I have always been interested in automatic knives, from the time I was a kid and the little 3" Mexican versions were traded in elementary school, through a decade ago when automatics were made without safeties (and you would worry about your boys if you carried one in your front pocket) until now with the availability of some very well made survival OTF knives.

I'm interested in hearing from folks who are familiar with both traditional side-opening, and OTF (out the front) automatic knives. Other than some state laws where carrying automatic knives are outlawed, what are some of the advantages/ disadvantages of these types of knives.