An important thing about a folding knife is quick blade deployment, which is provided by the best assisted opening knives.
They open remarkably fast with your help — all you have to do is give the blade a little push on the flipper tab or on the thumb stud. You’ll also be glad to know that carrying this type of knife is legal in many states.
Choosing an assisted opening knife may be confusing, and not everyone can make the best buying decision. So, my selections for the best spring assisted knife took into consideration all the important features you would want to have.
The Best Assisted Opening Knives Are:
| Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Kershaw Blur Black 1670BLK Knife |  Top Pick |
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| 2. Kershaw Link 1776 Knife |  |
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| 3. Kershaw Knockout 1870 Knife |  |
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| 4. TAC Force Speedster Model Knife |  |
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| 5. Trident Elite SOG Rescue Knife |  |
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| 6. Benchmade 585-2 Osborne Mini Barrage Knife |  |
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| 7. Kershaw Barricade 8650 Knife |  |
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1. Kershaw Blur Black 1670BLK Knife — Best Spring Assisted Knife
What’s not to love about this knife? It has the best SpeedSafe assisted opening system. Not to mention that its stainless steel drop point blade offers the finest performance.
Specs
- SpeedSafe assisted opening
- Overall length of 7.875 inches
- Blade length of 3.375 inches
- 14C28N steel blade
- Anodized aluminum handle
The Kershaw Blur features the SpeedSafe assisted opening system, which is great because it allows for a safe and ambidextrous one-handed operation.
It is housed in a stout ergonomic anodized aluminum handle that is not only lightweight, but it also doesn’t conduct and retain cold.
The blade is made from 14C28N steel material that makes this model a great EDC knife due to its exceptional edge retention and corrosion resistance.
However, there is a chance of receiving a model with a defective liner lock system. So be on the lookout for such imperfections.
Pros
- Great edge retention for everyday carry
- Handle is lightweight, ergonomic, and weatherproof
- Hollow grind blade is remarkably easy to sharpen
- Drop point blade is perfect for carving and opening packages
- Plain edge doesn’t fray or snag when cutting
Cons
- Some models may come with a defective liner lock
- Could be better with a partially serrated edge
Conclusion
As far as assisted opening knives are concerned, the Kershaw Blur Black is the ultimate best. Its deployment is excellent with a push of the ambidextrous thumb stud.
Overall Rating – 4.8
2. Kershaw Link 1776 Knife — Best Reversible Pocket Clip
The sleek design, quick SpeedSafe assisted opening, and liner lock make this knife extremely comfortable and easy to operate.
Specs
- SpeedSafe assisted opening
- Overall length of 7.6 inches
- Blade length of 3.25 inches
- 420HC steel blade with a stonewash finish
- Glass-filled nylon handle
What truly defines the Kershaw Link 1776 is the SpeedSafe assisted opening, which allows the blade to be deployed quickly with a push of the flipper tab.
I really appreciate the reversible pocket clip design with pre-drilled holes on either side for both left and right pocket carry orientations.
The blade is made from 420HC stainless steel material that contains considerably high amounts of chromium and carbon to boost corrosion resistance and hardenability.
The handle is made of glass-filled nylon scales with sculpted lines for lightweight strength and a comfortable and secure grip.
But there is a chance of receiving a model with a poorly made locking mechanism that doesn’t fully open to secure the blade.
Pros
- Blade has impressive corrosion resistance and hardenability
- Sculptured lines on the handle improve texture and grip
- Built-in flipper allows for quick and easy deployment
- Provides right and left-handed pocket carry
- Lanyard hole near the butt adds versatility
Cons
- Some models may come with a bad lock mechanism
- Doesn’t allow for a tip down carry
Conclusion
The Kershaw Link 1776 is both sturdy and sharp. The ambidextrous flipper makes one-handed deployment a breeze in lifesaving emergencies and personal defense.
Overall Rating – 4.8
3. Kershaw Knockout 1870 Knife — Best Sub-Frame Lock
We’re down to the third item on our list and it’s from the same brand! This is another one from Kershaw, who makes the best assisted opening knives.
Developed to be a lightweight, quick deploying pocket blade, the Kershaw Knockout 1870 features the agile SpeedSafe assisted Opening.
Specs
- SpeedSafe assisted opening
- Overall length of 7-7/8 inches
- Blade length of 3-1/4 inches
- 14C28N Sandvik steel blade
- Anodized aluminum handle
This knife has the agile SpeedSafe assisted opening, which allows for quick blade deployment with a push of the thumb stud or a pullback of the flipper tab.
Honed from tough edge retaining 14C28N Sandvik stainless steel, the Kershaw Knockout 1870 spots a modified drop point blade with superior cutting performance. Cutting power is maximized throughout the length of the blade due to the drop point blade style that slopes along the spine.
