Why not assisted opening?

[septer]

I only have one spring assisted folder, a Buck Tempest ATS-34. I actually really like the knife, it is one of my favorites. :thumbup:I am not actively searching for any more at the moment having just received an Izula this week and with two other knives on the way.

Not no mention, dont get caught with it in the "Great White North" they are eligal in Canada.

 

[Dorito Monk]

Not no mention, dont get caught with it in the "Great White North" they are eligal in Canada.

No offense, man, but that's not true.

Assisted knives are perfectly legal for sale, purchase, carry, and use here in my native Canuckistan.

 

[JeremiahWeaver09]

there are different types of AO's. the type of knives that use the outburst type system like the ones that CRKT uses are pretty reliable inmop. the mechanism is a long slim bar that pushes the blade out and is held in place with a screw. the benchmade apparitions use the same kind of mechanism for AO. this type also gives the user the option to remove the bar anytime they feel like and turning their knife into a manual folder. i have the g10 handle bm apparition that i removed the bar from and made manual, and have the original apparition that i left AO. the CRKT hissatsu folder is another knife that uses this type of AO action.

 

[Tostig]

I was wondering why I constantly see people say they don't like assisted opening, or would prefer that knives don't have it. I have nothing against it, it makes the knife easier to open. I don't see any cons, but constantly I see people saying they don't like it, why?

Preference , pure and simple - for example - I'm to the point now that if a knife does open via a flipper then I have zero interest in it ( although I am in total love with the upcoming Benchmade model 755 and will buy one ) otherwise aside from the odd knife like the aforementioned 755 I just dont care about the knife regardless of which brand/maker it is unless it is a flipper ,and that is my preference.

I think some of knife folks get turned off by AO because of the sheeple implications, which I can sympathize with - There are few things more vile than a frightened , bleating sheeple.

Tostig

 

[Apec]

Of course, when you lend an AO to someone without telling them about it, it's great to see them spooked when the blade kicks open.

 

[Dorito Monk]

Of course, when you lend an AO to someone without telling them about it, it's great to see them spooked when the blade kicks open.

Not so great to see them open themselves up with it when they don't see it coming. :thumbdn: That's unpleasant, right there.

Which is why I now make damn sure to warn people about assisted knives when I lend them out, or if its only for a couple seconds (ie: "Hey, can I borrow your knife for a sec? I have a loose thread.") I'll open it for them.

 

[gak]

I'm easily amused so the novelty never wears off...

Using an AO knife to open packages in front of knife/gun-haters is always fun too. I love to see their mouths form perfect "O" shapes as they try to make up fake laws on the spot.

"Those knives are illegal !"
no.

"That's an illegal switchblade !"
no.

"Those knives are just for killing people, I saw it in a movie !"
no.

 

[vonhizzle]

Not so great to see them open themselves up with it when they don't see it coming. :thumbdn: That's unpleasant, right there.

Which is why I now make damn sure to warn people about assisted knives when I lend them out, or if its only for a couple seconds (ie: "Hey, can I borrow your knife for a sec? I have a loose thread.") I'll open it for them.

Or when they open it right into a metal table after you told them "watch out it has a spring don't hit the blade on that table".

 

[creativeoutlethobbie]

The more working parts, the more things that can break and rattle.

 

[wutitiz]

In general springs are inherently subject to weakening and breakage, so a design that gets rid of a spring is inherently a better design.

As a previous poster pointed out, AOs can open in your pocket, cutting your pants or even your leg. Secondly, every so often the AO blade fails to open all the way for whatever reason--maybe you weren't holding it quite right, maybe some lint jammed it, etc. If you're in a big hurry, say at work, or say using it for self-defense purposes, that could be a problem. I prefer a manual opener that I know is going to lock open 100% of the time.

If you want a bell/whistle, instead of AO consider getting a folder with pivot bearing such as IKBS, RJ Martin roller bearing, or Darrel Ralph max-glide.

 

[vonhizzle]

Secondly, every so often the AO blade fails to open all the way for whatever reason--maybe you weren't holding it quite right, maybe some lint jammed it, etc.

My AO's haven't failed to open for me. I suggest cleaning and lubing and adjusting the pivot. Things that make your manual or flipper knives open smoother and faster also work with AO.

