Considering an Automatic Knife...Please Comment...

[Maverick223]

I am contemplating purchasing a automatic folding pocket knife that has the following features:

*Closed length of 5" or less (with as long of blade as is practical)
*Double edge (prefer one serrated and one plain edge, but at least part of one edge must be serrated)
*Relatively lightweight (I would prefer a slender blade)
*Durable hard edge and finish (prefer black, must not be unnecessarily brittle=ceramic however a hard edge is preferred)
*Durable handle material and finish (prefer black/bead blasted but must be durable)
*Black handle is preferred (definitely no bright colors)
*Knife WILL BE USED, I do not want to spend more than $200-300USD

I have been looking at a Microtech Ultratech D/E partially serrated, boron carbide coated...can be bought for about $275-300USD. What do you guys think? What else should I consider?

Links and recommendations of local stores where the knives can be purchased is appreciated.

 

[Black Toe Knives]

I have carried both Autos and Assisted. Hands Down I would just because of legal reasons. Carry an assisted open. Assisted is just as fast as an Auto.
Trust me if you pull your knife out and push the button to make it open it will get attention. Assisted can be open like a regular knife or like a switchblade.
Buy the switchblade to collect. But Buy the assisted open to carry.


Just a thought.

 

[Maverick223]

Thanks for the advice, but I feel that assisted knifes don't really have a place...I am just as quick (and find it just as easy) with a normal thumb stud...if I decide to go with a spring, I want it to be ballistic. As far as collecting knives, I believe that a collection should be used (same with firearms).

 

[Dimis]

unless your are an EMT/EMS/Police Officer/Military/FireFighter you may want to HEAVILY look into your local laws a simple thing like the difference between assisted and automatic may ruin your rights permanently

now that i have the government mandated warning out there Microtech makes good knives so i think your choice will do what you want i cant think of many knives that fit your criteria without going into very expencive models or the el cheapo crap you find at farmers markets and gun shows

truthfully i carried a balisong for ages (since highschool) and one day i just decided that a good old fashioned lockback buck 110 knockoff from sheffield worked out just fine for my defencive needs and wouldnt land me in trouble

id seriously research and think this through before you start carrying an automatic

and i agree if you own it you should use it

 

[Mot45acp]

I have been drooling over this for a while:

http://newgraham.com/store/product/5128/Infidel-AUTO-BM3300/

 

[Maverick223]

unless your are an EMT/EMS/Police Officer/Military/FireFighter you may want to HEAVILY look into your local laws a simple thing like the difference between assisted and automatic may ruin your rights permanently

Perhaps I am mistaken (and from the language here it looks like I may very well be), but I thought that NC was a free state allowing the use of ballistic/switchblade/automatic knives...if I am mistaken then I believe that I may stick with my good ole H&R toothpick. In all honesty the thing that got me thinking about a new knife is the need for a serrated edge on that knife...and I just figured that a auto would be handy.

After a little more research (I should have known not to trust Wikipedia :banghead it seems that all automatics are illegal in all 50 states (with a few exceptions that I don't meet)...stupid law.

I have been drooling over this for a while:

I appreciate the suggestion, but the full plain edge is a deal breaker for me (and unless I missed it they do not manufacture a [partially] serrated version), though it does look like a nice knife.

 

[hso]

No one permits the use of ballistic knives. We've discussed this here repeatedly and pointed out that they are a novelty at best and at worst guaranteed to put your 4th point of contact in the slammer if found by LEOs.

Your information is incorrect. Auto knives are not illegal to own in the majority of states, although double edged knives are. They are illegal to carry in most states and illegal to sell in many, and interstate commerce is federally restricted, but that does not prohibit possession inside any given state. That issue is covered by state or municipal law. You should look deeply into the local/state law question.

I collect autos. I enjoy their intricacy and the skill required to make them. I personally own one of the very first Microtechs made and several others made over the life of the company. I own modern autos from other manufacturers and prototypes and customs from some of the most skilled custom makers of autos as well as numerous autos from before the "Switchblade Act".

All that said, I would rather spend the money on a high quality one hand opener as a carry knife and recommend others to do the same.