Another good feature is the subframe lock mechanism, which offers a lightweight frame and a slim profile with a fast, strong action deployment. But the thing is, the drop point blade style offers a pretty broad tip that is usually not ideal for piercing.
Pros
- Sub-frame lock allows for fast, strong action
- Assisted opening makes deployment easy
- Broad tip maximizes cutting power
- Aluminum handle is lightweight and strong
- Maximum concealment with deep pocket carry
Cons
- Broad tip isn’t suitable for piercing
- Thumb stud is a little bit oversized
Conclusion
The Kershaw Knockout 1870 is a strong tool with an extremely quick deployment, making it a suitable choice for everyday carry, emergencies, and personal defense.
Overall Rating – 4.7
4. TAC Force Speedster Model Knife — Best Assisted Opening Pocket Knife
This model has an inexpensive price point, but its build quality, quick spring assisted opening, and cutting performance will meet and possibly exceed your expectations.
Specs
- Overall length of 7.75 inches
- Blade length of 3.25 inches
- Spring-assisted opening
- 440 black stainless steel blade
The TAC Force Speedster camouflages with your Camo outdoor gear, which is a great feature for a survivalist blending into natural surroundings. This tactical edge tool features a 440 black stainless steel blade, which has a higher carbon content for superior edge retention and rust resistance.
I really like the clip point blade, considering the fact that it lends itself to a quicker and more effective piercing advantage with minimal drag.
This is also a very versatile and practical knife with a glass breaker for emergency extrication from your car in the event of an accident.
But there is one significant flaw in the design, some of the screws may come loose. So, you might have to do a little bit of tightening before using the knife.
Pros
- Camouflaging knife blends in with outdoor surroundings
- 440 steel has excellent edge retention
- Clip point blade is great for piercing when opening boxes
- Glass breaker comes in handy during emergency extrication
- Spring-assisted opening is fast and smooth
Cons
- May arrive with loose screws
- Could be better with a partial serrated edge
Conclusion
The TAC Force Speedster is a great outdoor knife, thanks to its camouflage finish, clip point blade heavy-duty plain edge, ergonomic handle design, and glass breaker.
Overall Rating – 4.5
5. Trident Elite SOG Rescue Knife — Best Tactical Model
The Trident Elite SOG should be on your radar if you’re looking for a lightweight, large folder with one of the fastest assisted opening on the market.
Specs
- SOG assisted opening
- Overall length of 8.7 inches
- Blade length of 3.7 inches
- AUS-8 stainless steel blade
- Glass-reinforced nylon handle
This edge tool features a SOG assisted opening system, which is great because the opposing high tension coils of the system allow for quick deployment of the blade with a push of the thumb stud.
The Trident Elite spots a hollow grind AUS-8 stainless steel blade that has remarkably high levels of toughness, hardness, wear, and corrosion resistance.
I really appreciate the rubber textured glass-reinforced nylon handle, which has a very strong and non-slip grip for consistent hand placement.
Another good feature is the unique piston lock with an arc actuator for better ergonomics and improved location on opening the blade.
My only complaint is that when folding the blade, you need to apply a great deal of force. Some models are also very difficult to open.
Pros
- SOG assisted opening is fast and smooth
- AUS-8 steel blade boasts superior edge retention
- Rubber textured handle offers a non-slip grip
- Easy to release piston lock with a sliding button
- Features a cord cutter and glass breaker
Cons
- Some models may come with a flawed lock mechanism
- Lacks a serrated edge
Conclusion
This knife definitely embodies the elite status in its name due to its rapid-fire blade deployment and intense reliability, as long as it’s a genuine model.
Overall Rating – 4.5
6. Benchmade 585-2 Osborne Mini Barrage Knife — Most Versatile Design
What’s not to love about this knife? It has a great assisted opening system, high-quality CPM-S30V stainless steel blade, and G-10 handle.
Specs
- Overall length of 6.91 inches
- Blade length of 2.91 inches
- CPM-S30V steel blade
- Gray textured G10 handle
- Axis lock mechanism
This model has an upgraded CPM-S30V stainless steel blade, which is going to be highly corrosion resistant as well as wear resistant.
It comes equipped with a gray G10 handle with plenty of texture, which is great because it offers a full forefinger grip for maximum control.
This knife has a very strong assisted opening that deploys very quickly and smoothly with a swift push of the thumb stud.
Another good feature is the Benchmade proprietary axis lock that is ambidextrous, which means it can be deployed by either a left or right handed user.
But the thing is, the spring that assists with blade deployment is thin. So, its durability isn’t long-lasting.
