Why so many assisted openers?

I think it's kinda their "signature" feature. Besides they call it Speedsafe. If i recall correctly, Speedsafe is found on Ken Onion knives.
 
the AO is a great feature. its also the best designed AO out of any of the other brands (BM, Boker, CRKT, Spyderco?). if you got it, why not flaunt it? especially if its the best?
 
I personally think the reason is because a.o. knives are the hot items right now. No matter what brand you check they about all have at least one model in their lineup and some companies like Kershaw have several models available. Kershaw does have one of the best, if not the best, a.o. opening systems available on the market. They are doing what any good company would do to stay ahead of the knife pack and offering comparable models to Buck, SOG, Gerber, ect. The only problem I have with a.o. openers is most have a safety system to keep the knife from accidentally opening in ones' pocket but if you keep the safety engaged you have to first disengage it before the knife will open making it in most cases slower to open than a non-assisted thumb opener. Thats my opinion anyway. VWB.
 
offsetlover said:
the AO is a great feature. its also the best designed AO out of any of the other brands (BM, Boker, CRKT, Spyderco?). if you got it, why not flaunt it? especially if its the best?
Click to expand...

Huh... Spyderco? It's true they have an Assist, but it's not an AO. :confused:
 
Well, I have a lot more to say on this subject, but it is going to have to wait till I have more time to gather my thoughts.
 
Why not? People like them. They sell very well. The quality is very good. The more money they make the more they can offer us the buyer. They can keep people employed and bring in new employees. They can expand with more custom maker collaborations. They can offer us custom quality and materials in production knives at very reasonable costs. They can offer us the positive aspects and benefits of a capitalistic system. It's all good:D .

Thanks Thomas and keep up the good work!.
 
I have 20 + Kershaw AOs and about 30 from Buck, Camillius, Sog and One Benchmade. Kershaw is the best value for the dollar of all those. As for why so many AO models....they are the "legal" version of a switchblade and as we all know switchblades have become highly collectable over the last 10+ years after several years of being a forgotten item. Hollywood has made us grown to love that quick opening knife and we have the miss impression that it is the most deadly form of knife ( not true of course). Many of the Kershaw patterns in the AO line offer a useful blade design, good steel and the all alluring quick snap opening......we are mostly all junkies for the snap.....
 
They are just a blast!

I have several AOs - by Buck, CRKT, Kershaw, & Camillus.

While none are my EDC, I love using them.
They're like little machines.
 
I wish a few of their non-AO knives were AO. If I ahd to choose one type of kniof efor the rest of my life,AO ir non-AO...AO would get the nod.


Keep it up kershaw
 
I like the AO knives because my dominant hand has been permanently damaged and they are generally much easier for me to open. They are also lots of fun to play with.
 
I love Speedsafe. Works every time, is fun to play with and makes the Kershaw marketing folks job pretty easy to promote their products.
 
Oh. I see, all clear now. I was thinking they also had an AO near those autos they presented at the last shows.
 
Like everyone else said: because it sells well. I wouldn't have bough mine if it hadn't had the assisted open feature to draw me in.

Cody
 
this isnt exactly really on topic but, i live in kansas where switchblades (among other types of knives) are illegal and you can really only find them at gun shows, but kershaws AO are everywhere. how is AO different than a traditional swithch? is it torsion bar vs. spring?
 
enix said:
this isnt exactly really on topic but, i live in kansas where switchblades (among other types of knives) are illegal and you can really only find them at gun shows, but kershaws AO are everywhere. how is AO different than a traditional swithch? is it torsion bar vs. spring?
Click to expand...

switchblades are automatic. in other words, they require nothing to get them started, just have to press a button. you dont have to open the blade any for it to open. kershaws work by you manually opening the blade to a 30 degree angle for the torsion bar to engage and take over. thats your diference
 
thanks offsetlover, learn sumthin new everyday.

so theoretically a AO w/ 1 degree angle whould be ok?
 
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