Why all the de-assisting?

vwb563

vwb563

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Jun 29, 2007
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I'm just curious as to why I see so many knives with the assist feature that's been de-assisted. I'm a fan myself of flipper knives and especially ones with the spring assist such as the Kershaw Leeks, Blurs, the ZT 0770 series, & etc. Is there a positive side to de-assisting these knives? Am I missing something? Because I like the extra power the spring gives the blade myself. Anyways what's your thoughts?
 
I have a deassisted BM 581, especially with the AXIS lock it's much easier to open and close, for pure flipper knives like the Leek or ZT 302, I would probably leave the assist in
 
Some people want their blades to deploy in a controlled manner. I wish I had a manually operated Shallot.
 
I don't de-assist mine, but I understand those who do. It is admittedly undesirable to have tension on the blade when trying to close it one-handed. Legal issues might be a concern for some as well.
 
iCandiBallPythons said:
I deassist because I prefer it to operate manually. I also dont like the tension on the blade while closing it
Click to expand...
This ^

Also I let my wife and kids regularly use my knives and assisted openers really freak them out.

Oh...and I just don't like it! Remember in the late 80's / early 90's some cars came equipped with automatic seatbelts? No thanks, I know how to put my seatbelt on and I also know how to open a knife.
 
De assisted knives allow more control in both opening and closing.The speed difference in the two opening methods is less than 1/2 second in the hands of most people familiar with their carry knife. Assisted openers have more potential for legal problems.
 
For me, two reasons. One, closing is much easier. Two, I've had an accidental deployment in pocket. Didn't get cut but still would rather that not be a concern. Many have safeties, but this just increases time it takes to deploy. Drawbacks outweigh benefits IMO.
 
Why all the assisting? I'm not disabled :p

Jumbled thoughts: If I wanted, I can flick a manual knife just as fast...I like having control of the blade at all times, I especially dislike closing AO's... Sometimes, slow opening a blade is more ideal in public... AO is just another (unecessary) mechanism that can potentially fail and can even deploy unexpectedly though those are very unlikely. Also, I find it a little gimmicky, it is a very popular feature though, so what do I know.

The latest I had it on was a 0770CF... It's just unnecessary, I tried deassiting but it wasn't flipping right so I just traded it, too bad it would have been sweet if it deassisted well. I just cannot have it on a knife I actually use/carry. YMMV.
 
1) I like to be able to open a knife controlled, trying to fight the spring while opening it slowly was an accident waiting to happen.
2) I didn't like the spring tension during closing
3) I got tired of being asked to see my "switchblade" at work. Legal or not it attracted way more attention than I wanted and it was only a matter of time before it caused a problem.
4) More parts to fail, wear, and the I had the torsion bar rattled in the handle when it was open.

To me a flipper only knife has similar issues. There's no convenient way to open one slowly and controlled, being able to do so around the general public attracts a lot less attention than imitating a switchblade, which is the exact reason they are so popular.
 
I don't think speed is the primary advantage of an assisted opener, it's the surety of opening and locking when I'm lying down, in a crawlspace or attic, with hands that are wet with perspiration or covered in icky-pick, out of my line of sight, or wearing gloves and working with 380V DC-charged copper wire in a 12- or 24-pair bundle. I don't want to have to fumble for the thumbstud or have to flick to get a lock when my attention is seriously elsewhere.
 
I can open most assisted knives fast enough that I'm quicker than the spring. I don't need the help opening it, and I prefer the faster and safer closure of an unassisted knife.
 
I deassisted my zt because, its such a hefty blade and comes out with such a thud, people in public places would some times do a double take.
The case with my bm birrage, was the fact that I couldn't close the knife one handed. Unless of coarse I pulled the lock back and closed on my leg or something similar.
I also enjoy a smoothe operating manual folder, that is properly maintained.
 
I love my Benchmade Nitrous Blitz, it is assisted with titanium leaf springs cut from the liner. They do not usually break and it closes much easier than my ZT0770CF does with its torsion bar system.

The way the 0770CF closes against the torsion bar pressure, if they were all like that I would not like them as much either. Now my two ZT 0560s, a satin and a BW, by using the thumbstuds/blade stops they open just like an assisted opening knife. It is within milliseconds of my assisted openers.

Personally I just love to see the blade fly out on the Blitz. Makes me smile every time.

I guess I'm in the minority. I like them both! Different strokes for different folks.
 
As someone who enjoys assisted knives, I'll provide the counter point. To each their own, but I'm not sure what multiple folks are talking about when they say "controlled" opening. I am able to control the opening and closing of my knife (and more importantly, the knife itself) without any issues, so I'm not sure what they're talking about. If I need a slower deployment (which I pretty much never do), I simply ride my finger along the back of the knife, then use my thumb to finish locking the blade into place. I don't often use my larger carrier knives, but when I do, I want it open NOW. That's why I enjoy assisted openers, or flippers for that task. If I'm around others, or judge the surroundings to possibly be an issue with my knife deployment and need something cut, that's why I use my smaller SAK Cadet which rides in the other pocket.

Also, I must have stronger hands than most, because there's not a single one of my knives which has a torsion bar that makes the knife hard to close. Sweet! Good for me!

I've never had an assist spring fail, or torsion bar break, or whatever else. I just like how they function, and don't need to make excuses for why I enjoy them. Could I do without 'em, sure could. But I like 'em all the same. OP, if you do also, don't let these folks talk you out of it, since none of their reasons should really apply to you.
 
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