Is this knife legal to carry where I live?

Out-the-front automatic knives are restricted or prohibited in many states, counties, and municipalities. Some areas allow them only with a permit, while others ban them outright. Check your local and state laws before ordering, and be aware that carrying across state lines may also be restricted.

How do I maintain the OTF mechanism?

Clean debris from the blade track and slider channel periodically, especially if you use the knife in dusty or dirty environments. Apply a light machine oil or synthetic lubricant to the slider and blade track after cleaning. Avoid heavy grease, which can attract lint and gum up the mechanism over time.

What is the advantage of a tanto blade?

A tanto profile has a reinforced tip that resists breaking when you pry or punch through tough material. The flat grind near the tip and the belly grind near the handle give you two distinct cutting edges. The trade-off is less belly curve, so long slicing cuts take more effort than with a drop-point or clip-point blade.

Can I sharpen S30V myself?

Yes. S30V is a high-carbon stainless steel that holds an edge well but requires a bit more effort to sharpen than softer steels. Use a medium-grit diamond stone or ceramic rod to reset the edge, then finish with a fine grit. The PVD coating won't interfere with sharpening; you'll wear through it at the edge, but that's normal and doesn't affect performance.

Shootout® | CF-Elite® | Tanto

stainless steel
Made in USA

The 3-second version

Out-the-front automatic deploys with a thumb slider
S30V stainless steel blade with Flat Earth PVD coating
Injection-molded CF-Elite handle reduces weight and flex
Automatic knife—verify local laws before purchase
OTF mechanism requires occasional cleaning and lubrication
Tanto profile trades slicing efficiency for tip strength

Why it's on GiftsFeed

Out-the-front automatic knife in coated S30V with carbide glass breaker

Most out-the-front automatics are built like jewelry boxes—machined aluminum or steel that looks great but adds weight you feel all day. This one uses injection-molded composite for the handle, a manufacturing choice that drops the mass without giving up rigidity around the mechanism. The result is an OTF you'll actually keep clipped in your pocket instead of leaving in the glovebox because it's too heavy. The carbide glass breaker isn't an add-on; it's molded into the pommel so you can use it without deploying the blade, which matters in an emergency when you don't want sharp steel between you and a window.

Good gift when

People who carry a backup knife alongside a primary folder
Anyone who needs single-hand deployment without thumb studs or flippers
Those who want an OTF light enough for front-pocket carry
Users who value a glass breaker as part of their everyday kit

Skip it if Local laws may restrict or prohibit out-the-front automatic knives, so verify legality in your area before ordering

Specs

Blade Material: S30V stainless steel with Flat Earth PVD coating
Blade Profile: Tanto
Handle Material: Injection-molded CF-Elite composite
Deployment: Out-the-front automatic (thumb slider)
Pocket Clip: Reversible deep carry, tip-up or tip-down
Glass Breaker: Hardened carbide punch in pommel

If you're giving it

No sizing to guess

Verify recipient's local laws permit automatic knives before gifting.

The details

An out-the-front automatic built for everyday carry and backup use, this knife deploys a tanto-profile blade with a single push of the thumb slider. The blade is S30V stainless steel treated with a Flat Earth PVD coating that resists wear and reflection. The handle is injection-molded CF-Elite composite, a material that keeps the OTF mechanism protected while shaving weight compared to machined metal.

The pommel integrates a hardened carbide glass punch for emergency use. A reversible pocket clip rides deep in the pocket and can be mounted for tip-up or tip-down carry. The thumb slider locks the blade open and closed, and the entire mechanism is housed in a frame that resists flex under load.

S30V holds an edge through repeated cutting tasks and takes resharpening without excessive effort. The Flat Earth coating is a matte finish that reduces glare. The tanto blade profile provides a reinforced tip and two distinct cutting edges. The handle texture is molded in, not applied, so it won't wear smooth over time.

This is a full-size OTF with a blade long enough for utility work but compact enough to disappear in a front pocket. The weight stays low enough that you'll forget it's clipped in place until you need it. The glass breaker is positioned to strike with the pommel while the knife remains folded, so you don't need to deploy the blade to use it.

Benchmade

Shootout® | CF-Elite® | Tanto

Injection-molded composite handle keeps the mechanism light and the frame rigid

$350at benchmade.com

Quantity

Buy from Benchmade

Ships and sold by Benchmade. About this merchant

The 3-second version

Out-the-front automatic deploys with a thumb slider
S30V stainless steel blade with Flat Earth PVD coating
Injection-molded CF-Elite handle reduces weight and flex
Automatic knife—verify local laws before purchase
OTF mechanism requires occasional cleaning and lubrication
Tanto profile trades slicing efficiency for tip strength

Questions

Is this knife legal to carry where I live?: Out-the-front automatic knives are restricted or prohibited in many states, counties, and municipalities. Some areas allow them only with a permit, while others ban them outright. Check your local and state laws before ordering, and be aware that carrying across state lines may also be restricted.
How do I maintain the OTF mechanism?: Clean debris from the blade track and slider channel periodically, especially if you use the knife in dusty or dirty environments. Apply a light machine oil or synthetic lubricant to the slider and blade track after cleaning. Avoid heavy grease, which can attract lint and gum up the mechanism over time.
What is the advantage of a tanto blade?: A tanto profile has a reinforced tip that resists breaking when you pry or punch through tough material. The flat grind near the tip and the belly grind near the handle give you two distinct cutting edges. The trade-off is less belly curve, so long slicing cuts take more effort than with a drop-point or clip-point blade.
Can I sharpen S30V myself?: Yes. S30V is a high-carbon stainless steel that holds an edge well but requires a bit more effort to sharpen than softer steels. Use a medium-grit diamond stone or ceramic rod to reset the edge, then finish with a fine grit. The PVD coating won't interfere with sharpening; you'll wear through it at the edge, but that's normal and doesn't affect performance.