They are much easier to deploy with one hand, not to mention far more convenient to carry, and quicker to deploy as well. This gives them every advantage when you only have one hand free - and effectively no disadvantages when compared to other, more “standard” pocket knives (for lack of a better term).

There is one thing, however, you should keep in mind, and it is that these knives, since they are still folders, should be cleaned routinely. The following offer some notes on how to keep them cleaner so they continue to operate as intended for longer.

Preliminary Cleaning

You can clean the exterior of your assisted opening knife with a clean, dry microfiber rag before you get more into it. Just pass the cloth over both sides of the knife’s scales before you proceed. It will pick up any surface lint and dust present.

Compressed Air Is Your Best Friend

Once you’ve cleaned the exterior of your assisted opening knife, you can get more involved with cleaning. The best thing you’ll want to do is get a can of compressed air with an attenuated nozzle that can be directed into the space between the knife’s scales and frame.

Using the can of compressed air, blast out the space between the scales where the blade sits when the knife is opened. Then, disengage the knife lock so that the blade may freely swing, and use the compressed air to blast any lint and dust out from the area where the pivot mechanism is.

This method should free most of the lint and dust that’s in between the knife scales, around the lock mechanism, or in the pivot assembly.

For an Additional Lift

After you’ve used compressed air to remove most of the lint and dust from the “inside” of the knife, get either a plastic or a metal pick (a wooden toothpick will work acceptably if you have nothing else) and use it to dislodge any remaining visible lint or dust from between the knife’s scales or at the pivot mechanism.

Once you’ve dislodged it, you can go back to the compressed air and use that to blast it away. Be careful not to use a cotton swab because a cotton swab will actually leave behind fibers that you don’t want inside the knife or near the pivot mechanism - we are trying to remove lint, not add it!

Notes on the Use of Oil

We have one final note and it is that while you can use oil to lubricate the assisted opening knife’s pivot mechanism, you should be very sparing in your application.

This is because oil, while it does lubricate moving parts, is sticky and will leave behind a residue that will actually attract and trap the very things we are trying to remove, and which make lubrication necessary in the first place.

One drop of oil is all you should need on any pivot mechanism - and be sure to wipe away any access oil that remains visible on any part of the knife if you have applied it elsewhere.

Here for a New Assisted Opening Knife?

Keeping your assisted opening knife clean will ensure it operates smoothly, for longer, and will protect your investment in your tools. It is a practice you should adopt and perform reliably.

On the other hand, if you are here for a new one, visit BudK. They carry a wide range of pocket knives, including conventional models, assisted openers, and even some autos, and many of their designs are unique to them. Visit their website or get in touch with them for more information.

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But what are the relative differences between an assisted opening knife, an auto, and a “regular” knife? This post will break that down.

Conventional Folding Knives

Conventional, traditional folding pocket knives open via a nail nick and have no locking mechanism - like a Swiss Army Knife, for example.

However, most modern folding knives have features that make it easier to open the knife one handed. Common mechanisms or features including thumb studs, thumb holes, or flipper tabs - though there are others.

Most conventional folding knives with these features are designed to be opened with one hand, though there is a bit of a learning curve associated with that. That being the case, one who is proficient with those protocols can often open the knife very quickly.

Common folding knives also usually lock, either via a lockback, liner or frame lock, button lock or bar lock.

An Assisted Opening Knife

An assisted opening knife is effectively the same as a “regular” folding knife in all respects except one: there is an internal spring that provides an assist to open the blade.

Once the blade is opened partially, the spring will exert pressure on the blade, opening it the rest of the way with no further action from the person holding the knife.

Some users prefer an assisted opening knife simply because they are easier to use than conventional pocket knives. It is very easy to open an assisted opener with little effort and very little skill is involved. Basically you push a flipper tab and the knife does the rest.

In all other respects, an assisted opening knife is the same. They may have thumb studs, holes, or or a flipper tab, along with any of the lock types mentioned above.

Automatic Knives

Lastly we have automatic knives, which vary much more than the other two types of knives.

Automatic knives, or autos as they are commonly known, have an internal mechanism that is designed to deploy the blade. Often a flipper tab, a lever or a button is used to deploy the blade - most commonly a button.

There is no learning curve associated with deploying the blade of an auto and it is much easier than it is with a conventional knife or even an assisted opening knife. You just press the button and the blade deploys.

While you can also be pretty fast with an assisted opening knife, or even one that lacks such a mechanism, deploying an auto is invariably faster.

There are two main types of auto knives: OTS, or out the side, and OTF, or out the front knives, as well.

In an OTS configuration, not much would vary from a comparable conventional knife or even an assisted opener. The form factor and lock would be the same.

In an OTF knife, the blade comes out the front, and the knife would vary considerably in form factor, including the deployment method and the lock. An OTF knife usually will have two edges (but not always) and because the blade doesn’t need to swing out the side, this configuration can be better in cramped quarters.

Where to Learn More

Whether you’re here looking for a regular folding knife or are more interested in an auto or an assisted opening knife, bookmark BudK. Even if you don’t find what you’re looking for today, their catalog is always getting refreshed with unique new designs and products, many of which you won’t find anywhere else.

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It would be akin to the trad archers looking down on the compound archers, and though doubtless some of them do, it is not a mainstream view.

And, ironically, the bowhunters don’t all look with scorn on the firearm hunters, yet the crossbow hunters inexplicably and quite unreasonably draw their ire.

This is not only hypocritical but wrong, and makes our beloved sport appear as though it’s populated by vicious, unprincipled zealots, not individuals that have a deep love for the bounty and beauty of creation, and what it has to offer.

