If you're looking for an easy-open knife that is extremely handy to use with only one hand, you'll want to take a look at the Gerber spring assisted knives. Using Gerber's proprietary FAST (Forward Action Spring Technology), these knives open with just a slight assistance from the user. Once you start opening the knife, the spring action takes over and opens it the rest of the way for you. Pretty cool, huh?

Not To Be Confused With Swithblades

Gerber spring assisted knives are sometimes confused with switchblades, automatic opening, or flick knives (as they're called in the UK). All of these type knives open with a simple trigger or button device in the handle and are illegal. An assisted opening knife, while similar to a switchblade, requires user pressure to open. That makes it safer, not to mention legal, to carry and to use.

A-K-A Assisted Knives

Gerber spring assisted knives, sometimes called just assisted knives, aren't automatic opening. The user must exert pressure to put the spring in action. Many EMTs, firefighters, law enforcement officers and others appreciate and use these knives for quick work at the scene of emergencies and accidents. Such a tool can sever a seatbelt, cut a parachute line or slice other things as need much quicker than a knife without the assisted opening mechanism.

Gerber spring assisted knives are good in non-emergency situations as well. A fisherman can salvage a high priced rod and reel that's he about to lose in the lake by swiftly cutting a tangled fishing line. Or someone who only has the use of one hand will be glad for the assistance, whatever the task may be.

Safe And Effective

Since Gerber spring assisted knives offer quick access and easy one-handed opening, they work well as an every day pocket knife, or a knife to keep in your tool chest. They also travel well since they must be assisted to open, which makes them safer than some other knives.

Gerber spring assisted knives come in several styles. These include the FAST Draw with a 3 inch blade, or the Mini FAST Draw with a 2.1 inch blade. Both of these knives are available with either a fine or serrated edge blade, depending on the purpose. There's also the Gerber Vallotton which is about in the middle with a 2.6 inch blade and the same FAST mechanism.

Whichever Gerber spring assisted knives you prefer, they're all designed for quality, comfort and usability. And each comes with the limited lifetime warranty that makes the Gerber so reliable in the world of knives.