The great outdoors and various forms of bushcraft are typically thought of in conjunction with pocket knives. Although they have a wide variety of applications in that context, they are also an important tool to have on hand in the workshop. Consider how many zip ties, unopened boxes, or other items that can be cut there are that get in your way on a daily basis. There are a variety of approaches you may take to resolve these challenges, but very few of them offer the convenience of simply pulling out a knife with a spring-assisted blade and resolving the issue there and then.
Having a type that is spring assisted ups the ante even further because it reduces the amount of time you would spend fumbling about attempting to get stiff knives to free themselves. In light of this, we are going to guide you through the process of selecting the spring assisted knife that will serve your needs the best.
What To Consider When Choosing The Best Spring Assisted Knife
When shopping for a spring-assisted knife, there are several factors worth considering. The following section looks at these in detail.
Intended Use
Before deciding on which model is best suited to your needs, think about how you intend to use it and what features would help make that task easier.
- Fishing: This type of spring-assisted knife is designed specifically for fishing, with strong metal springs inside the handle that actuate when you release your catch. These knives have sharp blades that cut through water and vegetation quickly, making them ideal for hunting or fishing expeditions.
- Hiking: While hiking, camping, or backpacking, a sturdy pair of scissors can be very useful. A lightweight yet durable option, a spring-assisted knife allows you to easily open up packages, clean cuts, or trim weeds without having to struggle with stiff manual scissors.
- Work: Whether cutting rebar or removing staples, a hammer or nail gun requires a large set of scissors that can’t be conveniently tucked into a pocket. Instead, get yourself a spring-assisted knife that fits comfortably in the hand, allowing you to drive home nails or cut concrete without fumbling around for a traditional tool.
Blade Material
The two most common materials from which spring-assisted knives’ blades are made are carbon steel and stainless steel.
- Carbon steel has long been considered one of the strongest metals around, and while modern technology has certainly improved upon its strength, it’s still impressive compared to other options like titanium.
- Stainless steel blades are generally regarded as being more durable than those made of carbon steel because they’re not as reactive during processing. However, they don’t tend to last quite as long as blades made of carbon steel, especially if you end up using them every day for months on end.
Length
A short blade (between 3 and 4 inches) is good enough for light chopping tasks; however, longer blades offer better control and accuracy when working with thicker material. Longer blades also allow you to work faster by slicing through tougher foodstuffs or cleaning up after an animal attack rather than chopping away with smaller blades.
For heavy-duty jobs such as cutting thick logs or digging out roots, go for a blade between 5 and 6 inches long. If you plan to use the knife for both light chopping and heavy-duty cutting, opt for something in the middle, with a blade length of approximately 4 inches.
Handle Features
Spring-assisted handles come in various shapes and sizes, so consider whether any of the following features might make your grip more comfortable:
- Curved shape: Many manufacturers incorporate curved designs into their handles to increase comfort and reduce blisters. They look similar to a golf club handle except that instead of a solid grip, you get a padded area where you can hold onto the handle with greater security.
- Grip texture: Leather, rubber, and textured grips all provide additional friction points to help keep the handle secure while working.
- Locking mechanism: Some spring-assisted knives feature a locking mechanism that keeps the blade open unless actively trying to close it. This lock makes it easy to chop without worrying about accidentally hitting the switch and closing the blade.
Weight
If you’d rather not hold the handle of your knife with your entire hand, weight could be an issue. Although lighter than a full-size kitchen knife, a spring-assisted knife will still feel hefty in comparison to a standard garden hoe. However, there are plenty of lightweight spring-assisted knives available today. Check online reviews before buying to see whether customers complain about the weight.
Versatility
One benefit of choosing a spring-assisted knife over a conventional manual knife is that it offers greater versatility. Unlike manual knives, whose size determines the number of people they’ll fit, a spring-assisted knife can accommodate virtually anyone’s hand size. This means you won’t have to worry about fitting your hands into small spaces or struggling to operate the knife due to inadequate space. You can also rest the heel of your palm on the handle, giving you a stable base to push with force.
Ease of Cleaning
Given that these tools spend a fair amount of time outdoors, in dirt and grime, it only seems logical that they should be easy to clean. Most models we looked at featured some kind of spray function to help wipe down the handle and blade after each use. Some even included soft wipes to gently remove dirt and sweat from the surface of the handle. Keep in mind that these were typically used before storing the knife, and not after each use, as many users prefer.
Types Of Spring-assisted Knives
Spring-assisted knife blades are designed to cut through tough materials like leather or plastic. The mechanism is simple and can be used with any pocketknife, but it’s important to know what you’re getting into before making a purchase.
Retractable Knives
The most common type of spring-assisted knife blade found in the market today is the retractable knife blade. This kind of blade features one or more locking mechanisms that allow users to extend the blade for use but prevent them from pulling out the spine (or cutting edge) when performing precision cuts. These blades are legal in some areas, but not all. Some municipalities prohibit their residents from owning certain types of blades due to the risk of injury they present while performing precision cuts. Retractable knives are also illegal in some countries, including Japan, where the sharpened edges pose an extreme danger during combat situations.
Fixed Blade Knives
A fixed blade knife has a “fixed” blade – meaning that as long as there is no lock, opening this kind of knife will cause the blade to swing open, extending beyond your grip. They are essentially the opposite of pocket knives. While technically possible, carrying a fixed blade knife on you at all times is extremely impractical and uncomfortable. Unless you have very specific plans for using such a knife, I recommend avoiding these kinds of blades entirely.
Safety Knives
These are the smallest category of knives, yet they pack quite a punch. Safety knives come in many different shapes and sizes, but the majority of them fit somewhere between a pen blade and a box blade. You wouldn’t use one to carve wood slates; you probably don’t need one to crack walnuts either. Most safety knives are larger than typical pocket knives because they require more force to deploy. Even so, they still manage to keep things relatively light and compact. In terms of construction, most safety knives employ ball bearing pivots. Keep in mind that even though they may look similar, safety knives aren’t necessarily made alike. Many employ weaker springs compared to others.
How We Chose Our Top Picks
When choosing our recommendations for this guide, we relied on personal experience with dozens of different types of knives over several years. During that time, we also extensively researched the manufacturer’s website and independent third-party reviews to identify common problems and ideas we’d come across on our own.
After that, we reduced our emphasis to those knives that had been especially designed for use in a knife block or holster that featured a spring-assisted mechanism. In the end, we looked through a large number of customer evaluations in order to locate people who had actually put these knives to use in a practical situation. We selected our top choices for the best spring-assisted knives based on the input that was provided by the customers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Spring-assisted Knives
How do you use a spring-assisted knife?
Carefully. The handle will give you the most leverage and, therefore, the most force applied to the blade if you’re using it properly. If you’re not used to how powerful these tools are, practice in a controlled environment first.
What is jimping?
Jimping is the name for serrations on the spine of the file or the tang that connects the handle to the blade. These allow you to get greater control of the knife when performing delicate tasks like whittling or cleaning an animal. They also allow you to more easily deploy the knife as a spear.
Are there any safety concerns with using a spring-assisted knife?
Concerns about the risk of injury from using a spring-assisted knife have been allayed by smart design choices. For example, many manufacturers offer their spring-assisted knives with non-slip grip handles.