More a want than a need as I have a boatload of them. Opening a pocketknife with conventional nail nicks is very awkward for me so the several flippers and assisted opening blades I have suit me just fine.

Thinking of an automatic for EDC. Strictly light duty chores. Really not interested in an OTF model if that helps.

Your thoughts, please on what's out there.

Zero Tolerance makes good flipper folders. Modern folders with flipper features or spring assist might as well be automatics. They open one handed just as quickly and effortlessly. If you don't like flippers, I love my spring assisted CRKT HEIHO. Effortless one-handed open. Link

Take a look at Neck Knives.
Sharper Image

I am on my 3rd or 4th Kershaw Leek. When I lose one I immediately get another....that's how much I like them. I think they are a great EDC. They open at least as easily and quickly as the best automatics and are priced a whole lot better. Also, like all my knives except a German one my wife gave me and a Swiss Army knife some friends gave me as a going away gift, it's made in USA.

I like a assisted liner lock like the CRKT HEIHO . It's easier for me to close one handed .

I have carried the same Benchmade for 27 years.
I finally broke 1//8” off the tip.

I sent it in and they reground the blade, sharpened and made it like new.
For free.

Yes, most Benchmades cost $150-$200.
In the long run, they are worth it.

They are a nice size for an EDC, hold a good edge - probably the best non-obtrusive EDC available - IMO

drover

I have a Boker that is one of those one hand opening knives. Has kind of a "protrusion" that you can flick with your thumb. Nice knife, easy to sharpen and holds an edge well. Got mine through A.G. Russell

I have been carrying a Spyderco Native for a long time. It stays sharp and opens easily w/ either hand.


mike r

Lots of good choices out there at all different prices. I really like the Spyderco Endura/Endelica/Delica line in a FFG blade. Light, strong, sharp, and lots of handle choices. If cash was right I would carry the buck 110/112 with pocket clip.

Just bought one of these a week or so ago from my local FFL. Nice size, seems to hold an edge, excellent pocket clip, and made in the USA. They have a nicer version with Micarta or G10 scales and better steel, but I keep my EDCs on the inexpensive side as they tend to be expendable.

https://www.buckknives.com/product/112-slim-select-knife/0112FAM02/

Here's the nicer version if you need a Sunday-Going-to-Church knife:

https://www.buckknives.com/product/112-slim-pro-knife/0112FAM03/

Since it’s a “want” and not a “need”...that man on the knife forum here (Dan308) makes some beautiful folders. And since “opening a pocketknife with conventional nail nicks is very awkward” for you, he makes some flipper models that are, again, beautiful. They look like they’re bombproof too.

I don't know if it's the same as MAC's, but this is my Boker flip assist Product Number 01BO734



Here's a LINK Mine was about $75.

Native 5 in my pocket everyday for about a year now. Excellent knife, mine has a blade made from CPM S30V. There are a lot of excellent choices out there.

I broke the tip off a Buck pocket knife digging out a elk ivory, (long story I wasn't being as dumb as it sounds)

Sent it to Buck asking if they would put on a new blade.

Buck sent me a new knife

DVOR has a sale on those right now (though I don't keep up with current sale prices, so maybe not spectacular).

https://www.dvor.com/spyderco-native-5-folding-knives-68-2021-01-01.html

Schade in my pocket.

I have that same knife Rocky. NICE but I'm interested in shopping around for an auto or two.

Many thanks to all. Keep 'em coming guys !

About 16 bucks?

Like a good pocket knife. Kershaw is my choice.

Been using this as EDC for several years now. Would buy another.


https://www.buckknives.com/product/346-vantage-avid-large-knife/0345FAM01/

Buck 112 Auto.

Yes indeed! I’ve carried them for over 15 yrs! Best I’ve had. I’ve lost two...think one of those was pilfered. Won’t be wo one. Scary sharp and can open it in eye blink.

