Talk to me about Microtech OTF knives.

gurdygurds

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Specifically curious about the ultra tech and UTX models. What has your experience with them been. Reliable? Finicky? Amazing? Looking for real world experience with these knives. Merry Christmas!
 
Good steel, good geometry for cutting or for beauty (daggers), a large selection of models. Also, if the lock suddenly fails, you won't cut your hand (it won't fold onto your fingers, but will go inside the handle). On the downside, like any open complex mechanical system, it does not like contamination with sand or similar loose abrasive and/or viscous substances. For example, if you stain the blade with fuel oil, then sprinkle it with sand and close the knife, it may not open. You will have to disassemble and clean it. But if you open it yourself and can't fix it, there might be problems with their warranty department. My friends had internal springs break for no reason on new knives, one of them had a spring break due to rust, because he went to the tropics for several months. But if you carefully monitor the dirt, the knife will last a very long time and will be useful and will delight you with its clicking sound, which I really like! I prefer simpler systems with side opening like LUDT, Black Knife, Hinderer Auto. I have a Troodon, it is ~ the same size as UTX-85
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My experience is limited, but here's what I know; Microtech makes the best OTF automatics on the market. They use good steel and good components. However, they are a bit more complicated in function, which means there's potentially more things to go wrong. I know many Microtech owners and they either have zero problems or the knife goes back to the factory because something isn't working right. Doesn't happen often, but often enough.

My opinion is that the design, while cool and flashy, limits the knife's usefulness. The mechanics and ergonomics make it less desirable than say a traditional automatic or an assisted opening folder. Much like a semiautomatic pistol, there are a lot of moving parts to foul and to hinder operation; a friend of mine was deployed to Iraq and took his MT with him. He said after three patrols it was so fouled with sand and dirt that it would not fire properly. He didn't have the tools to disassemble it and rinsing with with water just seemed to attract more gunk. This could happen to any folding knife, but you can see the issue with a more complicated design. And then we get to price. The price point for me is off putting because I'd be afraid to carry/use it. MT seems very proud of it's work and the price reflects that. I don't see a good ROI for me. YMMV.

If it's a want, go for it! We all don't drive cheap cars or drink cheap liquor so it's all about where you want to spend your money. If you're looking for a good using knife, there are probably better choices out there.
 
I have been a die hard fan of Microtech since the 90's, but Marfione (the founder) is a big *** and a genius at knives.
Carried and used a Microtech everyday for years.
The OTF design needs to be cleaned and oiled more often than a folder, but they withstand more filth than you would expect.
At one time I owned dozens of them, but now I am down to just two Ultratechs.

Good place to learn more about Microtech.
 
Thanks for all the impressions and for the link @BillBond! I found a shop not too far from me that stocks Microtech knives, so I can go handle one. I will either be in love or I'll get over them. Looks like the Hera Mini is phasing out the smaller UTX models? Not that I have the money to buy anything at this point after Christmas!
 
Thanks for all the impressions and for the link @BillBond! I found a shop not too far from me that stocks Microtech knives, so I can go handle one. I will either be in love or I'll get over them. Looks like the Hera Mini is phasing out the smaller UTX models? Not that I have the money to buy anything at this point after Christmas!
You know where to find me if you sell cool stuff to fund your new knife. Lol
 
I have been a die hard fan of Microtech since the 90's, but Marfione (the founder) is a big *** and a genius at knives.
Carried and used a Microtech everyday for years.
The OTF design needs to be cleaned and oiled more often than a folder, but they withstand more filth than you would expect.
At one time I owned dozens of them, but now I am down to just two Ultratechs.

Good place to learn more about Microtech.
What models made the cut once it was all said and done?
 
What models made the cut once it was all said and done?
The two Ultratechs I have left were made in 2004 and the part numbers have changed many times over the years.
Single edge, stainless steel finish, partial serrated blade. IMO the best all around working blade.
The double edge blade would be good if you just plan on stabbing people.
The various blade coatings look like crap after using the blade, but do look cool if all you are going to do is fondle it.
 
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Not a huge fan of OTF's in general.
I have owned a good number of them, and never came away with great results / confidence that they will be as durable as companies lead people to believe.

I currently still own (1) OTF ... Microtech Combat Trodon, one of the older ones with camo handle pattern. -- I've had it for quite some time. A while back the internals went and the blade would no longer deploy at all. Was forced to send it in to microtech and they were able to fix it by gutting the internals and replacing it all, basically sending me back a brand new knife inside. -- Pleased with the end results as it was free for me, however the fact that it happened in the first place was a bit unsetting considering it's a nearly $500 knife... I felt as though that shouldn't hav happened, considering I've never beat on the thing or asked it to do anything out of the ordinary...

I'd had ultratechs and other combat troodons, among other OTF's that aren't microtech's..... At one point or another all of them had a misfire and wouldn't complete it's blade deployment, forcing me to "reset" it by pushing it back into the handle or pulling the blade out to reengage it, then can use the button to retract it.

Overall I'd say an OTF is a novelty, and nothing more. I wouldn't use an OTF for any "hard use" applications. Wouldn't want one when I'm out hunting, wouldn't want one when I'm out camping, and surely wouldn't want one when I may be depending on that tool defending my life (granted I wouldn't be using a knife ... would be a glock)

At the end of the day, I know some guys who love their OTF's ... For me, I just never fell in love with them. Most expensive one I had was just over $1,000 ... and still wasn't impressed. Naturally most if not all will have some sort of "blade play" given the nature of the beast...

Again, I really don't hate them, but for what they are and what they are marketed as, I don't know... they just didn't live up to the hype for me.

