Assisted Opening Blades

ringzero · **on:** September 30, 2009, 06:16:11 PM

What are your thoughts?

Briefly owned a Kershaw AO, but traded it away after a few months.

Always worried about Accidental Discharge in my pocket, so I felt obliged to use the safety. But, after taking time to manually deactivate the safety to open the blade, it seemed no quicker or handier than my normal one hand opening knives.

My conclusion is that the additional moving parts and the hazard of AD in my pocket rule out AO knives for my EDC.

Of course, YMMV.

.

cliosguy · **Reply #1 on:** September 30, 2009, 06:18:14 PM

fun, but not necessary if the knife is properly made

Freudian Frog · **Reply #2 on:** September 30, 2009, 06:19:26 PM

Fun, but I don't like the feel of it. Prefer flippers.

cgk · **Reply #3 on:** September 30, 2009, 06:20:59 PM

Always worried about Accidental Discharge in my pocket

Made me think of this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pXfHLUlZf4&feature=PlayList&p=796B0E7F40874C9B&index=0&playnext=1 (Not for kids)

Sean · **Reply #4 on:** September 30, 2009, 06:26:29 PM

I have a couple.

The Kershaw Shallot which I quite like. It's a bit slippery at times but great length and blade shape. It has a nice slim profile which is nice in pocket and has a "solid" frame lock.
I also have a couple of Sog's. The Trident and the Flash 2. A little slower deployment and the lockup isn't quite
the same, a little less secure. Decent blades though, both.
I carry a fair variety of knives. Assisted openers occasionally included.

Sean · **Reply #5 on:** September 30, 2009, 06:29:32 PM

Quote from: cgk on September 30, 2009, 06:20:59 PM

Always worried about Accidental Discharge in my pocket

Made me think of this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pXfHLUlZf4&feature=PlayList&p=796B0E7F40874C9B&index=0&playnext=1 (Not for kids)

oh my...

David Bowen · **Reply #6 on:** September 30, 2009, 06:56:56 PM

I have quite a few as well but I think I prefer manual folders these days. I own the following (and no I don't ever have a "discharge in my pants" problem LOL

Kershaw Leek
Kershaw Blur
Kershaw Speed Bump

In the past I have had:

Kershaw Blackout
Kershaw Boa (now that is an awesome knife!)
Kershaw Chive

Spoonrobot · **Reply #7 on:** September 30, 2009, 07:31:08 PM

I prefer a good flipper to a straight assisted opener. I like to be able to both open and close my knives with a fast snapping motion, this isn't possible with an AO since closing is usually done under spring tension to charge the mechanism.

Zack · **Reply #8 on:** September 30, 2009, 07:45:28 PM

I had a Kershaw Blackout for about 4 years, and never once had it open in my pocket. It would take a decent amount of pressure to get the blade going, and thats hard to do when its in your pocket. I prefer a thumbstud over a flipper and spyderhole. With a flipper I have to change my grip to open, and if I am using a thumbstud its just one motion.

PyroJames · **Reply #9 on:** September 30, 2009, 09:18:14 PM

AO knives are fun, but I prefer manual folders. Some of my manual folders can flick open just as fast (maybe even faster?) than an AO knife so I'm OK with not using AO knives everyday.

2xTap · **Reply #10 on:** September 30, 2009, 11:23:21 PM

I own quite a few A/O's, they are neat and fun to play with it. Lots of good knife designs/patterns out there I like that only come A/O. One of my favs is the OFFSET from Kershaw......

.......but I don't carry one. I prefer manual folders, preferably with a tang flipper for EDC.

2xTap

HBlaine · **Reply #11 on:** October 01, 2009, 12:06:05 AM

I have a few about, but I rarely ever carry them. A couple SOGs, a couple Gerbers, and a Buck X-Tract. As far as knives are concerned, I tend to stick to SAKs and standard slippies...

However, I have been carrying what could be considered an "assisted opening" knife. Just got it, and really like it.

Not quite the same as a SOG Flash, but... It is technically a "one-handed" design...

Benner · **Reply #12 on:** October 01, 2009, 12:31:05 AM

I don't think you need to worry about them accidently worrying as you need to open the blades out pretty far before the tension kicks in.

I went for the interesting and occasionally carried option. My Nitrous Blitz is a lovely knife and the AO system on that works very well.

Sean · **Reply #13 on:** October 01, 2009, 12:46:45 AM

Quote from: 2xTap on September 30, 2009, 11:23:21 PM

I own quite a few A/O's, they are neat and fun to play with it. Lots of good knife designs/patterns out there I like that only come A/O. One of my favs is the OFFSET from Kershaw......

(Image removed from quote.)

.......but I don't carry one. I prefer manual folders, preferably with a tang flipper for EDC.

2xTap

thats such a beast Kershaw had to put "two" torsion bars in it to open up that puppy!!

ringzero · **Reply #14 on:** October 01, 2009, 01:23:18 AM

Quote from: Benner on October 01, 2009, 12:31:05 AM

I don't think you need to worry about them accidently worrying as you need to open the blades out pretty far before the tension kicks in.

I went for the interesting and occasionally carried option. My Nitrous Blitz is a lovely knife and the AO system on that works very well.

