Whether you’re interested in them due to the tactical advantage they provide or simply the cool-factor that they bring to the table, automatic knives can be a fantastic addition to any everyday carry loadout. Not only are there literally hundreds of modern auto knives to pick from, but these blades can also hugely vary in terms of performance and overall quality. Well aware of this reality we’ve taken a deep dive into the space to deliver this guide of the best automatic knives for everyday carry.

Selection & Testing

We initially kicked off our hunt for today’s latest and greatest auto-deploying EDC knives by first making a list of the main criteria we’d be using to guide our search, relying on factors such as size, handle shape, material selection, and deployment means — allowing us to generate a shortlist of candidates that we then proceeded to get hands-on with in order to discover how each one actually performs in practice. 

To better gather insight on specific key areas, each knife was subjected to a battery of tests including a paper-cutting test to determine factory-edge sharpness and a cardboard-stabbing test to glean intel on overall ergonomics and handle design. To get a better sense of how well each auto knife lends itself to everyday carry use, we also did some markedly less structured testing consisting of us spending several weeks with each blade clipped to our pocket, commuting to and from our Los Angeles-based HQ and using them as much as possible. On top of thoroughly scrutinizing how each knife felt in hand — in terms of weight, balance, ergonomics, and grip — we also passed the knives around to different staffers at our office in order to gain their own unique insights. 

We also closely examined other key areas that can only be gleaned from hands-on testing and use, such as the snappiness of each model’s blade deployment and each blade’s overall craftsmanship and build quality. We also performed timed tests on how quickly each auto knife could be deployed from the pocket and opened, as this plays a major role in a knife’s conduciveness to tactical use — which is often the aim behind many auto knives. Additionally, not only were all of these knives contrasted side-by-side, but we also compared each one to several of the most iconic and legendary EDC knives on the market in order to better establish a baseline for performance in areas like overall utility and ergonomics and grip. 

Kershaw Launch 19

Best Value Pick: More often than not, good quality American-made automatic knives come at a pretty steep price. The Kershaw Launch 19, however, offers the same level of craftsmanship and overall quality as its pricier counterparts while coming in a more affordable package. The Launch 19 borrows the Launch 14’s platform and handle design, though the 19 jettisons the 14-spec’s cleaver-shaped blade for a more practical and utilitarian clip point item that’s been rendered in CPM 154. 

The Good

Clocking in at 7.75” in total — 3.375” of which is comprised of its auto-firing clip point blade — this USA-made automatic is constructed around a push-button lock-equipped handle made from a combination of aluminum and G-10. This choice of materials complement each other wonderfully, as the G-10 provides a level of grip that aluminum can’t while the aerospace-grade alloy affords a level of strength and structural integrity that G-10 can’t much — plus both constructions are decidedly lightweight. 

The jimping at the base of the blade’s spine is a small but meaningful detail that increases control for fine-use tasks, and while it doesn’t really impact performance, I nonetheless really appreciate the handle’s top-shelf bronze-anodized titanium tube back-spacer. And, while it’s slightly toned down from the 14, the Launch 19 retains much of its 14-gen predecessor’s Neo-futuristic, cyber-punk-esque aesthetic. And, when you consider its materials and American manufacturing, it actually provides pretty great bang-for-your-buck — though is by no means a “budget” knife.

Supplementary Strengths

The two-tone handle design — made from a combination of black-anodized aluminum and earth-colored G-10 — is complemented via a two-tone clip point blade with a matte black-finished base and a bare satin swedge and bevel. Additionally, the dual-construction handle design’s ergonomics are also just fantastic. The bottom of the handle provides surfaces and contours for each of your fingers to nestle in, while the spine of the handle boasts angles and curves that make it feel super natural against the inside of your palm. It just feels really solid in hand and provides a ton of confidence. Carried out using a bulls eye firing button, the blade’s auto deployment is pretty snappy, but nowhere near wanting to leap from your hand when fired. 

Since its release in 2022, I’ve been a huge fan of Kershaw’s Launch 14, as its handle design is fantastic and its build quality is comparable to that of the knives from its more premium sister brand Zero Tolerance. As such, I wasn’t at all surprised to quickly fall in love with the Launch 19, as it carries over the winning attributes of the 14 while being markedly more practical and utilitarian. Additionally, the sharpness of its factory edge is much closer to that of most Zero Tolerance knives more so than it is your average Kershaw blade. 

And, while it’s admittedly of much lower quality in terms of both material selection and craftsmanship, we’d nonetheless recommend pretty much any model from the Boker Kalashnikov lineup for anyone interested in a super-affordable, value-laden automatic knife that can be picked up for between $50 and $100.  

