5 Best Assisted Opening Knife Reviews-Buyer Guide (Updated 2023)

Assisted opening knives, or spring assisted knives as they are also known, have become quite popular in recent years.

It is by design a folding knife which opens up the blade by using an internal mechanism.

Once the knife is half opened, it can further be opened up using a thumb stub which is attached to the handle’s side.

This type of knife is popular among hunters, fishermen, and outdoor enthusiasts.

The name of this knife is so because of some assistance required by the knife before it completely opens up.

In this article, we will be reviewing the top 5 best-assisted opening knives available in the market. We will also provide you with a buyer guide to help you choose the right knife based on your needs and preferences.

What is an assisted opening knife?

An assisted opening knife is a type of folding knife that uses an internal mechanism to help the user open the blade quickly and easily. Unlike traditional folding knives, assisted opening knives have a spring mechanism that assists the user in opening the blade. The user starts the opening motion with a thumb stud or flipper, and then the spring takes over and opens the blade completely.

Advantages of an assisted opening knife

There are several advantages of using an assisted opening knife:

• Quick and easy to open: The spring mechanism makes it easy to open the blade with one hand.
• Safe to use: The blade locks into place when fully opened, preventing accidental closure.
• Versatile: Assisted opening knives come in a variety of shapes and sizes, making them suitable for different tasks.
• Durable: Most assisted opening knives are made from high-quality materials, making them strong and durable.
• Stylish: Assisted opening knives come in a variety of designs and colors, making them a fashionable accessory.

Disadvantages of an assisted opening knife

While there are many advantages to using an assisted opening knife, there are also some disadvantages to consider:

• Cost: Assisted opening knives tend to be more expensive than traditional folding knives.
• Maintenance: The spring mechanism requires regular maintenance to keep it functioning properly.
• Legality: Some states and countries have laws that prohibit the ownership or carrying of assisted opening knives.

Top Rated Assisted Opening Knife Reviews

Kershaw Ken Onion Blur Folding Knife

The Blur series of Kershaw knife is known for its excellent power and performance.

The knife is 5.5 inches x 2.5 x 1 inches, and the overall weight is just 4.2 ounces.

The 3 3/8 inches long blade has been carved from Sandvik 14C28N Steel which gives it its strength and rust resistance.

The blade can be smooth or serrated depending on your wish.

The handle on this knife is made of lightweight anodized aluminum which has Trac-Tec inserts in it. These inserts provide an excellent grip in any weather conditions.

The opening system on this knife is the patented Kershaw’s SpeedSafe assisted opening system.

It ensures a smooth opening of the knife which requires a mere manual push on the blade’s thumb stud.

For safety, there is the SpeedSafe’s torsion bar which helps keep the knife closed and in position.

All these mechanisms ensure a smooth opening of the blade, and then they make sure the blade locks into its position.

We loved the pocket knife and so makes it on our best-assisted opening knives guide. It also featured on our Best EDC Knife 2023 guide.

Features

• 3.4 inch stainless steel drop point blade with Cerakote finish for durability and wear resistance
• Sandvik 14C28N steel blade for excellent edge sharpness, edge stability, and corrosion resistance
• SpeedSafe assisted opening system for easy, safe, and ambidextrous one-handed opening
• Reversible pocketclip for convenient tip position and side carry options, and discreet deep-pocket carry
• Thumbstud for accessibility and ease of opening with just a push of a thumb
• Inset Liner Lock for extra strength, durability, and added safety
• Trac-Tec inserts for quality grip and easy carry in all conditions, including freshwater, marine, snow, mud, and messy skinning
• Lightweight and sturdy aluminum handle, anodized for color, hardness, and additional protection

Pros:

• High-performance steel blade with excellent corrosion resistance
• Durable and wear-resistant Cerakote coating
• Smooth and easy one-handed blade deployment with SpeedSafe Assisted Opening
• Secure locking system with Inset Liner Lock
• Reversible pocketclip for convenient carrying
• Trac-Tec inserts on the handle for a non-slip grip in any condition

Cons:

• Slightly heavier than other pocketknives in its class
• May require regular sharpening to maintain optimal performance

Smith & Wesson SWMP4LS

If you’re looking for a versatile and reliable folding EDC knife, the Smith & Wesson SWMP4LS is definitely worth considering.