Probably varies with maker and model. I've never examined a Benchmade AO knife, so can't speak to those.

The Kershaw and SOG models that I've examined all had some sort of safety catch on them.

Doubt those makers would go to the trouble of lncluding a safety for no reason at all.

I have read several stories on various forums about Accidental Discharges of AO knives happening inside the owner's pocket!

I've had partial openings of regular, non-AO folders while clipped inside my pocket. Seems to me that with an AO a partially open blade could easily progress into a fully opened blade.

.

Benner · **Reply #15 on:** October 01, 2009, 01:29:27 AM

I've never read anything like that, I'll have to take a look.

My Blitz doesn't even have a safety and I completely trust it. Kershaws may have safety's, but they are designed so they can be easily disabled, so there can't be too much of a concern with them.

jzmtl · **Reply #16 on:** October 01, 2009, 01:38:09 AM

They are fun to play with, especially for people who are denied ownership of auto. Carry mine occasionally.

I've never used the safety on my kershaw AO. I carry tip up so the blade is pushed against pocket seam anyway.

Anthony · **Reply #17 on:** October 01, 2009, 02:11:27 AM

I've owned an auto knife, and a SOG Powerassist which has a/o blades. The Benchmade auto was top quality in terms of firing and lockup...but (to me) opening a blade quickly with a thumbstud has my hand in a better grip from the get go, where with the auto knife I had to unlock, press the button, then get a good grip.

The Powerassist, while not a dedicated knife, has a/o blades and it was the same situation for me...it hindered my opening and closing of the blades.

Another downer for me is the possibility of malfunction/breakage of the inner mechanisms. With a standard thumbstud/hole/disc type blade, it's much easier to troubleshoot a blade that isn't operating right.

The flipper on my LM knife snaps the blade open just as fast as an auto!

Nutznboltz · **Reply #18 on:** October 01, 2009, 03:00:50 AM

I have a couple of scallions which I do carry occasionally because of their small size but in general I do prefer manual blades. The scallions have never accidentally discharged on me but a manual flipper Evo Jr. has and luckly went through my pants pocket instead of my thigh, which is why I dislike tip down carry. A/O blades are fun to play with but I don't see any advantage over a well made manual knife. I have a few manual blades which are just as quick imo as the scallions.

Styerman · **Reply #19 on:** October 01, 2009, 03:27:08 AM

If you want a really manly assisted , try the ZT300 series from Kai/AKA Kershaw . They are really animals . They snap out with great authority ! I moved mine on as it was a tad bit too big for EDC , plus I didn't want to discuss it with Officer Friendly . Our law is pretty much intent based , and you might have a bit of trouble convincing someone that the beast was a simple utility piece . The 350 is smaller , and linerlocked as opposed to frame lock .

Assisteds are fun to play with , but offer no real world advantages , unless you are aging and loosing your dexterity . The other problem I see with assisteds is that the safety is a pita , and the silly spring can break . Benchmade had one with a readily removable spring ( the 670 as I recall ), I always thought that was a good idea .

Chris

american lockpicker · **Reply #20 on:** October 01, 2009, 04:50:23 AM

I used to carry an AO Kershaw as a weapon but now I carry either mace or a flashlight.

2xTap · **Reply #21 on:** October 01, 2009, 05:35:33 AM

Quote from: Sean on October 01, 2009, 12:46:45 AM

Quote from: 2xTap on September 30, 2009, 11:23:21 PM
I own quite a few A/O's, they are neat and fun to play with it. Lots of good knife designs/patterns out there I like that only come A/O. One of my favs is the OFFSET from Kershaw......

(Image removed from quote.)

.......but I don't carry one. I prefer manual folders, preferably with a tang flipper for EDC.

2xTap

thats such a beast Kershaw had to put "two" torsion bars in it to open up that puppy!!

Oh yeah.....it pops open with some authority! And it is a beast!

2xTap

jzmtl · **Reply #22 on:** October 01, 2009, 05:43:48 AM

I was thinking that was neat, then I looked up the price. $200+ for 440c is way to steep for me.

2xTap · **Reply #23 on:** October 01, 2009, 05:49:56 AM

Quote from: jzmtl on October 01, 2009, 05:43:48 AM

I was thinking that was neat, then I looked up the price. $200+ for 440c is way to steep for me.

You can find them cheaper, just gotta look around. I bought this one when they first came out. It's a First Production Run piece.......it was pricey but not no $200.

2xTap

jzmtl · **Reply #24 on:** October 01, 2009, 06:03:05 AM

Quote from: 2xTap on October 01, 2009, 05:49:56 AM

Quote from: jzmtl on October 01, 2009, 05:43:48 AM
I was thinking that was neat, then I looked up the price. $200+ for 440c is way to steep for me.

You can find them cheaper, just gotta look around. I bought this one when they first came out. It's a First Production Run piece.......it was pricey but not no $200.

2xTap

It seems to be discontinued, maybe that's why the price is high. The few results I found are all $190+.

2xTap · **Reply #25 on:** October 01, 2009, 10:33:11 PM

jzmtl,

This particular version of OFFSET I have is discontinued, as is the one that came after it. But there is a newer version of the OFFSET available, this one with machined G-10 scales.......

........you can find these in the $150 range.

2xTap