Thinking about getting an automatic knife-need suggestions

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Cholo

Cholo

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I know very little about knives, and y'all do! LOL I'm thinking about getting an EDC auto knife, but could be talked into an assisted opening knife.

1) What are the top brands? I'm not looking for the the best for the $. I want top notch.

2) In my short search some of the assisted knives weigh far more than the autos.

3) I like smaller knives. The Gerber I used deer hunting for 20 years had a 2 1/2" blade. Really! I'm looking for something with a 3" max. blade.

4) Which websites are the best to buy from? Or is it best to go direct?

Thanks...
 
From personal experience, I’d say a Benchmade Infidel.
It’s an auto, out the front, double edge. It’s a little bigger than I really wanted at 5 inches closed. The blade is 3.9 inches.
Think MSRP is (or was?) a little over $500.00. Usually saw them here around $425. Got mine at a local store Black Friday for $289.00.

Been an excellent knife for me.
 
The one I've got says "LIGHTENING" on the blade; Around 2 inches plus. It works with a Thumb push that pops the blade out and pull back retracts the blade. Don't know the brand name or cost, my spouse Ashley gifted it to me years ago and Ashley is now in Heaven since Jan 2019. The knife goes with me every where in a handy back pocket of my jeans.
 
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I’d give the nod to my Microtech UDT (center)
 
Benchmade AFO is the only one I've known to be issued to Naval and Marine Corps Aviators. The thing seems tough as nails. As soon as I'm in a position to get an auto, a Benchmade is what I'll get. i've never had a Benchmade of any kind fail me.
 
Cobratec is a auto knife i sale. Small knife with a 3 inch blade runs about $100.00 with shipping. They are assembled in TX and have a life time warranty. I seem to not be able to hang on to a knife , alway loosing it in washer/ dryer , laying it down some place , etc. I hate to get more than a $100.00 in a good auto knife for that reason
MD
 
Vito's right about the Kershaw Grid. I bought one after I thought I lost my Dividend and I like it a lot. Inexpensive, and solidly built.

Every now and again I carry the Case Copperhead that was my best friend at work for thirty years. It's just a smooth, nice thing to own. Still "walks and talks" and feels great in my hand. It's gained one or two dings over time but bears Its scars better than I do...

Jeff
 
I think Benchmade puts out a fantastic automatic knife. But I like something with a little more grip. I like the Buck 112 automatic. It has the shorter blade you are looking for, but I like a little longer blade like the 110. It gives you a handle that you can hang on to when things get active.
 
DO NOT buy a Benchmade Auto knife unless you are active law enforcement or military. If you do and the knife needs any kind of service, Benchmade will seize it and will not reimburse you. It doesnt matter if its legal in your state or not. Its their policy. Im retired Army and a former LEO, I sent my Infidel in for repair (weak spring) and they seized it under that policy. I had to have them send it to my son who is in the Army.

Microtechs are amazing but definitely not "beater knives". I have been using this one for about 6 months. Zero complaints

https://www.bladehq.com/item--Boker-Plus-Strike-Drop-Point--97031
 
This has all been great advice! I have plenty of comments but want to address this first.

Benchmade made me agree to their AKOA--Automatic Knife Opening Acknowledgement, before I could simply put their Mini-Reflex II into my cart for later. It does seem to say that they won't sell automatic knives to civilians. Here's a link to the PDF: https://benchmade.com/media/forms/ako_acknowledgment.pdf It states: "Federal law prohibits shipment of automatic knives across state lines, with the following exceptions:" I'm not one of the exceptions.

The PDF is a really short read, but it won't leave the average guy with a warm fuzzy feeling. Does anyone else have any experience with this?
 
Some states outlaw the assisted opening knives. Illinois used to be one of them. The penalty for having one was the same as illegally carrying a concealed weapon. That law went away in Illinois when they finally passed CCW legislation.
 
Some thoughts and experiences...

Automatic knives, although they may be legal at state and/or local levels, they are not so much legal at the Federal level. When I attempted to ship an automatic knife, there were so many caveats, it bordered on illegal to do so. Seems the manufacturer (Benchmade) could ship an automatic knife out of state, but an individual could not. I finally gave up. Additionally, and I did a lot of research, in Oregon, for example, although switchblades are legal to purchase and own in Oregon, they are not allowed on Federal property. Ciphering thru the pages of regulations, it seems that such knives would not be allowed in the National Forest or other Federal land.

And Benchmade... The hardest-cored 2A supporters out here will no longer support Benchmade in any way. The local constable agency, for whatever reason, saw fit to brag on social media their relationship with Benchmade as their partner to destroy confiscated firearms. Benchmade performed some serious back-pedaling to hide this. This may seem innocuous to some, but while we have always petitioned police departments to resell some of these firearms, Benchmade was right there to make the destruction so easy for the police. Further research has shown that Benchmade has been a contributor to some very anti-2A politicians.

