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Assisted Opening Knives from Top Brands like Benchmade, Kershaw, Sniper Bladeworks, & More! — 913 products / 1,128 models

Imagine a pocket knife that practically leaps into action with a nudge.  That's the magic of an assisted-opening knife (AO knife for short).  Unlike traditional manual knives that require you to unfurl the blade yourself fully, AO knives offer a smooth, one-handed opening experience.image

The secret lies in a clever internal mechanism. Assisted-opening knives feature a built-in torsion spring that works in tandem with a thumb stud or flipper protruding from the blade. Gently apply pressure to the thumb stud or flipper. This disengages the blade from the lock and overcomes the initial opening resistance. As the blade begins to move, the torsion spring kicks in. It acts like a tiny catapult, propelling the blade outward with smooth, controlled force. In a flash, the blade reaches its fully open position, locked securely in place.

This is a game-changer for situations where you're busy or need to keep one hand occupied. Respond quickly and effortlessly to everyday tasks. Need to react fast? An AO knife allows for rapid deployment when seconds count. From opening packages and boxes to tackling light outdoor chores or self-defense (where legal), Assisted Opening Knives offer a practical and dependable edge for various situations. Often confused with switchblades (automatic knives that open entirely at the push of a button), AO knives offer a legal and user-friendly alternative in many areas where switchblades are restricted.

Are Assisted Opening Knives Considered Switchblades?

No. Although some concepts overlap, an assisted-opening knife is not a switchblade. Unlike an AO pocket knife, a switchblade opens automatically with a pushbutton. Then, a spring releases, and the blade extends out. With a quick-release folding knife, you still need to open the knife before a spring manually assists the blade in opening.

What Are Assisted Open Knives Used For?

You can use an assisted open folding knife for the same reasons as any pocket knife. The benefit of an AO pocket knife over other pocket knives is the ease of use. An assisted open folding knife is easy to open one-handed, which comes in handy if you only have a single hand free. Still, the intended use is largely defined by the blade design. For more, check out our How To Buy A Pocket Knife Guide.

What’s the Difference Between Automatic and Assisted Opening Knives?

An automatic knife is another name for a switchblade. It opens with a simple push of a button, whereas an assisted-opening knife still needs to be opened manually, and then a spring assists it in the opening.

Are Assisted Knives Legal?

Yes, assisted open folding knives are legal in the U.S. This question exists because AO knives are often confused with switchblades, which are illegal in the U.S. (except under certain circumstances). However, states regulate other knife features, most commonly blade length, so before you buy or carry a pocket life, ensure you comply with local and state laws. Check out this blog about The 13 Types of Knife Blades

Buy an Assisted Open Folding Knife From OpticsPlanet

At OpticsPlanet, we offer hundreds of assisted open-folding knives. They range in blade length, blade features, construction material, and handle design. We also carry top brands like Kershaw Knives, SOG, United Cutlery, and more. Plus, you get free shipping on most orders at $49 or more. Buy a new assisted opening knife on OpticsPlanet!

Other categories you might be interested in are 9mm Luger Ammunition, Automatic Folding Knives, kitchen knives, multi-tools, and more! 

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Image of WOOX Leggenda Folding Knife WOOX Leggenda Folding Knife List: $279.00 (Save 11%) $249.00
Image of WOOX Pure Folding Knife 2 models WOOX Pure Folding Knife As Low As (Save Up to 16%) $133.49 Blazin' Deal
Image of Buck Knives 110 Auto Elite 3.75in Automatic Folding Knives 2 models Buck Knives 110 Auto Elite 3.75in Automatic Folding Knives (6) As Low As (Save Up to 20%) $246.49 Blazin' Deal
Image of Spyderco Autonomy 2 All Black 3.5in Automatic Folding Knives 3 models Spyderco Autonomy 2 All Black 3.5in Automatic Folding Knives List: $416.00 (Save 25%) $312.00
Image of Buck Knives 110 Auto 3.75in Automatic Folding Knives 2 models Buck Knives 110 Auto 3.75in Automatic Folding Knives (1) As Low As (Save Up to 57%) $111.49 Blazin' Deal
Image of Hogue EX-A05 Sig 3.5in Automatic Folding Knives made-in-usa-flag 3 models Hogue EX-A05 Sig 3.5in Automatic Folding Knives As Low As (Save Up to 30%) $189.99
Image of Benchmade Sibert Auto Adamas Axis Stud 3.8in Automatic Folding Knives 4 models Benchmade Sibert Auto Adamas Axis Stud 3.8in Automatic Folding Knives $400.00

