Is the Protech Malibu worth the hype?

K

knife_daddy

Joined
Feb 13, 2025
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I bought a Malibu last year because everyone on the internet always raved about it. I like it. At 7.5" OAL I don't like to go much smaller, and tend to prefer knives around 8" - 1.25". Paid $260 for it new with the textured handle. Since then, I've acquired a Protech Mordax on the secondary market. Paid $135, almost half the cost of a Malibu. Sized at 8.12" and respectively a little heavier. OMG this hits my sweet spot way more than the Malibu, with all the same action! I also have a Protech TR-3 Manual (Integrity) that hits just as hard as the autos, only with a thumbstud opener. 8" OAL and over 4oz with thick aluminum scales that sound authoritative with a very snappy detent. Based on my preferences, the Mordax and TR-3 Integrity blow the Malibu away.

Anyone else have one or more of these knives?
 
I was talking about this knife (Malibu) with another member. I saw one for sale locally with the bronze scales.

I like the dragon skin scales better, though the bronze really brings it, for the knife. Magnacut blade doesn't hurt it either. 😉
 
I have both Malibu and Mordax knives, like both a lot although the Malibu has a little more snap when deployed.Pro-Tech Maibu Blue.jpgPro-Tech Mordax.jpg
 
I have had all three, the only one I sold was the integrity, they are all great knives. I like the Mordax the most, but that is an esthetic thing.
 
The hype is long over but it wasn't worth the hype then or now

Doesn't mean it's not a "nice" knife if it pushes your buttons but it's NOT "all that."

Never owned 1 myself because it never pushed any buttons of mine.🤷
 
The Malibu was the smoothest, most free-dropping, and most refined button lock I've ever owned. It's a hair smaller than I'd like and I've moved away from modern folders under 3.5", or I'd still own mine.

I tried the Mordax and was underwhelmed, but maybe that was just my example. I haven't handled a TR-3 manual, but I'd like to as that seems like the sweet spot for me.
 
I have a Mordax. I dislike the finger choil. feels forced and wrong on that knife. enough i never use it. don't have a Malibu, doesn't appeal to me. have lots of other protech autos though in various models. prefer most of those to both of them....
 
Is it worth the hype? Depends on what you like. I like button locks and so I think it's awesome. I've bought, sold, went without one and regretted it and so bought another one multiple times now lol. For me it's a perfect size knife to carry, good ergos, action, and USA made. All around a really good knife.

I've owned alot of button locks though and if you just want something fidgety then the Freeman 451 is hands down the best.
 
I had one and sold it. Not because I didn't like it but because a member wanted it so bad that I felt he should have it. He patiently and politely checked in to see if I'd sell it a few times over a year. I'm happy he's happy. :)

 
I'm a sucker for the Malibu bladeshape so I got one. It's way too thick behind the edge for my taste, even after taking the bevel a bit higher, I otherwise like it. Got to handle a Mordax a few weeks after getting the Malibu and I knew I HAD to have it. Much better design than the Malibu imo, but the flipper on the Mordax is a bit too much for me. I might end up knocking it down a bit.
 
DustinK said:
Is it worth the hype? Depends on what you like. I like button locks and so I think it's awesome. I've bought, sold, went without one and regretted it and so bought another one multiple times now lol. For me it's a perfect size knife to carry, good ergos, action, and USA made. All around a really good knife.

I've owned alot of button locks though and if you just want something fidgety then the Freeman 451 is hands down the best.
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Check out a button lock VECP 😉
 
jbmonkey said:
I have a Mordax. I dislike the finger choil. feels forced and wrong on that knife. enough i never use it. don't have a Malibu, doesn't appeal to me. have lots of other protech autos though in various models. prefer most of those to both of them....
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Love the real user opinions on this forum! I'm starting to feel like Knife Influencers tend to parrot each other for clicks. It helps me sometimes to see reviews of knives, but the "group think" probably lead to the Elementum in some ways. It scratched all the influencer itches.
 
I’m not an influencer but the Protech manuals are ridiculously fantastic between tolerances and materials they are top notch. Malibu was a gateway to a lightweight powerhouse and I did like it so much I got 2. The tr3 Integrity is completely different and a beefy stout blade that I would take for harder tasks. Mordax is in-between and thin slicing like a laser (rally against finger choils all you want it’s still a phenomenal knife).

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They're sweet folders. I don't know, or care, about "the hype."

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I had one briefly. The action was great, but the pocket clip was a major hotspot and didn't allow a comfortable grip. I traded mine. A larger version with a flatter clip design would be nice.
 
I bought a Malibu and hated it. I immediately resold it.

It was too small, too thickly ground, and too expensive for what it offered. I still have a hollow-reground Mordax and IMO it is a superior knife to the Malibu.
 
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