My choice is Kershaw. And for me, assisted opening is my choice. I have an older SOG auto. Beautiful knife. My Kershaw Leek operates just as fast as the auto, completely one-handed.
 
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Microtechs are awesome, but expensive these days. Kershaw has some fun auto knives at really good prices for the quality you get. Good luck in whatever you decide.
 
I've been carrying a Benchmade Nitrous Stryker every day for 15 years, maybe longer. I did send it for service once when a screw on the pocket clip stripped. They repaired it, cleaned it, sharpened it and sent it back good as new. If I was going to replace it, likely another Benchmade.
 
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I carry a benchmade 9051 automatic knife. The handle's about as big as a buck and the blade is half serrated. I've been carrying it for around 8 years at this point and it's great.
 
First of all, find out the difference between automatic and assisted in your state.
My son who was in the Army said that they were issued Benchmade knives. They are of high quality and ( price because they have) a lifetime guarantee which means one can be returned and they will fix it for free.
So, I went out and bought a Benchmade Barrage. It is my EDC! It has the AXIS Assist with quick one hand lock/unlock and opening. It is ambidextrous. The blade is 3.60", .121 thick, OAL 8.35 and closed is 4.75. I especially like the handle thickness .65"
I prefer the Tanto Blade with the serrated edge, but there are other styles. It weighs in at 4.31 oz. It has a reversible tip Up/Down and a Lanyard hole. It is great for outdoor everyday use. No sheath of course as it is a folder.
I highly recommend it. Go out and find one, handle it and see if you don't end up with one.
By the way, in threads about knives, Benchmade will always be mentioned, despite their politics!
 

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I have many and unfortunately availability today be spotty. There are numerous good websites and numerous bad ones. I have no affiliation with any, Blade hq has served me well. My recommendation is to look through the sites for what you want and availability. Any questions regarding the model and the seller can likely be answered here.

Jim
 
Thanks to all!

I understand someone wanting to carry a larger knife, but it's just not for me. I have one fancy folder with a 3 1/2" blade that weighs 5.1 oz. There's no way I'll carry it. I'm looking at preferably a 2 1/2 -3" blade weighing 2.5-3 oz. I'll carry that.

Benchmade: It's true that all knife threads lead back to them. I don't like the TOS I read. I do remember them cutting up guns for the Sheriff's Dept., though I don't recall them donating to many anti 2A politicians. Thanks, WAYNO, for the reminder.

The auto Microtech UDT that Coyote56 mentioned fits the bill perfectly. 2 3/8" and 1.2 oz. Problem is--out of stock everywhere.

Assisted knives are looking better all the time.

The quest continues...:)
 
By Fed Law you can not ship and auto, so. Just go to a show and find an auto dealer, look at the models and buy according to your desires and needs. Make sure you get a locking blade, with a serrated hump for your thumb.
Last couple decades I have only bought half serrated blades, work well for rope.
I have owned about 3 dozen, my kids and in-laws keep liking them. So I go someplace and return home to buy another.
PJs carry the big Benchmade auto on their web gear
Florida’s CWP specifically allows carry of an automatic.
 
If you're now thinking about assisted, that opens a whole new world. Personally, I don't like assisted, but Kershaw makes some great ones. As do they as Zero Tolerance as well. Or at least they used to. I can't say I've actually looked at Kershaw or ZT for a couple years now. I prefer Kershaw/ZT assisted openers to Benchmade. When is comes to closing, I have an easier time of closing the Kershaw one-handed. Because of the mechanism they use, you can close them most of the way, the shift your grip to complete the maneuver. Trying that with a Benchmade usually ends up with it opening most of the way again, and I have to start the process from scratch at least once. Benchmade seems to use a coil-spring, whereas Kershaw uses some kind of spring that is almost like a leaf spring in shape. In any case, it has some freeplay that is advantageous in closing. Conversely, if you don't keep the pivot cleaned, oiled, and adjusted properly on the Kershaw, you can end up with them not firing completely open, as they float that last little bit before opening.

My favorites are knives that have either a similar locking system to the Axis lock, where you can pull the lock back and the knife will fall open; or "flipper-opening" knives, whatever their lock type. With the Axis lock, it is for all practical purposes a gravity-opening knife. That can be bad depending on who sees you do it. When in pc company, I can usually pinch the blade open and complete with my thumb on the blade.

OH, I always remove the thumb studs from knife blades. I can't stand them.
 
Fed law has the above mentioned narrow exceptions for shipping in interstate commerce . They are also unenforced , and many of the large internet sellers pay no heed .

As mentioned , sellers at better gun shows , and high end knife dealers in states where legal .

And since nobody mentioned yet , check the laws in your jurisdiction . Where I live , I can carry , but not conceal automatics , so they are in a belt pouch instead of pocket . One neighboring state just changed to match that , another neighboring state is affirmatively 100% legal open or concealed .
 
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