Automatic knives use an automatic mechanism to deploy the blade at the press of a button, typically by using a spring. This provides extremely rapid deployment compared to folding knives, which must be opened manually. At CopsPlus, our selection includes automatic knives from some of the world's finest knifemakers, including Boker, Kershaw and SOG.
Most automatic knives are folding designs, like the classic switchblade. These use a spring-loaded mechanism to swing the blade open. The other major style of automatic knife uses an out-the-front mechanism that pushes the blade out tip-first. These can be single action or double action styles. Single-action out-the-front knives deploy the blade automatically but require manual retraction, while double-action designs use a lever or thumb slide to retract the blade.
Automatic knives are heavily restricted by local, state and federal law, and so most are designed for law enforcement and military personnel. Tactically-focused features are common, such as matte black blade coatings that reduce wear and prevent reflections from betraying your movements. The handles typically feature large finger grooves and bold texturing, making them easy to grip even while wearing tactical gloves.
Automatic knives come with a range of blade styles. Drop point blades are just as popular as they are for other knife types, as they can accomplish both slicing and piercing tasks effectively. Some are recurved, extending the cutting edge even further. However, more specialized blade styles are also easy to find. Because automatic knives are often used tactically, many come with tanto-style blades, as they offer high strength at the tip for penetrating hard targets.
When browsing automatic knives at CopsPlus, don't forget that all of the designs we sell are covered by our low price guarantee. If automatic deployment isn't for you, take a look at our collections of fixed blade and folding knives instead.
