11 Best Assisted-Opening Knives

Assisted opening knives are all about convenience and speed. Spring Assisted knives were introduced to the market to provide knife enthusiasts with a knife that was quick to deploy, safe to handle, and most importantly – legal in the United States.

These assisted knives offer a quick and convenient way to handle your everyday tasks or chores. 

I’ve kept the article short but very interesting and informative. In this article, I’ve listed the best assisted-opening knives that deliver performance and these are the best in quality for their respective price range. 

You’ll quickly get the best-assisted opening knives under your budget here.

I recommend you read this article completely to make a better purchase.

Best Assisted-Opening Knives of 2024:

1. Kershaw Cryo 2 Assisted Opening Knife

Kershaw is a giant in the knife industry. The quality and variety they bring to the table are commendable. Kershaw Cryo 2 is the best-assisted opening knife if you’re tight on the budget. The design, quality, and premium aesthetic make it a great choice.

Kershaw Cryo 2
Kershaw Cryo 2

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Specifications of the Kershaw Cryo 2

  • Country of Origin: China
  • Blade length: 3.25 inches
  • Closed length: 4.4 inches
  • Overall length: 7.75 inches
  • Blade Material: 8Cr13MoV stainless steel
  • Locking Mechanism: SpeedSafe
  • Handle Material: 410 steel handle, titanium carbo-nitride coating

The assisted action of Cryo || is as smooth as butter, perfectly solid lockup, a nicely ground blade that doesn’t require frequent sharpening & has a great deep carry clip. The handle is simple and feels good in the hands, but it makes an average grip. It weighs a little heavy and needs work on the handle to make a better grip but for the price point, it does justice. Plus, I love the deep carry clip but that’s a personal preference. It’s also one of our best pocket knives since 2016.

2. Kershaw Ken Onion Leek

Kershaw Ken Onion Leek is an ideal size EDC assisted knife with 3 inches of blade. It’s very slim and sleek in design which gives it a very aesthetically pleasing look given its lightweight design. Unlike Kershaw Cryo II, it is built in the USA. I love the smooth deployment and it has a comfortable grip. The straight edge/serrated edge (depending on what you buy) drop point blade design makes it compatible with the detailed work.

Kershaw Leek

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Specifications for the Kershaw Leek

  • Country of Origin: USA
  • Blade length: 3 inches
  • Closed length: 4 inches
  • Overall length: 7 inches
  • Locking Mechanism: SpeedSafe
  • Blade Material: Sandvik 14C28N, bead-blasted finish
  • Handle Material: 4410 stainless steel, bead-blasted finish

The blade is razor-sharp out of the box. The assist function operates well but takes some time to get used to. The stainless steel, size, and all other attributes make it a great knife. The assist function is a little bit tricky. If the lock is left off, the opening mechanism acts like a switchblade blade, and this might get you in trouble because it opens quickly; thus you might end up getting a cut on your finger. The reversible pocket clip makes it convenient for everyone.

Read my full Kershaw Leek Review.

3. Kershaw Ken Onion Blur

Kershaw Ken Onion Blur is a multitasking knife because of its blade’s design. The blade is slightly curved at the drop point which makes it compatible for slicing and piercing at the same time. Kershaw Ken Onion Blur comes with a plain edge and serrated edge (both prices are different).

Kershaw Blur Assisted Opening Knife
Kershaw Blur

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Specifications of The Kershaw Ken Onion Blur

  • Country of Origin: USA
  • Blade length: 3-3/8 inches
  • Closed length: 4-1/2 inches
  • Overall length: 7-7/8 inches
  • Blade Material: Sandvik 14C28N, DLC coating
  • Locking Mechanism: SpeedSafe
  • Handle Material: 6061-T6 anodized aluminum handle, Trac-Tec inserts

Kershaw Ken Onion Blur has two blade types: serrated edge and plain edge. The Blur has a very sharp blade, and handle facilitates good traction, unlike Ken Onion Blur. Edge retention is incredible and the assisted opening mechanism is incredibly smooth.

Overall, I love Ken onion blur, but one thing people and I hate about Ken Onion Blur is the pocket clip. It’s not tight; you might have to tighten it up frequently. I would recommend carrying a Blur in the front pocket because of the clip.

