The Spyderco Autonomy 2 has long occupied a strange corner of the Golden company's catalog: an American-made automatic folding knife aimed squarely at marine and water-sport users, where corrosion resistance matters more than weight. A new in-depth review from KnifeInformer, conducted by Wayne Walter of Wayne's Sharp World and published this week, puts the C165GP2 through detailed hands-on evaluation — and reaches a split verdict.
A Blade That Delivers
The review's clearest praise lands on the steel. The Autonomy 2 carries a 3.50-inch leaf-shaped drop point in LC200N, a nitrogen-rich, effectively rust-proof steel that Spyderco reserves for its most corrosion-critical designs. The reviewer describes LC200N as one of his favorite blade steels, citing its corrosion resistance, the keen edge it takes and its practical edge holding, and wishes more folding knives used it. Measured behind-the-edge thickness on the sample came in around 0.021 inch, and despite that substantial geometry the blade cut impressively well.
Deployment also earned top marks. The button-lock automatic mechanism fired without a single failure across the entire review period, and the oversized firing button worked comfortably — a deliberate design choice, since the Autonomy 2 is intended to be operated with gloved, wet hands on the water.
Where the Design Trips
The criticisms concentrate on the details around that mission. The textured safety, positioned where an index finger naturally lands in a standard grip, dug into the reviewer's bare finger during ordinary use — tolerable with gloves, uncomfortable without them. The handle itself is bulky at roughly 0.54 inch thick, and at 5.5 ounces the knife is one of the heaviest folders in Spyderco's lineup for its blade length. The reviewer also noted a closed blade that sat off-center and could shift sideways under light pressure on his sample, and questioned the small trademark blade hole and the exposed recess on the reverse of the firing button, which he worries could collect dirt over time. His bottom line: he would pass on it for his own everyday carry.
Specifications at a Glance
Overall length: 8.44 in
Blade length: 3.50 in, LC200N, satin full flat grind
Closed length: 4.94 in
Blade stock: 0.114 in
Handle: black G10 over stainless steel liners
Weight: 5.5 oz
Mechanism: button-lock automatic with manual safety
Clip: reversible, tip-up
Origin: USA
Size comparisons placed the Autonomy 2 closest to the Spyderco Shaman in overall footprint, though clearly larger than the Smock and stouter than the SpydieChef. Historical pricing from the reviewer's original 2021 evaluation put the knife at $203, when it was difficult to find in stock; he notes that figure reflects past availability rather than any current offer.
LC200N itself is worth understanding, because it drives most of the Autonomy 2's appeal. Developed for extreme corrosion environments, the nitrogen-alloyed steel is used in diving knives, fishing gear and chemical-processing components precisely because it resists pitting where conventional stainless steels eventually stain. In a folding knife, that means the blade can live in a tackle box, a dive bag or a salt-air environment without the daily wiping ritual that D2 or 154CM would demand. The trade-off is modest wear resistance compared with premium powder steels, but for a marine rescue tool the calculus favors corrosion immunity decisively.
The Takeaway
The Takeaway
The Autonomy 2 remains a niche tool executed with a clear purpose: a genuinely rust-proof, reliably deploying automatic for users who spend real time in and around water. The new review confirms that its core mission — the LC200N blade and the automatic action — is executed excellently. Whether its bulk, safety texture and control details are acceptable trade-offs depends largely on whether gloves are part of the user's daily kit. For the mainstream EDC buyer, the reviewer's hesitation is a useful caution; for boaters, divers and rescue professionals, few alternatives compete on the same terms.