Aaron, I love your videos, but I'm gonna have to disagree with some points in this one. Yes, price and legality are issues with OTFs, that's just the way it is right now. However, as far as reliability and utility are concerned, I have found that OTFs really stand out in these areas, especially for what I do. Allow me to explain. I've been carrying a Microtech Ultratech for almost a year now. I'm an M1A1 Abrams tank mechanic and my knives get DIRTY - oil, grease, mud, you name it, it gets all over everything while I'm working. Despite this, I've found that my Ultratech has only failed to deploy roughly once every few weeks. Since I fidget with it a lot in addition to working, that's probably close to a 1/1000 failure rate. And every time it fails to come out all the way I just flick my wrist hard and it locks open. Eventually the knife does reach a point where it's dirty enough that it stops deploying reliably and I have to take it apart to clean it. This tends to happen very suddenly, and has consistenly been every 2-3 months for me, which is LONGER than I get out of a regular folder. This is because there is almost no way for debris and gunk to enter an OTF, just a small hole for the blade that normally sits very well protected at the bottom of a pocket. This is something often overlooked with OTFs but it is a big advantage IMHO. As far as utility goes, the ease of deploying/retracting with a simple switch is a total game changer for me. Is it hard to open and close a normal folder? No, but it does take a very small level of dexterity. When my hands are cold, wet, greasy, when I'm bouncing around in a moving vehicle, when I have to use my left hand, or some combination of all of those is happening, anything at all that makes it easier/safer for me to use my knife suddenly becomes a big deal. People are going to misinterpret this so I say again, yes it is easy to open/close a normal folder, all I'm saying is that an OTF is just a little easier, and in many situations that I encounter that is a really big deal. In fact I would say that ease of use is the primary advantage of an OTF. Finally, OTFs are much stronger than most people realize. With a little searching you can find a video of a guy hammering a Combat Troodon into a 2x4, or a BladeHQ video where they baton an Ultratech, plus a few others random ones. In addition to that, if an OTF were to fail, there's no way for it to close on your fingers, further adding to its safety. The mechanism inside is really quite simple. Watch a disassembly video and you will find that it's basically just a switch, a spring, and two locks. Not a whole lot to go wrong, despite what it looks like from the outside. Apologies for the long winded explanation. This is not a personal attack on you or anything against your videos. I just wanted to provide a different point of view so that more people might consider and try out out these awesome knives. Looking forward to whatever is next from your channel!
@@cupcakebunnyprod I got the S/E but I consider the T/E to be just as good, really it's almost identical. The bayonet and dagger blades are cool, especially the half serrated ones, but the tips are too thin for a work knife that gets used for "non-ideal tasks" sometimes...
I would like to add to this comment. I've found that Microtech's recommended way of cleaning the OTFs actually works better than a full disassembly, and you don't have to deal with stupid propietary fasteners with this method. All you do is take some rem oil, wd-40, kroil, etc, and completely hose down the knife. Retract the blade into the handle and literally fill it with oil until it comes out the top. Then, deploy the knife and wipe it off over and over again until there's no longer an excessive amount of oil. If the knife is extremely dirty, you may want to try rubbing alcohol or acetone first, then some kind of oil. This method is far simpler and it has worked every time for me.
I’ve got an H&K Turmoil (built by Hogue). I’ve carried it almost every day for the past 4 years. I’ve never had a failure to deploy. I work in construction and have put mine to fairly rough use. I agree with what you said completely. Even one of the $30 - $40 Lightning OTF’s can be pretty damn reliable with proper attention and care. I know that for a fact because I’ve got one. I bought it as a beater knife and I’m actually impressed with it. If you want a 100% reliable knife that will never fail at all to deploy, get a fixed blade. My opinion though, is to buy an OTF for around $200 or so. Treat it like a cutting tool, not a pry bar. When it gets dirty and you notice that it’s starting to drag. Flush it out with lighter fluid. Then use a heavy coat of high quality gun oil on the blade. Then work the blade in and out a few times to spread the oil around the mechanism. It will eventually creep into all the nooks and crannies inside. That’s pretty much all I’ve ever done to my knife and it still operates like new. I’ve never taken it apart. If they are legal to carry in your state, there is no reason a guy shouldn’t have an OTF if he wants one. But like all things, a guy needs to generally know how one works and how to care for it.
My first OTF was a $30 Lightning OTF..it is literally been fired tens of thousands of times and has never misfired..I use it everyday as a work knife and it has held up surprisingly well..I have much nicer higher quality knives in my collection (OTFs included) but the Lightning is a perfect work knife 1)it’s only $30 so I really won’t be out much if it breaks,if I lose it or if it is stolen 2)it is surprisingly durable 3)one handed operation..It’s certainly not the best knife to show off although many people are gonna still think it’s awesome because it’s a OTF...lol..it’s a far cry from a Microtech it’s really not fair to compare a $30 knife to a $300+ knife but with that being said,I refuse to bring any of my higher end knives to work to beat up and possibly lose
My f 16 is the only OTf I’ve bought that always fires. I have a Kershaw live wire that sucks balls. And a Microtech that sucks asshole juices. But the alc is better. Just wish they would make them with better blade steel. I’d pay 500 for a alc in m4 or elmax
My reason that they suck, is because , once you buy one, you are definitely going to want more. I handled one about a month ago , since then I've bought 7 . None less than $250. 00. They are like crack !!!
@@EroticOnion23 how often are you expecting someone to need it for defense? Daily? Hourly? Defense is a last ditch utility use of a knife, not every time someone cuts you off in traffic. Are you not going to clean blood off a knife if it's a fixed blade? Just cause it's inconvenient? Sure blood in the mechanism is inconvenient and would have to be cleaned. A knife's utility as a defensive tool is not negated because you're lazy. It's still a viable last ditch option. I'm not walking around with an 8 chef's knife in my pocket because I'm worried blood might get into a folder.
