Why would anyone go for an assisted knife?

In my experiences, assisted opening are typically much cheaper then their non-assisted counterparts. It's a good way to overcome the tight tolerances required for "smooth" opening of non assisted knifes, and still get a quick opening knife that seems smooth enough. You can get away with too tight a pivot, or sub par washer quality/fitment without bearimgs, and yet still get a snappy open every time.
Non assisted knives that open as easily and flawlessly as assisted are typically in the $100-200+ price range, whereas assisted knives from say Kershaw or CRKT can be regularly found in the sub $100 or even sub $60 range, but still often use the designs created by top tier makers. Most non assisted knives in that equivalent price range require an extra flick of the wrist to fully deploy.
Also, assisted opening is still legal in many places where auto's are not, so can still scratch that itch for folks who want auto type deployment, but also want to remain legal in their locality. I'm pretty certain that part of the whole inspiration towards design and development of assisted knives, was a work around the archaic laws forbidding auto's in far too many places.

*that all said, there are more Chinese manufacturers today providing better tolerances and caged bearing operations that do provide smoother operation at a comparable price range, and most lower cost assisted knives are made in China as well, so that is becoming more and more of a moot point. But fir the Blur and Leek and Link (and a few others I'm sure) being made in the USA, it does still hold true for folks who do care about country of origin. Personally, I own 3 Blurs still, my wife carries a Leek and would buy another of either or a Link, before I ever spend the equivalent money on a Civivi or Artisan or whatever Chinese made brand.
 
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AgentSanchez said:
I was thinking about this and decided to make an account to see if there is a counterpoint to my severely judgmental position that assisted knives are only attractive to basic B's. Other than the fact that any kind of assist is illegal where I live, I believe that every assisted blade is inherently inferior and less dependable that the thumb stud on a properly built/maintained folder, and serves to profile the owner as an aggressive idiot.. The folder will be less questionable, just as fast, more useful for everyday purposes, simpler/cheaper/stronger. What possible argument is there for assisted designs when a thumb stud gets you there just as fast without the compromises?
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Some working people often need to operate a knife with one hand while the other hand is occupied doing something else. That is the benefit of thumb stud and spring assist. Well, that, and it makes you look tough when you stand around flipping it open in public...the knife that is.
 
Wolverine666 said:
I got a BM Barrage a couple years ago (assisted) because the price was too good to pass up and I liked the assisted aspect much more than I thought I would.
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I had a mini-barrage that I loved (gifted to my brother). The only deployment mode I don't care for is the ubiquitous flipper. But I'm in the minority as most modern knives these days are flippers.
 
Locutus D'Borg said:
I had a mini-barrage that I loved (gifted to my brother). The only deployment mode I don't care for is the ubiquitous flipper. But I'm in the minority as most modern knives these days are flippers.
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This might be all the Spyderco in my system talking, but I don't find at all that most modern knives are flippers. I was looking at one flipper... was this close to getting it, too, the Case Marilla folder in Magnacut, aluminum framelock, but when I saw videos of the deployment, I knew it was not up to snuff. Very, very weak detent, lockup looked like 5% or something insanely small that kept, basically, failing.

There's a knife they could have assisted. Still wouldn't have fixed the lock issue. I was excited about that Case, too...
 
I just assumed I became an aggressive idiot when I put a Signet Ring on an Endura....
I had one assisted over the years, the Kershaw Needs Work (mini review: GREAT KNIFE) and never had any issues with deployment or anyone being startled by the snappy action. While I sometimes mused that it could fail and leave me without a functional knife, it held up well to over a year of use cutting PEX, deburring PVC, cardboard, bags of concrete, etc. The mechanism worked every time. While I don't seek them out these days, I see nothing wrong with assisted openers. I also agree with the numerous, more articulate posters above that this whole thing is unnecessarily confrontational.
 
I guess I'm doubly out of mainstream because I not only like my assisted flippers (Kershaw Dividend and ZT0560) but also like to carry them tip-down on my waistband. Aside from my Emerson openers, I don't think I have any folder that I can put into use more quickly.
 
Since we’ve all been exposed as Basic B’s, let’s gather in the center for a group hug. After that (watch where you place your hands), we can drop our EDC knives into an oversized garbage can with an Ultra-Hefty Liner. Then, and only then, will we be safe from our collective ineptitude.

A AgentSanchez , I’m calling you out for the big hug. Show up or shut up!

I’m guessing there’ll be a lot of “shut up” displayed.
 
SimplyMinded said:
I like assisted on low to mid range knives that might not open as smoothly as other, pricier options.
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What counts as "low to mid range"?

This was part of my argument in favor of assisted action back in the day. Now, you can get good manual actions for relatively low prices.

For instance, check out the Petrified Fish 818. The action is fantastic. It's only running on steel bearings but it also costs just under $30.

afishhunter said:
They're great for folks with arthritis and other conditions that affect hand dexterity.
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I have arthritis and other conditions that affect hand dexterity. Good manual actions, including on budget knives priced comparably to Kershaw models, are actually easier on my hands than the comparable assisted models. Opening them is no more difficult. Closing them is much easier.
 
I never really gave a preference one way or the other about assisted opening knives, but I do like the two that I own: Kershaw Blur and the CRKT Ritual. I didn't buy either of them for their assisted opening quality, but because I liked the knife designs. I have warmed to the assisted opening feature more by owning them in a place where automatics are illegal.
 
Chronovore said:
For instance, check out the Petrified Fish 818. The action is fantastic. It's only running on steel bearings but it also costs just under $30.



I have arthritis and other conditions that affect hand dexterity. Good manual actions, including on budget knives priced comparably to Kershaw models, are actually easier on my hands than the comparable assisted models. Opening them is no more difficult. Closing them is much easier.
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Thanks, I'll have to check that out.
 
Chronovore said:
I have arthritis and other conditions that affect hand dexterity. Good manual actions, including on budget knives priced comparably to Kershaw models, are actually easier on my hands than the comparable assisted models. Opening them is no more difficult. Closing them is much easier.
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I can see that.
I use "traditional" multi-blade slipjoints and non-locking solo blade friction folders for the most part.
My hands have issues, "thanks" to a hereditary bone disorder and arthritis, since childhood.
I like slipjoints that have an easy pull. A lot of folks claim the post 2005 made in-house Buck 300 series knives have "soft" backsprings. The 301 Stockman, for example, has a pull between "3" and "4" (a 91mm SAK, which is considered the "baseline" for comparison has a "5")

I like the pull on the 301. Some of my large Rough Rider stockman and other patterns also have a pull between 3 and 4. They are among my favorite knives. I don't have to fight with them to open any of the blades.

If my hands ever get bad enough where I can't open my 301 and Rough Riders without difficulty, (with luck I won't lose that ability until after I'm dead) I'll carry a 3 to 4 inch blade hunting knife and my Toferner neck knife, provided my hands still have the dexterity and strength to hold a knife.
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