4. Spyderco No products found./Paramiliary 2

Spyderco Para 3 quality pocket knife

Key Features: 

  • Completely ambidextrous
  • Made in USA
  • Smooth action

Specs:

Para 3

  • Blade length- 3” (shorter blade)
  • Blade steel- CPM-S30V (premium blade steels available)
  • Weight- 3.4oz
No products found.

Paramilitary 2

  • Blade length- 3.4”
  • Blade steel- CPM-S30V (premium blade steels available)
  • Weight- 3.7oz
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I know, you’ll say that the paramilitary is not assisted opening. No Spidies are. But I didn’t want to exclude these. The Paramilitary series has been a long-standing staple in the knife community. With a lineup that will make collectors of the series go broke in a matter of minutes, there is an option for everyone.  The Para 3, despite being small and light, the build quality is amazing. If you prefer shorter blades, go for the Para 3, else the Paramilitary 2. It opens quickly and smoothly, I’ve been using it for about a year now and it still works fine.

Spyderco is one of the reliable and popular knife brands that you can go with. Spyderco is known for its exclusive sprint runs of the Paramilitary series featuring premium blade steels and customized handle scale materials. The patented Spydie Hole blade deployment is a must-have for any knife collector!

5. Civivi Elementum Budget Flipper Knife

Civivi Elementum flipper knife

Key Features:

  • Incredibly smooth action
  • Multiple color options
  • Deep carry pocket clip

Specs:

  • Blade length- 2.9”
  • Blade steel- D2 (premium steels available)
  • Weight- 2.9oz
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Damn, did I include a flipper? I did because the Civivi Elementum has become one of the most popular budget-friendly blades since its release. With a buttery smooth action, durable D2 steel, and multiple handle scale options there is an Elementum for everyone. I like this flipper mechanism.

The Elementum is simple.

A 3” drop point blade, conventional liner lock, and a neutral handle that fits a wide variety of hand sizes. If you’re looking for a smooth and sleek flipper tab at a price tag that is much lower than the knife’s quality, check out the Elementum. 

6. Gerber Covert Knife

The Gerber Covert is Backed by the speed of F.A.S.T technology, which is used for quick one-hand opening deployment of the titanium-coated spear point blade and G-10 handles that give you a tacky grip (G-10 is my favorite material for handle).

Gerber Covert Knife
Gerber Covert Knife

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Specification of the Gerber Covert

  • Assembling: USA
  • Blade length: 3.70 inches spear point blade
  • Closed length: 5 inches
  • Overall length: 8.70 inches
  • Handle Material: G-10
  • Blade Material: Titanium-Coated Blade
  • Locking Mechanism: F.A.S.T. Technology (Forward Action Spring Technology)

If you need a serious one hand assisted opening knife, then Gerber Covert is what I would recommend to you. It is extremely fast and reliable as compared to the models mentioned above. The handle is constructed of a G-10 material which provides solid grip and nice ergonomic feel.

It is a little heavy, though.

The Gerber covert has a lock button which is needed to be deactivated before opening or closing the knife which sometimes feels annoying when you’ve to do it every single time. For the price point, it justifies everything.

7. Smith & Wesson SWMP4L

Smith & Wesson SWMP4L is a big assisted knife built for military and police, i.e., tactical knife work. This knife is big and bulky and can be used to break the window of a car. If you need a knife for medium-duty tasks, then this is the knife that I would recommend.

smith and wesson knife
Smith & Wesson SWMP4L

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Specification of the Smith & Wesson SWMP4L

  • Made in Taiwan
  • Blade length: 3.6 inches
  • Closed length: 5.0 inches
  • Overall length: 8.6 inches
  • Blade Material: 4034 Stainless Steel
  • Locking Mechanism: M.A.G.I.C. Liner Lock
  • Handle Material: Black Aluminum Handle with Black Rubber Inlay

SWMP4L is a part of the M&P (Military and Police) series; therefore, making it a combat knife. It features a glass breaker tip and a liner lock. The blade is very sharp and retains the edge for a long period of time. It can be used for small and medium heavyweight tasks. The opening mechanism is just MAGIC.

This knife is super durable which makes it more convenient to be on this list. The indent in the clip is short and deep which makes drawing and re-clipping a hassle. The other problem might be the overall size and bulkiness which kinda takes it off from the everyday carry selection.

