All About Pocket Knives

I've never owned an auto / switchblade or assisted opening knife.
I'm confused about the differences between them (if there are any), can someone compare these?
Thanks
Keith

Hello Keith,

I do believe an auto or switchblade locks into place when it is opened where as an assisted opening knife does not ..... you have to manually lock the knife. Autos have much stronger springs. I think ( just my opinion ) that assisted opening knives were and are designed to get around certain state & local laws pertaining to switchblades or auto opening knives.

Noticed the NC 58 Regiment flag ...... what part of NC are you from ? I live in Durham, NC.

Dean

Thanks Dean,

I live in Morganton, about 60 miles NW of Charlotte.

Well Keith, let me take a stab at this question. (pun intended )

An auto or switchblade knife is opened by pressing a button or other release mechanism which allows the knife to snap open very rapidly by spring pressure. It is not necessary to touch the blade to activate this process. When open fully, the knife will normally lock in the open position and it is necessary to activate a release mechanism to close the knife again. Closing the knife compresses a spring which stores the energy needed to once again open the knife.

An assisted openening knife is actually very similar in many ways in that it also has a spring which propells the blade into the open position and normally they also lock into the open position once it is achieved. The only significant difference that I am aware of is the the assisted opener is designed so that one must manually initiate the opening process by moving the blade toward the open position. This is most often accomplished by pushing the thumb stud or a flipper attached to the blade and partially opening the knife. Then the spring takes over and completes the opening of the blade in a very rapid manner.

Not all knives with thumb studs or flippers are assisted openers. Many have the thumb stud in place of a nail nick and opening is accomplished totally manually.

Perhaps it is a bit of an over simplification but I'll say it anyway. The biggest difference I see between the auto and the assisted opener is that the auto is not legal to carry while the assisted opener is in most places.

Hope this helps.

Phil

Nice summary of the differences, Phil.

Paul

Phil,

A much better and detailed response than mine ..... that's what I like about this forum ..... there are always people with more knowledge and willing to share.

Dean

Yes, thanks Phil.
I've been looking at some of the assisted opening knives and I had no idea of the difference.
This gives me an idea going forward.
A new outlet to waste....er.. invest, my money

I carry an assisted opener once in awhile............never when I fly in my luggage.

I travel NY, Penn, Ohio and Ontario by car mostly..............is it legal in those areas?