@@JustinGoldsmithperhaps often during say shtf (i.e. even just skinning a rabbit, etc.), and maintenance would be less than optimal too... Any half-wit can completely clean/maintain a fix-blade or a swing-open in mere seconds, without tools. And nothing really to replace. On an automatic at minimum the springs will need to be replaced depending on level of use...and 99% of people I'd reckon have no clue how a automatic knife mechanism works or parts/service needed. I have OTFs for the tacticool factor, but my main will always be flip-open knives. In a live or die situation, the less complex and more dependable the better.
I would say go with microtech. Also if the blade falls off the track, you can just pull the blade forward and it pops back in place. No need to send it in. Great video
I've had horrible experiences with microtech. I sent mine back for an issue. 9 YEARS later... yup 9 years I got it back. They lost it when they filed for bankruptcy. They found it during a move and sent it back.. it was fixed, but I didn't even get a fucking hey sorry about keeping your 350 dollar knife for 9 years... not even a fucking sticker. Nothing
that's with every otf knife Kershaw livewire wire too and that's cheaper than ultratech me I got 3 ultra tech and 1 livewire 😂😂😂😂 im addicted I might asdd another livewire since I scratched mine dropping it while trying to play around 😂😂😂
What about cobratec? They start out at like 50$ with D2 steel. Made in Texas. I don't like how if you're cutting something hard the blade can get stuck and stress the springs
I have a guardian tactical recon that I bought a few months ago and it has not failed me one bit! I play with it every time I use it and I use it alot. As long as you take care of your things, they will last. The recon in my opinion is one of, if not the best otf's on the market today! Worth every penny!
They are legal here in Illinois. Yes, autos are now legal in the People's Democratic Republic of Illinois......IF you are carrying your state issued FOID card. But you gotta have one for a gun anyway so no biggie.
Which really kind of pissed me off when my wife and I visited Shit-cago a couple months ago. Autos of all kinds are legal in my state (except for double-edged OTF knives, which you can own but not carry), and I carry one on a regular basis. It is a tool, and nothing more. But the commies running Illinois somehow think it's somehow more dangerous than any other knife. Of course, they also won't recognize my CPL issued by my own state, which is ALSO stupid...
I have used my MicroTech OTF everyday for a couple of years. It is ridiculously convenient to be able to deploy and retract the blade with a single hand easily with out trying to manipulate a flipper.
The reason a lot of knife springs prematurely fail is because people sit there and fidget with them all day and cause excessive wear and tear on the springs unnecessarily. If you open and close it 50 times a day just in playing with it, that is 1500 actuations a month. So yeah i can see why people have to send them back in after a few months for repairs.
My Microtech has never malfunctioned and my Benchmade made HK termoil only did once after it was submerged. I may be wrong but you got a really random issue on that knife. I’d also have added that it’s not gonna be a hard user like a cold steel triad (if I spelled that right) lock.
Looks like a fun tool to play with, but expensive for what you get. Also, the handles seem to be bulky... But if you like them, that's all that counts.
It can do something other folders and automatic knives can’t do. True one handed operation. It’s just an added convenience. Get a Cobratec. They have a decent price and a lifetime warranty.
I’ve done some light batoning and some serious prying with my microtech utx 85 and it still works great! And has M390 steel! Cant pry or baton with a folder without creating blade play. That’s the big thing that an OTF can do that I dont do with a folder. But good video!
Saying you can't pry or baton as good with a folder is ridiculous. Not that you should be doing that with any knife in the first place but there are tons of videos where folders are put through hard use tests and some of them might as well be fixed blades once they lock open and you don't have to spend much to get one. I mean $90 will get you what's probably the strongest lock of any knife but for $35 to $150 or so you've got endless combinations of very strong locks and super steel blades. You'd probably have to get into the SEVERAL hundred dollar range or even thousands to get an OTF with the same blade steels, handle materials, and lock up that some of the low priced folders have. Your knife knowledge is obviously limited and shame on you for spreading false information.. But it is hilarious picturing some guy headed into the woods and deciding to grab an OTF because you might need to baton or pry.
I've used my lightning for a lot of stuff around the house. Especially if I have to use a ladder. 30 bucks. Only thing I don't really like is the chisel grind. About 6 or 7 years no real problem.
Quite possible to make one with a Carson flipper to deploy the blade and a sufficiently wide handle or narrow blade to prevent contact with the edges when closed.
Everything is legal here in Texas. I have 4 OTFs. Two stilettos, one swinguard, a shell puller, a Benchmade 42 balisong, a buck 110 auto. I have them all in a box on my nightstand and I just grab one on my way out the door. I don't understand the legality aspect. I can deploy my old timer lock back with one thumb as easy as an automatic. And especially with assisted it's a defunct point.
Your videos are top notch. Its 2024 and times have changed. I also live in Colorado east of Colorado Springs. I've recently purchased an automatic and an OTF knife from an Italian company named AKC. Of course, the knives are actually made in China. These knives are well made, and their fit and finish are very good. The knife steel is AUS-8 and 440C. Not the best steels, but good enough. The knife scales are anodized aluminum. I only paid about $50 for each knife, so I'm not afraid to take the knives apart to repair them. I bought them so I can take them apart and build my own knives using better materials. I've actually made several knives using my forge, anvil and heat treat oven.
I’m about to move to america and an otf will be my first knife I’m about to buy because I can’t have them in germany and they just so cool and fun 😄🤗 It’s gonna be a microtech 🤠 Thank you for your opinion 😃
Very nice video. There is one third reason why they're great though, and I'm surprised that it didn't come up. They're great for situations where you're holding something in one hand and you need to cut it with the other. Since the deployment mechanism operates off a single switch, you can extend the blade, use the knife, and retract it, all without having to really think about what you're doing with your thumb, which makes it much easier to focus on the object in your other hand. I've used it to cut ropes and retape boxes several times because of that. I kinda wish I had one back in college, as it would have made manufacturing some of my research components easier for that same reason, but, as you mentioned, they are expensive.