The Not So Good

I did have a few minor issues with the Launch 19 that revealed themselves to me during testing. The pocket clip is seems strangely small for the size of the rest of the knife and handle and, while I never had it fall out of my pocket, it inspired a lot less confidence than longer, deep-carry-style clips, and I found myself removing it from my jeans and tossing it in a backpack when swinging a leg over a motorcycle as I worried about losing it at some point during my ride. 

The ergonomics of the handle is are extremely dialed-in, however, the knife feels a little awkward when carried in a reverse grip — which is one downside of borrowing the Launch 14’s platform. Lastly, I really wish the Launch 19 featured a safety slider or switch to prevent accidental deponents. 

Verdict: Borrowing the Launch 14’s platform, the Kershaw Launch 19 is a versatile, utilitarian auto folder that boasts the build quality and craftsmanship of Zero Tolerance knives — all while coming at an exceedingly fair price. 

Gerber 06 Auto

Best Tactical Pick: While they don’t always sport the most attractive visual design, fast attack vehicles are engineered from the ground up to be as rugged and utilitarian as possible as these rigs need to withstand the extreme rigors of combat and warfare. And in some way, I’d actually argue that the Gerber 06 Auto is the automatic EDC knife equivalent of an FAV, as it’s built like a tank, is ridiculously rugged, boasts a ton of utility, and can handle pretty much anything a war zone can throw at it. 

The Good

First released in 2006, the Gerber Auto 06 is made in America and features an oversized, textured aluminum handle that unquestionably offers some of the best ergonomics and grip of any knife I’ve ever tested or held — and it feels no less stellar when clutched in a reverse grip. Deployed via a push-button mechanism with a sidearm-style safety switch, the 06 Auto’s blade consists of a 3.625” drop point (or tanto) profile that’s available with straight or partially-serrated edges. What’s more, not only has the blade been brought to life in high-end CPM S30V, but it also clocks in at 0.13-inches thick, which ultimately allows it to stand up to the most extreme of uses, from hammer-splitting logs to straight up close-quarter-combat. 

Beloved by military and law enforcement personnel, this auto knife was actually issued to select Spec Ops troops in Afghanistan, as it offers much of the strength of a fixed blade knife in a much more compact package. Because of the generous size and ample thickness of the blade, I also really appreciate that Gerber opted to bestow the knife with a sidearm-style safety switch. Another detail I really like is the shape of the slightly-protruding back-spacer at the bottom of the handle, as it can serve as a less-lethal striking weapon — or in my case during testing, a surprisingly effective impromptu hammer for driving a nail. 

While it’s not the best-looking handle, the thing does an extraordinary job of providing traction and grip, plus is damn-near perfect from an ergonomics perspective. Jimping at the bottom of the front of the handle and top and bottom of the spine further increases grip and control. The 06 Auto’s factory edge was decently sharp and cut better than I thought it would based on the thickness of the blade, but was still ultimately nothing to really write home about.

Supplementary Strengths

I also applaud Gerber for its choice of CPM S30V for the blade steel, as, after MagnaCut, this is almost certainly my all-time favorite powder metallurgy construction for everyday carry thanks to the fact it’s incredibly tough and affords terrific edge retention. Also, because of how the firing button and safety switch are laid out, I was easily able to move my thumb from one to the other and back without having to adjust the knife’s position in my hand at all. 

In many ways, I’d actually compare the Auto 06 to the AK-47. Sure, it doesn’t offer the absolute best performance of anything out there, but it still performs with a great deal of competence, plus makes up for all other shortcomings with great ergonomics and a near-indestructible design and construction that allows it to easily stand up to mud, sand, each temperatures, or practically anything else you could throw at it. 

The Not So Good

Considering its design is nearly two-decades-old at this point, I wasn’t at all surprised to discover there were a few issues and problems with the 06 Auto — or at least areas in which its design could be improved upon. Though a big part of this stems from the beefy and robust constructions and dimensions of this knife, it’s still incredibly heavy, as it tips the scales at over 7oz. Additionally, while it’s subjective — and has zero impact on performance — I found the markings on the blade to be a bit much. While the show side only features a small Gerber brand logo, the back of the blade is decorated in a massive “MADE IN USA, PORTLAND, OR, SO30V” text that takes up the entire flat portion of the blade before it fades into its bevel and swedge. 

It’s also not the best-looking knife in my opinion, but its handle design more than makes up for its dated appearance with the outstanding ergonomics it provides. My biggest gripe with the 06 Auto, however, is undoubtedly with its deployment action, which I’d describe as mediocre at best. In fact, its opening action feels a lot more like the Boker Kalashnikov auto from my personal collection than it does the rest of the out-the-side autos on this list. This is somewhat understandable considering the size and thickness of the blade, but it’s hard not to notice — especially when used immediately after firing the blade of every other knife we tested. 