In a word: crossbow hunters don’t deserve the discredit. In fact, there are numerous reasons why crossbow hunting can be seen as superior to hunting with compound archery tackle. Here are some of the best of them.

Crossbows Are Great for New Hunters, Including Youth and Women Hunters

Not everyone can draw a recurve or longbow, let alone a compound bow with a draw weight set at 70 pounds. This is especially true of novice, youth, and women hunters, as well as the disabled.

It also makes crossbows an excellent entry point, and a more accessible option, to these individuals. It’s also a great and far less intimidating avenue for getting into archery anyway.

There’s a Shorter Learning Curve

It takes a lifetime of dedication to become proficient with traditional archery tackle, and though it’s easier to become accurate with a compound, it still takes serious dedication and a massive commitment in time at the range.

While it is not “easy” to become accurate with a crossbow, it is much easier to shoot accurately with one than it is with a vertical bow. In a half hour at the range, most shooters can shoot fairly tight groups with a scoped crossbow.

More Liberal Seasons, Less Restrictions on You

Though this is not true in all states, many have very liberal archery seasons that span many months (dependent of course on target species and zone, or however else your state regulates).

This means you can potentially extend your season and spend more time in the field. Also, since there are fewer regulations in general on archery tackle, purchasing and possessing a crossbow is less onerous in most areas of the country.

An Ethical Kill Is an Ethical Kill

Ultimately, what we as hunters should be focused on collectively is the experience of the hunt, and though just what constitutes that experience will vary from hunter to hunter, part of that experience is an ethical kill.

This should be paramount for any hunter, regardless of target species or tackle chosen, shotgun, rifle, muzzleloader, handgun, bow, crossbow, or otherwise. All that matters to the animal is an ethical dispatch, and a good shot with a crossbow is worth 1000 sloppy, poor shots with a compound.

Final Notes

All in all, hunting with a crossbow can offer you numerous benefits, not the least of which are potentially expanded seasons and better accessibility. If you’re one of the archery guys that looks down on crossbow hunting, by all means, keep your current outfit, but consider changing that perspective.

Where Can I Get My First Crossbow?

In the market for a new crossbow so you can get into the world of archery, but don’t want to utterly break the bank?

A good crossbow can easily breach $1000, but you don’t need to do that. Check out BudK. They carry a variety of shockingly affordable but surprisingly capable crossbows, including both recurve and compound crossbows as well as pistol crossbows. Many of their models are suitable for hunting, too. Visit their website to learn more.

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But behind the dramatic spin of cinema lies a more nuanced and often misunderstood history. Understanding what’s fact, what’s myth, and which types are actually worth owning can help fans and collectors appreciate the real value of these fascinating weapons.

Not Only for Ninjas

To start, it’s essential to acknowledge that shuriken were not weapons exclusive to the ninja. Despite what Hollywood might suggest, these throwing stars were widely used by various groups in feudal Japan, including samurai and even ordinary warriors.

They were practical tools meant to distract, wound, or slow down an opponent, not to serve as the primary means of combat. This is crucial because one of the prevailing myths is that all ninjas were masters of throwing shuriken and could incapacitate multiple enemies from a distance with pinpoint accuracy.

In reality, shuriken were just one of many tools used for specific scenarios, mainly diversion or escape, rather than attack.

Media Popularity

There’s a mythological aura around ninja stars largely due to their portrayal in many forms of  media. Films and animated series often depict ninjas whipping shuriken through the air with ease, making them look like magical weapons capable of slicing through armor or pinning enemies to walls.

In truth, Japan was historically resource-poor in metal, which meant shuriken were not something you'd waste freely. A ninja might have carried two or three at most—not a full pouch of dozens to throw around like confetti. They were lightweight and concealable, not designed for overwhelming firepower.

What You Find in History

Historically, the documentation of shuriken use is sparse. Some argue that because classic ninja manuals like the Bansenshukai don't elaborate on how to use or throw shuriken, they must not have been essential.

But that’s not quite accurate. These manuals often omitted techniques that were common knowledge at the time or not exclusive to the ninja. Interestingly, there are subtle references in these texts that indicate ninja did use shuriken, just not as a central weapon.

One passage, for example, mentions a hidden nail-based tool that could double as a shuriken—a clear suggestion that familiarity with such devices was assumed among ninja practitioners.

The Modern Appeal of the Ninja and Their Weapons

So why do shuriken hold such appeal today? The answer is part nostalgia, part mystique. They symbolize stealth, surprise, and precision—qualities admired in martial arts and combat strategy.

For fans of martial arts or those who study the traditions of ninjutsu, owning a shuriken can feel like holding a piece of that shadowy legacy. For weapons collectors, they are both aesthetically pleasing and historically rich. The variety of designs, from simple spikes to ornate stars, also adds to their appeal.

If you’re considering adding one to your collection or practice gear, there are a few things to consider. First, think about your purpose: is it for display, training, or historical appreciation? For display purposes, ornate or stylized shuriken with detailed craftsmanship can be a beautiful addition to a weapons wall.

For training, go with simpler, well-balanced models made of durable steel. These are better suited for throwing practice and won't wear out easily. And if you're more historically inclined, look for replicas based on Edo-period designs or those used by specific martial schools.

However, be aware that many commercially available ninja stars are stylized far beyond what would have been practical or even possible during the weapon’s actual time in use.

So while shuriken may not have been the superweapon of historical ninja lore, they were indeed part of the toolkit: a useful, portable, and sometimes crucial tool in the right circumstances. Their true strength wasn’t in lethality but in their ability to distract, delay, or deter. And that, in the hands of a skilled practitioner, could mean the difference between being caught or getting away.

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