The ultratech is coming out soon with ti pocket clip, dual fuel system and zero blade play making it about a million times better than the livewire and forget Axial, the blade grinding and edge are sloppy (I returned mine)… I believe the current old Ultratech is better than both as it is let alone when it revolutionizes the OTF world in a month or so.
I cannot believe I forgot to mention the zero blade play 🤦♂️ totally my bad. I am extremely excited for the next gen ultratech and it will certainly change the entire industry. Thanks for the reminded and thanks for watching!!
@@DXSharpening Hey, if they can pull that off, they'll definitely get my business. But it'll have to be a "believe it when I see it" from me, given how the OTF market has been for so long.
Plus one for the Kershaw. Very happy with mine…have a larger ultra tech and keep going to this as an EDC. Also,just pulled mine apart today to clean it…really easy to do so.
Great review! I agree with all the points you made, except I find the Microtech switch action too stiff, which is a personal preference. Thanks for including the link to my video in the description and, btw, I also posted another one specifically showing how much abuse the Livewire can take and how it functions in very adverse conditions.
Thank you! Big fan of your channel and I appreciate all the work you do to cut through the hype and other stuff around brands and get to the truth. I have watched a lot of your reviews before buying anything and it's always really helpful! I forgot to add the Livewire one here, very impressed it held up to the tree of doom! I'll have to add after work. Thanks again!
I have both and like the Livewire better the my Ultratech. Just got Axail Shift OTF Gen 3 MINT. I would like to see Axial vs Livewire. Micotech bad customer service, Kershaw will help you answer you ? and answer you on the phone. If you break the blade on Kershaw and if you used it the wrong way 25 bucks new blade. Glad I found this channel I just subscribed thank you for putting out good content. Great review !!!!!!!!
I have heard several people talk about Axial and it's generally nothing but good things, I just don't really have any experience with them. Thanks for the support and thanks for watching!
@@DXSharpening Axial is mint no blade play at all the Gen 3 and you email them or txt they will get back to you. I have/had good amount of Microtech's from authorized dealers had a problem with one and emailed them and left VM. I am still waiting for Microtech to contact me that was over 8 mouths ago Lol. Trust me look into Axial and Guardian Tactical for OTF. Besides Livewire which I love. Those other OTF are the best on the market besides Microtech and will not brake your wallet.
Awesome! Microtech has some awesome colors, I think their green and blue are the best but the purple and red are so tempting too... thanks for watching!
Hate the glass breaker, personally. Also, I prefer the pocket clip on the Livewire. Overall, I prefer my Livewire over my Ultratech. Especially factoring in the huge price gap. I got my Livewire for sub $200. It’s an absolute steal
@@MattKach1 I thought that too until I tried the guardian tactical scout. Much better knife for real work than the live wire for about 60 bucks more. Im returning the kershaw
Ultratech has discount programs that make it below $200. The glass breaker is an additional feature that doesn't have to be used. its there, but doesn't harm anything. Its actually an additional self defense feature as a non lethal pressure point also.
Your lucky! My Cypher 2 was dragging the edge on the lock plus was rusting brand new from the factory... I had to pay to send a brand new knife back? And they replaced the lock and blade but the grind is all funky, like they gave me a throwaway blade! Brand new $400 knife!?
I have both and IMO the Livewire is a vastly better EDC knife if you actually USE your OTF and it's not just a pocket toy. If you actually cut things and expect your OTF to perform as a cutting tool then the blade grind is way more slicy, the ergonomics and open/close action are way better and Kershaw heat their Magnacut very well. The Ultratech is stronger overall and if you really want to beat on an OTF that would be my choice (well, a Scarab is even better).
I think i would push back a little bit, I think the blade shape/grind are actually a little better on the ultratech... I refuse to pry anything with the livewire because the tip feels so fragile. Other than that I would agree with everything you said!
I collect OTF's but prefer a side opening automatics for EDC. The Livewire with the Ultem transparent side is pretty cool but I like the different blade options on the Ultratechs.
Fair enough, side opening autos have a lot of benefits too. I wish the ultratech had a blade shape similar to the livewire with a finer tip but still single edged with the ability to cut more easily. Thanks for watching!
Microtech's customer service is awesome. I send my in for sharpening often. On time I broken the tip off my troodon hell hound and they took it in and reprofiled the tip. It was rhe same look but it looked great. Highly recommend them. No worries about their customer service 10/10
Awesome to hear, thanks for sharing. It seems like in the past they have been a little slow getting things shipped back out, but in recent weeks people have shared nothing but glowing reviews of their experience with Microtech customer support which is great. Thanks for watching!