Verdict: Issued to Spec Ops troops in Afghanistan, the Gerber 06 Auto is a legendary USA-made automatic knife that was engineered from the ground up to survive the most extreme situations and uses possible — meaning it will have no problem handling your day-to-day EDC or workhorse tasks. It’s big, beefy, heavy, and somewhat dated looking, but its immense utility — and outstanding ergonomics — are undeniable. 

Pro-Tech TR-3 X1

Best Overall Pick: In many ways, what Microtech is to OTFs, I’d argue Pro-Tech is to OTS knives. So, it quite frankly should come as no surprise that not only does this list feature the Southern California company’s flagship auto folder, but that knife also proved to be the very best auto knife we tested. Like many of the other knives on this list, the Pro-Tech TR-3 X1 features an aluminum handle, though one way it massively differs from models like the Kershaw Launch 19 or Gerber 06 Auto is through its manufacturing, which uses insanely precise tolerances that are as tight as a fraction of a human hair. 

The Good

Made in small batches in Southern California, the TR-3 X1 — short for “Tactical Response 3” — sees its handle bestowed with a milled fish scale pattern that gives it a more interesting aesthetic while simultaneously bolstering grip. Spanning 8.00” overall, the knife also features a 3.50” drop point blade that’s crafted from super premium CPM MagnaCut super steel. The blade is fired via a push-button mechanism on the handle and its spring-loaded deployment epitomizes what it means to be perfectly dialed-in. It’s ultra-snappy, no doubt about it, but not so much that it wants to jump out of your hand. The acoustics of its deployment and closing is also another major selling point. 

Allowing it to lend itself to both tactical and EDC use, the shape of the handle provides excellent ergonomics, and the fish scale milling further bolsters traction. There’s also jimping at both the top of bottom of the handle’s spine, increasing grip and control that much more. The handle feels just as good in a reverse grip, too. The shape of the blade is simple drop point profile, but it makes the knife equal parts versatile and utilitarian. 

Supplementary Strengths

Weighing in at under 4oz, the knife sports a completely DLC’d finish on both the aerospace-grade aluminum handle and top-shelf CPM MagnaCut blade. And, not unlike every other Pro-Tech knife that I’ve had the pleasure of testing, the factory edge on this TR-3 variant is razor-sharp straight out of the box. With a 0.13-inch blade, it’s actually capable of taking on hard use tasks, plus can no doubt stand up to the extreme rigors of CQC scenarios. 

The TR-3 X1 not only feels beyond-solid in the hand, but it also sports an unmistakably premium look and feel to it. And, while north of $250 is admittedly a lot to shell out for a pocket knife, it’s actually a pretty good deal when you consider its top-of-the-line materials, seriously next-level craftsmanship, and small-batch American production — and that’s before even considering its wildly-calculated design and perfectly-dialed-in auto deployment. 

The Not So Good

There’s honestly very very little that I didn’t like about this knife, though I did have a few minor critiques.  Though I never experienced a single accidental deployment, I wouldn’t mind seeing the auto firing button gain a safety slider or switch, and I wouldn’t be mad at the pocket clip being swapped out for a machined billet item. What’s more, I wish the very base of the blade’s spine featured the same jimping as the top and bottom of the handle. 

While all-in-all, it’s a stunning knife that looks as good as it feels in the hand — and performs — though it seems like the screws for the pocket clip were a bit of an afterthought, as they stand out from the rest of the TR-3 X1’s visual motif, unlike the pivot screw and handle hardware. And, though I personally dig it, I imagine the fish scale handle pattern probably isn’t for everyone — though it’s also worth noting that the TR-3 is offered with a smooth handle as well. 

Verdict: Benefitting from some truly insane tolerances, phenomenal build quality, and highly stringent quality control, the Pro-Tech TR-3 X1 is an American-made auto folder that perfectly balances an ability to lend itself to EDC and tactical applications. A utilitarian tool as much as it is a work or art and engineering, the TR-3 X1 has earned our “just get this,” overall best pick for this guide and review. 

Spyderco Autonomy 2

Best USA-Made Pick: Ever since debuting the C01 Worker in 1981, a great many of Spyderco’s knives have relied on a design ethos that sees aesthetics take a backseat to raw utility before receiving a tactically-minded twist. And when applied to an automatic folder, this formula ultimately gives way to the Spyderco Autonomy 2.

The Good

Offering the benefits of a full-sized blade for both tactical and workhorse applications, the American-made Autonomy 2 spans 8.42” in total. Weighing 5.5oz — placing it at the heavier end of the spectrum for EDC knives — the thing starts with a full liner done in stainless steel that’s then overlaid with a set of G-10 scales, hugely bolstering traction and grip while still being decidedly lightweight and rugged. 

