automatics

[StrongMedicine]

Curious if anyone has any experience with any brand of automatic tanto blade 3-4" knives?

Pros and Cons?

Thanks
SM

[chromestarhustler]

benchmade auto, issued in iraq a few guys came back with them. i bought one off them, slick sweet sharp as hell. only con is a slight interia you get with one. pull it out and hit the button and it "bumps" forward and its not quiet.

[vfubar]

Benchmade does some good ones; have a "somebody's (?) spike", a close copy, though smaller, of the Cold Steel "Caledonian Edge" folder, except an auto.
I prefer the bigger knife, in 'San Mai' (3 layer) steel, out of it's edge holding, and lock, but, in some things, I am a bit of a Luddite.
The Benchmade knife of which I speak is no longer in their online listing, but was listed as a 'polishname' spike', when offered, and a fine piece of work, for th e knife Conniseur, even with a rather fragile tip to the blade!
Anybody with a thought as to the proper name, please speak up!

[PBR Streetgang]

I have a Boker AK74. $40.00 new. Tough, strong, holds an edge and I don't panic about losing a $170..00 knife.

[StarPD]

If you want a side opener, it's hard to beat the Benchmade "Stryker", an Elishewicz design, modified tanto, in the auto version. I have one, and it's my "beater".

If you like OTF, and don't want/need a double acting, the Microtech "HALO III" is the cat's meow.

For a D/A OTF, nothing comes close to the Microtech UT6 with a Tanto or spear point blade. Not only is it the handiest knife I've ever owned, but it's fun watching freinds' eyes bug out when I deploy and close it. Everyone is impressed with it, and friends frequently ask me to show it to others.

I have a HALO III tanto and a UT6 with original spear point combo edge blade. The UT6 is my EDC, and after 7 years, hasn't needed sharpening, although it's getting to where it needs a good touchup. But since I'm lousy at knife sharpening, I'll leave it until it really needs re-doing, and will have someone who knows what they are doing stone it up for me.

Be advised however that Microtech OTFs are expensive, but worth every penny. I went through a LOT of knives until I discovered Microtech. I haven't looked back since. No one, and I mean no one makes a better auto than Microtech. It's another case of you get what you pay for.

That being said, for the economy minded, while the Benchmade "Stryker" is considerably bigger and heavier than my Microtech "SOCOM", it's a solid well made knife, able to stand up to a lot of abuse. Mine is the one I use as a loaner when someone wants to borrow a knife.