What is an OTF Knife?
For those of you who might not know, when you see a knife listed as an OTF, it stands for “out-the-front” and means that it is a knife with a blade that extends straight from the handle. The important thing to consider when choosing this category of knife is what, if any, legal restrictions might be in place in your home state or country. OTF knives can be broken down into four categories: manual sliding knives, spring assisted knives, automatic switchblade knives and gravity knives.
Manual Sliding
When I think of Manual Sliding Knives, I think of utility knives, which are also called box cutters, Stanley knives or X-Actos. The blade is accessed by manually sliding it out with a button that is slid along the length of the handle. They are what I would call "working knives" because you find them used in a variety of industries. Their primary function is for cutting materials in the workplace whether it's cardboard or carpet.
Spring Assisted
Spring Assisted Knives are opened by the user employing either the “flipper”, which is a lever on the back spine of the knife or a “thumb stud”, which is a small stud on the blade. This action starts the deployment of the blade and the mechanism finishes opening the blade and then it locks into place. There is really no difference in the quickness of deployment from the automatic and the spring assisted knives. These are excellent knives when you’re in need of a blade quickly, especially, for individuals working in emergency services and rescue services. Although, these are not considered automatic opening knives, they are still not legal in New York.
Automatic Switchblade
Automatic Switchblade Knives are deployed by the push of a button that releases the blade immediately. The blade's normal position is open, so, it is actually being held closed by a locking mechanism, which is released when the button is pressed. The Italian Stiletto made popular by soldiers who brought them home after W.W.II, is what I consider the most iconic example of a switchblade knife. During the 1950s, the switchblade became a poster child for delinquent youth and New York was the first state to ban them. Again, check with your state or country's laws to see if there are legal restrictions.
Gravity
Gravity Knives are opened by just what it says – the force of gravity on the blade after it is released with a trigger. Notable in history, these knives were used by parachutist to cut themselves free from their rigging if they landed tangled up in the chute or in a tree. It was handy because it could be opened and used with one hand, plus, it could be carried in a pocket.
Just a Note:
Many times, spring assisted opening knives are confused with automatic knives. A spring assisted OTF knife’s natural position is closed and an automatic OTF knife’s natural position is open – the blade is being held in a closed position by tension. When you open an OTF knife and there is no effort involved except for pressing a button to deploy the blade, it is an automatic. When you look at an OTF, the assisted opening knives will never have just a button to push that open them.
Customer Favorites
The closest you’ll get to a legal switchblade, OTF pocket knives fire out razor sharp, spear-point blades at lightning speed, giving impressive results for minimal work. This selection provides the quickest possible one-handed access to your blade when you need it most, both in your everyday tasks and your next emergency.
Schrade Extreme First Generation OTF
The
Schrade Extreme First Generation OTF is an impressive, dramatic spectacle that gives you the quickest possible one-handed access to your blade when you need it most – self-defense, cutting fishing line from an overstressed rod harness, severing parachute cord and countless other emergencies. If you’re trapped in a wrecked car or burning building, use the integrated glass breaker to save yourself and others. Like a switchblade, the Schrade OTF’s 3” titanium-coated stainless steel blade ejects straight out of the knife handle using a trigger and spring mechanism. It has a safety switch to prevent accidental discharge, so you can enjoy peace of mind no matter where you take it or how you carry it and the durable, slip-resistant Zytel handle thwarts cutting blunders and unintentional injuries. Best of all, using the Schrade OTF is just plain fun!
Smith & Wesson Grey OTF
Built with tactical intent in mind, the
Smith & Wesson Grey OTF has a slender profile and a tactical black finish. The black oxide finished, AUS-8 stainless steel blade is forged into a double-edged dagger and the grey aluminum handle is contoured for a better grip when using. On the side of the handle, there is a safety and a tab used to retract the blade, in addition to the thumb slide. This tactical OTF also features an integrated glass breaker pommel, a pocket clip and a safety lock. You know you can’t go wrong with a Smith & Wesson!
Viper-Tec Blue Double-Edge OTF
I really love the Ghost Series from Viper-Tec because these OTFs are perfect for those of you who want to carry a full-size knife without the extra bulk but need a knife still built for hard use. The
Blue Double-Edge has a stainless steel blade that has been hand-sharpened to extremely sharp, making it ready to cut right out of the box. The smooth, ergonomic blue handle is made of high-quality metal alloy and allows for right and left-hand users to pocket carry with its stainless steel reversible pocket clip. The deployment button placement along the spine of the handle allows for lighting fast ambidextrous openings right from your pocket. “Under the hood” you will find all stainless steel precision parts and Viper-Tec’s proprietary coated high-performance spring. If that wasn’t enough, the Ghost Double Edge OTF Knife also comes equipped with a “battle tested” glass breaker pommel. Lightweight, lightning fast and built to last!
Benchmade Autocrat OTF
Benchmade also offers a lightweight option that’s both suitable for EDC and tactical use in the
Autocrat OTF. It’s quick and sleek, performing just as well as it looks. Since the black-coated blade is crafted of CPM-S30V steel, it has an overall 58-60 HRC and retains a razor-sharp edge. The olive drab G10 handle construction is what keeps the OTF lightweight yet tough and durable and the deep-carry, reversible tip-down pocket clip lets you easily carry it on you wherever you need it.
Viper-Tec Hendrix Karambit OTF
The awesome
Hendrix Karambit OTF is one part karambit and one part double-action OTF. With powerful, reliable action the D2 hawkbill blade shoots in and out, following the curvature of the handle. The knife comes standard with an aviation aluminum handle and the CNC construction makes for a precision fit and finish not only on the exterior of the knife but also on the inside operating components. It has a deep-carry pocket clip and a retention ring, which allows for reverse grip deployment via its smart button configuration. Add this revolutionary conglomeration of your favorite tactical tools to your collection today!
The Assassins Guild Tactical Gauntlet
For fantasy knife lovers, I’ve got the perfect OFT!
The Assassins Guild Tactical Gauntlet is a fierce adversary against those who want to try you and they won’t even see it coming! Armed with a razor-sharp, hidden OTF blade, you’re ready for anything. The integrated, stonewashed stainless steel knife has a razor-sharp, dagger-style blade with partial serrations and a piercing point. Access the blade with the push button slider, which gives you the option to adjust the blade’s extension from its metal sheath. The arm sheath is constructed of dark brown, faux woven leather and nylon canvas and fastens securely onto the forearm with Velcro and quick release buckle straps.
