Why all the de-assisting?

Quiet said:
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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This is rock solid. I have had a torsion bar break, but it's never been a major issue. I would always recommend trying to buy quality, but beyond that buy what you enjoy and is useful to you.
 
Quiet said:
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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I agree with everything you said sir. I also enjoy non assisted flippers such as the Skyline for example but I certainly do enjoy my assisted flippers just as much if not more. I will not take a knife apart just to de-assist it I can tell you that. I paid for the feature and I'm gonna enjoy it, not remove it. No I will not change my opinion just on what I've read so far as none it concerns me at all. I don't fall for trends nor do I just "go with flow." I just wanted to hear from the "de-assisters" as to why they do this to their knives. To each their own I guess.
 
Quiet said:
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.
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What we mean is just that, manual gives you full control of the blade. Im not sure how you cant understand that. You see how once you use the AO the blade fires like a rocket? That's the AO controlling the blade the entire time. Which goes back to the term "Assisted Opening" compared to "Non Assisted Opening". Assisted, you are not in control because a mechanism is assisting you.

Quiet said:
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.
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My whole life anytime I wanted a knife open NOW, I opened it also... In case your emphasizing an advantage. It's a wash, majority of folders out there can be flicked open at a no fail rate.

Quiet said:
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.
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Great solution for you.

Quiet said:
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!
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What people are talking about doesn't take strength... There is a detent in the closing motion that is more an annoyance than anything (to those who prefer manual). It isn't difficult because it is hard to do.

Quiet said:
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.
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It works perfectly for you and that's what it's all about. No-one should need any excuses for that, us included. AO is very popular, maybe not on some forums but it is well represented in sales. At one point, I attempted to have a few nice AO's in my rotation but another thing I preferred was to stick with one or the other for familiarity.

Quiet said:
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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Most def. to each his own. I don't think anyone here is out to change his mind about it. He came in with a title and OP asking as to why.
 
What about flippers with a bearing system, do you AO guys like those? On flippers, that's what I like. What's your take on them?
 
I have generally found that if a flipper has bearing system then no AO is needed.Flippers with regular washers I tend to prefer an AO.I like them both and would not de-assist a knife designed to Be AO.I enjoy them as they were designed without a de-assist conversion.I enjoy both, but would prefer a knife with bearings on a flipper platform.If I want a AO then I buy an AO.If I want a manual flipper then I purchase a manual with a bearing system.If I like the design and buy the knife, then I will enjoy it as is was designed.If I end up not liking it, then I will pass it to a friend or sell it.To each their own and I find there are many options and choices and that is a blessing.
 
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salmonkiller said:
I have generally found that if a flipper has bearing system then no AO is needed.Flippers with regular washers I tend to prefer an AO.I like them both and would not de-assist a knife designed to Be AO.I enjoy them as they were designed without a de-assist conversion.I enjoy both, but would prefer a knife with bearings on a flipper platform.If I want a AO then I buy an AO.If I want a manual then I purchase a manual.If I like the design and buy the knife, then I will enjoy it as is was designed.If I end up not liking it, then I will pass it to a friend or sell it.To each their own and I find there are many options and choices and that is a blessing.
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This is exactly my thoughts as well. I couldn't have said it better.
 
Just wanted to add. There are a couple of knives that I own that are awesome both in AO and manual: CF Blur CPM154, and BM581.

Though I have them de-assisted :p, they were awesome in original form.
 
The only minor issue I have had with an assisted knife is a little rattling noise if you shake the knife when the blade is open due to the torsion bar not having a load on it.A quick dis-assembly and a little lithium grease will fix it right up and make the rattling disappear.You can choose to de-assist at this point and see if you like it ,or just add some grease and re-assemble. The grease KAI uses tends to dissipate with time.Sometimes not enough is applied during assembly and a new knife may rattle a little.This is a really fun project for me and a great way to experiment to find out if you like your knife de-assisted or not.I suggest only doing it if you have the proper tools and are comfortable/experienced.There are some Youtube videos out there for reference...
Best,
salmonkiller
 
I like the assist on Kershaws and ZT, helps the knife open quickly and consistently every time. I don't like them on Benchmade's Axis lock though, mainly because it's so fast to both close and open by flicking with the axis lock. On a frame/liner lock doesn't matter to me as you have to cross your finger in front of the blade anyway and can't flick it shut like an Axis, Compression, or CBBL.
 
I recall someone on here using an analogy to describe the situation. It had to do with the differences between manual and automatic transmissions in cars.
Some people just want their knives to open, while others want more than that. They want a deeper connection to the essence of the knife itself.

In terms of the analogy, they don't just want to drive, they want to DRIVE:D
 
I de-assist knives because the assist mechanism doesn't add anything useful (I lean towards flippers, and if I de-assist them they're knives that still flip open) and they have some unnecessary down sides that I don't want:

* Resistance when closing, sometimes an annoyance when closing one handed
* Risk of a confused LEO deciding that the AO mechanism makes it somehow a deadly murder knife
* Super annoying noise (what I call the SpeedSafe rattle, the sound that KAI AO knives seem to all eventually make if carried long enough)
 
amflud said:
Some people want their blades to deploy in a controlled manner. I wish I had a manually operated Shallot.
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Really? Recently got the shallot and absolutely love the speedsafe. I guess it's personal preference. How do you like it btw?
 
Unnecessary feature. How hard is it to open a damn knife?

I had a switchblade before there were laws against them. Stupid knife really. I was a kid and I thought it was cool to have one. That's apparently the only draw for assisted openers--the perceived cool factor.

Unfortunately, there are some really nice knives out there with this useless feature. I especially like the Kershaws but I have to grit my teeth and try to tolerate AO. None of them I've owned could be de-assisted without making them virtually useless.
 
While it's kinda fun to pop that blade out, I just prefer to have manual control over the blade.

And it tends to freak out non-knife people. I know, some guys say they could care less about others views on knives, but I just do not need the extra attention they bring. And there are far more non-knife people than knife people passing local ordinances and restrictions. And I imagine I'll get flamed for saying that......sigh.
 
I de-assisted my buddy's mini-barrage a few years back, and it's been his primary EDC since. We both found it faster and easier to open with the assist spring removed. Especially with a butter-smooth Axis lock, it's hard to see any benefit to the assist.
 
One more moving part to break, I don't like the kickback (nothing to do with hand strength) on closing, I don't like an A/0 flipper being cocked in my pocket, potential legal hassles when traveling, many A/O's provide a better opening feel as manuals....

I do like the Kershaw Leek though. And I think anyone can understand the attraction of A/O's to a lot of people. Diff'nt strokes, folks.
 
I think alot of people do it just to tinker with their production knives and make it more their own. I personally dont mind assisted opening but its hard to beat a great non assisted flipper with a decently strong detent.
 
I prefer the assisted opening in cheaper knives, that I buy for fun. I would never buy a knife, over $100, with assisted opening, because I prefer manual action. I couldn't imagine how ridiculous my ZT0561 would be, if it were assisted lol.

I want a ZT0770, but I can't justify the price if I have to remove parts.
 
Closing tension. Its not fun to play with assisted knives. Also even though I know its unlikely to Spain open in my pocket, I dont like the idea of a spring tensioned blade being that close to my unit.
 
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