Having to remember to wipe down my blade and not retract it if ever there was some lint, or soil, or dust/dirt ect still on the blade, for fear that it'll gum up in the insides and cause a malfunction.... I don't want to have to worry about my equipment in that manner. I was my tools to serve me, not me serve them...

I opt for heavy duty-hard use flashlights, same with knives... same with guns.
I was the most reliable, more practical, most low effort to upkeep equipment..
When I start having to baby my gear... OR when I'm running gear that I'm not able to service myself I get worried.
Often times I'll run a modlite at work. -- It's simple construction, UI, and user replaceable springs, lens ect.. In seconds... The company sells replacement parts for cheap, so I keep a few just in case... anything short of the LED burning out I can fix... Thats what I like.
Granted in 5 years, I've never had a single problem with my modlites... It's nice to know that I have the capability to fix it if need be!

I'd suggest sticking to manual knives, generally speaking the more parts anything in life has, the more chances of something breaking down and going wrong exists. Get yourself a reliable manual folding knife, from a reputable company with a good warranty just incase... Save yourself from falling down the OTF rabbit hole unless it's explicitly for collecting purposes... Then by all means, knock yourself out.
 
I've had a Combat Troodon for about two years now, it's the 'dagger' version and it is only used for one purpose,
Which is personal protection. The advantage of this knife, in my opinion, is it will not harm you if it were to fail. the blade would
simply go back into the handle. this was my primary consideration when buying it, as carrying a fixed blade dagger everywhere is
simply not convenient.
The engineering and quality are second to none when it comes to OTF's, the only better ones being the G+G Hawk OTF's
Which are very expensive!
These knives are not 'beaters' and using them as such is asking for trouble.
But for the purpose to which I bought mine, it is perfect.
 
I've had a Combat Troodon for about two years now, it's the 'dagger' version and it is only used for one purpose,
Which is personal protection. The advantage of this knife, in my opinion, is it will not harm you if it were to fail. the blade would
simply go back into the handle. this was my primary consideration when buying it, as carrying a fixed blade dagger everywhere is
simply not convenient.
The engineering and quality are second to none when it comes to OTF's, the only better ones being the G+G Hawk OTF's
Which are very expensive!
These knives are not 'beaters' and using them as such is asking for trouble.
But for the purpose to which I bought mine, it is perfect.

1) Unless your a highly trained ninja, in the event your in a situation that your LIFE literally was at stake, I think you'd find pulling an OTF (or any knife for that matter) out of your pocket and being able to deploy the blade before whatever threat that existed would have gotten to you first is a pretty big ask.

2) If you are bringing a knife to a fight, be prepared to lose your life and also take theirs. Statistically, knife fights whether its 1 or 2 knives involved, both parties involved get severely injured / killed, because you will very likely get that knife YOU have taken from you and used against yourself.

3) Good luck in court if the use of force is questionable in the SLIGHTEST. The def. attorney will show pictures of the weapon and highlight that it isn't a kitchen knife or a knife you cut boxes with... They will show your intent with the choice of knife you carried. Personally, I would NEVER use such an object with self-defense in mind. It would create too many issues afterward, even if it's legal to carry in your jurisdiction.

4) Unless you are in very good shape, and have gotten an education as to how to incorporate knife in a fight I'd suggest against this.
Get yourself a gun, and train with it. Don't start modifying the gun to look "cool", don't put the punisher or other dumb things on the gun to try and make it look cool, in a court room afterwards that "cool" could be your downfall. -- Nobody is perfect, and you might just make a mistake with said tools...if you do, you will want less of a mess to have to try and wade through with your attorney.

5) Get some form of insurance, legal fees after an event like this can bankrupt you, as you won't only be in court for criminal matters, you sure as hell will be in civil court trying to protect your assets, including your home.

I agree with defending yourself but just go about it as smart as you can... we don't live in the wild west anymore, most people that will be judging your actions have never been in a fight, let alone needed to defend their lives themselves. Most never fired a gun before.
Lastly, remember politics plays a HUGE part in things nowadays. Especially race which has been weaponized recently, just food for thought.
 
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I've owned a few OTF Micros, more so the 85 models. They are very well made, fun to fidget with but I never really used them to cut anything. I had sold them off, I'd rather purchase their folders instead but even then, I think there are better alternatives like Spyderco. Ive owned Microtech, Benchmade, Spyderco, CRK, Hogue, and many other name brand knives. Now I only carry a utility knife lol. Disposable blades are hard to beat, I can walk out the door with a fresh blade at any moment
 
Thanks again folks. Still wanna play with one, but I can see them not being the most practical users out there, especially at the price point. I hear you on the utility knives @ilikeguns40. Went that route for a while myself and didn't have any issues. Realistically, my knife needs are not huge, but I do like to have something on me so I can handle anything that happens to come up. Dewalt carbide blades are awesome.
 
I've owned a few OTF Micros, more so the 85 models. They are very well made, fun to fidget with but I never really used them to cut anything. I had sold them off, I'd rather purchase their folders instead but even then, I think there are better alternatives like Spyderco. Ive owned Microtech, Benchmade, Spyderco, CRK, Hogue, and many other name brand knives. Now I only carry a utility knife lol. Disposable blades are hard to beat, I can walk out the door with a fresh blade at any moment

Thanks again folks. Still wanna play with one, but I can see them not being the most practical users out there, especially at the price point. I hear you on the utility knives @ilikeguns40. Went that route for a while myself and didn't have any issues. Realistically, my knife needs are not huge, but I do like to have something on me so I can handle anything that happens to come up. Dewalt carbide blades are awesome.

OTF… utility blade…

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Why not both? At this price point, you get to play with an OTF for cheap, can use disposable utility blades, and it's potentially legal in all states?
 
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