What are the Advantages of a Switchblade/Auto?

[?uesto]

There's obviously the factor of quick opening, but if you don't have the money, or are legally bound from buying/possessing/carrying an auto, why wouldn't people just get assisted openers? There's not much a different in speed of blade deployment. Is it just the mechanics of the way it opens?

I'd love to get some background as to why autos are illegal.

Thanks.

[somber]

It's tacticool.

[JonSidneyB]

I don't personally see any advantages.

I will not speak for others that might have a use for one but I myself don't ever want one no matter the laws on them. I would prefer a manual method. I am also not interested in assisted opening knives but I will not advise others to not get one. I don't think those features would benefit me in any way.

[phaserrifle]

when it started out, autos where pretty much the only way to open a folding knife one-handed. which was great, and they had popularity with many groups who might need that feature, such as the disabled, linesmen (power cable repairmen), parachutists and various other groups, along with hunters ect who liked them for the convinence, much as manny today like thumbstuds, spyderholes and other one handed opening features.
they also became popular in certain groups who where involved in, or people thought where involved in, criminal activities and violence. a recent media example would be the charecter mutt in the most recent indiana jones movie.
because of this (mostly paranoia) a fair few countries produced laws banning them from being carried or used, although often you'll find an exclusion for those who are disabled and can't open "normal" folders.

nowadays, the automatic function serves little practical purpose, since we have thumbstuds and assisted opening features which almost replicate the speed of the automatics, wihout the legal issues. however, people still buy them mainly for the cool factor.

[carrot]

Automatics are illegal thanks to legislators believing them to be more dangerous than other knives. Whether this is true or not I would leave to the reader, but some have pointed to Hollywood and their overuse of "switchblades" in the hands of bad guys being a primary culprit in their poor reputation.

Automatics do not open any faster than any other knife in the hands of a well-practiced user. Also, they are more dangerous to be carried (potentially opening in your pocket), less reliable (can get jammed), and harder to clean (complex internal mechanism). So they are impractical, but wonderful collector's pieces thanks to their ingenious designs and entertaining spring action.

[Rawls]

There is no real advantage to a switchblade, especially enough of an advantage to overcome the added complications of the springs and mechanisms. A good opening device (thumbhole or thumbstud) combined with good technique can produce the same speed of opening. The other thing that switchblades lose out on is in lockup. Because of the mechanisms used to open them most switchblades (including all OTF or out the front designs) have blade play.

As for their illegality, there is an actual reason or two (I once researched this when representing a client). At common law (in early America and England) and still in many states there were bans on devices that have no purpose other than being a weapon. While a knife, for example, can be used as a tool, so the reasoning went, a switchblade, or more precisely the mechanisms that make a knife a switchblade, serve only offensive purposes. This is why most states have a list of banned "weapons" which include things like saps or blackjacks (weighted leather or resin bags), brass knuckles, push knives ( such as those sold by Cold Steel) throwing stars (perhaps the best example of "weapon only" devices) and sword canes.

Another reason why many states banned switchblades (and stilletos and sword canes) was because they were easy to conceal and/or carry. The sword cane is a great example of this. That said, as the advantages of quick open blades have become apparent as tools, the logic of banning switchblades has gone away.

In fact, in the state where I practice law, New Hampshire, they just unbanned switchblades based on comments from legislators who were EMTs or familiar with EMTs and other people who need rapid deploying, one hand opening knives.

[?uesto]

Thanks for all the info, everyone. I don't know how many of you know of that Boker Magnum Speed-something (forgot the name). But it has a push button that releases the blade. It's not legally classified as an Auto. Cool stuff.

[Simsmac0o]

Thanks for all the info, everyone. I don't know how many of you know of that Boker Magnum Speed-something (forgot the name). But it has a push button that releases the blade. It's not legally classified as an Auto. Cool stuff.

Actually, I believe that would classify it as a switchblade according to federal law (15 U.S.C. § 1241).

I agree with the sentiments of most of the other replies here. I would much rather have a smooth opening non-auto knife than one that was auto, even if switchblades were legal. I understand that they do have legitimate uses (military, emergency workers, the disabled), but they're just not for me. Assisted open knives are cool too, and I love how the blade just snaps open, but I don't really have any reason to own one.

[Rob72]

Advantages- easily opened with one hand, for those who are disabled, or to those whose work puts them in awkward positions (Fire/EMS/LE/Mil).

With a quality auto, there are no disadvantages in comparison to a quality manual.

[shrap]

The US Federal Switchblade Act was enacted in 1958. It's not a new thing.

I've never owned one, but I'm not convinced they are significantly better. They have more things to go wrong, with a manual folder you'll know when the knife failed to deploy because your thumb is on the blade. With a switchblade/assisted/flipper, in that tiny chance they don't open fully, you might lose a couple of fingers.

Also less safe in a crowded pocket.