You can usually spot the fakes easily. They seem to fire way harder than a real Microtech which results in premature wear and action failure. The lockup frequently sucks as well. The fakes with glass breakers often have an aluminum spike instead of a carbide-tipped glass breaker. The fakes also frequently do not have Microtech's proprietary frame screws, although Microtech's earlier models used torx screws. Another good thing to look for is multiple Microtech knives with the same serial number. If you see somebody selling different knives with duplicate serials, be suspicious.