Five Fantastic Automatic Knives

An automatic knife makes for the perfect every day carry knife, really one of the only drawbacks to carrying an automatic is how strict the laws are. Before purchasing an automatic knife, or a switchblade as they are commonly known, double check to guarantee what your state’s laws are. There are thousands of automatic knives on the market, making it hard to narrow down what knife you want to buy. Today I have compiled a list of some of the absolute best automatic knives on the market. I’ve chosen different styles of automatic knives from different popular brands to show and explain to you. Let’s begin.

 

The Pro-Tech Tactical Response 4:

 

The first knife that I have chosen to describe is the Pro-Tech Tactical Response 4. Something that is cool about the brand Pro-Tech is that they are a family owned business and they do specialize in switchblades. You know that you can trust an automatic knife from Pro-Tech. This blade is in their TR-4 series, which just means that it is the fourth generation for their tactical automatic knife series. The blade on this knife is a four-inch-long drop point. The Tactical Response 4 blade can come in many different variations, but one of the most popular is with a 154-CM stainless steel, which can come in different finishes. All of the different options come with a Diamond-like Carbon coating. This coating just works to help protect the blade from corroding, adding a ton of durability. The handle of this blade really sets this blade apart from the pack. The handle boasts many finger grooves which helps provide you with excellent grip. The pommel of this knife handle sports a steel glass breaker. When closed, this knife is only 5.25 inches long and it weighs 5.4 ounces, making this knife a perfect option for your EDC.

 

Advantages of the Pro-Tech Tactical Response 4:

 

• The blade has a diamond-like carbon coating, adding durability.
• The knife is only 5.25 inches long closed, perfect for storing in your pocket.
• The blade of this handle can come in a variety of different options.
• The handle features many finger grips, giving you fantastic grip.
• The handle of this knife has a built in steel glass breaker.

 

Disadvantages of the Pro-Tech Tactical Response 4:

 

• With the pearl insert on the push button, the stonewash finish, and the Damascus blade, some people consider this knife over the top.  Easy to fix by picking up a different TR4 model.

 

 

The Boker Kalashnikov:

 

This automatic knife is on the cheaper side of the spectrum, which is what sells many people. But, you do not sacrifice any of the quality for the cheaper cost; the Kalashnikov can stand up to the same tasks that the more expensive knives can. The blade of this knife is 3.25 inches made out of AUS-8 steel. The blade is finished with a plain edge. Something unique about this knife is that the deployment button is mounted flush with the rest of the handle, which helps prevent against an accidently deployment. Plus, the locking system on this knife is a little stiffer than most, which ensures a secure lock when the knife is open. The handle is made out of a powder coated aluminum with molded finger grips. The handle also has a lanyard hole built right into it, providing you with a secure spot to tie in your lanyard. The handle is one feature of this knife that sets it apart from the rest of the pack. This knife was designed to look like an AK-47 magazine and that is how it got its name; trust me, it works the name perfectly and definitely does it justice. Overall, the length of the knife is 7.5 inches long. Unfortunately, this knife is not made in the United States of America, which can be a deal breaker to some knife collectors and users.

 

Advantages of the Boker Kalashnikov:

 

• This is a much cheaper option than most of the high quality automatic knives, but you do not lose any quality with the lower cost.
• The deployment button is flush with the handle, so no accidental discharges can happen.
• The locking system is stiffer, so the knife will remain securely locked in open position.
• The molded finger grips set this knife apart from the pack.
• Has a built in lanyard.

 

Disadvantages of the Boker Kalashnikov:

 

• This knife is not made in the USA.

 

 

The Kershaw Launch 1:

 

Kershaw is one of the most popular knife companies and has been renowned for their quality knives and this specific one is definitely not the exception to their stellar track record. One thing that many people love about the Kershaw Launch 1 is that it is made in the United States, which supports US businesses and gives you the quality that you deserve. The blade is 3.375 inches long and made out of CPM-154. This blade has a Blackwash keeps the blade from reflecting light making it the perfect option for tactical situations, especially at night. The handle on this knife is made out of black aluminum. The aluminum keeps the weight off of this knife, helping you move it in quicker motions. The handle is also contoured to fit perfectly in your hand, giving you fantastic grip. This knife features a reversible pocket clip, making it an ambidextrous knife. The overall length of this knife is 8-inches, making it a perfect size for your everyday carry needs. The Kershaw Launch 1 sits at about average cost for an automatic knife.

