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Automatic knives are kind of like the Hair Metal of EDC knives. They’re glitzy, menacing, and a little cringe-worthy. Yet, there’s also something endearing about them, like they came from a less serious, more carefree time. They don’t offer any big advantage over a flipper-style knife, but they’re a hell of a lot more fun to use.
This doesn’t mean switchblades aren’t serious tools, though. Companies like Benchmade, CRKT, Kershaw, and Buck, all make automatic knives to the same standards as their other hardworking blades. We tested the following knives and found they are just as capable as other pocket knives for tasks you might face at home or in the woods. The only difference is that they’ll make you smile every time you open them.
Best Overall: CRKT Michaca
Best OTF: Benchmade Autocrat
Best EDC: Buck 838 Deploy
Best Mini: CRKT Minnow
Best Budget: Kershaw Launch 16
Best Assisted Opening: CRKT Squid
Best Stiletto: Kershaw Launch 8
Best Overall: CRKT Michaca
Specs
Steel: MagnaCut
Handle Material: G10
Blade Length: 3.3 inches
Overall Length: 7.81 inches
Weight: 5.1 ounces
Pros
Super cool scale release
Solid construction
Presentation box
Cons
Release takes a minute to figure out
Without knowing how the Phillip-Booth-designed Michaca opens, you’d have a hard time figuring it out. It looks like a regular, non-automatic pocket knife, but when you try to open the blade, it’s locked in place. Slightly pivot the left scale forward, and the knife will spring open. It takes a bit of practice, but once you’ve got it, it makes you feel like a secret agent. The Michaca is also a serious tool, which is why it gets our pick for best overall this year. Its MagnaCut blade is shaving sharp and holds an edge through a lot of use.
The mechanism is also very strong, with no slop or play in the blade, even after repeated use. When you’re carrying it, you’ll almost forget it’s there with its beveled edges. And with a blade length of just 3.3 inches and a drop-point pattern, it’s ideal for a number of tasks. Best of all, it’s a bargain at its price of just over $300 when compared to other scale-release knives on the market.
Best OTF: Benchmade Autocrat
Specs
Steel: CPM-S30V Stainless
Handle Material: G10
Blade Length: 3.71 inches
Overall Length: 8.75 inches
Weight: 3.93 ounces
Pros
Exceptional fit and finish
Fun
Cons
Price
Out-the-front, or OTF, automatics kick things up a notch when it comes to switchblade cool factor. Instead of the blade swinging out of the side of the handle, it shoots out of the front then retracts with a pull of the button when you’re done using it. The Autocrat is a premium example of an OTF knife. Its G10 grip and CPM-S30V Stainless Steel are perfectly finished, just like other quality Benchmade knives. The color-accented button and pins are a nice touch, and the grip is very comfortable in the hand.
With its dagger-style double-sided blade, this knife doesn’t have a ton of practical, everyday use unless you’re a hitman, gangster, or someone relying on the knife for personal protection. But that’s like saying you don’t need a Corvette C10 unless you’re a race car driver. Personally, I’d like to put the Autocrat on a cheese plate at a dinner party just to see how my guests react. Whatever your reason for buying this knife, it would make a great addition to any collection.
Best EDC: Buck 838 Deploy
Specs
Steel: S35VN or 154CM
Handle Material: Aluminium
Blade Length: 3.25 inches
Overall Length: 8.2 inches
Weight: 4.25 ounces
Pros
Locking safety button
Great price
Cons
No unpainted options
There are a few reasons why the Deploy got the nod for best EDC knife. One is the safety button, which allows you to lock the knife when it’s in your pocket. Next is the versatile drop-point blade, which is just as good for opening Amazon boxes as it is for opening up a whitetail deer. Buck has also made this knife with slim, rounded scales that ride comfortably in the pocket and a deep concealment clip. Plus, the whole thing is painted with tough-as-nails Cerakote.
There are two versions of the Deploy, a blacked out one with an S35VN blade for just over $200 and a 154CM steel bladed version for around $175. At this price, its a hell of a bargain and it could’ve easily won the Best Budget pick below if it wasn’t such a good EDC pick. The controls on the knife all felt positive and responsive during testing, with no sponginess or play. When it opens, it’s rock solid, and when it’s closed it stays closed. If you’re looking to pack a switchblade on a daily basis, the Deploy is your knife.
