Need Info on ProTech TR4 Manual Action

Ares1307

Ares1307

Joined
Jun 14, 2012
Messages
545
I have never owned a ProTech before, mainly because I thought they only sold Autos and I'm not really into Autos. However when I saw a picture of the TR4 online I fell in love with the blade shape, so I looked it up and it is the perfect shape and size. I tried to find other knives with a similar blade shape, but found none. Then I found the TR4 Manual Action, which seems perfect, but having never owned a ProTech I thought I would ask around before making up my mind.

How smooth is the opening and closing action? How good/strong is the button lock? Can these knives handle hard use? I don't usually use my knives too hard, but when I go camping or hunting I like to have a good strong folder that doesn't mind getting dirty. I EDC a ZT303 and Emerson CQC-13 right now so I'm hoping the TR4 is at least as tough as them. Any and all Info is much appreciated. Thanks for reading!
 
I was seriously considering a Tr3 at one point in time, was unsure about many things, lockup, quality of the action, blade grind etc. Couldn't pull the trigger just based on my online research, so I held off. I ended up finding one at a local knife store and checked it out..... it was awful, I hate to have to compare everything to a sebenza but I feel it is fair with the two being in the exact same class. Not even remotely close; the action felt grainy and rough, the blade was horribly off centre and there was blade play in all directions.... I was shocked!! Maybe this one was just a super bad copy, and i'm sure many have had great experiences, this is just mine. The T4 might be a lot better.
 
Protech knives are generally top notch. All the ones I've owned have been excellent quality for the cost, including a custom shop Integrity that proved to me that I didn't need a Sebenza. The TR-4 is one model I have no experience with but have owned a couple Tr-3's, an Integrity, a couple Dorus with no problems whatsoever.
 
I own several Protechs, and the fit and finish on them is good. I have a Godfather auto that is a bit gritty but it works. As far as comparing them to a Sebenza, that is about as unrealistic as it can get. The knives may share similar materials, but that is actually where the similarities end. A more accurate comparison would be Benchmade. CR knives are machined to .005" that is five thousandths of one inch, that is why they cost as much as they do, aside from the hand finishing and fitting that goes into them. You might not agree, but it doesn't make that fact any less true.
TR3 manual x2
Flyfather x1
TR4 auto x1
Godfather x1
Emerson CQC7 x1
 
Protech makes a great knife (IMO).

The TR4 manual is basically a TR4 series auto minus the spring and the addition of a thumbstud.

Protech has great customer service also.
 
I've got a TR3 manual. Love the blade design, the action is smooth, no blade play. The only issue I have with it is it has early lock up to the point if it's not opened hard, the lock will fail.
I'm sure there is a fix, I've just never looked into it. Mine has S35VN and performs well, I've never used it for work or hard use.
Also forgot to mention my TR3 is a frame lock, not a button lock
 
RevDevil said:
I own several Protechs, and the fit and finish on them is good. I have a Godfather auto that is a bit gritty but it works. As far as comparing them to a Sebenza, that is about as unrealistic as it can get. The knives may share similar materials, but that is actually where the similarities end. A more accurate comparison would be Benchmade. CR knives are machined to .005" that is five thousandths of one inch, that is why they cost as much as they do, aside from the hand finishing and fitting that goes into them. You might not agree, but it doesn't make that fact any less true.
TR3 manual x2
Flyfather x1
TR4 auto x1
Godfather x1
Emerson CQC7 x1
Click to expand...

What are the tolerances on ZT, Benchmade and the likes?
 
RevDevil said:
As far as comparing them to a Sebenza, that is about as unrealistic as it can get. The knives may share similar materials, but that is actually where the similarities end. A more accurate comparison would be Benchmade. CR knives are machined to .005" that is five thousandths of one inch, that is why they cost as much as they do, aside from the hand finishing and fitting that goes into them. You might not agree, but it doesn't make that fact any less true.
Click to expand...

True enough, but if you meant my post I was not comparing the two directly, at least I didn't intend to. Believe me, I know that the tolerances on the CRK's are tighter, that's all I ever hear any time they're compared to any other knife :D. But my Integrity was good enough that the differences in fit/finish and tolerances just didn't add up to the price difference. Plus the Integrity has better ergonomics to me. And while they may not have CRK tolerances they're solid knives.
 
jac_solar said:
What are the tolerances on ZT, Benchmade and the likes?
Click to expand...

No idea, but they might be a much more accurate comparison to Protech than CRK products. If I had to guess I'd say closer to .05 (5 hundreths), which is still a big difference.

Bigfatts said:
True enough, but if you meant my post I was not comparing the two directly, at least I didn't intend to. Believe me, I know that the tolerances on the CRK's are tighter, that's all I ever hear any time they're compared to any other knife :D. But my Integrity was good enough that the differences in fit/finish and tolerances just didn't add up to the price difference. Plus the Integrity has better ergonomics to me. And while they may not have CRK tolerances they're solid knives.
Click to expand...

I was just writing in generalities. A lot of people figure that if 2 different items have the same or similar materials they may therefore be the same. I do agree, the 2 TR3 Integrity folders I own are solid in every sense of the word. No blade play, lock rock, slop in any direction. They are machined extremely well and the grinds are about as identical on both sides as they can get.
 