Been carrying one of these the last couple years. Really like it.

https://www.crkt.com/squid.html

Interesting.

Kershaw Chive. Have owned 3 of them and I still do. Great spring assist opening pocket knives.

I'm a fan of the Piranha P1. It is what I most commonly carry. It is light weight and yet has a full size blade. They stand behind their knives. This is the one I got for Christmas.

https://www.bladehq.com/item--Piranha-Pocket-Automatic-Knife-Red--22925

Boker Burnley Plus is your huckleberry .....I love mine holds edge very well ...I have carried mine 3 years and its still razor sharp....

DLT has 'em in stock, so, hell, I went ahead and bought one.

https://www.dlttrading.com/buck-112-auto-ranger

Digin' this one.

Bought 3 of these on sale at $16.00 about 5 yrs ago, the assist spring just broke on the first one.
https://kershaw.kaiusa.com/oso-sweet.html

You asked specifically about an auto.
Look up Microtech on their website for what is currently in production.
Here's a video from 2019 that shows a variety.
These are the top quality production knives in the world. They are pricey, but last a lifetime.
Made in Florida last I checked.
You will want to EDC AND use as a paring knife just because........for ten to fifteen years without getting tired of it. Everyone loves theirs.
A friend's wife just found his .
He is one happy camper too.
Here's the video. Just skip past the otf models.

Benchmade Barrage



A tad big for most jeans pockets, but I wear carpenters or bibs and carry this in the ruler pocket. Bought it at Presley's Outdoors in Bartonville, Illinois in April of 2010 while I was working an outage at Powerton Station in Pekin.

As near to perfection in a folding knife as I have found. Mine has been used hard, put up wet, and still looks pretty much like new. The 154CM blade is harder than Chinese arithmetic, and requires some effort to sharpen. But, OTOH, I have few knives that hold an edge as well either. I cut anything and everything with it and sharpen it yearly, or so.
When I first bought this blade I thought the grips looked maybe a bit uncomfortable. I was wrong. Within a day of acquiring this knife it had become a part of me. As natural and easy to use as can be without being attached by blood and bone.

If you must have something smaller they make it in a Mini-Barrage. I have no experience with this model, but it looks sized to actually fit a pants pocket.

I'm another fan of neck knives, but in cooler weather when you're wearing more than a t-shirt. They don't conceal well under a t-shirt. I have one made by Hogue in stainless, which makes sense for something carried against your skin. Just bought my son a TOPS "Bartender Defender XL" necker, which has a built-in bottle opener. Pretty cool for a guy who enjoys his Mooseheads!

For a quality pocket folder that won't break the bank consider an Ontario Rat 2 in D2 steel (R2D2!). A lot of quality for about $40.
There's a guy on Youtube, Nick Shabazz, who does very entertaining pocket knife reviews. He gives the R2D2 high marks, even compared to folders costing hundreds.

I have the same case knife my mother gave me on my 16 birthday. She died two months later, so I’ve carried it for 52 years on my birthday in March. Case has rebuilt it twice through the years for free.

Like.

I've watched him many times. Very informative.

Cool.

Beautiful classic knife

30 years ago I used to carry different Bucks. Then I discovered how sweet a thumbstud opening was and how much lighter Kershaws were. Carried the Whirllwind (1560) for many years, then later went with the Half Ton (1445) for a few more years. Just a couple years ago I got this one https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083DKDC1...LZYN0&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

and absolutely love it. I never used to care for this much blade, but the knife is ridiculously light, opens so smoothly, locks solidly, and has an easily sharpened, very pointed D2 blade. All for under $40.

My 2 grand sons and a great grandson were here for Christmas.. Decided they each needed a knife. I had 2 Case stockman, and 1 other brand which the name escapes me.

Decided they should all have a carry knife so I gave them each one.

I have a small Western 6504 whittler I have carried for many years. It takes a good edge and is just the right size for a pocket..

I stopped carrying, modifying, and buying benchmade when I found out they were anti gun.