The Smith & Wesson have always been the leading knife manufacturers ever since their start. And this folding knife is living proof of their consistency and success.

This knife features a 3.6 inches long blade which is made of stainless steel. The blade has been observed to be appreciably rust resistant.

The blade is a combo edge blade and has a 4034 Black finish on its mainframe. The 5 inches long aluminum handle on this knife is state of the art. It provides very comfortable and sturdy grip of the knife.

This knife is accompanied by a thumb knob finger actuator, a glass breaker, and a safety lock.

There is also a liner lock which is 8.6 inches long, and it ensures the blade stays in its position.

Just be aware that the blade may require frequent sharpening due to the use of 4034 steel, and the pocket clip may require some adjustment to fit your needs.

Carrying this knife is made very convenient by the pocket Clip.

The Magic Assisted Opening System of this knife helps fold open the blade with ease and single-handedly.

Features:

• M.A.G.I.C. assisted opening technology
• 4034 Black Oxide Stainless Steel Blade
• Aluminum with rubber inlay handle
• Partially serrated edge
• Glass breaker and seatbelt cutter

Pros:

• Quick and easy access with the convenient pocket clip and flipper/finger actuator
• Security of the liner lock and safety lock
• Durable and dependable for everyday carry
• Comes with a Limited Lifetime Warranty

Cons:

• The blade is made of 4034 steel, which is not as durable as other steels and may require frequent sharpening
• The pocket clip may be too tight for some users and require adjustment

Columbia River Knife

This is one knife which boats a 3.1 inches long samurai shaped blade. It is in its way a classic. The plain blade is made of AUS 8 stainless steel.

The satin finish of the blade makes it easy to conceal and carry with convenience. Also, it has been weighed to be just 3.6 ounces.

The overall length of the knife is 7 inches with a 4 inches long handle attached to it.

The handle on this pocket knife is a black G 10 handle. The scales on this handle are textured to provide a secure grip for the user.

The knife is accompanied by a few perks- an outburst assist, an ambidextrous thumb disk opener and a pocket clip made of stainless steel.

This thumb disk facilitates rapid opening of the knife single handedly with either of the hand. Also, the custom made stainless steel clip is ambidextrous and can be easily mounted with a single screw, this has to be one of the best-assisted opening knives. We loved it so much we mentioned it in our Best Boot Knife guide as well!

Kershaw 1990 Brawler Folding SpeedSafe Knife

Doing it with style is the motto of Kershaw 1990 brawler. It’s not just the amazing looks; the Brawler also offers a SpeedSafe assisted opening system.

The opening system facilitates easy access to the knife using the built in flipper or the convenient thumb stud. The blade on this knife is a modified version of traditional tanto style blade.

It also boasts an extra thick tip which ensures potent piercing capabilities.

For, the handle is made of molded glass filled nylon which provides extra strength and reduces the weight effectively. The solid locking liner on this blade gives a secure feel to the blade.

Ever since its entry in the market of knives, Kershaw has always guaranteed quality. With the 1990 brawler it has proved it yet again.

Like all Kershaw products, the brawler is also guaranteed for a lifetime of exceptional performance.

Kershaw 1670S30V Blur Knife

Following the footsteps of all Kershaw knives, this knife is also one of the safest and sturdiest knives available in the market.

The knife measures 7 7/8 inches in fully opened condition and weights around 4 ounces.

The Kershaw blur folding knife has been crafted out of S30V stainless steel which has a stonewash finish on it. The patented SpeedSafe assisted opening system is makes handling of the knife easy for both right and left handed people.

The handle on this knife provides a comfortable grip for the user. Also, the Trac Tec inserts on the handle ensure effective handling in wet conditions.

Most knife injuries are because of a poor grip on the knife, but this knife has an effective locking liner which holds the knife blade firmly in its place.

There is an additional feature accompanying this knife, the reversible pocket clip. This clips with the handle towards the inside of your pocket.

How Assisted Opening Knife Works?

Assisted-opening knives are a type of knife that use springs to assist in the opening of the blade. These are automatic knives, but not all automatic knives are assisted-opening.

Automatic knives are spring-assisted, and assisted-opening knives are not.

Assisted-opening knives were designed to allow an individual to open a folding knife one-handed.

