Thread: Automatic Knives

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Never seen one.got pics?

I have a Top Lock II

Well it seems that the Benchmade is a rather popular out-the-front (otf) model, but it's also very expensive. As they all are - the otf models that is. I talked to a buddy of mine who's a career soldier, and he claims to have carried one in Afghanistan. He liked it but as pointed out here, they are very uh... task specific.

So it would seem that most rational people who seek utility in these knives have a hard go of justifying them as they are expensive and only do one thing well... Which would describe any weapon really, but I think that people just expect more out of their knives in terms of practicality over other forms of weapons. And lets face it, you aren't going to pull one of these suckers out to cut your apple in slices over at the office lol! So it really does limit the utility one gets from the knife short of... its intended task.

It's kind of weird as I was thinking of buying a little knife next. This one to be exact:



As my life has become more and more tame (less camping - more letter opening lol), the little Spyderco makes more and more sense and an automatic makes just about none lol. But please keep the suggestions coming as I will buy one if for no other reason than to own one - just not sure which though - though that Benchmade mini Infidel sure looks fun... all be it, impractical .

Buddy of mine has carried a little side opening switch blade for years. It is maybe a 2 1/2" blade and he just does what people do with their pocket knife with it. Here is a pic of the model Case XX I was referring to. The 61048. I have a few as I collected the old ones and hung on to them. Amongst Case collectors these are green bone, red bone and Rogers bone.

I bought my sons Infidel just before his first deployment, so yes it was nearly task specific although I could see myself using it for hunting and a few other things, on another note, the steel seemed to be extra hard in these blades which would make them a little harder to sharpen.

Dang Jimmy,,,got a little Old School going there.

A beautiful set of Case knives.

I like the Kershaw Scallion for work. Flips out fast and is quite tough. They make another, called a Leek. It has the same fast opening, but a longer and more pointed blade. These are priced right as well!



My weekend carries are Case Russlocks. Takes a bit of wearing -in, but they open fast with a flip of the tang!

Being in the military, we're alowed to carry automatic knives, on and off duty in most states, but at least on duty so, I've handled many auto folders and eventually bought one; however, I actually prefer one with a thumb stud for ease of opening and not having to worry out it accidentally opening up while I'm flying. I really don't see a need for one. The one I have is the Benchmade Auto Rift with no serrations (ended up buying the regular rift later). It's made of 154CM and has served me very well as any other Benchmade I have has and any other knife made of 154CM or CPM 154.

Originally Posted by K37

Being in the military, we're alowed to carry automatic knives, on and off duty in most states, but at least on duty so, I've handled many auto folders and eventually bought one; however, I actually prefer one with a thumb stud for ease of opening and not having to worry out it accidentally opening up while I'm flying. I really don't see a need for one. The one I have is the Benchmade Auto Rift with no serrations (ended up buying the regular rift later). It's made of 154CM and has served me very well as any other Benchmade I have has and any other knife made of 154CM or CPM 154.

Wow that's a beautiful blade!



A blade with a blade over 3" is pushing it for me if I want to carry but yeah... nice knife!!


I am liking this blade:



Here is the write up.

3550 Auto Product Detail

I had that one and gave it away after I didn't use it for three years. I guess if it fits the task; the blade geometry didn't really suit a general purpose knife (military carry, hunting, camping, general cutting) for me. You can't really go wrong with Benchmade and I find if it looks good and feels good to carry, I'll carry it and use it.

Originally Posted by earcutter

Well it seems that the Benchmade is a rather popular out-the-front (otf) model, but it's also very expensive. As they all are - the otf models that is. I talked to a buddy of mine who's a career soldier, and he claims to have carried one in Afghanistan. He liked it but as pointed out here, they are very uh... task specific.

So it would seem that most rational people who seek utility in these knives have a hard go of justifying them as they are expensive and only do one thing well... Which would describe any weapon really, but I think that people just expect more out of their knives in terms of practicality over other forms of weapons. And lets face it, you aren't going to pull one of these suckers out to cut your apple in slices over at the office lol! So it really does limit the utility one gets from the knife short of... its intended task.

It's kind of weird as I was thinking of buying a little knife next. This one to be exact:



As my life has become more and more tame (less camping - more letter opening lol), the little Spyderco makes more and more sense and an automatic makes just about none lol. But please keep the suggestions coming as I will buy one if for no other reason than to own one - just not sure which though - though that Benchmade mini Infidel sure looks fun... all be it, impractical .

I just bought the Spyderco Native 5 in S35VN...looks like the one in your picture there. Carries very well. Thumb hole took a little while for me to get used to (I've never owned a Spyderco because of the look), but it's smooth and ergonomic.