OTF Knives
Short version: an OTF knife fires its blade straight out the front of the handle with a thumb slide. We carry Cobratec, Templar, Smith & Wesson M&P, Schrade Uproar, SOG Pentagon and Hogue, in sizes from a pen knife up to large frame. Knife laws vary by state and city, so check yours before you buy or carry.
Keep going
automatic knives · spring assisted knives · neck and boot knives · hunting knives
Choosing an OTF knife by size
Size is the first decision, and the product names on this page spell it out. Cobratec's FS3 and CTK1 come in small, medium and large frames, and Templar makes small, slim and large OTFs. Smith & Wesson's M&P OTF runs from a 1.9 inch compact to a 3.5 inch blade. At the small end, Cobratec's CNC OTF pen knife hides in a shirt pocket.
A small frame disappears in a pocket and handles cord, tape and packaging. A large frame fills the hand and does real cutting, at the cost of weight on your belt or in your jeans.
Blade shapes
Spear point blades put the tip on the centerline and are the most common OTF shape. Tanto blades have a reinforced, angular tip for piercing. Single-edge blades keep a flat spine and are easier to sharpen. The Smith & Wesson H.R.T. comes in tanto and spear versions, and the M&P OTF is sold in spear and single-edge versions, so you can pick the shape on the same frame.
Keeping an OTF running
An OTF lives on its internal track. Lint, sand and dried grime are what make one hang up. Blow the track out now and then, keep oil to a light touch, and never force the slide when the blade feels stuck. Fire it from a clear path so the blade is not pushing against your pocket on the way out.
OTF knife FAQs
What does OTF stand for?
Out the front. The blade travels straight out of the end of the handle instead of swinging out from the side.
What is a double action OTF?
A double action OTF deploys and retracts with the same slide. A single action OTF deploys with the slide and has to be reset by hand. The Schrade Uproar is sold as a double action.
Are OTF knives legal?
It depends on where you live and where you carry. Knife laws are set by states and often by cities, and they change. Check your state statute and local ordinance before you buy or carry one.
What is the difference between an OTF and an automatic knife?
Both open on their own once triggered. An OTF slides out the front. A side-opening automatic swings out like a folder. For those, see our automatic knives.