 

Advantages of the Kershaw Launch 1:

 

• The blade has a Blackwash coating, keeping the knife from reflecting light.
• The handle is contoured to fit perfectly in your hand, giving you great grip.
• The pocket clip on this knife is reversible, making this an ambidextrous knife.
• This is a perfect size for an everyday carry knife.
• Not an expensive option.
• Made in the United States of America

 

Disadvantages of the Kershaw Launch 1:

 

• Not the least expensive option.

 

 

The SOG-TAC Series

 

This knife is a cheaper option and a simpler option than some of the previous options we have discussed. But, just because it is simple, doesn’t mean that it isn’t super reliable. This is a bigger knife option, measuring in at 8 inches overall, with a 3.5-inch blade. The blade is made out of AUS-8 stainless steel, which has a drop point silhouette. The blade has been ground into a straight edge, which can be sharpened into a razor sharp edge. However, the knife has been known to lose the crazy sharp edge a little quicker than other knives. The handle is made out of aluminum which comes in black or red. The handle looks a little bare compared to previous options, but it can take a beating. Something unique about the handle is that the crosshair that sits in the middle glows in the dark, so you can find it easily no matter what the situation is like. For how big this knife is, the profile is actually pretty slim. The SOG-TAC features a special double lock to keep the blade securely locked into an open or closed position. For the low price, you really do get a lot out of this knife.

 

Advantages of the SOG-TAC:

 

• The blade can be sharpened into a razor sharp edge.
• The crosshair in the middle of the handle actually glows in the dark, so you can always find it.
• The knife features a double lock, securing your knife in an open or closed position.
• This is a cheap option.
• This knife can take a beating.
• Larger knife with a slim profile.

 

Disadvantages of the SOG-TAC:

 

• This is a simple knife, with no extras built in.
• The blade doesn’t always stay sharp for long periods of time.
• You do lose a little bit of quality with the budget option.

 

 

The Spyderco Autonomy Automatic Knife:

 

This knife was first made for the United States Coast Guard. It is designed to be a rescue knife, and because it was made for the Coast Guard, it is designed to resist corrosion even in salt water. Because this knife was made for the rescue swimmers, Spyderco had to design the deploying button with the ability to open it one handed and with the user wearing heavy gloves. The button is an oversized button and the public version features a safety lock that prevents the user from an accidental opening. The original knife was made in orange G-10, but Spyderco designed the black version for the public. The steel that this blade is made out of is H-1 steel and this knife was actually the first American knife to use this type of steel. Another unique aspect about this knife is that it is a serrated edge, which is not commonly found on automatic knives. This serrated edge is perfect for sawing through thicker materials such as ropes. The blade on the Autonomy is 3.75 inches long and coated in a Diamond Like Carbon to reduce the reflective tendencies of knife blades. The handle features a G10 black handle that has deep finger grooves to help secure your grip. When Spyderco released the public version, they added an all-black pocket clip. In all honesty, this knife is one of my favorites. I love the history of it and I love how quality it is.

 

Advantages of the Spyderco Autonomy Automatic Knife:

 

• Will not erode when wet, even in salt water.
• Has an oversized firing button.
• Features a safety lock to prevent an accidental opening.
• Serrated edge is great for sawing through rope.
• The Diamond Like Carbon coating reduces reflective tendencies.
• The handle has deep finger grooves to help secure your grip in any situation.
• Has an all-black pocket clip.
• Made exclusively from rust proof materials.

 

Disadvantages of the Spyderco Autonomy Automatic Knife:

 

• You can only get this knife in a full serrated blade, which some users dislike.

 

 

Conclusion:

There are plenty of fantastic automatic knives on the market today and each of them offer up a different purpose. Today I went over the six best automatic knives that you can buy and what makes them unique, what makes them a great option, and a couple of downfalls for each of the different options. Hopefully this list will help you when you are looking for a great automatic knife whether it is for your everyday carrying purposes or for something else. Just remember, automatic knife laws are strict, so make sure you know your local laws before purchasing any automatic knife.