The Spyderco Autonomy was developed in response to a request from the U.S. Coast Guard for a cutting tool that would meet the demanding mission requirements of their rescue swimmers. They needed a high-performance knife that could be easily deployed with only one hand while wearing heavy gloves, is impervious to salt water, could be easily maintained and, above all, would cut with extreme authority. The result was the orange-handled Autonomy automatic, which is approved for use by Coast Guard personnel.
Specifically designed to be carried in a dedicated pocket in the rescue swimmer’s vest, the original Autonomy had no need for a firing-button safety or pocket clip. However, because many of the features of the design were so revolutionary, Spyderco soon received requests for a version that was suitable for pocket carry and still featured the high-visibility orange handles of the original. The result is an orange-handled Autonomy with a safety and a pocket clip.
The heart of this remarkable knife is its voracious SpyderEdge™ blade, which is ground from H-1® steel—an extraordinary nitrogen-based alloy that is extremely corrosion resistant. Its sheepfoot profile and blunt tip make it ideal for rescue applications, while still providing a high degree of point utility. The auto-opening blade is powered by a corrosion-resistant coil spring nested within a removable module. Specifically designed for end-user maintenance, this patented feature allows the module and spring to be easily removed with the tool in Spyderco’s spring replacement kit (sold separately) without disassembling the entire knife.
The Autonomy’s ergonomic, finger-grooved handle is constructed with full stainless steel liners flanked by textured orange G-10 scales. Its oversized firing button is powered by a spring that is integral to one of the liners and includes a sliding safety that prevents unintentional activation. The handle’s other metal hardware—including its reversible wire pocket clip—is also made exclusively from corrosion-resistant materials.
Winner of the “Most Innovative American Design” award at the prestigious Blade Show and International Cutlery Fair, the Autonomy represents a groundbreaking achievement in automatic knife design.