Pros
- Blade is well-balanced for superior cutting performance
- G10 handle is impervious to moisture
- Ambidextrous axis lock allows for left and right-handed deployment
- Large belly of the drop point blade is ideal for slicing
- Reversible clip for both left and right pocket carry
Cons
- Integrated spring is a little bit thinner
- Broad tip may not be suitable for piercing
Conclusion
The fast spring assisted blade deployment, highly impervious G10 handle, and ambidextrous axis lock and pocket clip make this model a great EDC knife.
Overall Rating – 4.5
7. Kershaw Barricade 8650 Knife — Best Built-In Belt Cutter
A tough construction, unique blade steel, built-in belt cutter, modified clip point blade, strong liner lock, and smooth SpeedSafe assisted opening help this model make the list.
Specs
- SpeedSafe assisted opening
- Overall length of 8.5 inches
- Blade length of 3.5 inches
- 8Cr13MoV blade steel
- Glass-filled nylon handle
This model has two one-handed deployment options, which is great because you can either push the flipper tab or thumb stud to activate the SpeedSafe assisted opening.
I really appreciate the glass-filled nylon handle, which has outstanding stiffness, excellent wear resistance, and incredible versatility.
The handle is integrated with a built-in belt cutter and a glass breaker for rescue operations during a car accident.
Another good feature is the strong liner lock, which ensures the blade is properly secured during use and closes effortlessly once you are done cutting.
But the thing is, the single position pocket carry isn’t ambidextrous, which means it is not the most versatile choice for those who prefer to use either pocket for storage.
Pros
- Quick, assisted one-handed deployment
- Very strong liner lock for securing the blade in open position
- Built-in belt cutter is very resourceful during a rescue operation
- Clip point blade allows for quicker and deeper piercing
- Plain edge doesn’t fray or snag during use
Cons
- Single position pocket carry isn’t ambidextrous
- Plain edge may not be suitable for cutting fibrous materials
Conclusion
The Kershaw Barricade is a multi-functional edge tool that is extremely useful in rescue operations and everyday carry.
Overall Rating – 4.5
Buying Guide: What To Look For In An Assisted Opening Knife
Here are the various things you have to take into account when looking for the best spring assisted knife:
Flipper or Thumb Stud Assisted Mechanism
Flipper Knives
Some of the best assisted opening knives on the market have a flipper tab for assisted opening. These knives come equipped with a small protruding tab on the opposite side of the edge.
When you apply pressure on the tab, leverage is created, which smoothly and swiftly rotates the blade into the open position. This type of assisted opening is usually fast.
Thumb Stud Knives
Some well-known brands, such as Kershaw fit their knives with a thumb stud for assisted opening.
This is a small protrusion, usually located on the side of the blade. Some models may have a thumb stud on either side, while a majority have only one thumb stud.
Some models come equipped with both a flipper tab and thumb stud for added versatility. There isn’t any specific advantage of one mechanism over the other except for personal preference.
Ambidextrous Lock Mechanisms
The best spring assisted knife you select should have an ambidextrous lock mechanism. Such a type of locking mechanism will allow the knife to be used by both left and right-handed users.
There are quite a few locking mechanisms that are ambidextrous, including axis, liner, and sub-frame locks.
Axis Lock
The Axis lock was introduced by Benchmade in 1998, which is equally useful for both left and right-handed users. This mechanism has the axis bar, which is the locking feature of the knife.
You can access it through both sides of the handle, making it truly ambidextrous. This lock gets its strength from a stainless steel bar lying between two hardened stainless steel liners.
Liner Lock
This locking mechanism is considered by many knife enthusiasts to be ambidextrous. It involves a deflection of a piece of flexible metal that locks the blade in the open position.
Frame Lock
Frame lock folders have one side of the handle acting like a spring lock that shoves against the tang of the blade so as to prevent it from closing.
When you push the lock towards the left, the blade is released from the locked position. This allows you to close the blade.
Compression Lock
Another high-tech lock mechanism that is ambidextrous is the compression lock, which holds the blade more securely than a regular liner lock.
The integral compression lock keeps it open under stress, and the textured surface of the handle ensures your hand won’t slip down the handle if you thrust it into a hard surface.
Pocket Carry Clip
Another significant feature that you must consider when buying assisted opening knives is the pocket carry clip.
Final Thoughts
It’s been a long guide, but we finally have the winner for this roundup: the Kershaw Blur Black 1670BLK Knife.
When compared to other models on the market, Kershaw Blur Black 1670BLK stands out as the best model with a blazing SpeedSafe assisted opening.
The knife has an ambidextrous thumb stud that can be operated by both a left- and a right-handed user. Furthermore, very little force is needed to push the thumb stud to assist with the opening.
This spring-assisted folding knife has a unique liner lock system that does not only provide strength and security, but it is also suitable for both left- and right-handed users.