I keep an Ultratech in my mountain biking pack. I crash fairly often and I worry that a regular folder might open up and stab me in the back, or worse. I feel a lot more comfortable with a quality OTF in the bag instead. That's just one use case I think is appropriate for this type of knife. I occasionally EDC an Ultratech as well, but it certainly isn't as reliable as a regular folder. Every once in a while mine will fail to deploy. It's easy to just grab the blade and give it a tug to lock it into position, but this is not something I'd want to deal with if I needed the knife in a crisis. For what it's worth I've owned a dozen different brands of OTF knives and the only ones I've kept are Microtech. They are the most reliable, highest quality and most consistent that I've owned. The Ultratech in particular fits my hand well and the action is easy to manipulate. Lastly, I'd like to point out that the blade has very little force when it "shoots out" - people worry that it will stab you as it extends, but it will barely make it through a single sheet of paper held right at the opening. So for example if you put your hand over the knife and opened it, the blade would stop instantly, not go through your hand like many folks may think. Thanks for another great video. Take care.
I have a UTX85 Tanto that I edc and use multiple times a day. Only have to keep it clean and oiled. I did poke myself pretty good at a dinner one time. I want a Dirac Delta, or Tanto Combat Troodon next.
My main concerns with these, and I have no idea because my state doesn't allow you to carry them, is how safe are they to carry in your pocket? I'd worry about it opening if I bumped the switch or something. Also how durable are they? I feel like the mechanism would be fairly fragile so any kind of prying or heavy use would not be recommended.
Impossible for it to open in your pocket unless you put a lot of pressure on the switch somehow. Plus, even if it does go off somehow, it will de-rail and will not go through your leg, maybe a little poke; they’re very safe to carry.
On an OTF (barring a Halo style knife). You are the primary spring force. It physicaly cannot fire in your pocket, they take a decent amount of effort to deploy. As for durability watch Ray at Microtech torture test those knives.
In California it's legal to own any knife and it's legal to carry almost any one as well. None the less double action otfs are still illegal to carry. Single actions with the blade actuator attached to the blade are legal just like a box cutter
I know there is a organization for knife people and they lobby for realistic modern knife laws (kinda nra for knives) but I can't remember who it is and searching the net is not working, do you or anyone here that follows you know the name of the organization? I want to get involved with them and try to get NM's knife laws changed.
I want to get a Marfione/Microtech beard comb ppb account OTF knives being banned where I live. I don't even have a beard, but it's still a cool thing and will be great for playing with.
I'm just up the road from you and yea--since they legalized auto's here I have gotten a few LOL. I have 2 OTF's and found some for the 100 dollar range at the Tanner Gun Show--USA made. I really didn't need one but I had to get at least one for the cool factor since I can--I don't really use it because I have way better knives but it's fun to keep in my desk drawer and just play with it every once in a while
It’s a $300 FIDGET toy that cuts. I’ve always wondered how strong OTF knives are. I wonder what the guts look like too? Are there any good dissecting videos for these knives?
Sergio TheG I did that today and was surprised to see that these are just cheaply made spring loaded utility knives. I wouldn’t pay more than 20 bucks for most of them. The blades are small and basic. It’s a gimmicky fidget toy. But, I suppose it’s as good as any other folding pocket knife. Leave the big jobs for the fixed blades.
I drive a taxi at night So there’s always that danger of being robbed or just shot, (That has happened to me, guy came out of club, shot into my vehicle killing one person and wounding two others, but that’s another story) So I carry two OTF’s , one in each front pocket because that’s where my wallet is and my cash in the other front pocket . The way I see it, it’s better to have them than not. And you can get good ones for just under a hundred dollars
I got a microtech ripoff for $45 on dhgate and it is so much higher quality than any $45 knife I’ve ever owned. If anyone is interested in OTF but the price turns you away I would highly consider that route. I’ve been fiddling with it for weeks and haven’t had a single issue. Sharpened it and tightened the screws after I got it and it’s been a dream. Surprisingly smooth. Probably 80% of what the real ones are like for 1/5 the price. After a sharpen and letting it get broken in a bit I couldn’t tell the difference unless I had them side by side.
Benchmade as a whole is NOT what it used to be. I've paid enough money in shipping back knives (and travel to the dealer since they were autos).....to buy several top end blades.....like Hinderers or the like. I have three BMs left in my collection....and if I could get a good offer on them I'd let them go in a minute..... Presidio 2 Auto, CF Elite, and a BO 535GRY-1..... Once I get rid of them I'll never have another.... It'll be Spyderco, Kershaw, Cold Steel, Zero Tolerance, and Hogue...... No more butterfly tax for this white boy.
You need to try a Microtech Combat Troodon. It will change your life. I see folks mentioning problems with Microtech customer service in the past. In the pat year they’ve really turned it around and are doing well. Anyone that got burned in the past should revisit. A fun inexpensive otf is the Lightening. The are made in Taiwan, but I’ve clicked mine thousands and thousands and thousands of times and it’s never failed. They run $30-40. They are a great gateway into the otf world. The AFC F16 is also a good entry otf. They are addictive. You’ve been warned.
How is access ability not on a here as a reason to buy one? For self defense, what better knife can you buy? If someone bear hugs you or you're semi trapped in a car wreck. This style knife can save your life! It only needs the length of the blade and 3 fingers to open. I carry a double edged microtech. I think it 100 percent worth the money to own at least one QUALITY otf.
You can buy a very decent quality OTF for $50 - its the F-16 FANTASY OTF. Spent $500 on a Microtech and lost it so will go for the F-16 FANTASY OTF next
I got livewire and ultratech literally impossible to be lost unless someone killed me and looted them 😂😂 idk I've even skateboarded with them on my pants And still in them but clipping it is better than just pocketing it plus less flint gets in knife because it's not in pocket
Holy shit man, I was watching one of your vids and I was looking at your backyard thinking how much it looks like just about any backyard in Colorado. Are you in the Springs?
The Pheaton and the Hadron is the exact same knife, literally the same design, from when Benchmade manufactured H&K knives. And now Boker is coming with there version of the same knife
Zax Garrison the profile of the blade is very similar. But hogue picked up the hK name. Now it is hogue parts and design and hogue is making the boker otf as well.
