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Price is $300 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
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OTF KNIVES, PRACTICAL TOOL OR GADGET ?
- Thread starter BillZee
- Start date
Gizler00
Gold Member
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- Feb 19, 2006
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- 3,369
They certainly fall into the "you get what you pay for" realm of things.
A $40 piece of garbage is a $40 piece of garbage. When you step up to the triple digits, the world opens for you.
I have gotten spoiled by my OTF Microtechs. Draw the knife, cut the thing, retract the knife, pocket the knife. While a bit of blade wiggle is the nature of the beast (until you start getting into really high dollar knives), they tend to not fail once locked open.
Do a Google on microtech destruction tests. For such an intricate machine with moving parts and springs, they just hold up.
Keep them clean, keep them oiled (just a lil bit), and they are about as reliable as any mechanical tool.
A decent Ultratech will satisfy most. Don't step up to the Combat Troodon. There is almost no going back at that point
I wish so badly that Pennsylvania would allow auto knives. They are truly the best option for a single hand open, cut, close. When I lived in Iowa, I had an Ultratech and it was amazing. I hope they someday overturn the law here
As far as the practicality of "out the front" knives, although this is a "gravity" knife, and not an auto, it's still an out the front. I believe the type of knife pictured below were issued to German paratroopers. So I guess someone thought the idea was practical, in particular, when you're hanging in a tree by your parachute and you REALLY need to cut yourself down in a hurry before GI Joe shoots you.
As for modern OTF's, heck, it's a sharp piece of steel with a handle attached. I'm sure a person could find all manner of practical purposes for such a thing. Of course it's not going to be the ideal choice for every purpose, but no knife is. And quality counts for a lot. An OTF isn't going to be of much use if the blade doesn't come out when you need it, or it doesn't lock securely in place. But then again, even if the blade doesn't lock I imagine it would still be possible to cut stuff with it.
I own several switchblades, but not one OTF. I think they're cool, and I'd like to own a large one (blade longer than 4 inches), but the only ones I see in that size range that are quality are from Paul Panak. And I'd probably have to sell a kidney to afford one. And I like my kidneys.
As for modern OTF's, heck, it's a sharp piece of steel with a handle attached. I'm sure a person could find all manner of practical purposes for such a thing. Of course it's not going to be the ideal choice for every purpose, but no knife is. And quality counts for a lot. An OTF isn't going to be of much use if the blade doesn't come out when you need it, or it doesn't lock securely in place. But then again, even if the blade doesn't lock I imagine it would still be possible to cut stuff with it.
I own several switchblades, but not one OTF. I think they're cool, and I'd like to own a large one (blade longer than 4 inches), but the only ones I see in that size range that are quality are from Paul Panak. And I'd probably have to sell a kidney to afford one. And I like my kidneys.
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Microtech Halo Single Action is 4.4" and retails under $1000As far as the practicality of "out the front" knives, although this is a "gravity" knife, and not an auto, it's still an out the front. I believe the type of knife pictured below were issued to German paratroopers. So I guess someone thought the idea was practical, in particular, when you're hanging in a tree by your parachute and you REALLY need to cut yourself down in a hurry before GI Joe shoots you.
As for modern OTF's, heck, it's a sharp piece of steel with a handle attached. I'm sure a person could find all manner of practical purposes for such a thing. Of course it's not going to be the ideal choice for every purpose, but no knife is. And quality counts for a lot. An OTF isn't going to be of much use if the blade doesn't come out when you need it, or it doesn't lock securely in place. But then again, even if the blade doesn't lock I imagine it would still be possible to cut stuff with it.
I own several switchblades, but not one OTF. I think they're cool, and I'd like to own a large one (blade longer than 4 inches), but the only ones I see in that size range that are quality are from Paul Panak. And I'd probably have to sell a kidney to afford one. And I like my kidneys.
Thanks. But I forgot to specify double action.
tinfoil hat timmy
Gold Member
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Minnesota is just as scared of having a spring in a knife handle.
God forbid you should be able to open cut what you need cut and close it safely one handed.
''useful tool''
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Thanks. But I forgot to specify double action.