 

[Maverick223]

Thanks for the info hso...will be looking for something else. :banghead:

Any recommendations on a good, light (skeletonized or slender blade preferred), double edged (I believe that it is legal in NC, please correct me if I am wrong) partially serrated linerlock between 3.5-5in. closed?

 

[TheWarhammer]

Here's my daily carry knife:

It's a CRKT M21-14SF

3.875" blade with serrations near the hilt. 5.375" closed. Good build quality, opens quickly and easily, locks open very securely, and it's completely legal to carry here in Texas.

For something a little more streamlined, you may check out the
M16-13LE:


Combined Razor-Sharp & Triple-Point Serrated Cutting Edge
Blade: Length: 3.50” (89 mm)
Thickness: 0.10” (2.5 mm)
Steel: AUS 8, 58-59 HRC
Closed: Handle length: 4.75” (121 mm)
Open: Overall length: 8.25” (210 mm)
Weight: 3.2 oz. (91 g)


BTW, doubled edged blades of ANY length are illegal in N.C.

 

[clown714]

check out the spyderco military and endure.

both are light weight and well made.

I,EDC a military.

clown

 

[2nd 41]

id seriously research and think this through before you start carrying an automatic

Good advice. Get arrested and go through the system for carrying an illegal knife? Screw that.

 

[Maverick223]

For something a little more streamlined, you may check out the M16-13LE:

I may very well pick up one of those. I had the zytel version of that very knife and it was stolen...I see the Al. scale version has a little better steel quality and it retains the durability of a SS blade. Looks like it may be the right knife for me. Thanks to all who posted and commented, even if it was not something that I liked or what I really wanted to hear...it was beneficial and I appreciate the time that you took to help me out...and by all means keep the ideas and suggestions coming...I will let ya'll know what I decide on.

 

[Maverick223]

So far I am considering a CRKT M16-13 Partially Serrated (either the Ti or the Mil Version), and the Benchmade 943 Osbourne. I am starting to lean towards the Benchmade due to the size (about perfect for me), the weight savings, and due to the the Made in USA sticker, despite the additional cost over the CRKT (made in Taiwan IIRC). Please feel free to comment on these choices as well as others.

Forgot to mention one important detail about what I am looking for...what the use will be (I hate when ppl do this with regards to firearms). The knife will be serving a multipurpose role of general light/moderate duty cutting (boxes, tape, rope, string, fabric, clampacks, zip ties, et cetera), light surgical needs (splinters, cleaning under fingernails, et al), as well as backup duty for defensive purposes (which I hope never to need).

 

[TheWarhammer]

I think with either of those knives you will have a really good knife for daily use. If you can avoid opening boxes with it, do so. Hardly anything dulls a knife quicker than cardboard.

When you're ready to buy the knife, look into getting one from a good local knife shop. I bought my M21-14SF from a local shop and it came with lifetime resharpening. It's nice to be able to take it in for a professional resharpening any time I want at no additional cost! I could have saved $40 or so buying off of the internet, but I would have easily paid more than that on resharpening already.

 

[Maverick223]

If you can avoid opening boxes with it, do so. Hardly anything dulls a knife quicker than cardboard.

No worries...I should have been more specific (and realized that was coming)...I am anal about the way I open a box (even with a utility knife)...tape only.

When you're ready to buy the knife, look into getting one from a good local knife shop.

That may be a problem...the only dedicated knife shop that I knew of is closed...tried to go there today (a bad idea on "tax free weekend")...the only places that I know of is a local gun/coin shop that I despise (not happening) and BPS (which doesn't have anything that I like...if anyone knows of any good knife shops in the Charlotte->Mooresville area please let me know. Also, I have had more goons mis-sharpen my knife so I am uncertain that I really want the free sharpening anyways...think I may just have to invest in a strop instead.

