Double Action OTF Knives for Sale: In-Stock D/A Out-the-Front Knives by Size

By OTF Knives For Sale Team. Updated September 12, 2026. Every pick was in stock at the listed price when this was updated.

A double-action OTF fires and retracts on the same slide, so it closes one-handed. It is what most people mean when they search for an OTF knife, and 123 of the knives in stock here are double action. This organises them by size with the most-ordered knife in each, so you can buy by class. The full set is on the OTF knives collection.

Quick comparison

How we ranked these

Every product on otfknivesforsale.com carries a 30-day order score recalculated daily from real orders across our store network. The picks below are the in-stock items with the highest score on the day of the last update, in that order, and each one is checked against its listed specifications. This is not a hands-on torture test and nothing here is sponsored; it is what buyers chose with their own money, explained.

Double action OTF knives by size

1. Heartline Quick-Draw OTF Knife - Red Hearts

Mini: the best-selling double-action mini, 5.25 inches, 440C.

This is a double-action model: the same slide fires the blade and pulls it back, so it closes one-handed. That is the feature daily carriers notice most, and it is why double actions take most of the top slots above $30.

A spear point keeps the dagger silhouette with a single sharpened edge, so it deploys as straight as a dagger and cuts better for everyday tasks.

Aluminum keeps the weight down and takes anodized colors, which is why most of the themed and mini models use it.

At 1.75-inch blade, 5.25 inches overall it sits in the mini class, which makes it a keychain or coin-pocket knife with a utility edge, not a work blade.

Best for: keychain and gift buyers, anyone who opens the knife often, a first purchase or a spare.

See current price and stock

2. Sweet Strike Sprinkle OTF Automatic Knife - Pink Purple

Mini: the cheapest double action, 5 inches.

Double action means one slide does both jobs, deploy and retract. You never need a second hand to reset it, which matters if you cycle the knife often. Expect a slightly lighter spring than a single action of the same size.

A drop point has a curved belly and a tip near the centerline: the general-purpose shape, and the best slicer in the out-the-front range.

Aluminum keeps the weight down and takes anodized colors, which is why most of the themed and mini models use it.

At 1.75-inch blade, 5 inches overall it sits in the mini class, which makes it a keychain or coin-pocket knife with a utility edge, not a work blade.

Best for: keychain and gift buyers, anyone who opens the knife often, a first purchase or a spare.

See current price and stock

3. Shadowline Micro Duty OTF Knife - Matte Black

Mini: matte black micro for buyers who want plain.

Double action means one slide does both jobs, deploy and retract. You never need a second hand to reset it, which matters if you cycle the knife often. Expect a slightly lighter spring than a single action of the same size.

A spear point keeps the dagger silhouette with a single sharpened edge, so it deploys as straight as a dagger and cuts better for everyday tasks.

Aluminum keeps the weight down and takes anodized colors, which is why most of the themed and mini models use it.

Listed dimensions: 1.999-inch blade.

Best for: anyone who opens the knife often, a first purchase or a spare.

See current price and stock

4. Shadow Weave Compact OTF Dagger - Carbon Fiber Black

Everyday carry: the best-selling double action on the site.

The mechanism is double action, so the blade returns on the same slide that fires it. For a knife that gets opened many times a day this is the convenient choice, at the cost of a marginally softer deployment than a single action.

The dagger profile is symmetrical, which is why it is the most common OTF blade: it tracks straight through the front opening. It is a push-cutting and point-work shape rather than a slicer.

The carbon fiber handle is the light option and shows texture under a clear coat; it does not change the mechanism, only the weight and grip.

At 3-inch blade, 7.25 inches overall it sits in the mid-size class, which makes it the everyday-carry class: enough blade to cut, small enough to forget in a pocket.

Best for: everyday carry with a clip, anyone who opens the knife often.

See current price and stock

5. Vector Strike Front-Switch OTF Knife - Blue Damascus

Everyday carry: Damascus pattern, 7.25 inches.

The mechanism is double action, so the blade returns on the same slide that fires it. For a knife that gets opened many times a day this is the convenient choice, at the cost of a marginally softer deployment than a single action.

A spear point keeps the dagger silhouette with a single sharpened edge, so it deploys as straight as a dagger and cuts better for everyday tasks.

At 3-inch blade, 7.25 inches overall, 2.85 ounces it sits in the mid-size class, which makes it the everyday-carry class: enough blade to cut, small enough to forget in a pocket.

The Blue Damascus finish is a handle graphic; the knife underneath is the same as the plain model in this size, so nothing is given up for the look.

Best for: everyday carry with a clip, anyone who opens the knife often.

See current price and stock

6. Tactical Shadow Dagger OTF Knife - Black Carbon Fiber

Everyday carry: 7.5-inch carbon fiber dagger.