913 Products in Assisted Opening Knives

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Image of Benchmade Freek, DR PT, AXS Assist Benchmade Freek, DR PT, AXS Assist (1) $280.00 Free 2 Day Shipping
Image of Benchmade Gold Class Mini Barage Folding Knife Benchmade Gold Class Mini Barage Folding Knife $500.00
Image of Sniper Bladeworks DMF Folding Knife by Lance Abernathy Sniper Bladeworks DMF Folding Knife by Lance Abernathy List: $425.00 (Save $35.00) $390.00
Image of Benchmade Crooked River Clip Point Fold Knife Benchmade Crooked River Clip Point Fold Knife $320.00
Image of Benchmade Mini Barrage, 2.91 in Assisted Opening Folding Knife Benchmade Mini Barrage, 2.91 in Assisted Opening Folding Knife (2) $190.00 Free 2 Day Shipping
Image of Benchmade Barrage, 3.6 in Assisted Opening Folding Knife 2 models Benchmade Barrage, 3.6 in Assisted Opening Folding Knife (10) As Low As $220.00 Best Rated
Image of Hogue X5 4in Assisted Opening Folding Knife made-in-usa-flag Hogue X5 4in Assisted Opening Folding Knife List: $229.95 (Save 20%) $183.95
Image of Sniper Bladeworks LPC Folding Knife by Lance Abernathy 2 models Sniper Bladeworks LPC Folding Knife by Lance Abernathy As Low As (Save Up to 58%) $112.49 Blazin' Deal
Image of Spyderco Assist Knife w/Carbide Tip and Black FRN Handle - 8.4in OAL 2 models Spyderco Assist Knife w/Carbide Tip and Black FRN Handle - 8.4in OAL (3) As Low As (Save 25%) $129.00
Image of Zero Tolerance 0350TS Assisted Folding Knife by Ken Onion Zero Tolerance 0350TS Assisted Folding Knife by Ken Onion List: $235.00 (Save 20%) $188.00
Image of Kershaw Scallion Purple Assisted Folding Knife by Ken Onion Kershaw Scallion Purple Assisted Folding Knife by Ken Onion List: $119.99 (Save 43%) $68.79
Image of Smith & Wesson Otf Assist Finger Actuator Folding Knife Smith & Wesson Otf Assist Finger Actuator Folding Knife List: $93.99 (Save 37%) $59.54
Image of Kershaw Chive Assisted Folding Knife by Ken Onion Kershaw Chive Assisted Folding Knife by Ken Onion List: $109.99 (Save 38%) $67.99
Image of Smith & Wesson M&P Special Ops Folding Knife Smith & Wesson M&P Special Ops Folding Knife List: $38.99 (Save 13%) $33.99
Image of Smith & Wesson Black Ops, 3rd Gen Assisted Opening Knife Smith & Wesson Black Ops, 3rd Gen Assisted Opening Knife List: $76.99 (Save 31%) $53.19
Image of Kershaw Valve Assisted Folding Knife by Kershaw Originals Kershaw Valve Assisted Folding Knife by Kershaw Originals List: $41.79 (Save 12%) $36.76
Image of Smith & Wesson Otf Assist Serrated Folding Knife Smith & Wesson Otf Assist Serrated Folding Knife List: $93.99 (Save 36%) $59.99
Image of Benchmade Vector, 3.6 in Assisted Opening Folding Knife Benchmade Vector, 3.6 in Assisted Opening Folding Knife (1) $325.00
Image of Kershaw Barricade Kershaw Barricade List: $324.99 (Save 86%) $45.99
Image of Benchmade 585-03 Mini Barrage Folding Knives Benchmade 585-03 Mini Barrage Folding Knives $300.00
