06-30-2011, 06:39
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#1
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Sneaking back and forth across the Border
Posts: 6,628
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Best Automatic Opener Knife
It is that time of the year and we have some money in the office to spend.
I would like some recommendations for my QP brothers and Knife Makers for what they would buy to carry as a pocket automatic opener. I have done some searches but would like current info.
Utility, Durability, Ease of use, Reliability, resistant to corrosion, edge strength are just a few things I am looking at.
We waste a lot of $'s so I want to get a good bang for the buck that we can carry for a long time.
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SF_BHT is offline
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06-30-2011, 06:53
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#2
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Asset
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Haymount / Eastern Shore, Va
Posts: 12
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We were issued Meyerco 18 XRay's on this last trip and its the nicest auto-opener I've had the chance to use.
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itek01i is offline
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06-30-2011, 06:53
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#3
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RIP Quiet Professional
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: The Ozarks
Posts: 10,072
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SF_BHT
It is that time of the year and we have some money in the office to spend.
I would like some recommendations for my QP brothers and Knife Makers for what they would buy to carry as a pocket automatic opener. I have done some searches but would like current info.
Utility, Durability, Ease of use, Reliability, resistant to corrosion, edge strength are just a few things I am looking at.
We waste a lot of $'s so I want to get a good bang for the buck that we can carry for a long time.
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Make sure the blade's less than 4 inches...
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"There you go, again." Ronald Reagan
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Dusty is offline
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06-30-2011, 07:21
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#4
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Guerrilla Chief
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Ft Campbell
Posts: 555
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Mircotech builds some serious autos. I have one of there front firing Halo's and it's built like a tank.
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" Being a sheepdog has never been about getting better bones."
Destrier
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chance is offline
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06-30-2011, 08:36
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#5
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: In transit somewhere
Posts: 4,044
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Harsey D2 ...  I think Lone Wolf is still making them....
it'll snap your wrist back. and the little oregon lumber jack guy didn't screw it up too bad when he designed it...  ....
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Too many people are looking for a magic bullet. As always, shot placement is the key. ~TR
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x SF med is offline
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06-30-2011, 09:24
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#6
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Guerrilla Chief
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Omaha, NE
Posts: 694
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My perspective:
Out of the autos that I've handled, Microtech or Benchmade have been good to go.
There's also the Speedsafe mechanism, which behaves like an auto, but there's no button to operate. As you open the knife past a certain point, the coil spring kicks in and fires the blade open. No buttons, and legal pretty much everywhere. I'd recommend Zero Tolerance Knives if you want something with this mechanism.
The only OTFs I like are Microtech, but I cannot recommend any OTF because of the complexity of the mechanism, and also the fact that even a piece of paper in front of the blade is enough to foul it and keep it from locking open. Then you've got your blade flopping in and out of the handle until you can grab it and reset it.
Problems I see with side opening autos:
1) Springs break. You've got your coil spring that fires the blade, and you've got the plunger spring. The last thing you want is to go and fire the knife when you really need it and have the spring break. Then you've got a knife that won't stay open, if it even fires at all.
2) Most modern side folders you see these days are going to have a button lock. It's basically a captive plunger with a spring behind it. The problem I have with this is that in order to clear the blade, the plunger has to have a relief turned into it. This turned down area on the plunger shaft can be pretty thin... I've never seen one fail, and under normal use where one is using the knife as a folding knife is designed to be used, it should never be a problem. However, Murphy is a mother... Here in the real world, not something I want on a hard use knife.
3) All mechanisms get dirty just being carried in the pocket, let alone out in the field doing work. On a liner lock, not such a big deal. On an auto where you're relying on that mechanism to fire the knife open, this presents a problem.
Personally, my feelings are that autos are a novelty. I don't want a bunch of fancy gadgetry on any knife that I'm going to use for serious work. The more moving parts you add to the equation, the greater the chance of failure. Less is more. On a folding knife, it needs to have a robust lock with positive engagement, a solid detent, and that's it.
If it's a concern about speed of opening, with a little practice, you can open a knife with a thumb stud just as quickly as you can an auto. If it's a concern with being injured and one handed opening, if a guy still has the capability to fire an auto open, he's got the capability to open a knife with a thumb stud.
YMMV.
Last edited by DJ Urbanovsky; 06-30-2011 at 09:29.
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DJ Urbanovsky is offline
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06-30-2011, 14:41
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#7
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: 18 yrs upstate NY, 30 yrs South Florida, 20 yrs Conch Republic, now chasing G-Kids in NOVA & UK
Posts: 11,901
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Quote:
Originally Posted by x SF med
Harsey D2 ... I think Lone Wolf is still making them....
it'll snap your wrist back. and the little oregon lumber jack guy didn't screw it up too bad when he designed it... .... |
Ditto, I love mine..
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JJ_BPK is offline
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06-30-2011, 17:41
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#8
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Sneaking back and forth across the Border
Posts: 6,628
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dusty
Make sure the blade's less than 4 inches...
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You so funny..... 
Size does not matter. It is for work so It will always be legal. CBP can not touch it..... 
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SF_BHT is offline
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06-30-2011, 17:58
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#9
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Pacific NW - Puget Sound
Posts: 1,091
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Well I have stayed away from Auto opening knifes, because of the many laws against them. I am; however very happy with the Emerson Super SOCFK CQC7-BTS with Wave Action.
To me, once you practice a little with this knife it is as fast or may be even faster the some of the autos.
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"To make war upon rebellion is messy and slow, like eating soup with a knife" -TE Lawrence.
Last edited by Trip_Wire (RIP); 07-01-2011 at 12:56.
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Trip_Wire (RIP) is offline
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06-30-2011, 20:23
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#10
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Texas
Posts: 298
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I agree that you want to avoid OTF models (except they're so frickin' cool). I've owned a bunch, but never kept them long. On the other hand I never lost any money on one either. The Microtech UTX-70 is the only new auto I have held onto, they are really small, really handy, and really overpriced 
Benchmade are good, but everyone has them so no cool factor
Protech TR4 looks like a good blade with nice ergonomics.
Zero Tolerance 0650 is another good looking knife.
Autos are not any faster than a one handed or spring assisted knife, but even an 18B can open an auto
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DDD is offline
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06-30-2011, 20:58
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#11
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Area Commander
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Raeford, NC
Posts: 3,374
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Haven't tried any of the other "newer" models mentioned but I love my D2...carry it every day and use it for all sorts of things....sturdy and reliable
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"If one day you decide to know yourself...you'll have to choose the warrior path...You'll reach the darkness of your spirit.... Then, if you overcome your fears....You will know who you are."
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Snaquebite is offline
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06-30-2011, 21:05
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#12
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Asset
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Vine Grove, Kaintuckee
Posts: 56
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CRK&T is coming out with one of my large M16 autos. I've been carrying a prototype for several months and no problems yet. It's American made. 154CM blade.
More to follow as it comes into production.
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Kit Carson is offline
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07-02-2011, 06:43
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#13
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Sneaking back and forth across the Border
Posts: 6,628
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kit Carson
CRK&T is coming out with one of my large M16 autos. I've been carrying a prototype for several months and no problems yet. It's American made. 154CM blade.
More to follow as it comes into production.
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So what does your prototype look at..
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SF_BHT is offline
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07-05-2011, 09:54
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#14
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: May 2009
Location: AZ
Posts: 618
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Cool Factor
DDD,
You really hit the nail on the head in regards to guns and knives; it is imperitive they have the cool factor.
MVP
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MVP is offline
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