Microtech Mini UDT as first purchase for $300?

[icarus72]

Hi guys,

This is my first post and I am hoping to tap the collective wisdom of this forum. Some of your guys knowledge re knives is truly impressive!

I am looking for an elegant, minimalist designed knife with a very small footprint (but > than a snubnose). I really want a 'classic' knife in this size class for my first purchase. Chances of daily use are minimal.

I love the Microtech mini-UDT (10/2002) I saw on Arizona Custom Knives because it has all the specs I want: all black, plain-edge, small dimensions (blade 2 3/8", closed 3 1/4"). The price is $295 with no box or original papers.

From what I gather from this and other knife forums (microholics, Valmet), the knife should be priced around $150. At the same time I haven't seen a knife like this anywhere else. I know some of you would scoff at buying a mini, but for those who value them, do you think the price is justified? How does a mini UDT compare to a mini UMS?

I am willing to pay top dollar for great value (I could pay ~$300), but I also don't want to be a total sucker. And I have heard some of the non-automatic knifes are just as fast, so I'm open to other foldable knife types. What do you guys think?

Thanks much!

[gzb]

Price aside, the Mini UDT/Mini UMS is a darn small knife. Really small...

That said, $295 is also top dollar for one IMO...

[Blais]

Have you considered Protech?

[Mountain Wildman]

I picked up a LUDT from Bladeops for about $165.00.
$295.00 for a mini sounds ridiculous.

[icarus72]

Price aside, the Mini UDT/Mini UMS is a darn small knife. Really small...

That said, $295 is also top dollar for one IMO...

I agree with you it does seem small, but I really need something I can have in my front pocket and be as unobtrusive as possible. I know I said earlier I wouldn't be using it daily, but on reflection there are many situations I could use a blade so its good to have. The question is why a small knife like this would be 300 bucks.

I am open to other suggestions for a compact knife. Is the Mini UDT = Mini UMS?

[gzb]

Is the Mini UDT = Mini UMS?

Yep. Basically the Mini UMS is a direct descendant of the Mini UDT. Same size w/differently shaped inserts (non-Kraton).
Some w/clips. Some (newer) Mini UDTs had safeties as did the Mini UMS's.

At least I think I got that right? My knives are 3000 miles away at the moment...

[Slider817]

Thats a fine knife, for less than half you can get a Benchmade 2550, which regardless of price I prefer to the Microtech, although it is a bit larger, but it feels very compact

[icarus72]

Have you considered Protech?

Thanks for the suggestion, I did look at the Pro-Tech RUNT. Is it just optics, or is that blade much shorter than the mini UDT? Maybe the thicker handle makes it seem smaller. Either way, there don't seem to be many comparables to the mini UDT (5 5/8" overall ) I mentioned earlier.

Maybe I have to go bigger than 6" overall, because 300 bucks for a mini UDT doesnt seem to be a good deal. Others that were relatively small and got good reviews include the Pro-Tech BREND-2 1221 ($160), benchmade 707BK ($140) and Al Mar Mini SERE 2000 Folding Knife ($199). On the (more) higher end, the Chris Reeve Small Sebenza ($350) looks great.

I apologize if I am mixing apples and oranges here, I just want a small iconic knife that looks good but can also be put to work. If I ever make real money again I can think of collecting knives, but for now one knife will have to suffice

[Chief]

Mini UDTs / Mini UMS have 2.25" blades, UDT 2000s have 2.73" blades. With patience you should be able to find either of these in the $200 range, I traded a NIB satin mini for $200 in trade value a couple months ago.

[Brian_R170]

I carried a Pro-Tech Brend 2 in my front pocket for about a year with the pocket-clip removed. It is incredibly lightweight and small in your pocket and has the best snap of any auto I've ever handled. You would be much more satisfied with it than with a Mini-UMS, Mini-UDT or any california-legal auto.

[Blais]

The 2550 is also a good choice, I love mine. The 3550 is also a very slim and lightweight choice. For a style somewhat similar to the mini-UDT at a good price, check out the Bradley Alias 2 auto.

[Wunderbar]

$300 is too much. My full size UMS was $180 in 2004. My current LUDT's were all $154 or less.

[icarus72]

Gents, thanks for your input. Verdict is ixnay on a $300 microtech mini. I will keep an eye out for a reasonably priced one. Meanwhile, I will begin saving up for another small knife I saw, a Chris Reeve Mnandi or a small Sebenza- the latter is actually bigger than I like, but since this is such a cool knife maybe I will get it and put off the microtech purchase for later. thx again, guys

[button]

Mini-UDT,I had one,purple,cute,but I would vote no.

[ls1mtz]

I believe the price is so high because the microtech ums and udt are near impossible to find now a days so they can charge what they want. I'm sure that knife is worth that much to someone looking to complete a collection and that is the one knife they are missing but for someone looking for a knife to use there are cheaper and better options. Check out the mentioned benchmade 2550 and pro-tech tr3. Truth be know o have been looking for a microtech ludt for awhile and have had no luck finding one while others used to pick them up for under $120 all day long a year ago.

[GatorFlash1]

Protech TR-3's.jpgIf you spend the $100 more and get the knife you want in a year from now you won't even remember what you paid for it. Consider it money well spent for something you will really enjoy for many years. Heck, it is much cheaper than many other forms of entertainment, concert tickets, etc., but a warning, knives can be just as addictive.