About Spring Assisted Knives

Spring assisted knives, sometimes called assisted opening knives are a type folding knife with an internal mechanism, usually a torsion bar, that opens the knife automatically once a certain point or pressure is reached. Spring assisted knives offer easy, one handed access to your blade, which is essential in emergency situations. The blades are not completely automatic, as they do take some force from the user on the thumbstud or flipper to begin the opening motion. However, with as little as 45 degrees of articulation, the spring coils inside the knife take over and lock the blade into place.

Switch Blades Vs. Spring Assisted Knives

There is a lot of confusion regarding the difference between spring assisted knives and switchblades. Switchblades, or automatic blades open and sometimes close with the press of a button. Switchblades have been illegal since 1958 when the Switchblade Knife Act was signed into law. However, there is an amendment to the act that specifically allows for spring assisted, or assisted opening knives. The critical difference between the to knife designs is that switchblades operate automatically with a button, while assisted opening knives operate when leverage is applied to the blade itself.

Choosing A Quality Blade

Whether you a selecting a classic folding knife, or a spring assisted knife, there are several indicators of quality that you should pay attention to. Poorly built spring assisted pocket knives are a danger to you and those around you. Some characteristics of a quality knife include:

• Quality Locking Mechanism – Whether you prefer a frame lock knife, or a linear lock mechanism, it is important that the blade slides easily into the locking position, and holds firmly in place even under direct pressure. For linear lock knives, you want a thick liner to ensure the blade won’t accidentally slip off the edge.
• Blade Play – Poor quality knives use cheap materials and components which can cause dangerous blade play. Test for blade play by holding the handle firmly in one hand while wiggling the blade in the locked position with your other hand. If you find the blade moves in any direction, the components are probably not quality made.
• Knife Edge – Most spring assisted knives have either one of two edges- v-grind, or chisel grind. V-grind knives are extremely common with gerber spring assisted knives, and kershaw spring assisted knives. Although a chisel grind edge may be the sharpest edge, it usually dulls much faster than other edges and is more difficult to sharpen.

Whichever type of assisted opening knife you choose, always be sure to use it safely- cut away from yourself, never point it at anyone, and keep your knife folded or sheathed when you carry it.