Things must have changed drastically. Microtech customer service used to be non existent for individuals....they were only interested in warranty work for dealers who bought hundreds of knives.
I like Microtech better but, Kershaw definitely has a better warranty (I've delt with both), they definitely have a better heat treatment, and not to mention the price!
The new Ultratech is definitely an improvement on the Gen 2 Ultratech but comparing it to this Livewire is not even close. The price difference is so substantial that it’s basically a personal preference. No one is going to regularly use one of these OTFs for tough work more than edc tasks. The livewire is a better knife for the money. The pocket clip, sturdy frame and new ZPT is for more high end knife folks. Having owned all, the livewire is a knife knife for edc and is way easier to deploy than the gen 2 ultratech.
What do you think of the Microtech torture videos of it being hammered straight through a 2 x 4 and hammered and sliced through a board and shot at with a bullet and not being damaged?
I haven't had any issues with it at all, but there are some that say it's very soft... plenty of videos on the subject I believe jist do a search for microtech steel hardness
They aren’t out yet - the Gen III’s are not zero blade play, the next Ultratech will be zero blade play and the existing Gen III’s will convert next year.
Most OTFs will have some wiggle in the blade, many of the higher end American made ones will all be similar in that regard. Some of the new Microtechs that will be released in the coming months will not though...
I think wearing gloves helps my finger to not slide off in slippery conditions, I don't think it's a major problem by any means but I certainly think it would be a minor improvement!
Got a livewire and it sucked balls. The blade wasn’t even close to as sharp as my Ultratech. Also, the price was right around the same as my Ultratech. I got it from bass pro shops.
Microtech can be bought with their discount program at the Kershaw price. And Benchmade OTF knives are twice as expensive and not as precision made as the Microtech. do you have any links or what to search for to see these microtech clones? I'd like to check those out.
@adamr8628 I've owned the clones for years. Wouldn't own any trash from anti second amendment Benchmade. Never owned or have even seen a microtech that wasn't sloppy loose. For years their customer service/warranty toward individual owners had an F minus rating. Now they're riding the coat tail of the deadlocks technology ....probably are gonna steal guardian tacticals button technology next. Lol
@@beekeeper8474 ha, thank you Have to say I cannot disagree with people saying I move my hands a lot and upon watching a few older videos I can't unsee it now and am trying to be a little better about it
I'm sure I'll piss off the loyalists here but Microtech OTFs are fucking trash. They make some good looking knives, but the most important part, the actions, are shit. Every damn one I've messed with or owned. I don't know how they are considered "the standard". the Livewire is insurmountably better and more refined.
I had a poor experience with one of kershaws cheaper models, but the auto series that's made in the USA is phenomenal... you definitely won't be disappointed with any of them!
I hear what you're saying. Although I really love my Zero Tolerance 0350 Tiger Stripe knife. that company is owned by kershaw, and it proves that they can make very high quality knives. I bought that ZT and an awesome Benchmade on the same day at a pawn shop for $15 each, like new! they didn't know what they had, and messed up on the price, and at the time each knife had a price of $250-300 in the reg stores. Not clones, the real deal.
The ultratech is coming out soon with ti pocket clip, dual fuel system and zero blade play making it about a million times better than the livewire and forget Axial, the blade grinding and edge are sloppy (I returned mine)… I believe the current old Ultratech is better than both as it is let alone when it revolutionizes the OTF world in a month or so.
I cannot believe I forgot to mention the zero blade play 🤦♂️ totally my bad. I am extremely excited for the next gen ultratech and it will certainly change the entire industry. Thanks for the reminded and thanks for watching!!
yeah can’t wait to add an extra digit to the price 😂
@WallachGaming only going to be ~$50 more is what they say... that would put it around $350-$400 which would change the entire industry
@@DXSharpening Hey, if they can pull that off, they'll definitely get my business. But it'll have to be a "believe it when I see it" from me, given how the OTF market has been for so long.
i’m super excited to spent 350-400 dollars to find out it has blade play
Plus one for the Kershaw. Very happy with mine…have a larger ultra tech and keep going to this as an EDC. Also,just pulled mine apart today to clean it…really easy to do so.
I got the livewire and it's by far the best knife I've ever bought.
Glad to hear it! Thanks for watching!
Great review! I agree with all the points you made, except I find the Microtech switch action too stiff, which is a personal preference. Thanks for including the link to my video in the description and, btw, I also posted another one specifically showing how much abuse the Livewire can take and how it functions in very adverse conditions.
