Has anyone handled one at Shot Show? If so please share your experience.

yes I handled one of the proto autorifts at SHOT show and I hate to rain on any parade but I am sorry to say I did not like it. The auto version's blade was made alot narrower than the manual version with the wider blade. The blade width looked very disproportionate to the handle width. I asked why the blade was so much narrower and some of the BM tech guys didnt even notice this fact, and they told me it had to be to make room for the auto mechanism. I was really disappointed with the width of the blade but I think the serrations made it look even worse. I did a side by side comparison with the manual version and you could clearly see the blade width difference between the two and it did not look good if you ask me. Although that is my honest opinion.

i wonder if it was also an effort to lighten the blade and make it easier on the auto mechanism.

Literally the blade looked like it was a swap with a 940 blade, it was that narrow.

I even told one of the BM guys at the booth that it looked like they took a 940SBK blade and put it in the autorift and he kinda agreed with me with a laugh, like they really did but they didnt ofcourse. It looked that close.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: wickedsharp,

Thanks for the info, Wickedsharp!! I think I will pass on the 9555. Thanks, again.

I’m getting one, my dealer is working on it as I type .

My collection needs diversity, and I like the looks of it

I hope you are not basing your decision not to buy the autorift solely on my opinion, maybe you can get a chance to handle one in real life and take a look at it yourself. I am just telling you what I thought of it.

Maybe I did jump the gun a little. I will try and handle one before I decide. I have the new 2010 catalog and in there it is showing the blade is the exact same as the non-auto version (blade thickness, length, etc...).

I'm looking to get a very reliable auto, preferably an axis-auto, for duty use. In this auto I'm looking for top notch deplyment speed, lock-up, and blade strength. And I prefer G-10 handles.

I was thinking about the 5000 Presidio. I did have the 9051, but I did not care for the push button release, with my left hand. Under stress the auto-axis would be better IMO.

quote:

Originally posted by BillyJack:
Maybe I did jump the gun a little. I will try and handle one before I decide. I have the new 2010 catalog and in there it is showing the blade is the exact same as the non-auto version (blade thickness, length, etc...).

I'm looking to get a very reliable auto, preferably an axis-auto, for duty use. In this auto I'm looking for top notch deplyment speed, lock-up, and blade strength. And I prefer G-10 handles.

I was thinking about the 5000 Presidio. I did have the 9051, but I did not care for the push button release, with my left hand. Under stress the auto-axis would be better IMO.

Very interesting. From what I was reading I thought the blade was the same specs as the non-auto version. I agree that I prefer the auto-axis over the push button style autos except for the smaller autos like mini-stryker etc. I think this new 9555 will be my next auto after I get the 8600. I just like autos better. I am not a big thumb stud fan. I only have one the 530 Pardue. Great knife I got as a cheaper alternative over autos, but I don't like those dang thumb studs. I am liking the looks of the new 741 Onslaught as well for a non-auto folder.

I'd change my opinion in a heart beat, changing anything on the rift besides adding the auto mechanism makes me cry on the inside.