Is this knife legal to own where I live?

Automatic knives are restricted or prohibited in many states, counties, and municipalities. Some areas allow possession but not carry, while others ban them entirely. You are responsible for verifying that ownership and possession comply with your local, state, and federal laws before ordering.

How does the spine-fired release work?

You press rearward on a control located at the spine of the handle using your thumb. This motion deploys the blade forward through the front of the knife. Pressing the same control again retracts the blade. The double-action mechanism handles both extension and retraction with the single control.

What makes S30V steel different from other blade steels?

S30V is a powder metallurgy stainless steel that balances edge retention, corrosion resistance, and toughness. It holds an edge longer than most production knife steels, meaning you sharpen less often, but it is harder to resharpen when the edge does dull. The PVD coating adds wear resistance and reduces glare.

Can I sharpen the tanto edge myself?

Yes, though the tanto geometry requires separate attention to the primary edge and the angled tip section. S30V takes more effort to sharpen than softer steels, so a diamond or ceramic sharpening system works better than standard whetstones. Many users send S30V blades to a professional sharpener for major reprofilings.

Is the Grivory handle durable enough for hard use?

Grivory is a glass-fiber reinforced polymer that resists impact and temperature extremes. It is lighter than metal but more prone to surface scratching and scuffing. The textured finish provides secure grip even when wet, and the material will not corrode or conduct cold the way aluminum or steel does.

Shootout® | Crater Blue Grivory® | Tanto

stainless steel
Made in USA

The 3-second version

Spine-fired release deploys and retracts the blade with rear thumb pressure
S30V stainless steel holds an edge longer than most production knife steels
Tanto point geometry reinforces the tip for puncture and detail work
Legal restrictions apply in many areas
Spine-fired release has a learning curve
Requires regular cleaning for reliable function

Why it's on GiftsFeed

Double-action automatic knife with spine-fired release and S30V blade

Most out-the-front automatics place the trigger on the side of the handle, where it's easy to hit by accident when you're drawing the knife or carrying it loose in a pack. The spine-fired design moves that control to the back, away from your natural grip, so deployment happens only when you intend it. That layout also lets you fire the blade with your thumb in a straight rearward motion, which is faster to learn and more consistent under stress than a side button that requires fine motor coordination. If you've passed on OTF knives because of accidental deployment or awkward trigger placement, the spine-fired mechanism solves both problems without adding weight or complexity.

Good gift when

People who need fast one-handed blade deployment in tactical or utility roles
Anyone working in wet or marine environments where corrosion resistance matters
Users who prefer out-the-front automatics over traditional folding knives
Those who carry a knife daily and want to minimize pocket or belt weight

Skip it if Automatic knives are restricted or prohibited in many jurisdictions, so verify your local laws before ordering. The spine-fired release requires practice to operate smoothly, and the mechanism demands regular cleaning to function reliably in dusty or sandy conditions.

Specs

Blade Material: S30V stainless steel with Flat Earth PVD coating
Edge Geometry: Tanto
Handle Material: Crater Blue Grivory polymer
Mechanism: Double-action out-the-front automatic
Release Type: Spine-fired
Features: Lanyard loop

What's included

Benchmade Shootout automatic knife

If you're giving it

No sizing to guess

Verify that the recipient can legally own and possess an automatic knife in their jurisdiction.

The details

This automatic knife deploys and retracts through its front tip with a spine-fired mechanism that fires straight back, a motion that feels intuitive once you develop the muscle memory. The blade is S30V stainless steel with a flat earth PVD coating that resists wear and reduces glare. The tanto edge geometry delivers a reinforced tip suited to prying and puncture tasks.

The handle is molded Grivory polymer in a textured crater blue finish, keeping overall weight low without sacrificing grip security. The mechanism is double-action, meaning a single control both extends and retracts the blade rather than requiring separate movements or manual folding. A lanyard loop sits at the base of the handle for retention options.

Out-the-front automatics suit users who need one-handed deployment and who work in environments where a fixed blade is impractical. The spine-fired release keeps the trigger out of the grip path, reducing unintended activation when you're carrying it loose or drawing it from a pocket. The coated blade resists corrosion in humid or saltwater environments, and S30V holds an edge longer than most mid-range steels, though it takes effort to resharpen when you do need to touch it up.

The Grivory frame is less dense than aluminum or steel, which makes this lighter on a belt or in a pocket but also more prone to surface scratching. The lanyard loop replaces the glass breaker found on some variants in this series, so if you need a hard-point tool for emergency egress, you'll want to verify which version you're ordering.

Benchmade

Shootout® | Crater Blue Grivory® | Tanto

Out-the-front tanto with quick deployment and a lightweight polymer frame

$350at benchmade.com

Quantity

Buy from Benchmade

Ships and sold by Benchmade. About this merchant

The 3-second version

Spine-fired release deploys and retracts the blade with rear thumb pressure
S30V stainless steel holds an edge longer than most production knife steels
Tanto point geometry reinforces the tip for puncture and detail work
Legal restrictions apply in many areas
Spine-fired release has a learning curve
Requires regular cleaning for reliable function

Questions

Is this knife legal to own where I live?: Automatic knives are restricted or prohibited in many states, counties, and municipalities. Some areas allow possession but not carry, while others ban them entirely. You are responsible for verifying that ownership and possession comply with your local, state, and federal laws before ordering.
How does the spine-fired release work?: You press rearward on a control located at the spine of the handle using your thumb. This motion deploys the blade forward through the front of the knife. Pressing the same control again retracts the blade. The double-action mechanism handles both extension and retraction with the single control.
What makes S30V steel different from other blade steels?: S30V is a powder metallurgy stainless steel that balances edge retention, corrosion resistance, and toughness. It holds an edge longer than most production knife steels, meaning you sharpen less often, but it is harder to resharpen when the edge does dull. The PVD coating adds wear resistance and reduces glare.
Can I sharpen the tanto edge myself?: Yes, though the tanto geometry requires separate attention to the primary edge and the angled tip section. S30V takes more effort to sharpen than softer steels, so a diamond or ceramic sharpening system works better than standard whetstones. Many users send S30V blades to a professional sharpener for major reprofilings.
Is the Grivory handle durable enough for hard use?: Grivory is a glass-fiber reinforced polymer that resists impact and temperature extremes. It is lighter than metal but more prone to surface scratching and scuffing. The textured finish provides secure grip even when wet, and the material will not corrode or conduct cold the way aluminum or steel does.