Assisted Open Knife Views

General Goods

The Rampage Assisted-Open knife from United Edge opens with the speed of high-end knives at a tenth of the price. The 3 1/8 anodized stainless steel blade is razor sharp and offers a thumb stud and back-side flipper for multiple opening options. A stainless steel pocket clip holds it tight in your pocket and one can attach a lanyard using the lanyard hole pommel. 4 1/2 closed. United Cutlery, UC2726

Hey wooters. I can atest to the fact that even assisted open knives are illegal in some states. For example, Missouri law prohibits carrying any switchblade knife, but they define switchblade knife to include assisted open knives.s"18) ="Switchblade knife-" means any knife which has a blade that folds or closes into the handle or sheath, and (a) That opens automatically by pressure applied to a button or other device located on the handle; or (b) That opens or releases from the handle or sheath by the force of gravity or by the application of centrifugal force. - 571.020... 1. A person commits a crime if such person knowingly possesses, manufactures, transports, repairs, or sells: (7) A switchblade knife; " If you live in Arkansas, though, you are good to carry an assisted open knife. Check your state

Knives which are assisted opening(e.g., Ken Onion designed Kershaw Speed Safes) as opposed to "switch blades " are characterised by torsion bar mechanisms and are activated by pushing on a portion of the blade and not a button in the handle, nor are they gravity operated. Accordingly, they are legal almost everywhere. In any event new designs and improved manufacturing make it a moot point since most men who carry non-assisted fine folders such as Spydercos can open them as fast as a Ken Onion design will open (or the difference in speed is so slight as to be irrelevant). I know I find my assisted open knife a great advantage when working, holding something I need to cut and opening the knife with the other hand. (BTW, it is this one handed ability which legalizes even true switchblades for people with only one arm in most states.)

I have used and sold many knive brands, the spring assisted open blade is very popular, many knife makers now make some sort of it, Kershaw, Buck, Gerber , my pick of the lot would be the Kershaw Scallion 1620, it is slim , fits the pocket well has a removeable clip, and is much cheaper than may competitors of similar size , the blade holds its edge well, it is larger than its cousin the chive so it fits my hand better, the next step up would be the kershaw 1550 or the 1595 speed bump both which have a great handle shape although are much thicker and more bulky to carry. The Gerber fast draw is another inexpencive auto, Buck offers many new autos , Rush, tempest, but price goes up quickly with these models