I had a microtech ultratech break and fail after about a month I just got mad and threw it away! Too many working parts. I went fixed blade with a couple of awesome knives like a WINKLER belt knife, and a Dynamis alliance Revere ( made by WINKLER) , and a TOOR darter in Ranger Green.
None of the cons are truly valid points. You missed the most important pro of the otf - fast deployment. Also they are tons of US made good otfs under $150 on the market, and even the higher end Microtech are not that bad price wise, they are in par with the same blade length midtechs if not cheaper.
It seems like you might have exagerated the negatives a bit - although I know this video is now 5 years old. OTF knives come off track from time to time. Just pull on the blade to get it back on track. There are a lot of cheap OTF's out there now - some are pretty decent. As far as cleaning - man I clean all my blades off before I put them away anyway. I don't want to stick a gunked up fixed blade back in a sheath - same with a folder.
The 5 bad things outweigh the 2 good things, and the 2 good things are not of much importance. These knives serve no practical daily use especially food prep, they are designed as a weapon for self-defense and a fad and curiosity for those who like to fidget and play around with an OTF.I will never buy one for these reasons and the 5 mentioned here I will stick with my Spyderco folders which serve me well for many practical real-world use.
My “needs” as as knife buyer were over years ago, maybe 40 knives ago!! I live in rural upstate New York as far from NYC as it gets, still NYS law says NO to the OTF, not to mention a magazine over 10….thanks you Albany…..not. Truthfully an OTF to me is just a category to check off on my knife hobby list which is all the rationale I require. I have autos and think they are a good EDC, so are all of my other knives, the laws are ridiculous and prevent little of what those who support that perspective hope to achieve, like firearm laws these only people who are controlled by the laws are citizens who are law abiding to begin with, the criminal will find and use anything legal or not. The OTF’s I see online seem cool and fun to fidget with, so naturally I will one day have one but, the blade shapes and general ergos of the standard OTF look less functional for many knife tasks I come across as an outdoorsman, hell my $40.00 Rat1 is probably a better user, which brings up the cost!!!! Ouch. I know there are “cheap OTFs” and not . Of course I would prefer the higher quality but for the functionality of the OTF at that higher price point is hard to justify for me unless I was some sort of combat pro or a gang banger, even then a knife is at best a secondary line of defense and a good old fixed blade or any old auto or just pick almost any cold steel model. I will gladly spend a hundred bucks on an OTF just so I can push that button, but that’s as much as I’d go for my curiosity.
I have a cheap $80 Cobrateck, three years with no issues. I want to buy a Microtech but my Cobrateck hasn’t failed and looks good with all the paint fade and scratches.
Aaron, I love your videos, but I'm gonna have to disagree with some points in this one. Yes, price and legality are issues with OTFs, that's just the way it is right now. However, as far as reliability and utility are concerned, I have found that OTFs really stand out in these areas, especially for what I do. Allow me to explain.
I've been carrying a Microtech Ultratech for almost a year now. I'm an M1A1 Abrams tank mechanic and my knives get DIRTY - oil, grease, mud, you name it, it gets all over everything while I'm working. Despite this, I've found that my Ultratech has only failed to deploy roughly once every few weeks. Since I fidget with it a lot in addition to working, that's probably close to a 1/1000 failure rate. And every time it fails to come out all the way I just flick my wrist hard and it locks open. Eventually the knife does reach a point where it's dirty enough that it stops deploying reliably and I have to take it apart to clean it. This tends to happen very suddenly, and has consistenly been every 2-3 months for me, which is LONGER than I get out of a regular folder. This is because there is almost no way for debris and gunk to enter an OTF, just a small hole for the blade that normally sits very well protected at the bottom of a pocket. This is something often overlooked with OTFs but it is a big advantage IMHO.
As far as utility goes, the ease of deploying/retracting with a simple switch is a total game changer for me. Is it hard to open and close a normal folder? No, but it does take a very small level of dexterity. When my hands are cold, wet, greasy, when I'm bouncing around in a moving vehicle, when I have to use my left hand, or some combination of all of those is happening, anything at all that makes it easier/safer for me to use my knife suddenly becomes a big deal. People are going to misinterpret this so I say again, yes it is easy to open/close a normal folder, all I'm saying is that an OTF is just a little easier, and in many situations that I encounter that is a really big deal. In fact I would say that ease of use is the primary advantage of an OTF.
Finally, OTFs are much stronger than most people realize. With a little searching you can find a video of a guy hammering a Combat Troodon into a 2x4, or a BladeHQ video where they baton an Ultratech, plus a few others random ones. In addition to that, if an OTF were to fail, there's no way for it to close on your fingers, further adding to its safety. The mechanism inside is really quite simple. Watch a disassembly video and you will find that it's basically just a switch, a spring, and two locks. Not a whole lot to go wrong, despite what it looks like from the outside.
Apologies for the long winded explanation. This is not a personal attack on you or anything against your videos. I just wanted to provide a different point of view so that more people might consider and try out out these awesome knives. Looking forward to whatever is next from your channel!
You're not helping me save my money and not buy and Ultratech. :P Which blade profile did you go for?
@@cupcakebunnyprod I got the S/E but I consider the T/E to be just as good, really it's almost identical. The bayonet and dagger blades are cool, especially the half serrated ones, but the tips are too thin for a work knife that gets used for "non-ideal tasks" sometimes...
I would like to add to this comment. I've found that Microtech's recommended way of cleaning the OTFs actually works better than a full disassembly, and you don't have to deal with stupid propietary fasteners with this method. All you do is take some rem oil, wd-40, kroil, etc, and completely hose down the knife. Retract the blade into the handle and literally fill it with oil until it comes out the top. Then, deploy the knife and wipe it off over and over again until there's no longer an excessive amount of oil. If the knife is extremely dirty, you may want to try rubbing alcohol or acetone first, then some kind of oil. This method is far simpler and it has worked every time for me.
