Top 10 Best Assisted Opening Knives
for December 2023

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When it comes to knives, there are all kinds of blade styles and types, each designed for a specific purpose. From paring knives to chef knives to hunting knives, there are plenty of options to choose from. But if you're in the market for a new knife, you're likely to feel overwhelmed by the selection.

Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, a knife can make or break your culinary experience. That's why it's important to choose the right knife for the task at hand. For chopping, slicing, and dicing, we recommend a paring knife, which is ideal for peeling, coring, and slicing small fruits and vegetables. For thicker, tougher foods, we recommend a chef's knife, which is the most versatile knife in the kitchen. For slicing and dicing, we recommend a serrated knife, which is handy for slicing everything from bread to tomatoes. For carving, we recommend a boning knife, which is ideal for removing bones from meat.

When shopping for a knife, you'll want to consider a few things, including the blade type, The length of the blade, the handle, and the price. For all of these factors, our knife experts in the MOOZ Themes Reviews Lab evaluate each knife for performance, including sharpness, ease of use, and weight.

1
9.9
SCORE
Kershaw Chive Pocket Knife (1600); 1.9” 420HC Steel Blade with 410 Stainless Steel Handle, SpeedSafe Assisted Opening with Flipper, Frame Lock, Tip-Lock Slider and Single-Position Pocketclip; 1.7 OZ.

Kershaw Chive Pocket Knife (1600); 1.9” 420HC Blade Steel with 410 Stainless Steel Handle

by Kershaw

Handle features SpeedSafe assisted opening, secure frame lock, Tip-lock slider and convenient single-position pocket clip

The Kershaw Chive Pocket Knife is the best pocket knife we've ever tested. It's small and lightweight enough to carry around all day without feeling bulky, yet it's sturdy enough to use for everyday tasks. The knife's 1.9-inch blade is made of 420HC steel, which—like most knives in this price range—is not 100 percent carbon steel, but is a compromise between steel alloys. Since 420HC steel is harder and more durable than, for example, 1095 steel, it achieves the best of both worlds: it sharpens easily, stays sharp for much longer, is more durable than 1095 steel, and is less likely to rust. The blade is also finished with a bead-blasted matte surface, which gives it a subdued, textured look. The handle is made of 410 stainless steel, which is strong, wear-resistant, and corrosion resistant. It's small and lightweight, yet sturdy enough to use for everyday tasks. The knife's 420HC blade is sharp, and we found that it performed admirably in everyday cutting tasks, such as opening packages, slicing fruit, and stripping cable insulation. The knife is also versatile, with a built-in bottle opener and a serrated edge for cutting bread. The knife is lightweight and small enough to comfortably fit in most pockets, purses, and backpacks. The knife's SpeedSafe assisted opening feature makes it quick and easy to open. The knife comes with a tip-lifter, a flipper, and a FrameLock safety system, which allows users to lock the blade in the closed position. The knife comes with a handy pocketclip, and the handle is predrilled with a lanyard hole.

2
9.8
SCORE
Kershaw Leek Pocket Knife (1660) 3-In. Sandvik 14C28N Blade and Stainless Steel Handle, Best Buy from Outdoor Gear Lab Includes Frame Lock, SpeedSafe Assisted Opening and Reversible Pocketclip, 3 oz.

Kershaw Leek Pocket Knife (1660) 3-In. 14C28N Sandvik Blade and Stainless Steel Handle

by Kershaw Sporting Goods

SpeedSafe Assisted opening allows opening with Minimal effort and maximal functionality; simple pocket carry and tactical engagement with strong or weak hand

The Leek is a great knife for everyday carry, whether you're camping, going on a hike, or just need a knife that's easy to carry and use. It's small and slim enough to fit in a pocket, and it's also small enough to fit in a backpack, so it's easy to carry and use without worrying about losing it. The blade is sharp enough to easily cut through rope or tape, and it's also thin enough so that it cuts without much effort. The blade also locks into place, so the blade won't close accidentally when you're carrying it. The blade locks and unlocks easily with the push of a button, and the lock is made with a pin and a spring, so it has a strong, secure locking mechanism. The knife has a reversible pocketclip, so you can easily clip the knife to a pocket, backpack, or belt. The lock is also reversible, so you can easily flip it to either lock the blade open or close it. The Kershaw Leek is durable, and the blade stays sharp for a long time. It also has a SpeedSafe assisted opening mechanism, which makes it easy to open the knife without risking injury. The blade locks into place when it's closed, so the knife won't accidentally close on your fingers or the handle. The Leek also comes with a belt loop and lanyard hole, so you can easily attach it to a belt or strap it onto a lanyard.