Best Mini: CRKT Minnow
Specs
Steel: MagnaCut
Handle Material: Micarta scales over steel liner
Blade Length: 1.79 inches
Overall Length: 4.49 inches
Weight: 4 ounces
Pros
Legal in California
MagnaCut steel
Cons
Steel parts make it heavy for its size
Full disclosure, I didn’t get a chance to test the CRKT Minnow, but when it comes to a mini automatic knife, it more than fits the bill. Also designed by Phillip Booth, the Minnow is cute as hell with a sheepsfoot/warncliffe blade, green Micarta scales, and a stonewash finish. As tiny as it is, the Minnow sports some serious MagnaCut steel, giving you a lot of knife in a sub-2-inch-blade package. The pocket clip on the Minnow lies on the metal, making it easy to slide into a pant pocket. And it’s so small that it won’t get in the way of other things like keys or a wallet. With a blade under 2 inches, it’s legal in states like California. The Minnow looks a lot like Booth’s custom knives, but it’s available at a much more affordable price. If you’ve always been a fan of his work, this would be a great blade to pick up.
Best Budget: Kershaw Launch 16
Specs
Steel: CPM M4
Handle Material: aluminum with Trac-Tec inserts
Blade Length: 3.45 inches
Overall Length: 8.4 inches
Weight: 4.1 ounces
Pros
Made in the USA
Rugged construction
Cons
Tanto blade not ideal for some tasks
As of this writing, the Kershaw Launch is on sale for just over $200. While that might not sound like a bargain for a knife, it is when it comes to a quality automatic knife—and the Launch 16 is exactly that. The first thing you’ll notice about the Launch is it’s well-textured grip, with deep cuts, jimping, and Trac-Tec handle inserts. It has a pronounced finger coil for an even more secure grip and a Cerakote finish to withstand the elements.
The Launch 16 opens with a clunk, and it’s heavy tanto-style blade is all business. It’s made from CPM M4 steel which holds and edge well and can take a beating. The low-profile button is difficult to accidentally deploy, but when you need to open your knife quickly, it’s easy to use even with gloves on. You can also reverse the pocket clip for right or left side carry, making this a rugged blade a highly versatile tool.
Best Assisted Opening: CRKT Squid
Specs
Blade Length: 2.37 in.
Opening Type: Folding
Mechanism: Spring Assisted
Blade Material: 8CrMoV13 Steel
Pros
Affordable
Fast and responsive assist
Compact and light
Cons
Low steel quality
If you want to get technical, this is a spring-assisted blade. But I wanted to include one here because these blades are a good budget option. There’s also the fact the Squid’s smooth deployment makes it feel like an auto. It takes hardly any pressure on the flipper to deploy this blade. I think even someone with arthritic hands could use it easily. When the Squid deploys, the blade is fast, responsive, and snappy. This is a knife I can easily open and close with one hand, even my non-dominant left hand. I wouldn’t be surprised if some law enforcement agencies consider this an auto depending on the law in your state.
In any case, I’ve found this to be an exceptional everyday carry knife due to the light weight and slim design. This was another knife that saw extensive use during my van project and came in quite handy for a variety of tasks. The blade is a lower grade 8CrMoV13 steel, but I don’t see that as too much of a detriment. This is a work knife meant to take a bit of abuse. And it comes at an affordable price point, so when I couldn’t find it for about a month, I didn’t sweat it too much. —Travis Smola, Contributing Writer
Best Stiletto: Kershaw Launch 8
Specs
Blade Length: 3.5 in.
Opening Type: Stiletto
Mechanism: Push Button
Blade Material: CPM 154
Pros
Very fast opening
Lightweight at only 2.4 ounces
Useful fine sharp tip
Cons
Blade might be too fine for work
Modern day stilettos have come a long way in recent years with high-grade steels and ultra-fast openings. This knife only weighs 2.4 ounces, but still boasts a lightning-fast blade deployment. This blade features an ultra-fine tip and edge that makes it ideal for delicate tasks. Kershaw utilized a high-grade CPM 154 steel that’s going to give it excellent edge retention. It’s a little too fine for heavier work, but it’s a handy EDC knife. (Just be careful because it doesn’t have a safety.) The Kershaw Launch 8 is a great choice for anyone who wants something light and low profile that will be easy to carry every day. The aluminum handle also has excellent ergonomics that just makes it feel natural in the hand. —TS
How We Tested Automatic Knives
After calling in sample knives from several companies, I tested them in a similar way to how I test other knives. I did an edge retention test using sisal rope, and evaluated the knives for fit, finish, and construction. After that, I wanted to test the opening and closing mechanism of each knife—which is one of the biggest considerations when buying an automatic knife.
