Automatic knives?

REDLYNER

Mall Crawling Race Rig
Joined
Oct 31, 2008
Location
Mountain Island
I stupidly broke my hunting/hiking pocket knife this weekend- a cheap Redhead flipper, 3.5” blade, 6.4oz. I enjoyed the weight and the blade length seemed right for what it was being asked to do: cut marshmallow roasting sticks, cut rope and act as my “emergency cut something” tool.

Being that it’s not for cleaning animals or undergoing super strenuous work, I was thinking an automatic may fit the Bill. I’ve never owned one (but like all kids wanted one), looks like the quality and technology are pretty top shelf.

Im left handed, so that eliminates like 90% of them. Anyone edc one they love? Major drawbacks?
 
benchmade infidel. 3300 BK.
OTF.
Ambidextrous. Dual sided. Will start conversation wherever you pull it out.

Its just money...and you wont miss it :flipoff2:
 
benchmade infidel. 3300 BK.
OTF.
Ambidextrous. Dual sided. Will start conversation wherever you pull it out.

Its just money...and you wont miss it :flipoff2:
I’ve been looking hard at the Benchmade 6800 abp (discontinued). There are a few floating around, that 3300 looks the part.... but feels like an expensive marshmallow stick maker 😆. I played with one at Hyatt’s, it was cool but is it just me or do those center extractor autos feel unstable/flimsy for land/hiking duties?
 
Im left handed, so that eliminates like 90% of them. Anyone edc one they love? Major drawbacks?

I'm left handed too, so same thing. I actually don't have too much problem firing them left-handed with my index finger, but the grip is a little strange and not as stable. I have two autos, but don't usually EDC them because of that (I have plenty of other choices for EDC).
 
benchmade infidel. 3300 BK.
OTF.
Ambidextrous. Dual sided. Will start conversation wherever you pull it out.

Its just money...and you wont miss it :flipoff2:
From the reviews on Benchmade's website 3300BK Infidel:
"That being said, I've also used this knife in self defense scenarios that harrowingly almost ended my life (carjacking in a Southside Chicago suburb), and while the action is stiff - it's for good reason. You pay for what you get; meaning, you pay $500 and use this knife as a box-cutter and EDC, it's bound to chip, break, deteriorate - but you use this knife as a pocket carry self-defense charm, I promise that if I (standing 6'2" weighing 350) make this puppy "click" open and it allows me an extra 2-5 seconds for the would-be car jacker/murderer (who was 6'6" and probably nearly doubled what I weigh now)"

So if you're worried about not being able to outrun the 700lb man, then I guess it's your thing? I mean Brian Shaw and Halfthor Bjornsson are in the 450lb range at 6'9"-6'10". So this 6'6" 700lb MF'er has either missed his calling as the worlds strongest man, or is sitting on the side of the road looking for a ride to McDonalds. (Or the guy writing the review is FOS)
 
I’ve been looking hard at the Benchmade 6800 abp (discontinued). There are a few floating around, that 3300 looks the part.... but feels like an expensive marshmallow stick maker 😆. I played with one at Hyatt’s, it was cool but is it just me or do those center extractor autos feel unstable/flimsy for land/hiking duties?

Ive got a 6800.
The spring gives up the ghost and benchmade wont repair it now....if I send it back they will just offer me a credit.

To be fair the 3300 isnt a great edc knife...the blade floats a little more than id like...and double edged is a PIAT for lots of normal uses. But its a cool conversation piece.
 
I'm left handed too, so same thing. I actually don't have too much problem firing them left-handed with my index finger, but the grip is a little strange and not as stable. I have two autos, but don't usually EDC them because of that (I have plenty of other choices for EDC).

To be a bit more accurate, I don’t edc, but I’m at our little piece of land every weekend for at least a half day. I’ve used that Redhead manual knife 300 times if I’ve used it once, and could easily just buy another $40 serviceable flipper. But if an auto could fill its place reliably, then yes, I would be getting it just to here the click noise when my son asks for a hiking spear.

But if they’re terrible, then I’ll start the reading over on manuals. Regarding the left vs right, definitely want a left or ambi, with shooting gloves on or cold weather gloves I need to be able to activate.
 