3
9.5
SCORE
Kershaw Misdirect Pocketknife; 2.9 in. 4Cr13 Black-Oxide Blackwash™ Finish Blade, Stainless Steel Stonewash Finish Handle Equipped with SpeedSafe® Assisted Opening, Flipper and Frame Lock (1365)

Kershaw Misdirect Pocketknife; 2.9 in. Black-Oxide 4Cr13 Blackwash™ Finish Blade

by Kershaw

From opening packages to cutting cord to whittling a stick to roast marshmallows, this dependable, useful knife has a precision tip and sharp edge that makes it a great slicing and cutting knife

This knife is small enough to make EDC a breeze, but it's big in features. The 2. 9-inch blade is big enough to handle most everyday tasks, but it's sharp enough to cut nails, rope, and fabrics. The blade is coated on both sides in stonewash finish, which keeps the blade from scratching or dinging against surfaces, and the blade's stainless steel construction means it's less likely to rust or stain. The handle is 4Cr13 black-oxidized blackwash finish stainless steel, which resists corrosion and stains, and it's comfortable in the hand. The blade locks in place with a frame lock, and the flipper makes it easy to open the blade one-handed. The knife is well-made and well-designed, and it's an excellent value for the price. The handle is textured, and the texture helps the knife grip well in the hand, and the blade's tip-down clip makes it easy to clip the knife to your belt, your pack, or your purse.

4
9
SCORE
Kershaw Barstow (3960); All Black Pocket Knife with 3 Inch Stainless Steel Spear Point Blade; Features SpeedSafe Assisted Opening, Reversible Pocket Clip, Flipper and Secure Frame Lock; 3.4 OZ

Kershaw Barstow (3960); All Black Pocket Knife with 3 Stainless Inch Steel Spear Point Blade; Features SpeedSafe Assisted Opening

by Kershaw Sporting Goods

Pre-drilled holes allow modified tip position and reversible sides for ambidextrous carrying options

The Kershaw Barstow is a well-made, no-nonsense pocket knife that is very easy to use. The glass-filled nylon handle is sturdy and provides a good grip in wet or dry conditions, and the flipper is sturdy and simple to use. The blade is of good quality, with a sharp edge that stays sharp. The knife opens quickly and locks securely in place. The knife is made from 8Cr13MoV stainless steel, and is rust-resistant and corrosion-resistant. The blade is 3 1/4 inches long, so it's large enough for most cutting and slicing tasks, but not so large as to get in the way or become a hazard. The knife has a sturdy steel handle, and a sturdy steel pocket clip. The pocket clip is reversible, so you can use the knife as either a fixed or folding knife. The pocket clip is sturdy and rust-resistant, and can hold the knife securely in your pocket. The pocket clip also features Kershaw's Secure Frame Lock, which prevents accidental blade closure. The knife comes with a reversible pocket clip, a bottle opener, a spear point single sharpened edge, and a glass-filled nylon handle. The Kershaw Barstow is a great all-purpose pocket knife. The knife is affordable and well made, and is durable, versatile, and user-friendly. The knife is reasonably priced, and comes with a warranty. The knife is made in the USA. The knife comes with a pocket clip, a bottle opener, a spear point single sharpened edge, and a glass-filled nylon handle. The glass-filled nylon handle gives the quality grip users need for wet activities like animal skinning, for all-weather access, durability and enhanced protection. The bottle opener is sturdy and easy to use, and the spear point single sharpened edge stays facing its proper folding position. The knife is reasonably priced, and is well made. The knife is made in the USA. The knife is versatile and user-friendly, and is durable, versatile, and reasonably priced. The knife has a glass-filled nylon handle, a sturdy steel pocket clip, a bottle opener, a spear point single sharpened edge, and a sturdy steel blade.

5
8.8
SCORE
Kershaw Airlock Folding Pocket Knife, 3-Inch Blade with SpeedSafe Assisted Opening, Inset Liner Lock (1385), Black

Kershaw Airlock Folding Pocket Knife

by Kershaw

Part of Kershaws Starter series, the Airlock provides a great value with many style and advanced features.