Just like the PM2, the Autonomy 2 has a really natural feeling when in hand, whether wielded normally or in a reverse grip. The pronounced thumb ramp does phenomenal job of increasing overall grip and control. And while I know it sounds hyperbolic to say, its stellar ergonomics really do make the knife feel more like an extension of your body than a regular tool or pocket knife. With a large circular shape with a cutout center and raised edges, the firing button design is a little strange and left me somewhat confused — that was until I tried using the knife while wearing tactical gloves, at which point I fell in love with the circular, hollow-centered firing button. Fidget friendly through and through, the auto deployment is also super snappy and is just enjoyable to fire, unlock, close, and repeat. 

The handle comes paired with a 3.50-inch blade forged in fully rustproof LC200N. Unlike its first-generation predecessor, the Autonomy 2 boasts a 3.50-inch-long, 0.11-inch-thick drop point-meets-leaf shaped blade that was selected specifically for EDC use. It has a thinner blade than normal for Spyderco knives of this size, though this is to be expected considering it’s an automatic. It’s no doubt a tactical design through and through, though it’s still perfectly capable of lending itself to EDC use — as my hands-on testing proved.

I also hugely appreciate that Spyderco opted to bestow the Autonomy 2 with a safety switch. Additionally, the placement of the firing button and safety switch allows you to easily move your thumb from one to the other without adjusting the knife’s position in your hand — or having to move your thumb or any other fingers.

Supplementary Strengths 

With its USA-made construction, ultra-rugged G-10 scales, full steel liners, and generally robust design, the second-gen Autonomy truly is tough as nails, though the thing is made all the more hardwearing by the fact that’s its nitrogen based LC200N blade steel is completely and totally impervious to rust.l, whether it faces salt water or blood. The blade also arrives from Colorado with a crazy sharp factory edge. 

Not unlike the famous PM2, the second-gen Autonomy knife benefits from a myriad of Spyderco’s hallmark design elements including its signature handle design and a blade profile that puts its own leaf-shaped, thumb-ramp-equipped spin on classic drop point silhouettes. And, while it doesn’t actually provide any utility, I nonetheless appreciate how Spyderco’s signature thumb hole design has been incorporated into the blade.

Likely because I personally carried one for over a year, the Automomy 2 kept reminding me of the Colorado company’s legendary Para Military 2 knife, from how it feels in the hand to how it performs to how it looks — granted this is very much a good thing, as the PM2 is something of a benchmark that all other EDC knives are judged against. Also like the PM2, the Autonomy 2 is far from cheap, though you really do get what you pay for here — plus the price of each knife includes both a lifetime warranty and the option to ship it back to the factory to have it cleaned, tuned, re-sharpened, or even reshaped, free of charge. 

The Not So Good

Made in America, the Autonomy 2 is an objectively terrific auto knife, though it does suffer from a few minor issues when viewed through the lens of being an everyday carry knife. It’s a bit larger and heavier than what’s really required, and its appearance is no doubt pretty aggressive for an EDC folder. The rustproof LC200N blade steel also comes at a financial premium — and possibly an unnecessary one depending on your intended use if, like me, you seldom use your knife in marine environments or other applications where it’s exposed to chemicals or the elements. 

Verdict: The Spyderco Autonomy 2 is a tactically-minded automatic everyday carry knife that excels at both self-defense and daily workhorse tasks. While it’s a bit aggressive and over-built, it will have no problem withstanding just about anything you can throw at it, plus its workhorse-capable LC200N blade is completely and totally impervious to rust, making it perfect for use in marine environments.  

Benchmade Partial Auto Immunity

Best CA-Legal Pick: Whether it’s an out-the-front or out-the-side model, automatic knives need to feature blades spanning under 2” to be legally carried in locales like California. However, with shorter cutting edges and handles that don’t provide as much surface area to wrap your fingers around, smaller knives with sub-2-inch blades are often noticeably lacking in terms of utility when compared to their full-sized counterparts. And therein lies the magic of the Benchmade Partial Auto Immunity, as it delivers much of the utility and grip of a full-sized knife while clocking in at under 5.50” in total. 

The Good

Made in America, the Partial Auto Immunity is comprised of an anodized aluminum handle mated to an auto-firing 1.95-inch-long, 0.09-inch-thick wharncliffe blade crafted from hardwearing CPM M4 steel. Legal to carry in California, the knife features the auto version of Benchmade’s signature AXIS lock — unimaginatively named the “Auto AXIS” — and a safety slider on its spine. The knife boasts an Incredibly snappy opening action, and not just for a knife of this size, but for an out-the-side auto in general. 