I’ve got an H&K Turmoil (built by Hogue). I’ve carried it almost every day for the past 4 years. I’ve never had a failure to deploy. I work in construction and have put mine to fairly rough use. I agree with what you said completely. Even one of the $30 - $40 Lightning OTF’s can be pretty damn reliable with proper attention and care. I know that for a fact because I’ve got one. I bought it as a beater knife and I’m actually impressed with it. If you want a 100% reliable knife that will never fail at all to deploy, get a fixed blade. My opinion though, is to buy an OTF for around $200 or so. Treat it like a cutting tool, not a pry bar. When it gets dirty and you notice that it’s starting to drag. Flush it out with lighter fluid. Then use a heavy coat of high quality gun oil on the blade. Then work the blade in and out a few times to spread the oil around the mechanism. It will eventually creep into all the nooks and crannies inside. That’s pretty much all I’ve ever done to my knife and it still operates like new. I’ve never taken it apart. If they are legal to carry in your state, there is no reason a guy shouldn’t have an OTF if he wants one. But like all things, a guy needs to generally know how one works and how to care for it.
Matt Healey I cant believe Aaron didn't comment back...
Got a Lightning for $25. Cheap as heck in all ways possible but satisfies the "need to click" without blowing the kids' college fund.
Thank you!
Living in Florida, it's crazy to hear about a knife being Illegal. Just got a Krate ghost
My first OTF was a $30 Lightning OTF..it is literally been fired tens of thousands of times and has never misfired..I use it everyday as a work knife and it has held up surprisingly well..I have much nicer higher quality knives in my collection (OTFs included) but the Lightning is a perfect work knife 1)it’s only $30 so I really won’t be out much if it breaks,if I lose it or if it is stolen 2)it is surprisingly durable 3)one handed operation..It’s certainly not the best knife to show off although many people are gonna still think it’s awesome because it’s a OTF...lol..it’s a far cry from a Microtech it’s really not fair to compare a $30 knife to a $300+ knife but with that being said,I refuse to bring any of my higher end knives to work to beat up and possibly lose
Akc makes good inexpensive otf’s. So does Lightning.
My f 16 is the only OTf I’ve bought that always fires. I have a Kershaw live wire that sucks balls. And a Microtech that sucks asshole juices. But the alc is better. Just wish they would make them with better blade steel. I’d pay 500 for a alc in m4 or elmax
with any kind of folder, you would wipe off the blade when folding it back in.
My reason that they suck, is because , once you buy one, you are definitely going to want more. I handled one about a month ago , since then I've bought 7 . None less than $250. 00. They are like crack !!!
Fixed blades should be used for food prep or any other "wet'" work. Flippers and OTFs are your utility/defense knives.
Defense?? What if blood gets into the mechanism??...gonna be a pain to disassemble every time...🤔
@@EroticOnion23 how often are you expecting someone to need it for defense? Daily? Hourly? Defense is a last ditch utility use of a knife, not every time someone cuts you off in traffic. Are you not going to clean blood off a knife if it's a fixed blade? Just cause it's inconvenient?
Sure blood in the mechanism is inconvenient and would have to be cleaned. A knife's utility as a defensive tool is not negated because you're lazy. It's still a viable last ditch option. I'm not walking around with an 8 chef's knife in my pocket because I'm worried blood might get into a folder.
@@JustinGoldsmithperhaps often during say shtf (i.e. even just skinning a rabbit, etc.), and maintenance would be less than optimal too...
Any half-wit can completely clean/maintain a fix-blade or a swing-open in mere seconds, without tools. And nothing really to replace. On an automatic at minimum the springs will need to be replaced depending on level of use...and 99% of people I'd reckon have no clue how a automatic knife mechanism works or parts/service needed.
I have OTFs for the tacticool factor, but my main will always be flip-open knives. In a live or die situation, the less complex and more dependable the better.
So nice of the ruling class to"allow " rights for the peasants.
Is there justice in the system or is it just us in the system ?
ronnie .poop
My state is the most knife friendly state in the U.S. You can't find a knife law in my state. Virtually no gun laws either 👍. LIVE FREE OR DIE !
I would say go with microtech. Also if the blade falls off the track, you can just pull the blade forward and it pops back in place. No need to send it in. Great video
ApexEDC 88 it would not fully deploy
I've had horrible experiences with microtech. I sent mine back for an issue. 9 YEARS later... yup 9 years I got it back. They lost it when they filed for bankruptcy. They found it during a move and sent it back.. it was fixed, but I didn't even get a fucking hey sorry about keeping your 350 dollar knife for 9 years... not even a fucking sticker. Nothing
that's with every otf knife Kershaw livewire wire too and that's cheaper than ultratech me I got 3 ultra tech and 1 livewire 😂😂😂😂 im addicted I might asdd another livewire since I scratched mine dropping it while trying to play around 😂😂😂
What about cobratec? They start out at like 50$ with D2 steel. Made in Texas.
I don't like how if you're cutting something hard the blade can get stuck and stress the springs
I have a guardian tactical recon that I bought a few months ago and it has not failed me one bit! I play with it every time I use it and I use it alot. As long as you take care of your things, they will last. The recon in my opinion is one of, if not the best otf's on the market today! Worth every penny!
That's gonna be my next. I just purchased a microtech combat trooden and love it.
knife laws are just as dumb as gun laws. I drive over imaginary lines to get my good knives.
They are legal here in Illinois. Yes, autos are now legal in the People's Democratic Republic of Illinois......IF you are carrying your state issued FOID card. But you gotta have one for a gun anyway so no biggie.
Which really kind of pissed me off when my wife and I visited Shit-cago a couple months ago. Autos of all kinds are legal in my state (except for double-edged OTF knives, which you can own but not carry), and I carry one on a regular basis. It is a tool, and nothing more. But the commies running Illinois somehow think it's somehow more dangerous than any other knife. Of course, they also won't recognize my CPL issued by my own state, which is ALSO stupid...