I don't have a manual TR-4, but I've got the automatic version (and a few other button locks), so I can speak about lock strength but not about the feel of the manual action.

So far, my experiences with Protech have been excellent, and their button locks have held up just fine to regular use (i.e. not outrageously harsh treatment). Without any deep technical knowledge, I feel as confident with a quality button lock as I'd feel using any other tried and tested locking mechanism from a reputable manufacturer. In fact, I'd like to see more folders using this lock.
 
The last TR4 series I took apart had a blade to frame fit (no spacers), thats good fit to keep the blade centered and no play (IMO).
 
My ProTech TR-4MA.1 came very sharp and smooth just like my TR-3 ones. The TR-4 is in 154CM and at 5.5 ounces quite light for a 4" blade due to the grippy aluminum handle. It also comes with a nice sheath. I actually like button locks. I've had no issues at all with my ProTech folders and that includes several California legal autos.
 
RevDevil said:
No idea, but they might be a much more accurate comparison to Protech than CRK products. If I had to guess I'd say closer to .05 (5 hundreths), which is still a big difference.
Click to expand...

I asked Kai, and this was their response:

"Thank you for contacting Kai USA with your question. Our tolerances vary based on the function of each feature. Our pivots are our tightest, at +/-0.0002, with most other tolerances varying from +/- 0.001 to 0.003. Please let me know if I can assist you any further."
 
I own a variety of ProTechs. The TR-3 Integrity is one of my favorite knives. I love the company as a whole.

I passed on the TR-4 MA for a second and limited edition TR-3 Integrity because of how beefy the Reeve Integral Lock (frame lock) is, how easy the knife is to take apart, how easy it is to clean, and how well it resists functional problems from severe gunk buildup.

Their quality is exceptional and they rarely get credit here. They are also making some of the nicest blade designs around. I think their TR-3 Integrity is on a level of quality like the Bradly Alias, and not far off from the Sebenza. I also like how ProTech hardens CPM-S35VN more than Chris Reeve, and I like the grind on the TR-3 a lot more. It's a super strong grind but it slices like a champ. I am a huge fan of the saber grind and I like the top swedge as I think it makes the blade more effective in certain types of usage. In fact, I like it more than the Sebenza. The TR-4 will have the same great blade design behind it like the TR-3 and all of ProTech products. ProTech is also great at treating 154CM, although I find S35VN to be a huge upgrade in all performance areas. Their use of anodizing, damascus, inlays, and special materials are all top-notch and I think are comparable to the Chris Reeve Annuals in quality and cosmetic finish.

My personal thought is that the TR-3 Integrity is perhaps the best knife for you. The frame lock's strength, longevity, and ease of upkeep make it IMO the best locking mechanism on the market. While button locks can be strong, I've never encountered one I felt to be in quite the same ballpark as a good frame lock, and I find them harder to detail strip, clean, and reassemble. The Integrity also utilizes grade 5 titanium for the handle material, which in addition to being strong I think is very durable and good for a knife that will have a service life measured in decades. I really like the anodized models.

ProTech is also fantastic to deal with for warranty, sharpening, and general inquiries. They are easy to reach, friendly, competent, and make interaction a really pleasant experience.




While not advised, this post shows the beefiness of the TR-3 Integrity as a whole, how tough S35VN is, and how well ProTech's treatment of S35VN is...
(notice the poster actually has to use his leg for leverage to generate the force this picture shows...that's a lot of stain on that blade!!!
http://www.knifeforums.com/forums/showtopic.php?tid/933955/

1378599623-tr3_f.JPG


They make good knives.
 
Thanks everybody for all the great information. I do really love the design of the TR4, but I think I might wait before I actually pull the trigger on one. I hate to admit it, but I just saw a new knife that is just coming out from one of my favorite companies, and I'm having a hard time saying no to it. :eek: I am looking for a new knife to EDC in my left pocket (I'm a righty) where my ZT 303 is now. I carry an Emerson CQC 13 in my right so I want something that is a good slicer, has a strong that could penetrate well, and that won't take up as much pocket space as my ZT 303. I was thinking about the Boker Epicenter, until I found the TR4 which suits me more... But now I think I'm going to wait on the TR4 for my next purchase, because I really like it and like what I've been hearing about it.

I haven't been keeping up with the knife world as much as I would like to lately because of some family health issues, so I didn't know about many of the new offering for this year. So yesterday I was online checking out another knife that I already had decided against, the Zero Tolerance 550 and its bigger brother the ZT 561 which I liked but never fell in love with. I ended up stumbling into a page talking about SHOT SHOW and looked up each of the new knives from Zero Tolerance, which are ALL AMAZING KNIVES! But when I saw the new ZT 562 I fell in love. :eek: I saw that it was available for preorder, well the Elmax version is (which is actually the one I want), so I went ahead and put in my order. I was hoping Zero Tolerance would do a Hinderer knife with a Slicer Grind, now I just hope they do a 3.75 or 4 inch version next year. :D Thanks again for all your help!
 
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