 

[Dimis]

yea sorry if HSO or myself burst the bubble but its a limited few that get the privledge to carry said items (again depending on YOUR state laws etc...) here in delaware i am fully allowed to own any knife i choose but they are for collecting purposes only and if carried on my person as a defencive item im breaking the law i was on the wrong side for a long time carrying my ballisong i cant say it was smart to do that and ive grown up and figured out a simpler aproach was a better one better to go with the grain than against it no matter how silly we think the rules are

may i ask why double edged?
there are many nicely priced EDC single edged serrated spyderco models that can handle a ton of different duties

you mentioned earlier that whatever you end up with you intend on using extencivly so why buy a ferrari to go get groceries?

 

[Maverick223]

may i ask why double edged?

Ideally I would like the D/E for a serrated edge on one side and plain edge on the other though I am not adverse to a single edge blade as that has advantages as well. Both of the knives that I mentioned have single edged blades.

there are many nicely priced EDC single edged serrated spyderco models that can handle a ton of different duties

Spyderco makes a great knife... unfortunately none of which I actually like. They are a bit on the bulky side for my taste.

you mentioned earlier that whatever you end up with you intend on using extencivly so why buy a ferrari to go get groceries?

For the great trunk space. I simply want a knife that is light, relatively slender, about 4.5in. closed, serrated and plain edged, and has hard but durable steel (I like to sharpen infrequently...but when I do I like a perfect edge). The knives that I have found meet my needs and are in my budget...if I could get equal quality for less I would be all over it. On the other hand I am not adverse to spending a little cash on something that I use fairly frequently.

FWIW this is the knife that I have been carrying every day for about a couple years... H&R Stiletto It was not expensive and I favor the design...but the lack of a serrated edge has become a burden lately...so I think that a replacement is in order.

 

[Maverick223]

Found another that I may consider...has spring assist...Model 14460 - H&K Nitrous Blitz Another to consider...I need to find a knife store to try these out...I don't recall ever using a knife with an "Axis-like" locking mechanism.

 

[TheWarhammer]

Before you drop a fair amount of money into a assisted opening knife, you might want to reconsider. I know here in Texas, the courts have deemed that an assisted opening knife IS a switchblade. The Federal Gov't is also trying to get all AO knives classified as switchblades. I'd just hate to see you spend $150 on a knife that, in a short time, you may not be able to legally carry. The current Administration being as it is, I think you would be safer sticking with a non-AO knife.

For what it's worth, I can pretty much open my CRKT M14 as fast as any AO knife. Also, I can choose to open it slowly, in case I don't want the "SNICK!" noise or I don't want to attract attention by appearing to have a switchblade. AO knives do have a visceral coolness factor to them, but that feature really isn't needed and can be a liability.

 

[Maverick223]

Thanks for the advice I will certainly take that into consideration...as I mentioned earlier assisted opening is no big deal for me...that model just happened to meet my criteria for a carry knife. I really want to see and handle all of the aforementioned knives before deciding what to buy. Right now I am leaning towards the Benchmade but I have no experience with the "Axis" locking mechanism...so I need to at least try a Benchmade with that locking mechanism...luckily BPS has one (but not that exact model).

 

[rcmodel]

Right now I am leaning towards the Benchmade but I have no experience with the "Axis" locking mechanism

The Axis lock is fantastic.

After a little knife break-in, you can open and close one just by rotating your hand 180 degrees.
Or flip it open at least as fast if not faster then a switch-blade.

rc

 

[Maverick223]

Thanks for the info rc, good to know but I still need to shoulder it first.

 

[Maverick223]

Wow...I was very impressed by the Axis locking mechanism on the Benchmade at BPS...just placed an order for one...I will update with a brief review (how much can you say about a pocket knife) if anyone is interested. Thanks to all who posted, if it were not for you guys I would have purchased a next-to-useless automatic knife.

 

[Gordon]

This is the "Black (ops)Knife" issued to some gubimint people and bought by quite a few this last 20 years. Mine is a 1995 edition. The are made by Ox Enterprise and are the ideal size IMHO for a pocket knife. They work and are maintainable and brutally rugged
http://www.oxforge.com/automati.htm

 

[Maverick223]

Thanks for commenting but I have since decided against an automatic, and just recently purchased the Benchmade Osbourne 943 detailed above.