I have used my MicroTech OTF everyday for a couple of years. It is ridiculously convenient to be able to deploy and retract the blade with a single hand easily with out trying to manipulate a flipper.
To fix a otf off the track is pull the blade all the way out until it clicks then it should work fine
Otf for your OCD. That's an expensive fidget spinner 😀
The reason a lot of knife springs prematurely fail is because people sit there and fidget with them all day and cause excessive wear and tear on the springs unnecessarily. If you open and close it 50 times a day just in playing with it, that is 1500 actuations a month. So yeah i can see why people have to send them back in after a few months for repairs.
My Microtech has never malfunctioned and my Benchmade made HK termoil only did once after it was submerged. I may be wrong but you got a really random issue on that knife. I’d also have added that it’s not gonna be a hard user like a cold steel triad (if I spelled that right) lock.
Looks like a fun tool to play with, but expensive for what you get. Also, the handles seem to be bulky... But if you like them, that's all that counts.
It can do something other folders and automatic knives can’t do. True one handed operation. It’s just an added convenience. Get a Cobratec. They have a decent price and a lifetime warranty.
I'm getting an OTF because they can be a double edged pocket knife. Full serration and straight edge in one knife. It's also fast and easy deployment.
I’ve done some light batoning and some serious prying with my microtech utx 85 and it still works great! And has M390 steel! Cant pry or baton with a folder without creating blade play. That’s the big thing that an OTF can do that I dont do with a folder. But good video!
Saying you can't pry or baton as good with a folder is ridiculous. Not that you should be doing that with any knife in the first place but there are tons of videos where folders are put through hard use tests and some of them might as well be fixed blades once they lock open and you don't have to spend much to get one. I mean $90 will get you what's probably the strongest lock of any knife but for $35 to $150 or so you've got endless combinations of very strong locks and super steel blades. You'd probably have to get into the SEVERAL hundred dollar range or even thousands to get an OTF with the same blade steels, handle materials, and lock up that some of the low priced folders have. Your knife knowledge is obviously limited and shame on you for spreading false information.. But it is hilarious picturing some guy headed into the woods and deciding to grab an OTF because you might need to baton or pry.
I own a microtech Dirac and I love it you do need to keep all otfs clean and oiled you won't regret buying one or two.
I've used my lightning for a lot of stuff around the house. Especially if I have to use a ladder. 30 bucks. Only thing I don't really like is the chisel grind. About 6 or 7 years no real problem.
Really wish my state wasn't behind the times and would allow us to legally carry autos and OTFs. Someday maybe...
I believe Virginia is about to legalize auto knives. SB758
OTF allows for a spear double edge, that's not possible with any other folder.
Quite possible to make one with a Carson flipper to deploy the blade and a sufficiently wide handle or narrow blade to prevent contact with the edges when closed.
Everything is legal here in Texas. I have 4 OTFs. Two stilettos, one swinguard, a shell puller, a Benchmade 42 balisong, a buck 110 auto. I have them all in a box on my nightstand and I just grab one on my way out the door. I don't understand the legality aspect. I can deploy my old timer lock back with one thumb as easy as an automatic. And especially with assisted it's a defunct point.
Your videos are top notch. Its 2024 and times have changed. I also live in Colorado east of Colorado Springs. I've recently purchased an automatic and an OTF knife from an Italian company named AKC. Of course, the knives are actually made in China. These knives are well made, and their fit and finish are very good. The knife steel is AUS-8 and 440C. Not the best steels, but good enough. The knife scales are anodized aluminum. I only paid about $50 for each knife, so I'm not afraid to take the knives apart to repair them. I bought them so I can take them apart and build my own knives using better materials. I've actually made several knives using my forge, anvil and heat treat oven.
I’m about to move to america and an otf will be my first knife I’m about to buy because I can’t have them in germany and they just so cool and fun 😄🤗 It’s gonna be a microtech 🤠 Thank you for your opinion 😃
Very nice video.
There is one third reason why they're great though, and I'm surprised that it didn't come up. They're great for situations where you're holding something in one hand and you need to cut it with the other. Since the deployment mechanism operates off a single switch, you can extend the blade, use the knife, and retract it, all without having to really think about what you're doing with your thumb, which makes it much easier to focus on the object in your other hand. I've used it to cut ropes and retape boxes several times because of that. I kinda wish I had one back in college, as it would have made manufacturing some of my research components easier for that same reason, but, as you mentioned, they are expensive.
I keep an Ultratech in my mountain biking pack. I crash fairly often and I worry that a regular folder might open up and stab me in the back, or worse. I feel a lot more comfortable with a quality OTF in the bag instead. That's just one use case I think is appropriate for this type of knife. I occasionally EDC an Ultratech as well, but it certainly isn't as reliable as a regular folder. Every once in a while mine will fail to deploy. It's easy to just grab the blade and give it a tug to lock it into position, but this is not something I'd want to deal with if I needed the knife in a crisis. For what it's worth I've owned a dozen different brands of OTF knives and the only ones I've kept are Microtech. They are the most reliable, highest quality and most consistent that I've owned. The Ultratech in particular fits my hand well and the action is easy to manipulate. Lastly, I'd like to point out that the blade has very little force when it "shoots out" - people worry that it will stab you as it extends, but it will barely make it through a single sheet of paper held right at the opening. So for example if you put your hand over the knife and opened it, the blade would stop instantly, not go through your hand like many folks may think. Thanks for another great video. Take care.
I got a Microtech UTX-85 in M390. Haven’t had issues thus far.
I have a UTX85 Tanto that I edc and use multiple times a day.
Only have to keep it clean and oiled.
I did poke myself pretty good at a dinner one time.
I want a Dirac Delta, or Tanto Combat Troodon next.
Michigan recently legalized them.
My main concerns with these, and I have no idea because my state doesn't allow you to carry them, is how safe are they to carry in your pocket? I'd worry about it opening if I bumped the switch or something. Also how durable are they? I feel like the mechanism would be fairly fragile so any kind of prying or heavy use would not be recommended.