The Kershaw Airlock Folding Knife is a sturdy, no-nonsense design that's perfect for every day use. It's lightweight, compact, and easy to carry, and the blade steel is sharp enough to cut through most materials. The handle is comfortable and grippy, and the blade is sharp enough that you can easily cut through cardboard boxes and paper. The handle also has a window, so you can easily see the edge of the blade while it's closed. The SpeedSafe mechanism is smooth and easy to use, and the spring loaded assisted opening provides quick and easy one-handed opening. The Airlock is also highly compact, folding to just 4.25 inches when closed, which makes it easy to stash in a backpack, purse, or briefcase. The Kershaw Airlock Folding Knife offers strong, reliable performance without frills or flourishes, and it's the perfect EDC knife for everyday use.

6
8.7
SCORE
Smith & Wesson SWSA11 8in Stainless Steel Assisted Opening Knife with 3.5in Drop Point Blade and Aluminum Handle for Outdoor, Tactical, Survival and EDC

Smith & Wesson SWSA11 8in Stainless Steel Assisted Opening Knife 3.5in with Drop Point Blade and Aluminum Handle for Outdoor

by Battenfeld Technologies

DEPENDABLE: Quick and easy access with the convenient pocket clip and ambidextrous thumb knobs making it ideal for everyday carry

The SWSA11 from Smith & Wesson is a well-designed knife that boasts the qualities of a high-quality EDC knife, but at a much more affordable price point. The blade is made of 8Cr13MoV steel, which is an especially tough steel, and it features black FDE coating and a rubberized aluminum handle. The handle also sports a liner lock that locks the blade in place so it won't fall out, and a finger guard that helps provide extra safety. The blade has a drop point shape, which is ideal for self-defense, hunting, and other outdoor uses, and it has a sharpened tip for cutting. The knife also has a large, tough aluminum handle that makes it easy to hold, even when you're wearing gloves. The sheath also doubles as a belt clip, and it's made of tough nylon. The SWSA11 is a decent all-around knife, and it excels at its primary function: cutting. The knife is light, sharp, and durable, and it's ideal for self-defense, hunting, and other outdoor uses.

7
8.4
SCORE
Gerber Bear Grylls Survival AO Knife, Assisted Opening, Drop Point [31-002530]

Gerber Gear Gerber Bear Survival Grylls AO Knife

by Gerber

Features a lanyard hold and pocket clip

The Gerber Bear Grylls Survival AO Knife is Gerber's third-generation survival knife, which improves on the previous generation's strong points (better ergonomics and more streamlined cutting performance) while leaving behind some areas in which it struggled (a shorter blade, smaller cutting surface, and less sturdy locking mechanism). The AO version has a slightly longer blade than the standard Survival knife, and Gerber's Assisted Opening (AO) feature makes it faster and easier to use. The assisted opening mechanism is a spring loaded titanium blade that pops out easily enough, but it's a bit stiff at first. Once it's opened, the knife is as reliable and sharp as you'd expect from a Gerber knife. To test the cutting performance, we cut a 9-inch piece of rope in half, and it severed the rope cleanly. The blade's sharpness also proved up to the task, though a bit more effort is required than with other knives we tested. The AO function also lets you quickly open and close the knife one-handed, but the blade locks firmly in place once it's been opened. The knife has an integrated compass, a fire starter, and a ferro rod tip, and the blade locks closed securely when not in use. Overall, the Gerber Bear Grylls Survival AO Knife is a great starter knife, and it excels at what it does well.

8
7
SCORE
CRKT Fire Spark EDC Folding Pocket Knife: Assisted Opening Everyday Carry, Spear Point Black Blade, Fire Safe Thumb Stud, Liner Lock, Aluminum and G10 Handle, 4-Position Pocket Clip 1050K