The dagger profile is symmetrical, which is why it is the most common OTF blade: it tracks straight through the front opening. It is a push-cutting and point-work shape rather than a slicer.

The carbon fiber handle is the light option and shows texture under a clear coat; it does not change the mechanism, only the weight and grip.

At 2.625-inch blade, 6.875 inches overall, 4.43 ounces it sits in the compact class, which makes it a low-profile pocket knife: a real blade in the least handle.

The edge is partially serrated near the handle. Serrations chew through rope and strapping and are harder to sharpen; buy plain edge if you maintain your own knives.

Best for: low-profile pocket carry.

See current price and stock

7. Shadow Breach Double-Action OTF Knife - Black Alloy

Full size: 8.75 inches, 440C, the value pick.

The mechanism is double action, so the blade returns on the same slide that fires it. For a knife that gets opened many times a day this is the convenient choice, at the cost of a marginally softer deployment than a single action.

The dagger profile is symmetrical, which is why it is the most common OTF blade: it tracks straight through the front opening. It is a push-cutting and point-work shape rather than a slicer.

Zinc alloy is the heavy, solid cast handle used across the $30 to $45 range. It adds weight in the hand and takes textured finishes well.

At 3.25-inch blade, 8.75 inches overall it sits in the full-size class, which makes it the full-grip class: a bag or belt knife rather than a pocket knife.

Best for: bag or belt carry and hard use, anyone who opens the knife often.

See current price and stock

8. Road Heritage Double-Action OTF Knife - Matte Black

Full size: 9 inches, rubber handle, the best-seller.

Double action means one slide does both jobs, deploy and retract. You never need a second hand to reset it, which matters if you cycle the knife often. Expect a slightly lighter spring than a single action of the same size.

A spear point keeps the dagger silhouette with a single sharpened edge, so it deploys as straight as a dagger and cuts better for everyday tasks.

The rubberized handle gives grip texture the alloy models do not have, at a small cost in weight. Buyers who use the knife with gloves or wet hands pick these.

At 3.5-inch blade, 9 inches overall, 7.89 ounces it sits in the full-size class, which makes it the full-grip class: a bag or belt knife rather than a pocket knife.

Best for: bag or belt carry and hard use, anyone who opens the knife often.

See current price and stock

9. Night Vector Rapid-Deploy OTF Knife - G10 Stealth Black

Full size: 9.75 inches, D2, G10-style.

Double action means one slide does both jobs, deploy and retract. You never need a second hand to reset it, which matters if you cycle the knife often. Expect a slightly lighter spring than a single action of the same size.

A spear point keeps the dagger silhouette with a single sharpened edge, so it deploys as straight as a dagger and cuts better for everyday tasks.

Zinc alloy is the heavy, solid cast handle used across the $30 to $45 range. It adds weight in the hand and takes textured finishes well.

At 4-inch blade, 9.75 inches overall it sits in the full-size class, which makes it the full-grip class: a bag or belt knife rather than a pocket knife.

Best for: bag or belt carry and hard use, anyone who opens the knife often.

See current price and stock

10. X‑Switch Elite Double‑Action OTF Knife - Black Anodized

Premium: CNC aircraft alloy, the tightest lock-up in stock.

Double action means one slide does both jobs, deploy and retract. You never need a second hand to reset it, which matters if you cycle the knife often. Expect a slightly lighter spring than a single action of the same size.

The dagger profile is symmetrical, which is why it is the most common OTF blade: it tracks straight through the front opening. It is a push-cutting and point-work shape rather than a slicer.

The aircraft-alloy handle is machined rather than cast, which holds the carrier track straighter. That is the reason these lock up with less blade movement and cost more.

At 3.5-inch blade, 8.875 inches overall, 3.6 ounces it sits in the full-size class, which makes it the full-grip class: a bag or belt knife rather than a pocket knife.

Best for: bag or belt carry and hard use, anyone who opens the knife often.

See current price and stock

Double action versus single action when buying

Double for convenience: you cycle it one-handed all day. Single for a harder deployment and for designs that only come that way (stilettos, some premium models). If the listing does not say which, assume you do not know, and ask or move on. How the mechanism works and how to keep it firing is covered in best double action OTF knives on Best OTF Knives.

Frequently asked questions

Are double action OTF knives better?

More convenient. Single actions deploy harder. For daily carry most people choose double.

What is the cheapest double action OTF?

About $13 for a 5-inch mini; about $33 for a full-size knife with a metal handle.

Why does my double action stop halfway?

Debris in the track or loose handle screws, almost always. Clean, tighten, cycle.

Prices are otfknivesforsale.com prices at the time of writing and change with stock.