In order to be considered an assisted-opening knife, the blade must open automatically when the blade is moved into the fully open position and a button or other mechanism must be pressed by the user.

If the blade opens when pressure is applied to the thumb stud, it is not an automatic knife and therefore not an assisted-opening knife.

How to choose the Best Assisted Opening Knives

The following are tips to help you choose the best assisted-opening knives.   

Blade Type

The blade of an assisted-opening knife can be one of several types, including drop point, clip point, spear point or sheepsfoot. When choosing an assisted-opening knife, it’s important to consider the type of blade you want and how it will be used.

If you’ll be using the knife for hunting or fishing, a drop point or clip point is a good choice.

A drop point knife has a straight edge that curves slightly downward toward the tip of the blade.

The clip point also has a straight edge that curves down toward the tip of the blade but does not extend as far.

A spear point has a straight edge that curves up toward the tip of the blade.

A sheepsfoot knife has a straight edge that curves down toward the tip of the blade and is used for skinning animals.

Blade length

When choosing an assisted-opening knife, consider the length of the blade. Assisted-opening knives are available with blades that range in size from two to seven inches.

The blade on an assisted-opening knife should be no shorter than three inches and no longer than seven inches.

A five-inch blade is a good choice for most people because it’s long enough to cut through material such as rope and cardboard yet short enough to carry easily.

Blade Style

When choosing an assisted-opening knife, consider the blade style. Assisted opening knives are available with a variety of blade styles, including plain edge, serrated edge and partially serrated edge.

A plain edge has no serrations along the top of the blade.

A partially serrated edge has serrations along the top of the blade that extend less than halfway down the length of the blade.

The fully serrated edge has serrations along the entire length of the blade.

A plain or partially serrated edge is a good choice for people who want a blade that’s capable of cutting through material such as rope and cardboard.

A serrated edge is not a good choice for people who want a knife for self-defense.

Handle material

When choosing an assisted-opening knife, consider the material used to make the handle. Assisted-opening knives are available with handles made of a variety of materials, including aluminum, brass, fiberglass and plastic.

Aluminum is light and strong and is a good choice for people who want a light knife. Brass is durable but heavy and is a good choice for people who want a heavy knife.

Fiberglass is a lightweight material that doesn’t conduct heat or cold well and is a good choice for people who live in areas where there’s extreme heat or extreme cold.

Plastic is lightweight, inexpensive and easy to grip but may be slippery when wet and is a good choice for people who want to avoid the risk of cutting themselves when the knife is wet.

Locking mechanism

When choosing an assisted-opening knife, consider the locking mechanism. Assisted-opening knives are available with several different locking mechanisms, including frame lock, liner lock and slip joint lock.

A frame lock has a spring-loaded bar that extends from the handle across the back of the blade and locks into place over a notch in the blade.

A liner lock has a spring-loaded bar that fits into a groove in the back of the blade and locks into place over a notch in the blade.

Slip joint lock has a spring-loaded bar that locks into place over a notch in the blade but doesn’t extend from one side of the handle to the other.

A frame lock is a good choice for people who want a knife with a locking mechanism that will keep the blade from accidentally closing during use.

The liner lock is a good choice for people who want an assisted-opening knife that’s easy to open and close.

A slip joint lock is a good choice for people who want an assisted-opening knife that’s easy to open but not as easy to close.

Consider the Price

Assisted-opening knives are available at a variety of price points, from less than $20 to more than $300. If you’re on a tight budget, a less expensive knife may be a good choice for you.

If you have the money to spend, an assisted-opening knife with a higher price tag may be worth the investment because it will likely last longer and be easier to use.

Assisted-opening knives that cost between $20 and $50 are good choices for people who want an inexpensive assisted-opening knife that will get the job done.

Assisted-opening knives that cost more than $100 are good choices for people who want an assisted-opening knife that will last a long time, be easy to use and be made of durable material.

Bottom Line

Choosing the best assisted opening knife or any pocket knife for that matter can be a very confusing venture for a first timer.

Even the experts of knives can be confused with the wide range of available options in the market. One thing that needs to be kept in mind while buying any knife is that you opt for the best.

Always research and take a look at the review of knives which you consider as options.

Also, always remember to check in with the knife laws of your state or the place you are traveling to.