Autos vs. Assisted Openers

[Ruffnek]

Very simple question:

With the ease of use of many spring-assisted openers, like my Kershaw Cryo, is there any reason to buy an auto other than the cool factor?

 

[Twangbanger]

Autos result in more cool stories?

 

[cyprant]

Double action OTFs are nice when you want to freak out (freedom haters) while cutting up nuggets for your toddler at McDonalds...

IMHO a good flipper is better for me than assisted or auto...

 

[lovemachine]

IMO, an assisted, like a ZT, is more reliable than an auto.

 

[Dean C.]

Assisted Opening mechanisms were created to either get around auto bans, or to cover up the fact the knife was not all that well put together in the first place. There is a reason you almost never see assisted opening on higher end knives even ZT is moving away from them.

 

[lovemachine]

Assisted Opening mechanisms were created to either get around auto bans, or to cover up the fact the knife was not all that well put together in the first place. There is a reason you almost never see assisted opening on higher end knives even ZT is moving away from them.

So what you're saying, is that I should buy a higher end ZT from Brad at the 1500.

 

[M67]

I carried assisted knives for a while, first a Kershaw 1550T, then a 1550, then I moved to the Benchmade 890 Torrent. The 890 felt and looked great and I loved how they did the mechanics of the assist (damn tip down always bugged me though)

Then I got a Lionsteel, then a Hinderer, Chris Reeve Umnumzaan, Microtech Ultratech, another Hinderer, Grayman Dua, Three Sisters Forge Beast, Diskin Vulcan, ADV Butcher, ZT 0620, then a ZT 0450.

All that, I sold off a lot to fund other things. Never carry my auto, just bought it to have one, but I've really found that I like a good titanium framelock flipper above everything else. The action on a good flipper is something to admire IMO.

That being said, I personally have no issues with a good assist. I'd have no issues carrying a ZT 0566, 0770, or 0350SWCF.

There's a lot of different pocket knives out there because there's a lot of different tastes. No 1 knife is the best for everyone all the time.





That's why you get several of each style and carry accordingly

 

[Dean C.]

So what you're saying, is that I should buy a higher end ZT from Brad at the 1500.

All ZT's are high end, now if you want to see a really nice non assisted ZT the new 900's are sweet. I myself do not care for assisted opening personally.

 

[jd4320t]

For me it depends what it'll be used for. I have one OTF, a Microtech Ultratech from Brad. I knew I couldn't ever use it for much but I could count on it for self defense.

Then I got a Cryo from Brad and carried it all the time. I like it a lot and the way it opens.

After seeing many at BladeShow and messing with some friends knives I see the assist isn't needed. I've handled quite a few flippers thsg felt like they were assisted. That's what I like.

 

[451_Detonics]

For me my modded Spyderco's (I modded these way before the wave idea was patented) are faster than my Spyderco Auto. With the auto I have to take off the safety then hit a little button, my modded Spyderco opens as I pull it from my pocket.

 

[Ruffnek]

The reason I like assisted opening is because it's simple to use one handed and I'm not fumbling for a stud to open it if I can't see it when I pull it out to use it on something. My self defense/last ditch knife is also assisted purely for speed.

 

[rhino]

I like knives.

 

[Dean C.]

I like knives.

Is Rhino still "sober" the real question.

 

[rhino]

Is Rhino still "sober" the real question.

Yes.

Eight weeks.
Four days.
Five hours.
Ten minutes.

 

[cyprant]

Why are you doing this to your self Rhino?

 

[rhino]

Why are you doing this to your self Rhino?

Because I must!

Eight Weeks,[STRIKE] Four[/STRIKE] Five Days, 21 hours, 39 minutes.

Re: assisted vs. auto - one advantage that some assisted openers have over autos is that if the spring fails, they can be used as a flipper as well. If you use the assist and a flip, you get a very solid opening.

 

[other dave]

Eight Weeks, Four Days, 21 hours, 39 minutes.

Could you be a little more specific???

 

[rhino]

Could you be a little more specific???

Yes!

8 weeks, [STRIKE] 4 [/STRIKE] 5 days, 23 hours, 53 minutes . . . and some seconds.

 

[Ruffnek]

The more I look at it, it seems that the cool factor is the only way that the auto would win. My $30 Cryo seems just as fast as a $300 (insert auto brand here).

 

[Knife Lady]

So what you're saying, is that I should buy a higher end ZT from Brad at the 1500.

Sure. You can never have too many knives.