8. Zero Tolerance ZT0350TS

Zero Tolerance had to be on my list. ZT0350TS is a plain edge assisted knife, and the updated version of Zero Tolerance ZT0350TS is 10% smaller and lighter than original; non-serrated blade with Tiger Stripe finish (I’ve purchased it; currently testing it).

zero tolerance ZT0350TS
ZT0350TS Plain Edge

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Specifications of the Zero Tolerance ZT0350TS

  • Country of Origin: USA
  • Blade length: 3.25 inches
  • Closed length: 4.625 inches
  • Overall length: 7.76 inches
  • Locking Mechanism: SpeedSafe manual assist
  • Handle Material: textured matte black G-10 handle
  • Blade Material: S30V stainless-steel with Tungsten DLC coating

If you need a high-end assisted opening pocket knife or EDC knife then this knife is the best. It has a razor-sharp blade; a great finish which makes it durable against scrapes and it wears nice. The spring mechanism gives a great experience. The handle is constructed out of G-10 material which gives a nice grip and feels great in hands.

It’s a little hard to sharpen the blade as compared to others – unless you’re a very experienced sharpener. The spring wears out with time, for me, but a limited lifetime manufacturer’s warranty saved me. The newer version is still in testing and so far everything is good.

9. Benchmade Bugout/No products found.

Benchmade Bugout And Mini Bugout
Benchmade Bugout (Top)/Bugout Mini (Bottom) Lightweight Pocket Knife

Key Features:

  • Completely ambidextrous 
  • Made in USA
  • Extremely lightweight

Specs:

Bugout

  • Blade length- 3.2”
  • Blade steel- CPM-S30V (premium blade steels available)
  • Weight- 1.8oz
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Mini Bugout

  • Blade length- 2.8”
  • Blade steel- CPM-S30V (premium blade steels available)
  • Weight- 1.5oz
No products found.

The Bugout series is quickly growing to be Benchmade’s one of the top-selling pocket knives of all time. The bugout is NOT assisted opening. However, it is tuned out of the box for an extremely easy one-handed flick opening. And the axis lock placement allows for one-handed gravity closure. It can be considered if you don’t have a strong preference for assisted opening knives and would love the one-handed flick pleasure.

The Bugout can handle any EDC task with ease and comes in such a lightweight package that it almost disappears in your pocket until you need it. 

The Bugout is the lightest Benchmade knife.

10. Alpha Tek Spring Assisted

Alpha Tek is a unique knife because it comes with a bottle opener drop point blade. I’m not really sure how would you react to it, but I’ve it in my collection, and I used it for like six months regularly and still use it. If your work includes a bottle opening, then this knife is for you.

alphatek spring assisted

Specifications of the Alpha Tek:

  • Country of Origin: USA
  • Blade length: 3.38 inches
  • Closed length: 5 inches
  • Overall length: unknown
  • Locking Mechanism: Spring Assisted
  • Handle Material: G-10 handle
  • Blade Material: 440C High Carbon Steel

The blade is tough, and the knife feels sturdy. The blade opens smoothly. The blade design is constructed in a way that people can open the cap of the bottle, and it works both ways, i.e., opened and closed.

Since it’s a high carbon steel knife, therefore it does rust quickly, but if you live in the hot climate, then it shouldn’t be a problem. The other downside is the serration, serrations tear and don’t cut. By the way, you can check here the list of carbon steel pocket knives.

11. Kershaw 1990X Brawler

If your budget is little to no, then Kershaw 1990X Brawler is my top pick for you. I know you can find more models for the low price but believe me the spring will come out quickly and those knives will be very fragile.

kershaw brawler
Kershaw 1990X Brawler

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Specifications of the Kershaw 1990X Brawler

  • Country of Origin: USA
  • Blade length: 3 inches
  • Closed length: 4.1 inches
  • Overall length: 7.1 inches
  • Handle Material: Glass-filled nylon
  • Locking Mechanism: SpeedSafe
  • Blade Material: 8Cr13MoV with black oxide coating

Kershaw 1990x would be the right choice if your budget is meager and you won’t be using it on a daily basis. The knife is very built; everything is screwed tightly and correctly. It makes a decent grip for people with small hands so you can consider it more of a female pocket knife.

Everything about this knife is decent, don’t expect much. The spring opening works great, but it is quite fragile. The blade is sharp, but it will rest quickly because of 8Cr13MoV steel.

