Advantages/Disadvantages of Assisted Opening Knife

[captain spaulding]

I've only handled one assisted opening knife, a Sog Flash.

I didn't find the assisted opening really made that much difference. I'd had Benchmade and Spyderco knives and was quite happy with their opening.

Niggling in the back of my mind was having the Flash open by accident in my pocket. The knife had a safety catch to prevent opening. With this engaged, the act of disengaging it, negated any advantage of the assisted opening.

I never carry folders Assisted or not loose in my pocket for this reason. All folders get carried tip up in the right front pocket with the blade facing the outside of the pocket. It is impossible to open in your pocket so I never have to worry about it.