Columbia River Knife & Tool CRKT Fire Spark Folding EDC Pocket Knife: Assisted Opening Everyday Carry

by Columbia River Knife & Tool

Easy Closing: Liner lock can be easily closed with one hand

The CRKT Fire Spark EDC Folding Pocket Knife is one of our favorite folding knives in its price range. It's small, light, and sturdily made. It also opens quickly and easily with a flick of the thumbstud, and it's very comfortable to hold. The Fire Spark EDC has a 4-position pocket clip, so you can carry it in your pants pocket, your shirt pocket, on your belt, or in your purse. The handle is metal, so it's hard to scratch it, and it has a G-10 handle and a colorful, non-slip grip. The blade is sharp, but it's fairly thin (about 0.5 inches thick), so it's not quite as sharp as a fixed-blade knife. The Fire Spark EDC doesn't have an ambidextrous handle so it can only be opened with your thumb, but it's small enough and light enough that you can carry it in an Every Day Carry (EDC) holster. The Fire Spark EDC has a 1/8-inch thick blade made of 8Cr13MoV stainless steel, which is considered durable but not as powerful as 10CrMoV steel, so it should not be used for cutting through lumber or meat. The Fire Spark EDC has a fire-safe design, so the knife won't start on fire if you drop or throw it in a fire. The blade is thick enough to safely use in a self-defense situation, but the blade isn't long enough to be particularly good at hacking. Some users complained about the Fire Spark EDC's handle, which needed to be filed down to make a more comfortable grip.

9
7
SCORE
ALBATROSS EDC Cool Tactical Folding Pocket Knife with Modern Damascus Steel Blade, SpeedSafe Spring Assisted Opening Knifes with Liner Lock,Pocketclip,Glass Breaker,Seatbelt Cutter, Gifts Box(Black)

ALBATROSS EDC Cool Tactical Folding Pocket with Knife Modern Damascus Steel Blade

by ALBATROSS

Modern Damascus Steel Blade nicely hand forged with above (71) layers combining (high carbon steel & Low Carbon steel) with a durable nickel layer, our steel Blade has been given excellent heat treatment to get a (58to60) HRC, ensuring top functionality and longevity.

The Albatross EDC is a handsome and well-built knife. The handle is anodized aluminum, and the blade is made of AUS-8A stainless steel, which features a Damascus-style pattern. The knife is compact and easy to carry, and its folding design makes it easy to stow in a pocket or backpack. The blade lock is sturdy, and the blade opens and closes smoothly. The knife is also strong, with a sharp, durable blade. The knife includes a seat belt cutter, a glass breaker, and a pocket clip, and it comes with a nylon sleeve, which makes it easy to carry as a keychain. The knife's design is simple, so it can be difficult to use, especially the knife's thumb stud, which can be difficult to operate. The knife's handle is narrow, so it can be difficult to hold. The knife's glass breaker is sharp, but it's small, so it can be difficult to use. The knife's blade lock is easy to use, but it can be difficult to push the blade lock fully into place. The knife's blade is sharp, durable, and strong. The knife's design is basic, so it can be difficult to use. The knife's glass breaker is small, so it can be difficult to use. The knife's handle is narrow, so it can be difficult to hold.

10
7
SCORE
SOG Flare Folding Knife and Pocket Knife Assisted Opening Tech Knife w/ 3.5 Inch Stainless Straight Edge Blade & Tactical Knife GRN Grip (FLA1001-CP)

SOG Flare Folding Knife and Pocket Knife Assisted Opening Tech Knife w/ Inch 3.5 Stainless Straight Edge Blade & Tactical Knife GRN Grip (FLA1001-CP)

by SOG Specialty Knives & Tools

GRN FOLDER KNIFE HANDLE: Stainless steel knife is built with a nearly indestructible knife handle for this type of lightweight folding knife with clip; glass-reinforced nylon offers great grip and keeps the weight low at 3. 1 ounces

The SOG Flare folding knife and pocket knife is an elegant and well-made EDC knife that is guaranteed to last a lifetime. This folding knife has a 3. 5-inch straight edge blade and a closed length of 4. 5 inches. This EDC knife is the perfect size for smaller hands, but it's powerful enough to cut through most materials, including rope and leather. The assisted opening is extremely fast, and the blade locks securely in place with SOG's Piston Lock. This folding knife comes with a pocket clip so you can clip it to your pocket or belt, and it comes with a sturdy, protective sheath for storing the knife in small spaces. The SOG Flare also includes a safety lock that prevents you from accidentally closing the knife while it's closed, so you don't have to worry about accidentally cutting yourself. The SOG Flare is good looking, made of high-quality materials, and is extremely reliable. If you're looking for a high-quality folding knife that you can count on every day, the SOG Flare is the knife for you.

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