Heretic Cleric II is 4.25”, same size as the old Makora II’s.
snuffle
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No it isn't. Possession is not legal, and you don't want carry it in any of the 5 Boroughs. Not only is the law clear, the NYPD tends to be aggressive about knives. (Yes, they're aggressive about everything. If you live there, you know what I mean.)
There seems to have been some confusion on this recently. Here is the NYPD's understanding of NYC knife law:
I'm in a similar situation in Virginia, autos will be legal to carry starting July 1. Super excited to be able to do more with mine than just play with them in my house To answer the initial question, I think they are super practical, I think there's a real argument to be made that these are very safe knives given that there's really no dexterity required to open and close. Your hand is never in the blade path at any point. I wouldn't want to do an heavy cutting, but for typical EDC sorts of tasks, the safe and totally one-handed operation are pretty ideal. Treat yourself to a UTX-85, great EDC size IMO.
To answer the initial question, I think they are super practical, I think there's a real argument to be made that these are very safe knives given that there's really no dexterity required to open and close. Your hand is never in the blade path at any point. I wouldn't want to do an heavy cutting, but for typical EDC sorts of tasks, the safe and totally one-handed operation are pretty ideal. Treat yourself to a UTX-85, great EDC size IMO.As a former NYer, definitely want to concur here. I don't think there's anything grey here, auto carry in NYC is pretty black-and-white illegal.
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I own several switchblades, but not one OTF. I think they're cool, and I'd like to own a large one (blade longer than 4 inches), but the only ones I see in that size range that are quality are from Paul Panak. And I'd probably have to sell a kidney to afford one. And I like my kidneys.
You can find Burns for under $1k, I got both of these for under that on the secondary market....5"+ blades on bothThanks. But I forgot to specify double action.
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Doesn't have to be YOUR kidney, there are all kinds of kidneys out there.As far as the practicality of "out the front" knives, although this is a "gravity" knife, and not an auto, it's still an out the front. I believe the type of knife pictured below were issued to German paratroopers. So I guess someone thought the idea was practical, in particular, when you're hanging in a tree by your parachute and you REALLY need to cut yourself down in a hurry before GI Joe shoots you.
As for modern OTF's, heck, it's a sharp piece of steel with a handle attached. I'm sure a person could find all manner of practical purposes for such a thing. Of course it's not going to be the ideal choice for every purpose, but no knife is. And quality counts for a lot. An OTF isn't going to be of much use if the blade doesn't come out when you need it, or it doesn't lock securely in place. But then again, even if the blade doesn't lock I imagine it would still be possible to cut stuff with it.
I own several switchblades, but not one OTF. I think they're cool, and I'd like to own a large one (blade longer than 4 inches), but the only ones I see in that size range that are quality are from Paul Panak. And I'd probably have to sell a kidney to afford one. And I like my kidneys.
You might also look at Guardian Tactical. Their Recon-40 and Recon-Elite are both over 4 inches and they're pretty well regarded, though I do have a few reservations about their aesthetic choices.
You could also grab yourself a Lightning OTF for $30 or so (maybe 20 if you can find a sale)? I've owned a couple, nothing great but totally useable and reliable as a beater in my experience, and it would be an inexpensive way to find out if you like that format before dropping hundreds on something nicer. Then the inevitable step up to Microtech will be that much more fun 
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- Oct 5, 2012
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The RECON-040 and RECON-035 are fine. The Elite is indeed weird looking. Not sure who it's for or meant to appeal to.
I find the OTF double-action knife very useful and quite capable in EDC use. I think it's been over a year carrying the RECON-040 and it's been great. In the years before that, I'd occasionally carry another much, much cheaper OTF DA and felt the same.
I now own several of the single-edge drop point RECON-040 and -035 in a few colors and finishes and really like them. A couple buddies bought a couple after they saw mine. I'd like a single-edge Microtech Combat Troodon but Microtech seems to really love double-edge blades. The Dirac Delta looks cool.
DocJD
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My totally without personal experience bias re OTF :
No more dastardly a weapon than most other folders . Actually would not be my first choice for an SD folder .
Probably OK for most regular limited EDC uses .
Would not be my choice for emergency , survival , hard or extremely dirty use .
Maybe if someone sent me a great one to play with (and proof test for myself ), I would change my mind .