Image of Schrade Shudder Assisted Opening Folding Knife Schrade Shudder Assisted Opening Folding Knife List: $43.99 (Save 14%) $37.89
Image of Smith & Wesson Otf Assist, Finger Actuator, 40% Smith & Wesson Otf Assist, Finger Actuator, 40% (5) List: $93.99 (Save 41%) $55.89 Best Rated
Image of Kershaw Dawnstar Folding Knife, 3.5 in Kershaw Dawnstar Folding Knife, 3.5 in List: $60.49 (Save 19%) $48.89
Image of Benchmade Blue Class Osborne Barrage Folding Knife 3 models Benchmade Blue Class Osborne Barrage Folding Knife As Low As $320.00
Image of SOG Specialty Knives & Tools Tellus ATK Knife 3 models SOG Specialty Knives & Tools Tellus ATK Knife As Low As (Save Up to 43%) $28.45
Image of M&P M2.0 Spring Assisted Folding Knife M&P M2.0 Spring Assisted Folding Knife List: $49.99 (Save 24%) $37.99
Image of Smith & Wesson M&P Out The Front Spear 3.5in Assisted Opening Folding Knives 2 models Smith & Wesson M&P Out The Front Spear 3.5in Assisted Opening Folding Knives (13) List: $93.99 (Save 33%) $63.19
Image of Smith & Wesson OTF Assisted Opening Folding Knife Smith & Wesson OTF Assisted Opening Folding Knife (16) List: $93.99 (Save 36%) $59.99
Image of Zero Tolerance Assisted Opening Folding Knives Zero Tolerance Assisted Opening Folding Knives List: $279.95 (Save 20%) $224.00
Image of Buck Knives 239 Infusion 3.25in A/O Folding Knife 6 models Buck Knives 239 Infusion 3.25in A/O Folding Knife As Low As (Save Up to 14%) $47.99
Image of Buck Knives 590 Paradigm Knife 2 models Buck Knives 590 Paradigm Knife List: $250.00 (Save 20%) $199.00
Image of Kershaw Oso Sweet Assisted Folding Knife by Ken Onion Kershaw Oso Sweet Assisted Folding Knife by Ken Onion (2) List: $49.99 (Save 26%) $36.89
Image of Kershaw Blur Linerlock A/O Grn Second Kershaw Blur Linerlock A/O Grn Second List: $134.99 (Save 51%) $65.99
Image of Bear Edge Assisted Opener Lockback Folding Knife 5 models Bear Edge Assisted Opener Lockback Folding Knife As Low As (Save Up to 26%) $13.49
Image of Schrade Out The Front Assisted Open Folding Knife Schrade Out The Front Assisted Open Folding Knife List: $74.66 (Save $6.67) $67.99
Image of Santa Fe Stoneworks Kershaw Leek Framelock Blk Santa Fe Stoneworks Kershaw Leek Framelock Blk List: $374.95 (Save 35%) $241.99
Image of Kershaw Leek Composite Blade Assisted Folding Knife by Ken Onion Kershaw Leek Composite Blade Assisted Folding Knife by Ken Onion List: $184.99 (Save 44%) $102.79
Image of Kershaw Decimus Assisted Folding Knife by Rick Hinderer Kershaw Decimus Assisted Folding Knife by Rick Hinderer List: $69.29 (Save 26%) $51.42
Image of Kershaw Collateral Folding Knife Kershaw Collateral Folding Knife List: $86.95 (Save 52%) $41.99
Image of Mtech MT-A1122 3.5in Spring Assisted Knife Mtech MT-A1122 3.5in Spring Assisted Knife List: $13.97 (Save 21%) $10.99
Image of Smith & Wesson Spring Assisted Rescue Folding Knife Smith & Wesson Spring Assisted Rescue Folding Knife (1) List: $52.99 $52.89
Image of TAC Force Folding Blade TF-525 2 models TAC Force Folding Blade TF-525 As Low As (Save Up to 38%) $6.99
