The Best Automatic Knives

Giving access to a razor-sharp blade at lightning speed, an automatic pocket knife is always ready for the task at hand, making it more and more popular with avid knife collectors.

What’s An Automatic Knife?

Many times, spring assisted opening knives are confused with automatic knives. A spring assisted knife’s natural position is closed and an automatic knife’s natural position is open – the blade is being held in a closed position by tension. When you open a knife and there is no effort involved except for pressing a button to deploy the blade, it is an automatic.

Recommendations

Seeing how they have gained in popularity over the past few years, we have looked and collected a selection of automatics that offer quality and efficiency at very agreeable prices. And with so many styles to choose from, there’s no question that you’ll find one with your name on it. Just in case you need some help in choosing one, here are a few of our customer’s favorites.

Hendrix Triton Dagger Knife

The Hendrix Triton Dagger Knife is a sleek and compact OTF, which offers powerful double-action deployment with a side loaded thumb slide. The M390 premium steel dagger blade has a satin finish and offers you outstanding strength and edge retention so that is sharp and ready at a moment’s notice. The textured, aircraft grade aluminum handle offers a lightweight build and a reliable grip in your hand. I really like this automatic because it also comes with a nylon belt sheath that is MOLLE compatible.
Key Features:

• It offers double-action deployment with a side-loaded thumb slide
• It has a dagger blade that has outstanding strength and edge retention
• It comes in a nylon belt sheath that is MOLLE compatible

Gerber Propel Automatic

When Gerber set out to design the Propel Automatic, the process was peppered with critical feedback from military and law enforcement personnel. It was tasked with answering the needs of some of the most demanding, abusive, and unpredictable environments the world has to offer. This automatic is a one-handed opening workhorse with a 420HC steel, partially serrated tanto blade that can cut through anything. A black oxide coating adds corrosion resistance and low reflectivity. The black, G-10 handle provides a sure grip and durability in a slim package. The Propel provides the unshakable confidence that can only come from carrying a knife you truly believe in and a Gerber never, ever disappoints!
Key Features:

• Military and law enforcement personnel weighed-in on its design
• It has a tough, partially serrated tanto blade with an anti-corrosion finish
• The G10 handle has a slim profile that’s easy and comfortable to hold and use

Benchmade Mediator Automatic

A tactical knife doesn’t always need to be overbuilt to serve its purpose and the Benchmade Mediator Automatic is the perfect example. With milled chevron-pattern G10 handles and a CPM-S90V reverse tanto blade, the Mediator is a sleek switchblade with lightning-fast action. The blade has a 59-61 HRC and it can easily be deployed with the push button on the handle, which also features a deep-carry pocket clip and a lanyard hole. Taking the best from some of Benchmade’s favorite legacy designs, this push-button automatic was expertly made in the USA.
Key Features:

• This is a tactical automatic that’s not ridiculously overbuilt but simply serves its purpose
• Both blade and handle have a black, non-reflective finish, making the automatic discreet
• The premium steel, reverse tanto blade has a 59-61 HRC

Italian Pearl Stiletto Automatic

There’s no question that the Italian Pearl Stiletto Automatic is a truly impressive pocket knife with its length, from tip to end, coming in at 13” overall. The knife has a mirror-polished, 6” stainless steel blade with a razor-sharp edge and a penetrating point, protected by brass liners. The blade snaps out with the push of a button and locks up solid with the sliding blade lock and the bolster acts as the blade release. Just push the bolster forward and the blade is released, closing easily. It has faux pearl handle scales, and the push button and slide lock are conveniently on top. The stiletto knife can be carried and stored in its tough nylon belt sheath.
Key Features:

• It has that classic, vintage look that you’ve seen in movies and television
• It is absolutely impressive with its 6” stainless steel blade and 13” overall length
• It comes with a convenient nylon belt sheath to carry it in

Benchmade Mini Reflex Automatic

The best-selling, original Pardue automatic pocket knife gets the upgraded Benchmade automatic package with increased reliability and improved access to an enlarged button. The Benchmade Mini Reflex Automatic has a 154CM steel drop-point blade with a 58-61 HRC and a satin finish, which can be accessed by a push button. The black handle is constructed of 6061-T6 aluminum and it has a tip-up pocket clip for ease of carry.
Key Features:

• This mini automatic features improved access to an enlarged button, giving it increased reliability
• The premium steel, drop-point blade has a 58-61 HRC so that it’s up to any challenge
• The lightweight, aluminum handle features a sturdy pocket clip and a lanyard hole