The bottom of the handle sports three pronounced grooves that accommodate your ring, middle, and trigger fingers. And while it is technically a three-finger handle design, the very bottom of the handle’s base features a short diagonally-running section that allows you to place your pinky behind the knife, This may sound like a small detail — and in some ways it is — but it massively elevates the amount of grip you can get on the knife, to the point where it can legitimately lend itself to workhorse tasks. This area is furthered by the raised diamond texturing that’s been milled into the aerospace-grade alloy handle. 

Right out of the box, the super-pokey wharncliffe blade boasts an insanely sharp factory edge that sinks through paper like very few other knives I’ve experienced. The ultra-pokey nature of the blade shape also gives it unparalleled piercing, puncturing, and slashing abilities abilities. Its size also makes it insanely pocketable, and takes up very little real estate, making it even more conducive to EDC than it already was. Though I know Benchmade’s Grivory handle construction is incredibly strong and lightweight, it just has a somewhat cheap and almost-plasticky feel to it. This isn’t the case with the Partial Auto Immunity, as its alloy handle has an almost unmistakably premium feel to it. 

Supplementary Strengths

Because of the snappiness of the opening action and how ridiculously pointy its blade is, I seriously applaud Benchmade for bestowing the thing with a safety slider switch located towards the top of the back of the handle’s spine — meaning you can use your thumb to engage or disengage it without having to adjust your grip. I also love that the safety slider can also be used to lock the knife into place when open. If you deploy the blade and then throw the slider up into the locked position, it will block the AXIS lock from being disengaged — essentially adding another level of security and sturdiness and turning this diminutive auto into something akin to a mini fixed blade. 

While it’s an attractive and sleek looking little auto, its appearance is no doubt elevated by its available Flat Dark Earth, Crater Blue, or Woodland Green anodized handle color options — all of which come paired with a matching color-anodized aluminum lanyard bead, which is a detail pretty much any EDC nerd will appreciate. Same goes for the color-matched anodized barrel spacers separating the textured aluminum scales. Unsurprisingly the Partial Auto Immunity very much benefits from Benchmade’s usual top-notch craftsmanship and build quality. 

I also enjoy the novelty of sliding back the lockbar on Benchmade’s Auto AXIS mechanism to fire the blade, rather than utilizing a traditional push-button setup. And, not unlike Spyderco’s Autonomy 2, the price of the Partial Auto Immunity includes a lifetime warranty and Benchmade’s LifeSharp services which will clean, tune, and resharpen the knife, for free, for life, you just have to pay shipping and that’s it. If you live outside of California and aren’t limited to carrying sub-2-inch autos, Benchmade also makes both manual and auto versions of this knife with the same handle design and a larger 2.49-inch blade — known as the Full Immunity and Auto Immunity, respectively. 

The Not So Good

Though it’s a great knife, Benchmade’s Partial Auto Immunity isn’t exactly perfect, and could almost certainly benefit from a few tweaks or updates here and there. As impressive as it is for its size, the blade’s sub-2-inch length does somewhat limit overall utility — albeit not by as much as you might think in all honesty. My bigger gripe is with the thickness of the blade, as a slightly beefier dimension would for sure afford it with better workhorse capabilities. In the brand’s typical fashion, the Partial Auto Immunity also requires that you pay the so-called “Benchmade tax,” as it comes at a pretty steep price — especially for a knife of this size. 

Verdict: Punching well above its weight, the Benchmade Partial Auto Immunity is a compact, California-legal automatic with a surprisingly utilitarian blade and a handle that affords incredible ergonomics for a three-finger design. If you’re in the market for a small but mighty CA-legal automatic, you’d be hard-pressed to do better than the Partial Auto Immunity. 

CRKT Michaca

Editor’s Pick: As much as I can appreciate tactically-minded everyday carry knives like the Spyderco Autonomy 2 or Pro-Tech TR-3, there’s definitely something to be said for more generally-utilitarian all-arounders like the CRKT Michaca. Penned by world-renowned knifemaker Philip Booth, the Michaca features a pair of grippy G-10 scales set over a stainless steel liner. Mated to the handle is an auto-firing 3.30” drop point blade made from Crucible Industries’ revolutionary CPM MagnaCut blade steel. 

The Good

Taking its name from a portmanteau of Booth’s hometown of Ithaca and the state of Michigan where it’s located, the Michaca boasts a simple yet highly effective ergonomics setup. Sporting one of Booth’s signature stripes, the G-10 scales offer plenty of traction, and the handle’s trigger finger depression allowed me to get a firm grasp on the knife while my ring and middle fingers are comfortably nestle in a sloping portion of that handle that extends to the butt of the knife. What’s more, the way the back of the bottom of the handle is shaped allowed me to slip my pinky behind it, affording even more grip and control for hard use tasks. 

