Who needs autos and assisted openers

[cdf]

Spyders and Benchmades beat most auto and assisteds I've seen ! What is it all about , cute points ?

[timlara]

I think the appeal of auto-openers is mostly the "cool factor". I would agree that any nanoseconds you might gain in opening speed from an auto are outweighed many times over by the reliability and safety tradeoffs.

I guess there *might* be an argument that autos are *slightly* easier for an arthritic person to open, but even that is pushing it...

Not to bash autos, of course. I actually own a handful of them and they are a lot of fun to play with. I just don't end up carrying them very often because I don't feel comfortable unless I activate their "safety" mechanisms, and once I've done that, they're MUCH slower to open than a Spydie.

Edited by - timlara on 4/14/2004 8:50:43 PM

[The Saint]

They're fun, and cooler, but functionally they're really no better or worse than any other knife type.

IMO, anyway.

[vampyrewolf]

I had a Boa back in 00... used it a month and sold it.

Got a Whirlwind from Allen this winter, I'm on day 4-5 right now, changed the kit knife over to this one. This sees about as much carry time as my millie.

I can open any of my spydies faster than the kershaw... but it's the toy factor that has me use it.

<img src="http://www.members.shaw.ca/pjharyett/spyderco/spyder5.gif"><br>Mei Fides, Mei Victus<br>We are programmed to receive. You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.<br>

[Pyrochazm]

Yeah it would definetly be the geeky fun factor of putting one of my cheapie OTF's up to an empty soda can and firing the blade. Other than that, Auto's are always slower from pocket to open no matter what. Maybe a Psychic auto knife would be the solution! Think about it! A thug goes to pop open his cheap stiletto to mug someone, and it doesn't open due to it's psychic ability to know his intentions! God I love Bacardi.

"Some people prefer delusion to despair"- Nelson Munce

[DAYWALKER]

Aloha!

I for one do not NEED them, but they are fun and different. I have a few of my friend Ken ONION's knives, nothing custom, just his kershaw &quot;boys&quot;. I used to carry a Blackout. My dad got me a red Scallion but the blade's assist isn't as quick. Occasionally, I'll use my Chive.
I played w/ a SOG Blink and almost bought the thing as it had a good feel to me. But the Chive feels better so I skipped it. These assisted openers are just fun and i don't use mine much if at all due to the salt air factor here in Hawaii. That'd be all I need, a rusty torsion bar...

They're kinda like race guns to me...very fancy with a lotta moving parts. Whereas Spydercos are like Glocks, simple and function all the time! (Yes, Spydercos do LOOK better too! LOL!)

God will put you over...if you let Him! Mark 11:23!

Edited by - daywalker on 4/15/2004 4:25:27 AM

[AllenETreat]

I, by my own admission, own some cheap autos
I got from - www.AdmiralsAwesomeKnives.com

As well as a SOG Blink. My take on autos/assisteds is that anything viewed as
&quot;taboo&quot; by the &quot;law&quot; is what people often
want. Ex - alcohol during Prohibition.
Lawmakers try to regulate morality, And things such as the autos popular return
( they were unheard of for years &amp; generally
un-availible until Rick Hamilton of the now defunct Edge Co. in Brattleboro, VT began
selling auto &quot;kits&quot; in the late 80's ) and
the general un-willingness of the Federal Gov't to enforce the Federal Switchblade Act.

They do carry stiff penalties in some States
( but only if you carry them ; very few list
them as &quot;contraband&quot; )

I disdain them for carry/use as the spring mechanism is prone to break. 100% reliability is a must for me, so I carry a <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

AET

Some things are necessary evils, some things are more evil than necessary. John Le Carre

[HoB]

I think there is a big difference between the the different locks aswell. I can flip open my Delica quite fast, but had to practice a bit. the 'Lil on the otherhand is so smooth and so much better to hold with a bigger hole and heavier blade, it opens by willpower alone ;-)...and I can open the blade without touching it, if necessary, which is not to say that it is loose or opens by itself. Compression locks rock!

[dialex]

Autos and assisted openers are cool, but I find spydies more reliable.

<a href="http://users.pcnet.ro/dialex"><font color=blue>(my page)</font></a>

[Concord_Bob]

Do I need autos? No. But I sure like to play with them. I have several cheapies and a couple dozen high end ones. I like to carry the California legal Smith &amp; Wesson wood handle auto when I am wearing a suit. It sure gets attention when it snaps open.