12. Benchmade Barrage 580

The Benchmade Barrage 580 is a strong and reliable knife with quick spring-assisted action.

Measuring 8.35 inches when opened and 4.75 inches when closed, the Barrage 580 is a convenient and practical size for EDC.

Performance-wise, the 154CM blade cuts effortlessly through materials like rope, cardboard, and wood, making it ideal for outdoor adventures and everyday tasks. The quick deployment of the AXIS Assist mechanism enhances safety and convenience.

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Specifications of the Benchmade Barrage 580

  • Country of Origin: USA
  • Blade length: 3.60 inches
  • Closed length: 4.75 inches
  • Overall length: 8.35 inches
  • Locking Mechanism: AXIS-Assist with safety
  • Handle Material: G10
  • Blade Material: 154CM stainless steel

Pros

  • Quick and easy to deploy with the AXIS-Assist mechanism
  • Strong and durable construction
  • Comfortable to hold and use
  • Versatile for a variety of tasks
  • Reversible pocket clip for easy carry

Cons

  • Some users reported issues with the blade becoming dull quickly
  • A few users found the safety mechanism to be difficult to use
  • The knife may be too heavy for some users’ preferences

Ergonomically designed, the GFN handle fits snugly in the hand, promoting extended use without discomfort. The reversible pocket clip caters to individual preferences, allowing for tip-up or tip-down carry.

In conclusion, the Benchmade Barrage 580 stands out as one of the best assisted opening knives in 2024. Combining high-quality materials, innovative design, and superb performance, this EDC knife is sure to impress both seasoned knife enthusiasts and casual users alike.

What You Need to Know Before Purchasing?

Thumb stud or blade button – these implements allow for fast, one-handed opening of assisted knives and are used to begin the blade opening process.

A spring or lever is then automatically engaged to complete the blade’s travel through the full opening arc. Thumb studs make knife opening quite simple, while blade buttons accomplish the same process via a slightly different hand motion.

A variety of blade designs – Assisted knives are varied in their blade offerings. If you’re looking for an assisted knife to use as an everyday carry option (EDC), a semi-serrated model with a drop point or clip point blade may serve you well.

Those with more specific needs may want to investigate available blade options like rescue/safety blades, full serrated options, dagger points, utility blades, or Tanto options.

Lightweight construction – Those knives are usually designed to be deployed quickly and complete everyday tasks with ease.

Essentially these knives are not constructed for heavy chores like you’d experience during a camping trip, but they are perfect for cutting rope, opening packages, and appropriate defensive maneuvers.

Durability: This is an important aspect to consider before you make a purchase. The durability of the knife is measured by how well it performs or maintains its quality over time after being used for a long time.

All the blades we mentioned above have excellent durability power because these blades are made up of quality steel. These blades will work for a long time and will not damage quickly.

These blades used for the best assisted knives are super durable. Remember, an exception is always there. I’ve listed the downside of each knife so if you like a knife then read my views about it.

Size: Well, size always varies from person to person. Some people have small hands and some big. But, the size of best assisted-opening knives is usually around 3 inches. The knives I mentioned above are listed for everyone. So, there is something for everyone.

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14 thoughts on “11 Best Assisted-Opening Knives”

  1. I prefer Kershaw Ken Onion Leek because its overall size is very handy and blade length is just fine. I always been Kershaw’s fan girl. Thank you, Brandon!

    Reply
  2. SOG Aegis AE02-CP is absolutely a beast. The 3.5 blade length is just perfect. I will use it as an EDC, Do you think its durable enough for simple to medium tasks? thanks 🙂

    Reply
  3. Good Review. Appreciate the summary including blade length.
    Just may pick up a Gerber Cover due to your review.
    Thank you.

    Reply
  4. Hello: I just acquired a beautiful Bear Grylls Survival Spring Assisted Knive. And it has a very fast action in deployment. Comes with a Safety which is excellent if you carry it clipped onto your pocket. Ergonomic designed perfectly. The bright orange colour of the handle is highly visible in the bush.

    Reply
  5. Thanks for the review. I just bought a SOG FLASH II yesterday. Already had a couple of Kershaws, an MTECH, and a Benchmade. Really like it so far. If ever in Branson go by ‘Never A Dull Moment ‘ in Branson Landing. Great people, good prices.

    Reply

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