What really makes the Michaca so special is undoubtedly its deployment and locking mechanism. Using what’s called a scale release lock, this hidden auto release system requires you to place your fingers on the rear-side scale and thumb on the front scale before pushing the show-side scale forward in the direction that the edge of the blade is facing. Not only is this scale-based mechanism satisfying to play with, but it also makes the knife devoid of any button, switch, or mechanism for firing the blade. 

As a brand that often operates more in mid-tier part of the space, I was delighted to see how well-crafted this American-made auto was, as it clearly benefits from a meticulous manufacturing process and an equally impressive level of quality control. On a similar note, its factory edge was impressively sharp. Not quite on the same level as Benchmade or Microtech’s autos, but still pretty darn sharp. It also ships in a zipper-secured nylon case with a soft-lining — an extra often reserved for more high-end boutique-made knives. 

Supplementary Strengths

With its tremendous toughness, incredible edge retention, and relative ease of sharpening, I’m always thrilled to see CPM MagnaCut employed on any knife design — and the Michaca is in no way an exception. And, while we opted to test out the version of this knife done in natural jade G-10 paired with a bare satin-finished blade, CRKT does make a fully-blacked-out version of the knife. 

One of the major highlights of carrying this knife as my EDC for several weeks was when I was able to pass the knife to a friend and tell them to try to see if they could figure out how to open it without being given any clues (and without forcing anything open). And, while it did leave most of my buddies and coworkers stumped, showing off the Michaca’s party trick was always really fun.

As touched on above, the Michaca is largely defined by its immense versatility and conduciveness to general day-to-day tasks. It’s just the very definition of a solid all-arounder knife that can take on anything from outdoor and camp use to EDC applications to even self-defense and CQC scenarios. It’s fairly beefy 0.13-inch blade thickness also allows it to stand up to hard-use tasks better than most automatics. 

The Not So Good

When it comes to complaints and gripes, my issues with CRKT’s Michaca are few and far between. While I no doubt appreciate the novelty of the scale release lock, it does require that you put your hand in a rather unnatural position that then needs to be heavily adjusted before actually using the knife — as your thumb has to push inward on the outside of the show-side handle scale to fire the blade. 

Verdict: Largely characterized by its versatility and simple less-is-more approach, the CRKT Michaca is a unique American-made automatic knife that features a hidden scale release lock that deploys a thoroughly utilitarian drop point blade brought to life in revolutionary CPM MagnaCut. If you want to opt for a more unorthodox yet still immensely capable auto EDC option, the Michaca is just the ticket. 

Microtech Cypher II

Best OTF Pick: With purpose-built tactical designs, the vast majority of automatic out-the-front knives do much better job of lending themselves to self-defense and CQC applications than they do EDC use. The Microtech Cypher II, however, isn’t your average OTF. In fact, while it may be a bold statement, I’d go as far as to say the second-generation Cypher II is unequivocally one of, if not the single best OTF EDC knife currently on the market.

The Good

Microtech’s second-gen Cypher OTF is constructed around a black-anodized aluminum handle with eye-catching machining that adds style points while at the same time hugely bolstering traction, grip, and overall ergonomics. The handle is outfitted with a double-action, stepped and ramped X-button thumb slider and Microtech’s new signature pocket clip design, which consists of a reversible billet titanium item that’s embedded with a silica carbide ball and capped off with a glass breaker bead. As any engineering or EDC nerd will no doubt appreciate, the Cypher II’s handle design is completely and totally devoid of any visible hardware or fasteners and instead relies on a clever sliding, puzzle-piece setup. 

Another monumental part of what makes the Cypher II so special — and so conducive to EDC use — is its 3.50” wharncliffe blade. Boasting a thickness of 0.11”, this measurement gives the blade plenty of slicing power while still being beefy enough to withstand CQC situations or hard-use workhorse tasks. This decidedly pokey profile is brought to life in M390MK — a proprietary, more modern, upgraded version of M390 super steel that was born out of a collaboration between Microtech and Böhler. 

The blade also boasts an apocalyptic finish that does a great job of hiding scratches and scuffs and is essentially just a stonewash on steroids. What’s more, the blade also features a trio of dot depressions set just ahead of a three-step fuller design. While these latter details don’t impact functionality, they definitely give the blade a lot more character. And, just like with every other brand-new Microtech knife that I’ve had the pleasure of using — whether or OTF or otherwise — the factory edge on the Cypher II is ridiculously sharp. 

Supplementary Strengths

With a 3.50-inch blade and overall length coming in at 8.50”, I’d also argue the Cypher II is perfectly sized for everyday carry, not being as massive as models like the Combat Troodon, but still being a lot more substantial — and utilitarian — than Microtech’s UTX series OTFs. And, while it’s by no means the only one currently out there, the Cypher II’s wharncliffe blade shape is unique as the silhouette is very seldom seen on OTF models. 

