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With almost every DIY project, one must hold material with one hand while cutting with the other. Continually stopping to pull the blade out of a traditional folder quickly becomes frustrating and time-consuming. Spring-assisted knives are built for exactly these scenarios. It takes only a second and a bit of pressure on a mechanism to open the knife safely. These mechanisms also make knives more accessible to those with medical issues.
Spring-assisted knives were once unfairly stigmatized as tools for the lawless. However, as time passed and rationality prevailed, these misconceptions were corrected. It’s still not perfect. States are constantly reversing outdated laws and regulations. The good news is that manufacturers are increasing the production of these valuable tools, reassuring their legality and acceptance.
With the knife market saturated with options, knowing what to choose is hard. We set out to test and find the best spring assisted knives available today.
Key Considerations
Getting what you pay for is usually the norm regarding assisted opening knives. I’ve found many cheaper options that didn’t hold up in the long run. I wanted the knives chosen to ride this piece's fine line of functionality and affordability. Although, I did want to include some premium quality options for those who insist on the best.
- Steel Type—It would be easy to fill this list exclusively with precision-machined knives made from super steels. We felt there needed to be affordable options, too. So, I evaluated knives made from various steel types, from cheaper high-carbon options to the latest high-grade stainless.
- Tolerances—Assisted-opening knives must have precision-crafted parts. I looked for knives with crisp operating mechanisms and tested for any play or wiggle in the blades when extended.
- Opening Mechanisms—I specifically looked for knives with comfortable flipper switches or thumb studs. These mechanisms needed to be easy to open with one finger and a modest amount of pressure.
- Edge Retention—This type of knife is usually used for EDC. With that in mind, I looked for options that wouldn’t wear down immediately the first time it was used.
Top Picks
- Best Overall: Benchmade Barrage
- Best Assisted Opening Knife Under $100: CRKT M16
- Best Budget: CRKT Squid
- Best Small: Kershaw Chive
- Most Durable: Zero Tolerance 0350
- Best Ambidextrous: Gerber High Brow
Best Overall: Benchmade Barrage
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The Barrage’s incredibly aggressive and assertive mechanism snaps it open with an authority that other knives can’t match. This knife is ideal for anyone looking for a reliable thumb stud opening blade. It slices boxes and cable ties like butter. I also like how lightly it carries in a pocket. Don’t mistake the 4.20-ounce weight for flimsy. The polymer Black Valox scaling will take a real beating. The scaling is one of my few complaints with this knife. The handles are a little slick. It’s not horrible, but I’m surprised Benchmade didn’t offer more options like their other knives. The good news is that plenty of aftermarket scales exist for anyone who wants to upgrade.
Another slight issue was that my knife's crossbar lock was very stiff. I suspected that it just needed to be broken in first, so I sat and worked the blade and mechanism while watching a movie. It loosened up after only about 30 minutes, and I feel that it’s very comfortable now. It has served me well on several small projects around the house. For about $200, I feel that the price point is very fair. This hard-working, fast blade is always available when needed in a pinch.
Continue Learning: Read our Benchmade Barrage Review here
Best Assisted Opening Knife Under $100: CRKT M16
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I’ve owned the M16 for more than a year, and it has become one of my favorites. CRKT did some prime machining here because the tolerances are fantastic. The blade on mine will swing freely from gravity alone with the button pressed. At the same time, I’ve experienced zero play or wiggle when locked. The flipper thumb stud is perfectly placed and comfortable. It doesn’t take much pressure to deploy the blade quickly, which I’ve done thousands of times. It has a nice, meaty snap that doesn’t shock the hand like some auto knives I’ve tested. Usually, I like the handles to have a little texture, but these steel liners feel nicer than expected.
CRKT makes several variants of this knife, including a spear and Tanto point, which are perfect for defense. This knife is so affordable because of the lower quality 8Cr13MoV steel. However, the edge retention has been solid for me thus far. This knife should stand up to years of use. My only other complaint is that the lock release button was mushy when I first got it. However, it has slowly gotten much crisper the longer I’ve used the knife. For only $40, this knife is a bargain.
Continue Learning: Read our CRKT M16-10z Review here
Best Budget: CRKT Squid
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The CRKT Squid is a great little knife. It has been one of my preferred EDC knives because it's easy to open and close with one hand. I can even open and close it with my non-dominant left hand. CRKT gave this knife both a thumb stud and a flipper. Both are extremely fast thanks to bearings in the pivot. The Squid snaps open with an incredibly satisfying click. This is an excellent knife for anyone who works extensively with their hands. It’s always ready to deploy at a moment’s notice. I love the slim profile of this knife. It slips easily into any pants pocket and isn’t noticeable until needed.
There are some rust concerns with the lower-quality steel. A few spots popped up while it was sitting in my van. However, they cleaned up quickly and didn’t affect the edge. Properly cared for, it shouldn’t be an issue. CRKT makes several different variants at different price points. There is something for every budget here.
Best Small: Kershaw Chive
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Finding an assisted-opening knife in a smaller package is difficult. However, legendary knife designer Ken Onion gave the Chive his signature SpeedSafe mechanism in a smaller package. As expected, it’s crisp and responsive. This knife has a blade under two inches in length. That means the Chive can get around some length restrictions for carrying blades three inches and longer. The weight under 2 ounces is easy to carry around all day. I recommend this one for anyone who needs something simple without much bulk. The look of the different variants is great, too. Although, we especially like the stainless steel scales variant.
The shorter length does limit the practicality for larger jobs. Additionally, there have been some reported quality control issues in recent years. Namely, issues with the torsion bar seem to be common. However, Kershaw has an excellent, limited lifetime warranty. In most cases, they do fix any issues, and many users report that it took years before the knife reached that point.