Pick a knife that you like; AO, flipper, stud, spydie hole, liner lock, frame lock, axis lock, etc. doesn't matter they are all good. In fact I find I would like to have at least one example of EVERY kind of knife.

 

[NaOH]

Absolutely legal in Canada dude. We have lots of them up here.

Not no mention, dont get caught with it in the "Great White North" they are eligal in Canada.

 

[Skimo]

I have no need for AO, thumb studs/holes are just as fast.

 

[Josh K]

I was wondering why I constantly see people say they don't like assisted opening, or would prefer that knives don't have it. I have nothing against it, it makes the knife easier to open. I don't see any cons, but constantly I see people saying they don't like it, why?

It complicates the knife too much for me. Fun to play with but any decent folder will be just as fast to open in practiced use.

 

[batosai117]

I like assisted opener knives, in fact I just recently got an auto. For a beater knife and in use of the public, nothing beats a SAK or buck 110. However, assisted openers and autos have their place as awesome knives and innovation in the cutlery industry.

I prefer manual folders for the legality of things, but my auto commander is awesome

 

[Baatfam]

I often find myself needing to open a knife with one hand at work.
I would prefer to carry one of my autos, but that not a good idea in these parts, so the assisted knives fill the bill nicely.
Most of my AOs are Kershaws, so breakage and reliability have not been an issue.

I also carry a standard folder for normal tasks, or for the occasional loan out.

Bob

 

[effer]

I'm easily amused so the novelty never wears off...

Using an AO knife to open packages in front of knife/gun-haters is always fun too. I love to see their mouths form perfect "O" shapes as they try to make up fake laws on the spot.

"Those knives are illegal !"
no.

"That's an illegal switchblade !"
no.

"Those knives are just for killing people, I saw it in a movie !"
no.

This is why I don't like AO. There enough knife haters out there and I don't like giving them more reasons to express their feelings and breed their hate. Flashing that AO knife around such people does not give me any satisfaction and I don't like people thinking about my EDC as a weapon. I can open my non-AO knives just as fast if I need to, but I also can do it nice and civil.

 

[Flashpoint]

In general springs are inherently subject to weakening and breakage, so a design that gets rid of a spring is inherently a better design.

Then we should all just carry fixed blades and get around in a horse and buggy.

As a previous poster pointed out, AOs can open in your pocket, cutting your pants or even your leg.

The same thing could happen with a manual opener, but in either case it would be a freak accident. The rare exception rather then the rule.

Secondly, every so often the AO blade fails to open all the way for whatever reason--maybe you weren't holding it quite right, maybe some lint jammed it, etc. If you're in a big hurry, say at work, or say using it for self-defense purposes, that could be a problem. I prefer a manual opener that I know is going to lock open 100% of the time.

I've had many instances were the manual didn't open all the way. All my AO have always opened fully every time. Not holding it right, lint, being in a hurry, or under stress are all reasons that could apply to why a manual opener didn't fully deploy.

If you want a bell/whistle, instead of AO consider getting a folder with pivot bearing such as IKBS, RJ Martin roller bearing, or Darrel Ralph max-glide.

For the most part all the knives you just listed would cost someone hundreds of dollars just to get one. A lot of people just don't have that kind of green to spend on a knife.


I'm not really for or against AO, Autos, or manual opening knives. I like them all for different reasons and like to have examples of each in my collection. The reason I even responded was that your reasoning seemed overly worrisome or just flawed.

 

[hunter s thompson]

Sort of of like they used to say about double action pistols; a solution to a problem that didn't exist. Once the novelty wears off I see little use for them.

My dad would disagree with this whole heartedly. Hes an 80 year old knife nut who had to stop carrying a knife for a while because his fingers couldn't open his slip joints. Ask him how much of a novelty his Leek is and how its a solution to a problem that doesn't exist. Just because you have no need for something does not make it useless.

 

[redisburning]

My dad would disagree with this whole heartedly. Hes an 80 year old knife nut who had to stop carrying a knife for a while because his fingers couldn't open his slip joints. Ask him how much of a novelty his Leek is and how its a solution to a problem that doesn't exist. Just because you have no need for something does not make it useless.

sounds like a push button auto would be an even better solution though.

too bad in loads of places they are illegal.