Thank you! Big fan of your channel and I appreciate all the work you do to cut through the hype and other stuff around brands and get to the truth. I have watched a lot of your reviews before buying anything and it's always really helpful! I forgot to add the Livewire one here, very impressed it held up to the tree of doom! I'll have to add after work. Thanks again!
I have both and like the Livewire better the my Ultratech. Just got Axail Shift OTF Gen 3 MINT. I would like to see Axial vs Livewire. Micotech bad customer service, Kershaw will help you answer you ? and answer you on the phone. If you break the blade on Kershaw and if you used it the wrong way 25 bucks new blade. Glad I found this channel I just subscribed thank you for putting out good content. Great review !!!!!!!!
I have heard several people talk about Axial and it's generally nothing but good things, I just don't really have any experience with them. Thanks for the support and thanks for watching!
@@DXSharpening Axial is mint no blade play at all the Gen 3 and you email them or txt they will get back to you. I have/had good amount of Microtech's from authorized dealers had a problem with one and emailed them and left VM. I am still waiting for Microtech to contact me that was over 8 mouths ago Lol. Trust me look into Axial and Guardian Tactical for OTF. Besides Livewire which I love. Those other OTF are the best on the market besides Microtech and will not brake your wallet.
Sent in my Livewire. Fixed it no problem
I have both of these in the same colors but my utx is the dual blade. They are fun knives. Great review.
Awesome! Microtech has some awesome colors, I think their green and blue are the best but the purple and red are so tempting too... thanks for watching!
I have the new Ultratech ZBT and absolutely love it
Hate the glass breaker, personally. Also, I prefer the pocket clip on the Livewire. Overall, I prefer my Livewire over my Ultratech. Especially factoring in the huge price gap. I got my Livewire for sub $200. It’s an absolute steal
Definitely agree, thanks for watching!
@@MattKach1 I thought that too until I tried the guardian tactical scout. Much better knife for real work than the live wire for about 60 bucks more. Im returning the kershaw
Ultratech has discount programs that make it below $200. The glass breaker is an additional feature that doesn't have to be used. its there, but doesn't harm anything. Its actually an additional self defense feature as a non lethal pressure point also.
Your lucky! My Cypher 2 was dragging the edge on the lock plus was rusting brand new from the factory... I had to pay to send a brand new knife back? And they replaced the lock and blade but the grind is all funky, like they gave me a throwaway blade! Brand new $400 knife!?
I have both and IMO the Livewire is a vastly better EDC knife if you actually USE your OTF and it's not just a pocket toy. If you actually cut things and expect your OTF to perform as a cutting tool then the blade grind is way more slicy, the ergonomics and open/close action are way better and Kershaw heat their Magnacut very well. The Ultratech is stronger overall and if you really want to beat on an OTF that would be my choice (well, a Scarab is even better).
I think i would push back a little bit, I think the blade shape/grind are actually a little better on the ultratech... I refuse to pry anything with the livewire because the tip feels so fragile. Other than that I would agree with everything you said!
I collect OTF's but prefer a side opening automatics for EDC. The Livewire with the Ultem transparent side is pretty cool but I like the different blade options on the Ultratechs.
Fair enough, side opening autos have a lot of benefits too. I wish the ultratech had a blade shape similar to the livewire with a finer tip but still single edged with the ability to cut more easily. Thanks for watching!
The makora is honestly Gen 3 is a good looking knife for a collector
There are a tanto livewire as well. Really great knife.
For sure. Thanks for watching!
I have the 9000BLK mine hasnt squeaked at all. Im knocking on wood right now lol.
Microtech's customer service is awesome. I send my in for sharpening often. On time I broken the tip off my troodon hell hound and they took it in and reprofiled the tip. It was rhe same look but it looked great. Highly recommend them. No worries about their customer service 10/10
Awesome to hear, thanks for sharing. It seems like in the past they have been a little slow getting things shipped back out, but in recent weeks people have shared nothing but glowing reviews of their experience with Microtech customer support which is great. Thanks for watching!
Things must have changed drastically. Microtech customer service used to be non existent for individuals....they were only interested in warranty work for dealers who bought hundreds of knives.
Just had to mail my launch 12 back for new blade
I bought an Ultratech and would have bought another but it was too stiff for my dad to use. He loves the spyderco i got him.
Glad to hear it, thanks for watching!
I like Microtech better but, Kershaw definitely has a better warranty (I've delt with both), they definitely have a better heat treatment, and not to mention the price!
Microtech has heavy discounts, bringing the price about equal
The new Ultratech is definitely an improvement on the Gen 2 Ultratech but comparing it to this Livewire is not even close. The price difference is so substantial that it’s basically a personal preference. No one is going to regularly use one of these OTFs for tough work more than edc tasks. The livewire is a better knife for the money. The pocket clip, sturdy frame and new ZPT is for more high end knife folks. Having owned all, the livewire is a knife knife for edc and is way easier to deploy than the gen 2 ultratech.