My pocket knives are mostly SOG, Benchmade, Buck, and Spyderco.

When hunting, I carry a bigger pocket knife, but for every day carry it is an orange Spyderco Dragonfly.... the smallest knife that is big enough to hold.

Have a couple.. of these. Good knife for the money.

g

Son bought me a Buck 112 for Christmas, even spent the extra money to have my initials put on. Nice son.. He likes the Kersaw Onions, thinking of one of those as well.

Nice. Tell us what you think of it after you get it.

Kershaw Oso Sweet is my favorite.
https://www.bladehq.com/item--Kershaw-Oso-Sweet-1830--3654

the Buck 110 Auto Elite I looked at on amazon with s30v steel is 249.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CWH2PGX/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=AI452NY1S1NVD&psc=1

Spyderco Delicia for me most of the time. If needing something slightly larger than the PM2.

I only carry a Benchmade Warren Osborne design mini-barrage with a S30V blade. My daughter and I shared deer camp with Warren on multiple occasions and he was a true treasure. His knife design is still my favorite and I remember him fondly every time I use it.

Try a fixed blade carried in a horizontal aka scout sheath. If you don't need a fashionable handle and leather sheath, Spyderco knives with the kydex holster and G-clip are very handy. Benchmade has a little model with leather sheath and S30V blade. CRKT has one that is fairly economical. You probably already have a fixed blade you could get a sheath made for.

Best side opener's made IME:


http://www.protechknives.com/product-category/automatic/godson/

Any knife as long as as it has a good Lockblade ,1.5 - 2 inch blade has a blade that is easy to sharpen on a stone in a few minutes and is Lightweight for carry .

I've had the Protech TR3 for years and it has been flawless.

I have both the Full Size and the Mini Barrage. Have carried them for many years.....great knives!



Also carry the Boker Kwaiken Aoutmatic.....sharp blade!

Froggy, I've had the full size for a few years. Nice knife but never got too excited about it.
Many thanks for sharing.

Kershaw Clash my edc

After losing my second Benchmade and loving its unique easy open build I looked for an American made piece for maybe a bit less $$$

I bought two different model Kershaw and love the Scallion best. Smallish size makes it ride in the pocket nicely even when seated. Keeps an edge and is much easier to sharpen than the BM.

My Daughter and son in law recently bought me a Buck 110 auto for my birthday.

Was packing a smaller Benchmade auto in a belt sheath, but decided if I was going to pack in a sheath, I may as well pack a little bigger knife.

Am VERY pleased with my Buck 110 Auto.

Virgil B.

I have a Microtech Brend2 and have tried to like it but it has too many flaws. Handle has too many edges, action has less power than I like, and the blade is the toughest to sharpen of all my knives due to the geometry. https://www.pvk.vegas/Protech-Brend-2-Small-Automatic-Knife-p/1pt-1206c.htm

If you're willing to pay for the best then:
https://chrisreeve.com/products/sebenza-31-plain

Had a godson since early Y2Ks.

Taken apart a few deer with it, no problem.

Spring broke in bout 17, they sent me a new one.

For pocket carry and occasional use, the son.

For general all round, the father.

North Arm

Thanks for all the replies gents and I think I've got my choice down to these two beauties.

Protech TR 2 and the Buck 110 auto. Vastly different in appearance which has made my choice all the more difficult but I have plenty of time. B'day coming up end of March

Protech TR 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYgEV9bsFYY

Buck auto https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTCmx36FZ10

You can always try to score on the Mick Strider knife drop tonight and flip it next week for $12hundred.

I'll just say, f uck Benchmade. I sold off every one I owned after their stunt of helping to destroy guns. They're also big time demonrat donors.

???????????? please

https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/does-benchmade-knives-support-second-amendment-rights/

For me I like a Knife that is smaller for Actual Pocket Carry and not needing or right on the verge of needing a sheath for carry.
Small,Light ,easy to carry.