The tricky thing about an automatic knife is that if it isn’t designed properly, it could open in your pocket, which can be embarrassing and painful. I like automatic knives with some kind of safety catch or lock or knives with recessed buttons that are hard to operate unless you’re trying. The knife needs to be easy to open fast when you need it, but not so easy that it’ll open when you don’t want it to.
The mechanism on an automatic knife also needs to be robust. There’s a lot of force applied to the grip and blade when you push the button on an automatic knife. The knife should be built well to withstand that force repeatedly. To test this, I opened and closed the knives over and over again while sitting at my desk working—which was way more fun than playing with a fidget spinner.
What To Consider When Choosing an Automatic Knife
Fully automatic knives have an undeserved bad reputation that subsequently led to a rash of regulations regarding their manufacture, sales, import, and possession around the world. Much of that underserved reputation was solidified by the 1950s and 60s “Greasers” subculture. News reports at the time scared the public by sensationalizing switchblades and stilettos as being the preferred concealed weapons of delinquent gangs.
These negative stories eventually led to the passage of the Federal Switchblade Act in 1958. Fortunately, it’s still the only federal law on the books regarding automatic knives. According to the American Knife & Tool Institute, this law does not apply to individual consumers, nor does it apply to individual state laws. Instead, the act applies only to commercial sale of auto knives across state lines.
Autos also cannot be shipped through mail. While merchants who sell knives are not directly affected, some manufacturers like Gerber and Spyderco will only direct sell their automatics to qualified military and law enforcement personnel directly. Others like SOG sell direct to consumers but only ship them to select states and require you to agree to a set of terms before purchase.
In most instances, the only regulations consumers really need to worry about are at the state level. Fortunately, many states have already rolled back old bans and restrictions. Others are in the process of doing just that. According to the AKTI, auto knives are currently legal in 44 states, subjective to various restrictions.
Auto Knife Definitions
Over the years, the term “auto knife” has become somewhat nebulous in nature. Subsequently, legalities often vary from state to state. I reached out to a contact I have with Columbia River Knife and Tool (CRKT) and learned that even the knife industry finds things confusing at times. Many experts consider any blade that deploys through the press of a button or lever as an auto knife. It doesn’t matter if the blade snaps open in a folding matter or pops out through an out the front (OTF) style.
What about the various assisted opening blades out there? Most function in a very similar manner to a classic switchblade. The key difference for manufacturers seems to be physical contact with the blade itself. This goes for pressure-assist and spring-assisted blades. For instance, a blade where you must put pressure on a knob or lever directly attached to the blade to activate a spring is considered an assisted opening blade. If you press a button unattached to the blade and a mechanism inside deploys the blade for you, it’s an auto knife.
Laws on Possession and Carry
Some states have muddled definitions in which one can argue an assisted blade might be considered an auto in the context of the law. There are so many different state laws on both automatic and assisted blades. Our advice is to read the regulations for your state carefully before carrying any blade in public.
FAQs
Q: Is an OTF knife the same as an automatic?
Although they feature an entirely different design than a folding blade, major manufacturers consider out the front knives as automatics. That’s because the design utilizes a mechanism that deploys the blade without the user ever touching the blade. While the way the blade is released may be different, the concept of an automatic remains the same.
Q: What is the difference between an automatic and an assisted knife?
While many assisted blades are just as fast as automatics, the fundamental difference is what triggers the blade to deploy. Blades that require you to get the blade to start opening through pressure are assisted opening. On the other hand, any blade that deploys solely through a simple button or lever press is an automatic. Auto blades will deploy without you ever actually touching the blade.
Q: Are automatic knives the same as switchblades?
In technical terms, switchblades are also automatic knives. In most cases, they are considered the same as far as state laws on possession and carry are concerned as well. This is because as mentioned, they operate on internal mechanisms that allow the user to deploy the blade without ever touching it.
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