Impossible for it to open in your pocket unless you put a lot of pressure on the switch somehow. Plus, even if it does go off somehow, it will de-rail and will not go through your leg, maybe a little poke; they’re very safe to carry.
On an OTF (barring a Halo style knife).
You are the primary spring force.
It physicaly cannot fire in your pocket, they take a decent amount of effort to deploy.
As for durability watch Ray at Microtech torture test those knives.
Even if the lock fail it ain't gonna close on your fingers, thats what I like about OTFs.
First time Alabama has been called "Progressive" 🤣
In California it's legal to own any knife and it's legal to carry almost any one as well. None the less double action otfs are still illegal to carry. Single actions with the blade actuator attached to the blade are legal just like a box cutter
I know there is a organization for knife people and they lobby for realistic modern knife laws (kinda nra for knives) but I can't remember who it is and searching the net is not working, do you or anyone here that follows you know the name of the organization? I want to get involved with them and try to get NM's knife laws changed.
Knife Rights. They are awesome people.
Hey man, how do you store your fixed bladed knives?
Makes you feel like John Wick watch out for common with his fix blade
Any tips on OTF safety?
I cringed @ 2:17.
Awesome video, btw.
I’m in the market for my first OTF.
I want to get a Marfione/Microtech beard comb ppb account OTF knives being banned where I live. I don't even have a beard, but it's still a cool thing and will be great for playing with.
Hey remember You can't baton with them, not every knife is built for Bushcraft, some are built to use to eradicate an enemy
I'm just up the road from you and yea--since they legalized auto's here I have gotten a few LOL. I have 2 OTF's and found some for the 100 dollar range at the Tanner Gun Show--USA made. I really didn't need one but I had to get at least one for the cool factor since I can--I don't really use it because I have way better knives but it's fun to keep in my desk drawer and just play with it every once in a while
My coworkers get mad at me all the time at work cause of messing with my otf.
They are illegal in most places to carry. I'll stick with my ZT or Emerson.
If by "illegal in most places" you mean "legal in most of the US" then you are correct
It’s a $300 FIDGET toy that cuts. I’ve always wondered how strong OTF knives are. I wonder what the guts look like too? Are there any good dissecting videos for these knives?
If you search it on youtube you will find hundreds of videos...
Sergio TheG I did that today and was surprised to see that these are just cheaply made spring loaded utility knives. I wouldn’t pay more than 20 bucks for most of them. The blades are small and basic. It’s a gimmicky fidget toy. But, I suppose it’s as good as any other folding pocket knife. Leave the big jobs for the fixed blades.
Go to Microtechs you tube channel.
Ray tortures the crap out of them. (He also happens to be a wicked shot with pistol or rifle).
Microtech would be my pick, you can get m390 for 275 and they're just the best style
I drive a taxi at night
So there’s always that danger of being robbed or just shot,
(That has happened to me, guy came out of club, shot into my vehicle killing one person and wounding two others, but that’s another story) So I carry two OTF’s , one in each front pocket because that’s where my wallet is and my cash in the other front pocket . The way I see it, it’s better to have them than not. And you can get good ones for just under a hundred dollars
Has no one on this comment thread actually wanted the multiple torture tests done to Microtech knives. They’re the real deal.
I have watched Ray torture the shit out of several knives.
Even some clones hang for awhile.
Check out his X-Ring channel.
Good video my friend but you forget the blade play. OTFs all have them. Always. But I still love my Halo lol.
Not the deadlock..
There aren't enough good reasons for me to pay for an OTF.
Thanx for the video my Bladed Brother 👍 ⚔️ ✝️ 🇺🇲
My lightning otf is solid and very good quality, did i mention its only 30 bucks.
I got a microtech ripoff for $45 on dhgate and it is so much higher quality than any $45 knife I’ve ever owned. If anyone is interested in OTF but the price turns you away I would highly consider that route. I’ve been fiddling with it for weeks and haven’t had a single issue. Sharpened it and tightened the screws after I got it and it’s been a dream. Surprisingly smooth. Probably 80% of what the real ones are like for 1/5 the price. After a sharpen and letting it get broken in a bit I couldn’t tell the difference unless I had them side by side.
Do you have a video on the bench made that failed
Forever Jim no will do it soon
Grail knife is a Microtech Combat Troodon
Not the knife I’d want for survival but there just damn cool ya can’t beat how cool an otf is.
Benchmade as a whole is NOT what it used to be. I've paid enough money in shipping back knives (and travel to the dealer since they were autos).....to buy several top end blades.....like Hinderers or the like. I have three BMs left in my collection....and if I could get a good offer on them I'd let them go in a minute..... Presidio 2 Auto, CF Elite, and a BO 535GRY-1..... Once I get rid of them I'll never have another.... It'll be Spyderco, Kershaw, Cold Steel, Zero Tolerance, and Hogue...... No more butterfly tax for this white boy.
You need to try a Microtech Combat Troodon. It will change your life. I see folks mentioning problems with Microtech customer service in the past. In the pat year they’ve really turned it around and are doing well. Anyone that got burned in the past should revisit.
A fun inexpensive otf is the Lightening. The are made in Taiwan, but I’ve clicked mine thousands and thousands and thousands of times and it’s never failed. They run $30-40. They are a great gateway into the otf world. The AFC F16 is also a good entry otf.
They are addictive. You’ve been warned.
I love my combat trooden. The thing that gets me is microtech saying they will void your warranty if you sharpen the blade yourself.
Orendz77 More precisely, it may void the warranty if the sharpening is poorly done. Professional grade sharpening does not void the warranty.
@@chadlampe4026 ok. I use a KME sharpener so that makes me feel better. Thanks for clarifying.
Recently purchased my first OTF, microtech ultratech SE. OTF'S aren't worth it. Get yourself a good automatic like a Claymore.
I keep ALL my knives ultra clean,I NEVER go without drying a wet blade-tool steels will rust easy
I really like to see some serious reviews of the spanish Muela knives. They're not that cheap, although I have not seen anything about those...
