quickly and easily as my power window, I'm not sure I would see the advantage....

 

[Lemonte]

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.

Interesting point... I hadn't thought of that. Not sure I am sold on the assisted open thing, but I am slowly starting to regret selling all of mine while reading this post....

 

[Lemonte]

One of my favorite AOs is my SOG Trident. I EDC it at work quite often, and the business-like click when it opens and locks just sounds good. Also, I think it may intimidate whatever clamshell or cardboard packaging I am about to assault, because they never last long after I hear that 'Click'

Dusty... that made me laugh out loud (or "LOL" as the hip folks say)

 

[Lemonte]

I have to agree. Auto or manual is best. I can flip a thumbstud safer and faster than carrying a spring loaded knife where the detent is all the is keeping the blade from castrating me. Autos have locks usually when closed. assisted are just there. Considering I can open my PM2 or Fox Karambit with the Emerson wave faster than some spring loaded knives. I dont get the point

Many assisted opens do have locks. That being said, I totally relate with the being stabbed in the crotch thing..... If you simply have a knife as a gentleman's knife, tool or novelty item, then I guess it does make sense to want an assisted open. However, if you are going to also view your knife as a secondary self defense item, it doesn't seem practical for it to be an assisted open. I used to carry AO knives and envisioned one of two scenerios if I ever needed it for self defense (which I admit is very unlikely). First, I fumble with it trying to get it unlocked just so I can use the assisted feature to open it slower than what I could do manually. Or second, I don't use the lock and ask I am wrestling around with it or trying to get it from my pocket, the thing opens up and stabs me in the leg / crotch, etc.

 

[Lemonte]

The only draw for me is the "cool factor" and the coolness of the assisted opening mechanism has long since worn off. I tend to avoid assisted opening knives now because that little spring or bar is just one more useless gizmo that can break and will need replacing.

It is hard to argue with a "Monk"... even if you only shepherd a flock of Doritos.....

 

[jimh0220]

Dare I say, to assist you in opening the blade.....

 

[Hammer27]

They're just neat for the average person's needs. I don't have any because I can carry an auto if I wish and otherwise I want the most reliable folder possible.

 

[Lemonte]

What kind of knives do you carry?

What I carry varies. I have owned over 100 knives at a given time (most of them folders). A number of them were assisted open knives, so I have carried those a lot in the past.

As with many knife nuts, I had knives kind of scattered all over the house, car, etc.... just knives I'd collected over time. When we had our first child, I decided to collect them all as we were "child proofing" the house. I was shocked at how many knives I actually had... well over 100. If someone would have asked me at the time how many knives I had, I would have guessed 20 or 25, etc. I had literally just collected them without trying over 15 years or so.

Well, I thought it was ridiculous I had so many knives and I decided to limit them down to knives I felt were actually practical.... that I would genuinely use. It was at that point I really started thinking about the assisted open knives I had. So, I ended up selling about 40 - 45 of the knives (to include all the assisted open knives, butterfly knives, cheaper fixed blades and gimmick knives, a few I had doubles of or just didn't like carrying for some reason). Since then, I have purchased a few knives, but tried to limit it to things I felt were practical in some way (as if having 60 knives still is practical... ha!). I haven't purchased any AO knives for the reasons I listed originally and just wondered what the thinking was. It has been good to read all the feeback in this post.

So, to answer your question, my most common EDC folders now are the SOG Vulcan large & The Spyderco Stretch C90 (These two are by far my most regular EDC - Vulcan with casual clothes and Spyderco with suit). Others that are mixed in are: Spyderco Manix 2, Buck Vantage, Boker Plus Chad, Kershaw Nakamura, Eickhorn Elishewitz, Kershaw Lahar..... I have many others, but don't carry them very often.

 

[Pilot1]

I only have a couple AO knives. A ZT 0301, and a Combat Elite RRF. I carry the 0301 a lot, and like the ability to use one handed in case one hand is disabled or trapped like in the event of a forced landing in a plane or an automobile accident.

Yes I can open my non AO knives one handed also, but with the flipper/AO, I don't even have to think about it.

 

[CUTS LIKE A KRIS]

In Canada any folder able to be flicked open can be classified as a gravity knife and potentially confiscated. The assisted function resists against opening and makes it harder to be able to flick open, so it is actually more legal to carry than most non assisted clipped folders. I can flick open some of my ao's but it is extremely difficult. The action remains smoother than other knives because I don't have to potentially tighten the pivots as much.

Plus fun, many designs would work well even without ao, but are not offered (Leek), and in my mothers case they were the only folders she could easily open after loosing fingers and parts of fingers in a farming accident.

If I am carrying an ao and do not want people to notice, I initiate opening against my leg and thumb it the rest of the way- quiet and unobtrusive.

 

[stevekolt]

My wife's favorite carry knife is a Leek with S30V and G10. She has hand issues, and likes being able to open it without any pain.

 

[Liquidm1980]

i am 50 50 on them. my edc at work in a ss chive. i will admit it is very quick to open. i dont clip it i just drop it in my pocket. i have reachede l in a few times to fine it open. luckily i never got cut. i do use the lock on it.