What do you think of the Microtech torture videos of it being hammered straight through a 2 x 4 and hammered and sliced through a board and shot at with a bullet and not being damaged?
@ it’s not a bad knife but 99.9% of people will never do that to it
People say the m390 steel in the ultra tech stinks.
I haven't had any issues with it at all, but there are some that say it's very soft... plenty of videos on the subject I believe jist do a search for microtech steel hardness
They aren’t out yet - the Gen III’s are not zero blade play, the next Ultratech will be zero blade play and the existing Gen III’s will convert next year.
Correct sir, definitely looking forward to the release
The ease and smoothness of the Kershaw is why I'm in the market for one . Blows away the Benchmade. Better than Microtech.
Youre not alone in that, lots have switched over to thr Livewire!
Next time talk about the blades and how much they move or if they move at all…
Most OTFs will have some wiggle in the blade, many of the higher end American made ones will all be similar in that regard. Some of the new Microtechs that will be released in the coming months will not though...
@@DXSharpening typical microtech tagging along on their deadlock competitions idea. Microtech: the imitator never the innovator.
We r paying for the blade the function
Thanks for watching
Its nicer not having the window breaker and your normally not wearing gloves so you're fingers probably not gonna slip off the button.
I think wearing gloves helps my finger to not slide off in slippery conditions, I don't think it's a major problem by any means but I certainly think it would be a minor improvement!
@DXSharpening not if the gloves are loose fitting.
Got a livewire and it sucked balls. The blade wasn’t even close to as sharp as my Ultratech. Also, the price was right around the same as my Ultratech. I got it from bass pro shops.
I've only seen one at bass pro shops and it sold quick, sorry to hear you aren't a fan!
Yes, Microtech discount program also brings the price to equal of the Kershaw
I have microtech clones that are higher quality than the actual microtech and were about 10% of the outrageous microtech retail.
Microtech can be bought with their discount program at the Kershaw price. And Benchmade OTF knives are twice as expensive and not as precision made as the Microtech. do you have any links or what to search for to see these microtech clones? I'd like to check those out.
@adamr8628 I've owned the clones for years. Wouldn't own any trash from anti second amendment Benchmade. Never owned or have even seen a microtech that wasn't sloppy loose. For years their customer service/warranty toward individual owners had an F minus rating. Now they're riding the coat tail of the deadlocks technology ....probably are gonna steal guardian tacticals button technology next. Lol
Not even close, the Ultratech is the better knife and the revised one will surpass that.
Thanks for watching!
Kershaw pocket clip looks horrible
Not visually appealing and not super functional, but it's not as bad as people say it is!
Love mine…minimal, deep carry, and easy to get out. Doesn’t stand out when in the pocket. Great OTF.
Its tight and hard to use
Your review is to the point and comprehensive. Good job. But please, don't move your gloved hands around excessively as it's somewhat distracting.
Thanks for watching
@@DXSharpeningas an Italian, I don't think you emote enough 😂
@@beekeeper8474 ha, thank you
Have to say I cannot disagree with people saying I move my hands a lot and upon watching a few older videos I can't unsee it now and am trying to be a little better about it
I was just trying to figure out the point of the gloves. To look tacticool?
I'm sure I'll piss off the loyalists here but Microtech OTFs are fucking trash. They make some good looking knives, but the most important part, the actions, are shit. Every damn one I've messed with or owned. I don't know how they are considered "the standard". the Livewire is insurmountably better and more refined.
Kershaw has a bad name on my list because of the cheap gas station knives
I had a poor experience with one of kershaws cheaper models, but the auto series that's made in the USA is phenomenal... you definitely won't be disappointed with any of them!
I hear what you're saying. Although I really love my Zero Tolerance 0350 Tiger Stripe knife. that company is owned by kershaw, and it proves that they can make very high quality knives. I bought that ZT and an awesome Benchmade on the same day at a pawn shop for $15 each, like new! they didn't know what they had, and messed up on the price, and at the time each knife had a price of $250-300 in the reg stores. Not clones, the real deal.
I have been out of the knife world for years,Kershaw was trash last I knew, did they figger out how ta make knives recently....
Their whole auto series seems to be awesome and the livewire gets a lot of well deserved praise!
Illegal where I live.
China vs China, lol.
??
Made in the USA
Both are literally made in the USA 😂😂 go back to ur gas station knifes
Both American made
@@sjh100975 both USA made lol