Many of us have automatics in our collections. I started collecting them as a kid in grade school in the 1950s when Mexican-made switchblades (of all sizes, from 12″ to 2″) were available for trade on the playgrounds, along with strings of firecrackers and other fun stuff.  

Now there are some really fine OTF and other automatics made by supeior makers; they are expensive but boy are they nice. I’ve never had a automatic folder fail (except for an early Benchmade coming open in my pocket 15 years ago ) but the OTF (out-the-front) examples can get finnicky, I’ve been carrying a Microtech for about 3 years.

So, what are some of your experiences with automatics? And aside from state laws dictating what one may or may-not carry, does anyone prefer an automatic to a typical folder for EDC? What types? Why? Why not?