Like the rest of Microtech’s latest generation of OTFs, the Cypher II features several new proprietary systems such as the brand’s new double-spring “Dual Fuel” drivetrain system and “crud cutter” system which is comprised of a track lined with small diagonal cutouts that provides an area for dirt, dust, grime, pocket lint, and other debris to get displaced, thereby allowing the thumb-slider to more smoothly and freely travel within the button pocket. Additionally, the new pocket clip design not only looks incredibly cool, but the design also provides plenty of retention while still being easy to draw from a pocket. 

Though it can be somewhat difficult to put this sensation into words, this EDC-ready OTF simply feels fantastic in-hand. Representing another major highlight and selling point of this auto knife, the overall execution and fit and finish on this OTF is damn-near second-to-none. Everything is made using insanely tight tolerances, and every single component is machined or made entirely in-house, all the way down to the internal hardware. The thing is also produced in small batches and sees each unit’s pocket clip inscribed with the month and year it left the factory. Lastly, this is also easily the most fidget-friendly automatic knife I tested. 

The Not So Good

Though I actually purchased this knife a few months back, I don’t typically carry an OTF as part of my EDC, however, when this review appeared on my radar, Microtech’s Cypher II spent several weeks clipped to my pocket. And while I thought this extended testing phase would uncover some downsides or areas then could be improved, I ultimately couldn’t come up with a single critique. In my experience, it’s as close to perfect as an EDC OTF gets. While fairly justifiable considering what you get for your money, I will nonetheless say it does come at a pretty exorbitant price, as just north of $400 is simply a lot to drop on an EDC knife (and that’s before taxing and shipping mind you). 

Verdict: Top-shelf through and through, the Microtech Cypher II is an OTF in a league of its own, lending itself just as well — if not better — to EDC use as it does self-defense applications. If you don’t mind spending the extra bucks it requires, this is a beyond-obvious choice for anyone looking for an EDC-friendly OTF to add to their daily loadout. 

Automatic EDC Knives Comparison Chart 

The Different Type Of Automatic Knives

Though there are hundreds and hundreds of different auto knives on the market, pretty much all of them fall under one of three umbrellas — each of which we’ll be explaining below. 

Out-The-Side: Also known as “OTS knives,” out-the-side knives are a type of automatic knife that sees regular manually-operated folders besotted with an automatic deployment mechanism. This is also almost certainly the most common type of auto knife. 

Out-The-Front: Typically designed for self-defense and tactical use, out-the-front (or “OTF”) knives are a type of automatic knife that sees the blade automatically deployed out of the top — or “front” — of the knife’s handle. Microtech’s Ultratech has long been considered the gold standard in this space. 

Hidden Switch Autos: Hidden switch automatic knives are exactly what they sound like; auto knives that feature a deployment mechanism that’s integrated and hidden into the handle’s design. The least common style of auto matins, these knives can vary in terms of design and layout, but most commonly feature mechanisms hidden in the scales. 

What To Consider When Shopping

While there are countless areas one can take into account when purchasing an automatic EDC knife, there are really only 10 areas that you need to focus on — all of which we’ll be breaking down directly below. 

Dimensions & Weight: The size of a knife will play a massive role in both how it feels and performs, as well as how well it lends itself to certain tasks. When reviewing this area, you’ll want to check on overall length and blade length, along with the knife’s weight and handle thickness. 

Blade Shape: The profile of a blade will directly determine the types of tasks a knife is best suited towards. Shapes like wharncliffes and tantos will be much pokier, offering better piercing and penetrating abilities while drop points will be better at slicing and cutting. Regardless of what shape you opt for, this is an area you should always consider when buying an automatic knife — or any knife really. 

Blade Steel: While a blade’s conduciveness to different tasks is largely owed to its size and shape, its ability to retain an edge boils down to the type of steel that it’s made from. The more premium steels on the market — which are typically of the modern powder metallurgy variety — do a markedly better job of holding an edge, though are harder to sharpen. 

Blade Thickness: Though blade steel plays a role here too, a knife’s ability to stand up to hard-use tasks such as workhorse duties or CQC scenarios mainly comes down to the thickness of the blade, as this metric plays a massive role in determining strength and structural integrity. It is, however, worth noting that, just like with OTF knives, auto knives tend to feature slightly thinner blades than normal manual EDC folders, as they have to deal with the mass of a blade that’s being auto-deployed by an onboard spring. 

Handle Shape & Ergonomics: How well and comfortably a knife fits in the hand is of extreme importance when buying any knife — and autos are by no means an exception. These areas are owed to the actual shape of the handle and its grooves and contours. Additionally, you’ll also want to consider how ergonomic a knife is when carried in a reverse grip. 

Handle Material: Handle ergonomics stem from the thing’s shape, though how durable or grippy that handle is comes down to the material used to craft it — and how that material is finished. Like regular EDC folders, most modern automatic knives employ Micarta, G-10, or aluminum handles. 

