>>89637I carried a Kershaw Chive for a couple years. It's assisted opening broke about 6 months after I got it. Couple of people I know had it happen on Onion and Leeks too.
I don't know why you would ever need assisted hook, but I'm no expert at seatbelt cutting. I don't know if the Axis lock on Benchmades are considered "assisted", but its about as much help I need to open it. I remember when I was a kid I thought switchblades were so damn cool. I bet thats alot of the "assisted" opening craze.
Only thing I dislike about my 530 is the pocket clip isn't flush against the end of the handle. Sometimes it will get hung on things and try to slip out of my pocket.
