Imagine this: you’re out on a camping trip, and though the sun is shining and there isn’t a cloud in the sky, you have a problem. You’ve just run out of food, so you need to go fishing. Fortunately, you have the fishing tools you need.
Unfortunately, you don’t have an automatic knife or any other type, such as an OTF knife. So when it comes time to scale the fish and prepare it to eat it, you find that you have to use a dull knife you keep on your keychain.
You eat barely any of the fish, and you know that the rest of your days’ camping will have the same problem.
This is just one of the many reasons you should consider buying an automatic knife. They can be useful in countless situations. But you might not be sure about making this investment.
That’s why we’ve put together this article. In it, you’ll learn everything you need to about the benefits of using automatic knives. Finally, you can have a safe, practical, multi-use knife. Read on to learn more.
Durability
Compared to other popular, portable knives, automatic knives are incredibly durable and can withstand forceful daily use. Usually, they’re made from materials like stainless steel or aluminum, which means they can handle many types of use.
Additionally, because the knife blade is retracted inside the handle most of the time, it’s protected anytime you aren’t using it. This will help it to last longer, perform better, and stay sharper.
This makes this a cost-effective purchase. Other knives won’t last as long, so you’ll have to replace them, but automatic knives will last a long time, meaning you’ll get value out of them for years.
Different Blade Options
When it comes to the automatic knife blade itself, different options are available depending on how you want to use it. You can choose a serrated knife, which works best for cutting plastic, rope, and other hardy materials.
If you prefer using knives for self-defense, then you can choose the straight-edged knife option. This sharper, cleaner blade will be easier to use when you have to fight off an attacker.
No Need To Touch the Blade
One of the biggest benefits of automatic types of knives is that there isn’t a need to touch the blade when you’re retracting or releasing it. This means that the automatic knife is much safer to use than other knives that you have to fold out to retract the blade.
Folding knives sometimes also have the problem that they can break at the hinge when you’re slicing or cutting.
This won’t happen with an automatic knife. They also won’t slip the way that folding knives can.
So if you plan on using your knife often at home, where your family might be, it will be safer to have around than a folding knife.
Legal in Many Parts of the US
When people think about using automatic knives, they sometimes worry that it might not be legal to do so where they live. However, automatic knives are legal in many parts of the US. Of course, you should check state and municipality laws before buying knives online.
These regulations can be complicated, so if you aren’t sure, you can check with a lawyer.
Generally speaking, in a state where owners have more rights to have access to knives and where personal liberties are less prohibited, you should be able to use an automatic knife.
Even if it’s legal to have an automatic knife in your state, you should check to see if there are any regulations. Some have limits on the length of the blade, while others might require you to have a license.
To learn more about the knife laws in your state, check out this information provided by the American Knife & Tool Institute.
Useful For Hiking and Camping
If you enjoy the great outdoors, then an automatic knife is a great tool to have. You can use it for basic outdoor tasks like slicing food and cutting ropes. If you find yourself in a situation where you need to defend yourself against a stranger in the woods, it can come in handy, too.
The knife is also sharp enough to make marks on trees if you’re out for a hike in the wild and want to know how to get back to camp before the sunsets.
Useful For Fishing
If you love to go fishing, an automatic knife can also be useful for removing hooks and cutting the fishing line. Additionally, if you want to prepare the fish later over an open fire, you can easily de-scale and de-bone it as needed before adding anything else.
Sharper Than Many Portable Blades
One of the problems with many portable blades is that they aren’t actually sharp enough to properly slice through what you need to cut. This isn’t a problem with an automatic knife, which is part of what makes it such a good investment.
You also won’t have to spend as much time sharpening the blade.
Whenever you use it to cut food, the slices will be precise and clean. This can be especially useful when dealing with raw meat when you’re out camping.
Useful for First-Aid
When you’re at home, you probably won’t need to use your automatic knife for first-aid—but if you’re in an unexpected situation where someone is suddenly wounded, you can use this knife to keep yourself, or a loved one healthy until help comes.
For example, if you’re out camping without a first-aid kit and someone falls and badly cuts themselves, you can use the knife to cut through clothing and make a makeshift bandage.
Fire Preparation
Another situation when it’s useful to have an automatic knife is if you need to prepare a fire. Even in wet weather conditions, you can use the knife to cut at wood so that you can get to the dry areas in the center. This can be life-saving in emergency camping situations.
Useful In the Kitchen
Because an automatic knife cuts so easily, you can even use it in the kitchen. If your kitchen knives are all dull, you can simply pull out your hardy automatic knife and slice flesh, greens, and even vegetables that are so ripe they would usually burst.
High-Quality Handgrip
When you’re using a knife in an emergency, such as having to defend yourself, the last thing you want is for it to slip out of your hand. Fortunately, automatic knives have high-quality handgrips, which means you can protect yourself effectively.
This is also useful if you’re cutting an object that’s difficult to cut, such as wood.
Useful For Box Cutting
If you’re in the middle of a move, you can use your automatic knife to cut down on the time opening up all your boxes once you’ve moved in. Additionally, if you work somewhere where you’re opening boxes all the time, an automatic knife can speed up the hours at work.
Useful For Breaking Windows
Sometimes, we find ourselves in emergencies where we have to break a window. If you can’t get into your home because you’ve locked yourself out, you need to be able to break a window safely. You can do this with an automatic knife.
Simply use the tip of the knife at an angle. However, there are better tools you can use to break a car window in case of an emergency. For more tips on how to break through a car window safely, check out this article.
A Self-Defense Essential
Finally, one of the most important reasons you should buy an automatic knife is for self-defense. If you ever find yourself in a situation where someone is trying to attack you, having an automatic knife can mean the difference between life and death.
In general, it’s helpful to know about all the ways you can protect yourself in a self-defense situation. Check out some tips here.
Need To Buy an Automatic Knife or OTF Knife?
Now that you’ve learned about all the reasons why you should consider buying an automatic knife, you might be interested in finding out more about where you can buy this type of knife or others, such as an OTF knife. But you might not be sure where to get started.
We can help. At TK TacKnives, we’re experts when it comes to all types of knives and can help you choose the right one for you. We also sell a variety of knives.
To learn more about the products we offer, check them out now.
