Which would you prefer?

[xring3]

If you were to buy an automatic knife, which action would you prefer? Push button or lever lock? And the reason for your preference.

 

[earplug]

Lever lock. One button in one place that is near the normal grip. I prefer unlocked Bali songs.

 

[theotherwaldo]

Push button, because that's what I've been using for the last fifty years.
Muscle memory matters.

 

[lemaymiami]

Switchblades always caught my eye from when I was a kid on into adulthood. Never owned one - instead learned to open any single bladed pocket knife one handed - some of them just as quick as a switchblade... The ones I admired the most were almost universally german made - all those years ago... Modern auto knives appear to he head and shoulders better than the ones I remember from years and years ago. By then I was so accustomed to opening the folders I had, one handed, that I was a lot less tempted to own an auto... On the plus side, an ordinary pocket knife without the auto feature is a lot less noticeable and if you refrain from opening one with skill most would never guess just how quickly they can be in use...

 

[Madcap_Magician]

Unfortunately not legal in my state, but the advent of manual flipper knives based off detent resistance has largely made it moot. My only interest in autos now would really be as a fidget toy.

 

[sgt127]

My gripe with push buttons (and I own several) is that by the time I flip the safety off and push the button, I could have opened and closed a Spyderco.

A well made Lever Lock, the lever is the safety, neat (and old) design.

 

[Speedo66]

Lever lock.

No hunting for safety, and the release is right under your thumb when the knife is held in normal grip.

Safer in your pocket, too.

 

[hso]

I like levers more than buttons.

 

[Boattale]

I have zero experience with either. But the lever lock appears more user friendly. I do have a Benchmade Barrage and a Violi. They're assisted opening. Plenty fast enough to my mind and for any purpose I can foresee ever needing.

 

[theotherwaldo]

The lever lock IS more user-friendly.
It's just not what I'm used to using.

 

[Gordon]

The "pick lock" and push button the blade lock is real secure, but the button mechanism kind of weak. The lever lock is more ergo but I am unsure of the blade locking mechanism . The Daltons I use allthough slow are neither , but rather a recessed slide device

 

[bikerdoc]

It's illegal to carry here
That said I own 2 pushbuttons and an OTF

 

[Vyderka]

Pushbutton, my dad had a lever lock and it really never appeared to me, I had carried a pushbutton for years when I was young. Not the best of designs now, then it was one of if not the best available. Being young and stupid I carried it without safety engaged. The knife opened in my pocket itself only twice, I don't want to think how many things could have gone wrong..

 

[Gus Chiggins]

I use a button one for a letter opener.

 

[rust collector]

If your car alarm has ever been set off because something pushed the key remote button in your pocket, that's a reminder to engage the safety on your auto knife. My pushbutton auto does not get to ride in my pocket.