If all opening designs were legal, would you choose a SB or the manual opener.
Besides the cool factor and intimidating a attacker, I just don't see an advantage to a SB.
I responded with this in a thread on another forum about "Who uses a automatic for a EDC"
This is a reply I gotOriginally Posted by alan camby
IMO the only thing switchblades have going for them is the Cool factor. If you want the most reliable knife, it is not a SB. To many moving parts to get sand, dirt, and pocket lint in. The safety is another thing that could fail.
If you want the fastest opening knife, it is not a SB, A Emerson waved knife can be opened before the knife leaves the pocket, and there is no safety to disengage while deploying.
More moving parts almost always means more weight. What is the lightest 3.5" bladed SB?
Never had a non-assist, Non SB fling open in my pocket. Hate to be out in the middle of nowhere, say deep in the woods, and my knife opens accidentally and cuts my hand or leg really bad, Or worse gets into my crotch.
I will admit SB's are cool and would love to have one to play with, but I think the biggest allure is that they are illegal in most areas of the US.
I own a dozen or more well made pocket knives, including the one posted by the OP. The Benchmade is one of the best made of the bunch. It doesn't accidently come open. There is also a slide switch to lock it closed. The belt clip can be reattached 180°. Until you've actually used the Benchmade, you don't know what you are talking about.
This knife can also be taken completely apart for cleaning and maintenance. How many other knives can you do this with?