If there was ever a knife design that captivates the minds of knife aficionados and casual knife users alike, it is the OTF (out the front) automatic. Alternately and somewhat incorrectly referred to as stilettos or even push-knives, OTFs have been hyped a lot by their use in fiction from pulp novels and spy films of the 1960s to more-modern video games and TV shows like 24.
OTF knives represent a relatively small section of the automatic knife market. Most of this has to do with the poorly made imports that were popular at gun shows, flea markets, and gas stations for over three decades. That all changed when a talented young machinist for a major firearm manufacturer began producing high-end OTF knives of his own, with quality materials and manufacturing methods back in the early 1990s. This changed the rules on how automatic knives were made and they were brought from the trash heap to the top of the heap.
One of the myths of the OTF is that it can penetrate someone’s flesh in a killing strike by putting the closed knife to someone’s body and stabbing them to death by the press of a button. These rumors were populated by people who read too many comics or heard too many sea stories from someone’s older brother who “had one in Germany.” Depending on how many beers the storyteller had downed, it might also penetrate a car body or slam closed an open door on contact.
These kinds of rumors have led to the knives being demonized and criminalized in some jurisdictions. Before picking one up, check the knife laws in your area. We looked at a lot of different OTFs over the past few months and found a few unusual suspects you might want to keep your eyes peeled for if you are in search of a new edged fidget spinner.
BEST OUT THE FRONT KNIVES
Heretic Knives Roc
Heretic Knives makes some of the toughest working automatic knives out there. The Roc is no exception, and it’s fitted with a MagnaCut blade.
Named for a mythical giant bird of prey, the Roc lives up to its name with its curved blade, reminiscent of the talons or beak of its mythological namesake.
Blade is a finely ground hawkbill style with a sharp piercing tip. Execution is a testament to Anthony Marfione Jr.’s ability as an engineer, as this is not an easy design to master.
PROS:
- Scary sharp blade from the factory
- The handle provides a secure hold in all conditions.
- This blade fires like a rocket, quickly and with authority. It retracts just as smoothly, making for an ideal OTF auto.
CONS:
- There’s no lanyard hole. You could probably make the hole in the clip work if you really need one, but it’s a little less than ideal for this purpose.
- Clip is rightsided only.
- Initial firing failed a few times. Cleaning and re-oiling fixed this, but be aware that this could happen your first few times deploying the blade
Benchmade Shootout CF Elite
Benchmade’s CF Elite is a testament to how the company is always refining their automatic knife designs. If you’re looking for an ultra-lightweight OTF, this would be a good candidate.
The auto mechanism was fast and consistent every time. The CF Elite G10 was from a limited run but the knife is now available with different tactical-colored G10 scales.
Used in a several week stretch of daily chores and tackling cardboard boxes, the edge started to dull but was quickly resurrected by a few swipes on a ceramic sharpener back to its shaving sharp edge. This knife is equally at home in a tactical loadout as in a pocket in dress slacks for a boardroom presentation.
PROS:
- This one is sharp and ready to go out of the box with a keen edge.
- Automatic opening is slick, smooth, and consistent.
- Reversible pocket clip for right and left-handed use and an integrated glass breaker on the pommel.
- Polymer handles keep the weight down on this one.
CONS:
- Some models have no lanyard hole
Bear Ops Double Clutch V
The Double Clutch V is from Bear & Sons under their Bear Ops brand of automatic knives. It sports a 4.5-inch American tanto blade made of D2 tool steel.
You get a full-sized handle with a good-sized blade in this one. The scales are textured aluminum with a decent-sized lanyard hole at the butt end of the knife. The simple design exudes nothing but elegance.
The knife performed well in making short work of cardboard boxes, dicing tomatoes for salsa, cutting paracord, and whittling on blackthorn sticks.
PROS:
- This blade is made of D2, an excellent tool steel and comes from the factory razor sharp.
- Opening is extremely smooth and consistent.
- Common-sized Torx screws make it easy to take apart if needed.
CONS:
- As fine a steel as D2 is, it can rust if not maintained properly.
- Right hand/right side clip only
Tekto Knives A5 Spry
Tekto is a relatively new U.S.-based tactical knife company with a nice selection of OTF knives. The A5 Spry is one of their most tactical designs.
The A5 Spry has a richly textured aluminum handle with a quick firing button that snaps with authority. The blade is S35 VN with a black DLC coating. The butt of the handle features a reversible pocket clip capped off with a glass breaking point.
The contours make for a very comfortable and assertive grip.
PROS:
- S35VN steel is a good one. It’s tough, holds a great edge and is easy to hone.
- The action is incredible and consistent. There were no problems at all opening or closing the knife.
- The handle is textured perfectly without being overdone. This is a very comfortable piece to use and carry.
CONS:
- There is no lanyard hole for this one.
- While the double-edged dagger style blade is effective, it is prohibited in certain jurisdictions.
Normandy Knives Shogun
Normandy Knives is a Utah-based company that offers a variety of low-cost OTF type knives, many of which have a nice artistic flair to them.
The Shogun pays homage to the Japanese Katana, the fabled long sword of the Samurai.
Its handle is patterned on a traditional Tsuka with the aluminum milled to resemble the wrapped ray skin we’re all so familiar with as fans of Japanese-style knives. Even the stainless Damascus blade is an excellent touch
PROS:
- Top quality build and aesthetics all throughout
- The 3.5-inch Damascus blade comes extremely sharp out of the box.
- Deployment is quick and smooth.
CONS:
- There’s no lanyard hole beyond a cut out in the clip.
- They appear to offer these in small batches that sell out quickly, so availability for the exact color scheme can be an issue.
SOG Pentagon OTF
SOG Knives has been a major player in the tactical knife realm for decades. Noted for their amazing military-style fixed blades of the 1980s and their innovative multi-tools and folding knives in the ’90s and oughts, they recently ventured into the world of automatic knives. The Pentagon OTF may very well be their new flagship model.
This double-edged design probably has the most complex inner working of any production OTF that’s out there due to SOG’s Dynamic Locking Mechanism. It makes for a heavier knife than a typical OTF, but it is one of the most solid types you will ever encounter.
PROS:
- This knife has the least amount of blade play ever seen on a production OTF. It truly locks up like a fixed blade
- S35VN steel was a good choice for this model; it’s sharp, tough, and corrosion resistant.
- Opening and closing is rapid.
CONS:
- As with any high in demand knife, availability and long wait times can be an issue.
- Initially the button may seem a little resistant, but it wears in after a while.
- While the double-edged dagger style blade is effective, it is prohibited in certain jurisdictions.
Blackhawk Knives Send It! OTF
Blackhawk Knives is a blast from the tactical past as the company’s designs have changed hands numerous times over the years, but they seem to have found a home under the banner of Bear & Sons Cutlery.
The Send It is a full-sized OTF knife with a DLC-coated D2 blade. The push-button mechanism is solid and easy to manipulate even while wearing gloves.
The aluminum handle is grooved and shaped very well for easy handling in most situations. This knife screams “Doorkicker.”
Bear & Sons has a few surprises like this as of 2024. They’re not just another Butterfly knife manufacturer that turns out a few autos. The Blackhawk line and some we’ve seen from the old MOD brand (Masters of Defense) show a lot of versatility in their catalog this time out.
PROS:
- This is a solid working OTF knife with minimal blade play.
- The edge held up well throughout testing.
- The handle was very comfortable for working all day with the knife without developing any hot spots.
CONS:
- The handle could seem a bit oversized to some users.
- Right hand/right side only
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