In the world of automatic knives, or autos, there are two basic configurations, of course, keeping everything at as high a level as is reasonable here.
These are OTS and OTF knives, which stand for “out the side” and “out the front” respectively.
But is an OTS or an OTF knife right for you, and how can you decide? This short post will break down some of the differences associated with each.
Why an OTS Knife?
An OTS, or “out the side” knife has a blade that opens out the side, like a traditional pocket knife. Their blades are hinged at the base and rotate around a mechanism integral to the knife.
Not all OTS knives are automatics. Some are assisted openers, in which case you must open the blade partially before it will open the rest of the way and lock, and some are conventional knives with thumb studs or flippers that must be manually opened. These however are not the focus of this article.
OTS knives sport lock types that may be familiar to you. Some common lock types include liner and frame locks, lock backs, and of course button and bar locks, such as the AXIS Lock used with many Benchmade Knives.
OTS knives also offer familiar and ergonomic form factors compared to most OTF knives, and are easy and intuitive to learn to use.
It is important to remember that you need clearance around the side of an OTS knife to open it as well, as without clearance you will not be able to do so.
Why an OTF Knife?
An OTF knife has a blade that comes directly out the front, hence the name. Most OTF knives are automatics, although some are gravity knives (more on that in a second).
They do not need clearance around the side of the knife to open since they come directly out the front. Also, since the conservation of angular momentum does not need to be considered, an OTF knife can often be deployed slightly faster than an OTS knife, since the blade only moves in linear fashion. The difference in speed of deployment is, however, for all intents and purposes, negligible.
OTF knives may be single or double action. A double action knife opens and retracts with the same button. A single action OTF knife will deploy with a button but the blade must be manually retracted. Double-action OTF knives are, therefore, more convenient, since they can be used entirely with one hand, and not all OTF and OTS knives can be.
They also sport different lock types from OTS knives, but overall, most OTF knife lock types are very strong and reliable.
As stated, not all OTF knives are automatics. Most so-called gravity knives are OTF knives, and either gravity or a specific movement of the wrist is needed to flick these knives open.
The Bottom Line: It Just Depends on What You Want
Since many OTF and OTS knives can be deployed and retracted with one hand, and only vary in how the blade itself actually deploys from the knife, it’s not really like one is better than the other. You should simply get what appeals to you. If you prefer the look and feel of an OTF knife, go with that, otherwise side in the camp of the conventional appearance, form factor and operation of an OTS knife.
Explore These and Much More Online at True Swords
Regardless of whether you’re looking for a classic pocket knife or a modern OTF knife, visit True Swords. Despite the name, they carry a lot of knives and other bladed tools as well, including a lot of unique models you won’t be likely to find elsewhere.
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