Action & Deployment: Just like with normal, manually-opened knives, one major factor that hugely separates truly premium auto models from cheap imitators is the knife’s deployment and action. Whether this is of the slide, switch, or push-button variety, these more high-end autos tend to feature powerful spring mechanisms and equally robust locking mechanisms. It’s also worth checking out the particular type of deployment a knife is using, as there are automatic folding knives as well as spring-loaded OTF — or “out the front” — models. You’ll also want to look into whether or not an automatic knife features any kind of safety mechanism or lock for preventing accidental deployments. 

Craftsmanship & Build Quality: Because automatic knives tend to be more expensive, they’re often embraced and produced by more premium knife makers. In addition to an auto knife’s blade and handle constructions, locking mechanism, and deployment, the overall quality of execution and craftsmanship on display can also wildly vary, and as such is another area that distinguishes top-shelf knives from the more budget-friendly blades on the market. Unsurprisingly, with such high levels of quality and fit and finish, quite a few of the more premium automatic knives on the market come backed by generous — often lifetime — warranties. Where a knife is made can also play a pivotal role here. 

Legality: As convenient as automatic knives are, they’re unfortunately illegal to carry in some regions — a fact that’s largely owed to the traditional association between criminals and switchblades. There are also locales with specific laws regulating what type or size of automatic knife can be carried, such as California which limits the blade length on legal auto models to two inches or less. And, while the simple possession of an illegal auto knife is no more than a misdemeanor in most states, it can still result in exorbitant fines and even jail time, making the legality of any auto knife that you’re considering well worth looking into prior to making your purchase.

Aesthetic Design: Just like with their manually-deployed counterparts, automatic knives are produced in an enormous variety of different shapes, sizes, and styles. This means that whether you’re a hardcore minimalist, a fan of busy, involved designs, or anywhere in between, there will almost certainly be an auto model that jives with your personal aesthetic taste. A great many of these knives are also produced in a myriad of different constructions and/or finishes.

Honorable Mentions

Also available with the disappearing Lee Williams Kickstop flipper tab, the Chaves Redencion is a top-shelf everyday carry knife that’s gained a massive cult following. More recently, Chaves has partnered with German knife brand Boker to deliver an automatic, production version of the famed Redencion complete with a CPM MagnaCut blade. With its scaled-down size, however, the Böker Manufaktur Solingen Mini Redencion doesn’t offer quite the same level of utility as some of the other knives we tested, leading to this entry receiving a particularly honorable mention. And, while I’d say points for creativity, I’m not a fan of the skull-themed pocket clip. 

Beautiful, elegant, and effective, the Arcform Slimfoot Auto is an automatic version of the American brand’s flagship folder that offers fantastic bang-for-your buck, with a sub-$200 MSRP getting you a boutique, USA-made auto with an aerospace-grade aluminum handle, a 154CM blade, and several configurable options. While it was an extremely close call, the Slimfoot Auto ultimately lost out to the Pro-Tech model above, relegating this admittedly stellar automatic EDC knife to being another particularly honorable mention. 

While Microtech is the undisputed king of OTF knives, the American brand also makes some extremely competent out-the-side blades like the Microtech SOCOM Elite. Employing an unmistakably tactical design that’s brought to life using premium materials, this definitively top-shelf model is offered in a slew of different blade shapes, finishes, and even sizes — though they all share a great deal of utility, whether it’s carried for regular EDC use or for tactical applications. 

First released in 1964, the 110 is unquestionably one of the most iconic pocket knives of all time, so the fact it’s available in a auto-firing 110 Elite Auto variant is just beyond cool. Though it maintains the OG model’s handle design and blade shape, it gains an auto-firing deployment button, modern G-10 scales, and its classic clip point blade has been upgraded to a more premium CPM S30V steel. Though it’s a fantastic knife, the handle’s dated ergonomics have ultimately resulted in the Buck 110 Elite Auto being bumped to an honorable mention. 

Benefitting from small-batch, USA-made manufacturing, the Medford Smooth Criminal is a true workhorse of an auto knife thanks to a beefy 0.15-inch-thick CPM S35VN blade that allows it to stand up to the hardest of tasks — an area furthered by its extremely ergonomic handle design. In typical Medford fashion, this boutique-made auto is built on a made-to-order basis and gives customers a host of configurable options such as the ability to select blade finish, anodized handle color, pivot hardware, and chassis hardware. 

Tested: The Best Tactical Knives For Everyday Carry

If you possess a proclivity for automatic EDC knives then there’s a decent chance you’ll also be partial to some of the latest and greatest tactical blades for EDC — our favorite of which can be found in our hands-on review of the best tactical knives for EDC.