Ive got a 6800.
The spring gives up the ghost and benchmade wont repair it now....if I send it back they will just offer me a credit.

To be fair the 3300 isnt a great edc knife...the blade floats a little more than id like...and double edged is a PIAT for lots of normal uses. But its a cool conversation piece.

That was my impression with the 3300 with the 60 seconds I handled it at the store. That’s unfortunate about the 6800.... on paper it checked the most blocks.
 
Every time I find a lefty with good reviews, they are out of stock, but this one looked like it had some potential:

 
Spiderco's chinese versions are nice enough for carrying for those purposes. I was impressed after having a few of the "good" ones. I carry mine alot because I'm sacred of losing my benchmade.

ps: not auto...sorry
 


Been carrying both these for the past 3 years, rotating between the 2. Luck I won both these at matches.
 
Have you looked at the benchmade ais assisted?
I carry the m390.
Its double thumb studded and the clip is reversable.
It is essentially auto open. You barely tap the thumb stud and it springs open, or you can just pull the release and it ill spring....its manual close though.

And its been bullet proof.
 
Have you looked at the benchmade ais assisted?
I carry the m390.
Its double thumb studded and the clip is reversable.
It is essentially auto open. You barely tap the thumb stud and it springs open, or you can just pull the release and it ill spring....its manual close though.

And its been bullet proof.

Which model? There are multiple Axis assisted, and M390 is a type of blade steel.
 
I knew that on the m390, just looked at what was in my pocket and didnt think.
Ive got a barrage today. Liek it, its a bit bigger.
Also have a vector, which doesnt have the double thumb stud but has a rear flicker thats ambi and close releases on both sides.
Had an emissary for a while I gave my son because he loved it and i just sort of liked it.
Also have an older "fact" they dont make anymore...it a very thin "pencil" knife. Has the shape of an old school switchblade in an assisted opener.

I did some work for a dude that owns a knife store and he paid me double if I took it in knives a few years ago....
 
I've fondled several Microtech's and thought they were nicely made, expensive, but nice.

As for non-automatics, personally, I've carried an Applegate Fairbairn Combat Folder (Double edged folder) since 2007. Last week, I finally caved into an impulse buy at McDowell Family Pharmacy and Gun, and bought a CRKT Helical. So far, it's been pretty sweet. Everyone whose seen/handled it so far has liked it.

wp-16107395759955820756221816534815.jpg
 
You looking for an Auto or OTF?

Protech has some really nice autos and My go to for OTF will always be microtech.

Not sure if you are a blade steel snob like me or not, but Microtech recently switched from M390 to CTS 204p.
 
You looking for an Auto or OTF?

Protech has some really nice autos and My go to for OTF will always be microtech.

Not sure if you are a blade steel snob like me or not, but Microtech recently switched from M390 to CTS 204p.
I’m in no way a blade steel snob, I’ve never been a knife guy, but I’d definitely like to learn more to start my blade steel snob journey.

This is what I broke-
E5C29D97-2AF3-41FB-951D-BB18661105DC.jpeg
 
I’m in no way a blade steel snob, I’ve never been a knife guy, but I’d definitely like to learn more to start my blade steel snob journey.

This is what I broke-View attachment 336153
If its gonna be hard use, I'd go with a super steel like M390/204p/20cv/M4. All have great edge retention and if you can learn to strop, you can keep the edge maintained and sharp since these steels CAN be a pain to re sharpen. Everyone has their opinion, but having a frame lock is gonna insure a solid lockup. I haven't put my microtech UTX-85 through a whole lot of abuse, but I'm sure it can withstand a good amount of it.
 
I’m in no way a blade steel snob, I’ve never been a knife guy, but I’d definitely like to learn more to start my blade steel snob journey.

This is what I broke-View attachment 336153
That is a very slippery slope. I personally carry a fixed blade hate foldes(lefty)

When it comes to "super" steels there is a give and take. Longer edge retention but harder (more time consuming) to sharpen. If I had to choose a super steel I'd be in the 3v camp, but if you really want to beat on it S7 is a good option. I don't know if anyone makes a folder in those steels though. My edc knives are al 80crv2
 
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