| Comparing an AO knife to a switchblade | | | | not pop open like a switchblade. Instead, an AO |
| Although you may think an assisted opening knife | | | | blade opens about 45 degrees by the user before |
| (often called an AO knife) is the same as a | | | | the internal mechanism finishes the opening |
| switchblade, they are in fact quite different. A | | | | process. |
| switchblade is seen as an "automatic opening" | | | | Portrayed in films of the time, switchblades |
| knife and are considered illegal in the United | | | | became quite popular. They were soon associated |
| States. A switchblade is opened via a spring that | | | | with street crime and gangs and were quickly |
| is released with a button on the handle. | | | | outlawed. Assisted opening knives on the other |
| Regardless of the fact they were romanticized in | | | | hand are legal to own and carry in the United |
| the 1950s, they were outlawed by the 1958 US | | | | States and Canada. They are particularly popular |
| Switchblade Act. Even most police and military | | | | with outdoorsmen and "first responders" like police |
| organizations have moved away from true | | | | and fire fighters, although an assisted opening |
| "automatic" knives and towards the "assisted" | | | | knife can also be used for self defense. |
| opening knife. | | | | Considerations to keeping your Assisted Opening |
| Under the 1958 law, a switchblade is illegal to | | | | Knife rust-free |
| carry - but not an assisted opening knife. Beyond | | | | |
| their legal differences, the way an assisted | | | | 1. Stainless steel does NOT mean "never rust". |
| opening knife works is very different. | | | | Although your assisted opening knife may have a |
| Switchblades fall into one of two categories: out | | | | stainless steel blade, it still contains carbon which |
| the front and out the side. The switchblade blade | | | | can rust. |
| itself is usually double sided, whereas an AO knife | | | | 2. The best way to reduce the possibility of rust |
| is blunt on one side and only opens via the side. | | | | on the blade is to make sure you dry the blade |
| Further, as previously mentioned, a switchblade | | | | whenever it gets wet. Moisture is the cause of |
| has a trigger release button that opens the blade | | | | rust on metal. This is especially important before |
| through an "always on" spring. This means the | | | | you store your knife for extended periods |
| blade releases (fully) the moment the release | | | | between use. |
| button is pressed. An assisted opening knife only | | | | 3. Lastly, the best long term insurance for a |
| has a button that is designed to start the blade | | | | rust-proof and corrosion-proof knife is to keep |
| opening from the handle. The user is required to | | | | alight coat of oil on the blade. |
| complete the motion of opening the knife. The | | | | Remember, all other metal parts of your knife |
| blade itself is not under constant tension like a | | | | are also susceptible to rust - be sure to care for |
| switchblade and is held in place by one or possibly | | | | the entire knife - not just the obvious blade. |
| two contortion bars. Therefore, an AO knife do | | | | |