Evidently this post got lost, so forgive the repetition.

I've used and trust the Ken Onion / Kershaw Whirlwind series. However, I think they would be difficult for a left hander to open. If the cam-assist fails, the thumb stud will open the knife. Blade design and materials are fine for a production knife.

Legality is NOT so clear. John, being a LEO, probably wouldn't have any trouble. However there is dispute in interpreting statutes regarding whether this type of knife would be classified as an "automatic" knife: the dispute has not been resolved across jurisdictions, and case law is slim. Some areas are considering it a switchblade, other areas are not.

John, how would you and your patrol officers in St. Charles treat the "cam opening" knives like Onion's if you discovered one on a guy?