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Auto Knives

So my state legalized carrying of automatic knives today(WI). I would like to pick one or two up...just because.

Currently looking at getting a Boker AK74 and a cheap Lighting OTF knife.

Anyone have any experiences with these two brands or can recommend another automatic?
 

simon1

Self Ignored by Vista
After they became legal here I picked up a regular Mini Magnum ("designed" by Boker but the blade is made in Taiwan) from a local knife shop for $18 and put the spring in myself. I had to mill the spring hole a little deeper in the handle but it was easy to do with the tool you can buy for that...just chuck the tool up in a drill press and deepen the hole a little at a time until the spring fits right. The steel quality is not up to a Benchmade but it's perfectly adequate for my purposes.

I "think" the AK47 is about the same quality of steel, but for about $45 for one that is already an auto it's not a bad price. I don't have any experience with a Lightning OTF. I have a small Schrade auto that has the regular firing button that has the sliding lock. The lock has came off a few times and it opened part way in my pocket, so I was a little concerned about the Boker with the recessed button and no lock...I have not had one bit of a problem with the Boker trying to come open in my pocket and I've had it for over 2 years. I prefer the side opening ones over the OTF for the possibility of them coming open, but I haven't had any experience with the OTF so can't say if this would be a problem.

I'd love to have one in the quality range of a Benchmade, that would last several lifetimes, but that's way outa my price range. They are excellent knives though.
 

Ad Astra

The Instigator
In this state CCW permit covers autos ... do have a $$$ Benchmade; forget which! Don't carry much 'cause I lost it once and about dang near died thinking of what it cost (it turned up).

Picked up two of the (regular) Boker Magnums; inexpensive and well made (Taiwan, under $25). The aluminum handle one is heavier than the plastic scales one. These I do use. Typically I carry a folder in a front pocket, but an auto in your right rear pocket makes for one-handed tasks- good when backpacking.


AA
 
I lost a Micro Tech UDT years ago...most unhappy experience. Figured I wasn't going to take anything to the grave, so I still carry my "high end" blades...and keep my fingers crossed.

One I don't carry on a regular basis is my Micro Tech Lightfoot LLC. Mostly because it has some sentimental as well as monetary value.
 

simon1

Self Ignored by Vista
Oh...I also have a cheap Rizzuto Estileto Milano with a 4 inch blade...the kind we used to get in high school for $2. The only reason I have that piece of crap is for old times sake. Like this one...not my picture but the same kind of auto.

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Here's a couple of short clips of my Boker and the Schrade.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsLuLwQ04rk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9bhfDUwPtY
 
I don't know much about automatic knives, so I think it goes without saying, whatever you end up with requires pics here!
 
Have an auto Presidio that I carried for about 2 days before I went back to my manual version.

With the manual I can open AND close one handed and not fight any spring pressure---I can open it as quickly as any auto also.

For ME---autos are fun trinket's and novelties but have little use in the real world


I also have a Kershaw Launch 1-----its never carried either------they just aren't that useful
 

simon1

Self Ignored by Vista
I don't know if you're aware of the Federal Law regulating interstate commerce concerning automatic knives...you'll have to get it within your own state. About all of the online auto knife dealers have it in their Terms and Conditions...scroll down to section 8:

http://www.bladehq.com/cat--Terms-Conditions--96

Check with one of your local knife shops and see what they can tell you.

Or, you could do like I did and get a button lock one and the parts and make it yourself...you'd should be just fine doing that, but check the wording in your state law and make sure it includes manufacturing. The button lock manual ones seem to be getting hard to find now...these are the only ones I found so far.

http://www2.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_store.html?ttl=Magnum Knives&cat=mgm&k=speed&series=399&

Don't know if these have the spring hole and pocket already drilled though.

http://www.knifekits.com/vcom/index.php?cPath=1_373

http://www.knifekits.com/vcom/index.php?cPath=1_508

My mini magnum already had the hole drilled in the blade for the spring tip, and the spring pocket in the handle was there but just wasn't deep enough. Here's a link to some cutter bits, guides, and springs. It used to say what size bit and spring go with what model knife so you may want to email them to find out what fits the particular knife you get.

http://www.knifekits.com/vcom/index.php?cPath=49_191

http://www.knifekits.com/vcom/product_info.php?products_id=476
 
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Super cool in theory, often self opening in practice. If you lock them to mitigate that then they are much slower than any number of non auto folding knives. But hey you work hard for the money and want what you want.


In most new realms I have tended to buy at one notch above entry level or the absolute best I can afford presuming a universally recognized quality difference between the two i.e. basic Coleman tent is a notch above Wal-Mart brand or Tarptent- boutique, superlightweight stuff that weighs 50-65% less. In your case, The Boker is in there v. a Benchmade at the other end.
 

simon1

Self Ignored by Vista
VERY nice Benchmade Pardue...wish I could afford one.

Thanks for starting this thread blary. My Schrade has been sitting in a baggie for...quite awhile as I had taken it apart to tighten up the torx screw for the safety and it's a PITA to get the blade stop and firing button to line up when you put the top part of the handle back on...but I got it back together a bit ago...finally. It's one of those things where you need three hands. Works great again, until the safety plate wears a bit again. The Schrade doesn't seem to be as good as the Boker as the blade has more side to side wobble in it, but I may need to get a spacer for the blade to take that out. And the Boker is easier to reassemble.

I got to thinking that if you can't find one in-state I "think" the kits, since they are not assembled, don't constitute an automatic knife and can be shipped interstate. You might contact this guy and ask. I'm sure he wouldn't jeopardize his business by facing possible Federal fines/prison time. Maybe...kinda sorta. It would be best to talk to a local knife shop. As for converting a manual to auto just google Convert Boker to Automatic...there are a few UTube vids.

http://www.switchbladekits.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=20
 

simon1

Self Ignored by Vista
Have an auto Presidio that I carried for about 2 days before I went back to my manual version.

With the manual I can open AND close one handed and not fight any spring pressure---I can open it as quickly as any auto also.

For ME---autos are fun trinket's and novelties but have little use in the real world


I also have a Kershaw Launch 1-----its never carried either------they just aren't that useful

Yeah, I usually carry my Case mini stockman 99% of the time for the three blades...one for opening letters and boxes, one for general purpose stuff, and the razor sharp blade for the rare times I have to do surgery. :001_smile

But I have the automatics for the reason of...just because...and the cool factor. :biggrin1:

And the one handed operation can be useful, but agreed that you can open some manuals just fine one handed...but they lack the cool factor.

I used to have one of these little Schrade double switchblades made in the early 1900s several years ago, about the size of the mini stockman but had buttons on each side for the blade release, but somebody stole it.

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Well I bought a Cheap Boker AK74 and a Lighting OTF. Honestly playing around with them for a few days the trill of them being automatic is over. Id much prefer to carry my similarly priced Spyderco Tenacious(an excellent knife for $35). I feel like I can open that knife just as fast as any auto.

Thanks for the suggestions. I think my next knife will not be an auto...looking at the Spyderco Paramilitary 2.
 
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