How is access ability not on a here as a reason to buy one? For self defense, what better knife can you buy? If someone bear hugs you or you're semi trapped in a car wreck. This style knife can save your life! It only needs the length of the blade and 3 fingers to open. I carry a double edged microtech. I think it 100 percent worth the money to own at least one QUALITY otf.
300 ? Iv got two otfs. One is single the other is double action and I payed less than 50$ for them
I really like my OTF knives. Probably my favorite type
Sweety, it's more like if you're using if for anything other stabbing people and Pit Bulls you're going to foul them up, they're for combat.
You can buy a very decent quality OTF for $50 - its the F-16 FANTASY OTF. Spent $500 on a Microtech and lost it so will go for the F-16 FANTASY OTF next
don't know how people lose it when you can clip it on the inside of your pants or pocket
I got livewire and ultratech literally impossible to be lost unless someone killed me and looted them 😂😂 idk I've even skateboarded with them on my pants And still in them but clipping it is better than just pocketing it plus less flint gets in knife because it's not in pocket
that's my little secret to not having to gun oil the knife a lot
@@davidosako4680 Yeah i was pretty stupid tbh! And thx for the tips in the other comments
U get what u pay for. Microtech all the way! Not a lot of moving parts. A slide and a spring.
2 gates 3 springs 1 blade and 1 plate. That's not alot of parts.
Holy shit man, I was watching one of your vids and I was looking at your backyard thinking how much it looks like just about any backyard in Colorado. Are you in the Springs?
I picked up a boker eagle otf for $87 + shipping and I stand by it
I bought a Brace of Boker AK 74 Kalishnikovs (L + R)
At $40 a piece.
Side openers but very tough.
They are cool looking and good for playing with but it’s a knife for cutting 🙂
Benchmade infidel is around $500. That's Glock money.
The Pheaton and the Hadron is the exact same knife, literally the same design, from when Benchmade manufactured H&K knives. And now Boker is coming with there version of the same knife
Zax Garrison the profile of the blade is very similar. But hogue picked up the hK name. Now it is hogue parts and design and hogue is making the boker otf as well.
I had a microtech ultratech break and fail after about a month I just got mad and threw it away! Too many working parts. I went fixed blade with a couple of awesome knives like a WINKLER belt knife, and a Dynamis alliance Revere ( made by WINKLER) , and a TOOR darter in Ranger Green.
OTF knives are really not for food.
But I also clean my other knives
None of the cons are truly valid points. You missed the most important pro of the otf - fast deployment. Also they are tons of US made good otfs under $150 on the market, and even the higher end Microtech are not that bad price wise, they are in par with the same blade length midtechs if not cheaper.
Legal in 44 states. That's not "a lot of places" that won't let you own them.
Maybe he is including other countries in that statement. For some reason lawmakers around the world really hate OTF and butterfly knives.
Böker has some otf for less than $100 FYI.
5 year update
Opinion change?
If they fall off track pull the blade all the way out until u hear a click. Boom
It seems like you might have exagerated the negatives a bit - although I know this video is now 5 years old. OTF knives come off track from time to time. Just pull on the blade to get it back on track. There are a lot of cheap OTF's out there now - some are pretty decent. As far as cleaning - man I clean all my blades off before I put them away anyway. I don't want to stick a gunked up fixed blade back in a sheath - same with a folder.
Your uses are limited and an otf is expensive! Cool factor is high enough to buy 1 or 2.
The 5 bad things outweigh the 2 good things, and the 2 good things are not of much importance. These knives serve no practical daily use especially food prep, they are designed as a weapon for self-defense and a fad and curiosity for those who like to fidget and play around with an OTF.I will never buy one for these reasons and the 5 mentioned here I will stick with my Spyderco folders which serve me well for many practical real-world use.
You forgot sticky( opening boxes)
There’s just no real practical reason why you’d need one. Go with a smooth flipper all day long.
Exactly!
OTF’s have their purpose, they’re not going to chop wood but good for emergencies.
easiest blade to deploy wearing gloves.
Wrong. A fixed blade knife is the easiest to deploy!
Operating a OTF is like shucking a pump shotgun , addictive
People who have limited hand mobility can benefit from these knives.
let me tell you a story about my peanut butter nightmare
My “needs” as as knife buyer were over years ago, maybe 40 knives ago!! I live in rural upstate New York as far from NYC as it gets, still NYS law says NO to the OTF, not to mention a magazine over 10….thanks you Albany…..not. Truthfully an OTF to me is just a category to check off on my knife hobby list which is all the rationale I require. I have autos and think they are a good EDC, so are all of my other knives, the laws are ridiculous and prevent little of what those who support that perspective hope to achieve, like firearm laws these only people who are controlled by the laws are citizens who are law abiding to begin with, the criminal will find and use anything legal or not.
The OTF’s I see online seem cool and fun to fidget with, so naturally I will one day have one but, the blade shapes and general ergos of the standard OTF look less functional for many knife tasks I come across as an outdoorsman, hell my $40.00 Rat1 is probably a better user, which brings up the cost!!!! Ouch. I know there are “cheap OTFs” and not . Of course I would prefer the higher quality but for the functionality of the OTF at that higher price point is hard to justify for me unless I was some sort of combat pro or a gang banger, even then a knife is at best a secondary line of defense and a good old fixed blade or any old auto or just pick almost any cold steel model. I will gladly spend a hundred bucks on an OTF just so I can push that button, but that’s as much as I’d go for my curiosity.
Wiping off any blade when done using it should be normal practice
If you are going to spend that much for a knife you are better off buying and unregistered firearm.
Some of the states are werid. They have shootings every day but we can have guns. We have stabbings everyday but I can't have a otf lol
We will ship to most states 😊GearBarrel.com. Good thoughts!
what about the virgin islands?
One arm men love them.
I have a cheap $80 Cobrateck, three years with no issues. I want to buy a Microtech but my Cobrateck hasn’t failed and looks good with all the paint fade and scratches.
Hey Aaron, get a Benchmade infidel so we can see your take on that one lol. So expensive.