Image of SOG Specialty Knives & Tools Twitch II Folding Knife 3 models SOG Specialty Knives & Tools Twitch II Folding Knife As Low As (Save Up to 18%) $59.95
Image of TAC Force TF-1001 3in Spring Assisted Knife TAC Force TF-1001 3in Spring Assisted Knife List: $19.99 (Save 10%) $17.99
Image of Kershaw Scallion Assisted Folding Knife by Ken Onion Kershaw Scallion Assisted Folding Knife by Ken Onion List: $99.99 (Save 25%) $74.79
Image of Zero Tolerance Linerlock A/O Tritium Folding Knife 2 models Zero Tolerance Linerlock A/O Tritium Folding Knife List: $287.95 (Save 35%) $185.99
Image of Smith & Wesson SWAT II Spring Assisted Folding Knife Smith & Wesson SWAT II Spring Assisted Folding Knife List: $48.99 $48.89
Image of SOG Specialty Knives & Tools Trident AT Folding Knives 9 models SOG Specialty Knives & Tools Trident AT Folding Knives As Low As (Save Up to 30%) $83.99
Image of Kershaw Believer Framelock A/O Kershaw Believer Framelock A/O List: $70.95 (Save 46%) $37.99
Image of Smith & Wesson Black Ops 3 Knife Smith & Wesson Black Ops 3 Knife List: $76.99 (Save 28%) $55.59
Image of Smith & Wesson Model 325 Revolver Folding Knife Smith & Wesson Model 325 Revolver Folding Knife List: $54.08 (Save 15%) $45.99
Image of Zero Tolerance 0770CF Assisted Folding Knife by ZT Originals Zero Tolerance 0770CF Assisted Folding Knife by ZT Originals List: $280.00 Add to Cart for Your
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Image of Kershaw Payout Assisted Folding Knife by Kershaw Originals Kershaw Payout Assisted Folding Knife by Kershaw Originals List: $118.79 (Save 31%) $81.79
Image of Smith & Wesson S&w Knife Cleft 3.25" Spring Assist G10 Scales Handle Smith & Wesson S&w Knife Cleft 3.25" Spring Assist G10 Scales Handle List: $46.99 (Save 13%) $41.05
Image of Kershaw Outlier BW Green 2.63in A/O Folding Knife Kershaw Outlier BW Green 2.63in A/O Folding Knife (1) List: $71.95 (Save 25%) $53.99
Image of Ontario Knife RAT1A 3.5in. Blade Assisted Opener Knife 2 models Ontario Knife RAT1A 3.5in. Blade Assisted Opener Knife As Low As (Save Up to 18%) $75.99
Image of Smith & Wesson Military & Police M.A.G.I.C. Folding Knife Smith & Wesson Military & Police M.A.G.I.C. Folding Knife List: $87.99 (Save 29%) $62.79
Image of Kershaw Duojet Assisted Folding Knife by Kershaw Originals Kershaw Duojet Assisted Folding Knife by Kershaw Originals List: $62.69 (Save 16%) $52.89
Image of Kershaw Cryo Assisted Folding Knife by Rick Hinderer Kershaw Cryo Assisted Folding Knife by Rick Hinderer List: $75.89 (Save 24%) $57.99
Image of Kershaw Leek Red Magna Cut 3in A/O Folding Knife Kershaw Leek Red Magna Cut 3in A/O Folding Knife List: $209.95 (Save 42%) $121.99
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What Are the Parts of a Knife Called? by Jeremy L
How to Choose the Best Pocket Knife by OpticsPlanet Guest Expert
Finding the Best Type of Knife Blade for You by Brett R.

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