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Four decisions, in order. Each guide settles one.
- Automatic vs Folding Knives. Spring or thumb: the first choice, and the one the law cares about most.
- Folding Knives vs Fixed Blades. Pocket or belt: strength, carry, care and a knife-to-task table.
- OTF Blade Length. 1.85, 3.5 or 3.8 inches, and how to choose.
- Knife Blade Steel Guide. D2, S35VN and MagnaCut, and which one you actually need.
Choosing an Automatic
- OTF Knife Buying Guide. Single vs double action, length, shape, steel, handle, mechanism quality and what to spend.
- What an OTF Knife Costs. What $150, $200 and $300 buy, and the costs that are not on the tag.
- Knives for First Responders and Duty Carry. Glass breakers, gloves, steel, and where the badge exempts an officer.
- Best California-Legal OTF Knives. The under-2-inch automatics and why they exist.
- Left-Handed Automatic Knives. Which OTFs work in the left hand and how.
- Best Knife for Gloved Use. What a thick glove needs from a slider, a clip and a handle.
Meet the Knives
- A2 Badger. The 1.85-inch D2 automatic, the best seller and the California knife.
- A5 Spry Mini vs A2 Badger. Same size, same action. Steel, handle and price decide.
- A5 Spry Mini. The S35VN mini with a tungsten glass breaker.
- A5 Spry. The 3.5-inch everyday OTF in three blade shapes.
- A3 Delta Forged Carbon. The side-opening automatic with a safety switch.
- A7 Zastava. The double-edged OTF made with Zastava Arms.
- X1 Atlas. The MagnaCut fixed blade, full tang, made in the USA.
- Folding Knives Under $200. The F1 Alpha, F2 Bravo, F3 Charlie and F4 Echo side by side.
- F1 Alpha EOTECH Edition. The liner-lock flipper in a collaboration finish.
- F2 Bravo. The 2.4-ounce folder with the machined titanium clip.
- F3 Charlie. The full-size button-lock folder.
Everyday Carry
- Everyday Carry Accessories. The light, the pen, the wallet and the pry bar around the knife.
- The Best Way to Carry a Knife. Clip orientation, deep carry, sheaths, lanyards and the law.
The Law Before You Buy
An automatic that is legal to own in 45 states is still restricted in some and banned in five, and blade length rules decide which knife fits a pocket in California, Connecticut and a few others. Check before you choose.
- Knife Laws in All 50 States. One line per state, a pill, and a link to the full guide.
- California Knife Laws. The 2-inch rule that shapes the automatic market.
- Knife Law Watch. The cases and bills that could change the map.
Four Knives, Four Answers
The best-selling mini automatic, the light folder, the full-size OTF and the fixed blade.
People Are Asking
What is the best TEKTO knife for a first buyer?
For a pocket folder, the F1 Alpha or F2 Bravo. For an automatic where it is legal, the A2 Badger, which is the best seller and legal in California. The buying guides explain why.
Should I buy an automatic or a manual folder?
An automatic if you need one hand free and your state allows it. A manual folder if you want the fewest legal questions and the lightest knife. The automatic vs folding guide has the full comparison.
What blade length should I choose?
Under 2 inches if you are in California or want a keychain-sized knife. 3 to 3.5 inches for most daily carry. Longer only for a work or field knife. The OTF blade length guide covers the law and the handling.
Which steel is best?
MagnaCut if you want the toughest stainless available, S35VN for a fine-grained stainless that sharpens easily, D2 for wear resistance at a lower price with a coating. The blade steel guide compares them.
Is an OTF legal where I live?
In 45 states to own, with conditions in about a dozen. The 50-state guide has one line per state and a full page for each.