Most Durable: Zero Tolerance 0350
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The Zero Tolerance 0350 is a beefy knife that’s built to last. This knife has a huge flipper that forcefully springs the CPM S30V blade. It holds an edge for a long time. Zero Tolerance gave the knife some excellent G-10 handles that are very ergonomically designed. Some jimping and a thumb rise help the handle perfectly conform to the user’s hand. The corrosion resistance qualities are off the charts with this knife since Zero Tolerance started using a Cerakote coating. This increases the price a little, but few knives do it better for wet environments.
Knife users need to know what they are getting into with this one. The knife weighs a hefty 6.20 ounces and is nearly 4.5 inches long while closed. It takes up some space in the pocket and may be too heavy for some people. However, Zero Tolerance made the pocket clip adjustable for four positions, making it easy to adjust the fit to your carry style. This knife is built for durability and longevity, making it a wise investment for anyone tough on their equipment.
Best Ambidextrous: Gerber High Brow
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Finding a knife that’s easy for right- and left-handed people can both use is no easy task. The Gerber High Brow is incredibly affordable and designed to be ambidextrous from the get-go. Accordingly, the pocket clip can easily be swapped to the opposite side to accommodate southpaws. This design utilizes a crossbar lock that’s easily manipulated from either side. It easily flips open thanks to a large flipper. Gerber added a safety to the center of the spine, which completes the ambidextrous package. Additionally, they offer this knife in both plain edge and serrated variations. There is something here for nearly every user’s needs. Although the 7Cr17MoV steel may be of lesser quality, at least it’s easy to maintain.
Our only other complaint is that Gerber offers only some basic smooth scaling for this knife. It would be nice to have some more textured handles available. However, that would also drive the price point, so it’s a trade-off situation. These knives are currently available for an incredibly affordable $29–$40 price tag.
How To Choose The Best Assisted Opening Knives
Assisted opening pocket knives and switchblades, once associated with the 1950s and ’60s Greaser subculture, have come a long way. Originally misunderstood and misused, these knives were wrongly perceived as tools of gang warfare. However, many states have recognized the flaws in their knife laws and repealed them. Today, assisted opening knives are legal in all 50 states, with only a few still imposing regulations on fully automatic knives.
With the legal landscape now more favorable, purchasing the best spring assisted pocket knife is no longer as daunting. However, it's essential to consider a few factors when buying.
Assisted Knife Definition
The line between a fully automatic knife and an assisted opening knife has blurred over the years. Not every manufacturer I’ve talked with has the same definition. However, most agree that assisted opening knives require direct contact with the blade via a thumb stud or flipper switch. This feature is built directly into the blade itself. These blades have what’s known as “bias to closure.” This means that the blade naturally wants to stay shut and won’t snap to a fully open position if partially opened.
Auto or Switchblade Definition
An automatic knife has a button that activates the blade without the user’s hand being in direct contact with it. Unlike the assisted knife, these knives are not biased towards closure. If you partially open the blade manually, it will want to snap open fully. These are basic definitions, and there are many gray areas in the U.S. knife laws where lines between the two types are further blurred.
Advantages
Anyone can benefit from the ease of using an assisted knife. However, assisted knives are excellent options for anyone experiencing medical issues. People with arthritis or carpal tunnel in their hands will find these knives much easier to open and use. However, I recommend an assisted blade over an auto for anyone with a medical condition. That is simply because assisted blades are usually slightly easier to close than a true switchblade.
Defensive Blades
An assisted blade is an excellent defensive weapon because it deploys quickly. Before carrying an assisted blade, check your state’s regulations on carrying concealed blades to determine its legality. Not just any blade will do for defensive purposes. Look for a knife that has either a Tanto or a spear point. These blade styles have the best penetrating power and more of an intimidation factor. Ideally, an attacker will think twice just by seeing the knife.
Other Uses
Spring-assisted knives are slightly underrated as working tools. I use mine often while working on DIY projects because they’re fast to deploy with full hands. A drop-point knife is ideal if you need a knife for ripping boxes or cutting rope. The drop point’s deeper body is better for light food prep tasks like apple cutting. I like clip points for cutting zip ties because the fine point is easy to get under the band.
Why Trust Us
Assisted opening knives are one of the types I use most often. I have carried many of the knives on this list for EDC purposes, some of them for years. In addition to real-world tests, I often subject knives to additional testing. This usually includes rugged edge retention tests using coarse materials like cardboard to test retention. Additionally, I relied on my own experience using a variety of knives for more than a decade to cover the topic.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, the Benchmade Barrage's powerful assist and excellent blade blew me away with their functionality. There aren’t many spring-assisted knives being built with this attention to quality and detail. The CRKT M-16 is a close follow-up because of the incredible price point, excellent tolerances, and smooth operation.
FAQs
Q: How does a spring assisted knife work?
A: Pressure applied to a thumb stud or flipper switch moves an internal torsion bar or spring. Eventually, it hits a point of no return and springs the blade to an open position along an internal track.
Q: What counts as an assisted opening knife?
A: Any knife where the user must start the blade opening before a torsion mechanism takes over is considered assisted. A flipper or thumb stud on the blade is usually used as a pressure point to help with this process. These knives have what’s known as “bias to closure,” meaning the blade won’t spring fully open if partially opened.
Q: Are assisted opening knives legal?
A: There are no federal restrictions on assisted opening knives, which are legal in all 50 states. However, some states and even cities restrict the size and type of knife that can be carried. Some areas restrict the style of the blade, banning things like double-edged knives.
Q: What is the difference between the best spring assisted knife and the best spring loaded knife?
A: Technically, this is another way of restating the question of assisted opening vs. switchblade knife. Again, switchblade knives have no bias towards closure and want to open completely. An assisted blade will want to stay closed until the torsion device inside is pushed to a certain point.
