Which OTF ?

Which OTF?

  • BM Phaeton

    Votes: 13 39.4%

  • Microtech UTX-85 Tanto

    Votes: 10 30.3%

  • Other

    Votes: 10 30.3%
  • Total voters
    33
Wolverine666

Wolverine666

Joined
Dec 7, 2009
Messages
6,642
Looking to pick up my first OTF. Right now , I’m looking at the BM Phaeton and Microtech UTX-85 Tanto. Both look nice.

What do you guys think of these two?

Any others I should check out?

It will be an EDC. My limit is $350.
 
Loved the carry size of the UTX-85 and the deployment was just right. Not crazy about the minor blade play of most OTF's though. Also, you might not care for the CNC vertical grind lines on the Microtech - they're more apparent than any other knife I've owned.
 
Otto Carpenter said:
Loved the carry size of the UTX-85 and the deployment was just right. Not crazy about the minor blade play of most OTF's though. Also, you might not care for the CNC vertical grind lines on the Microtech - they're more apparent than any other knife I've owned.
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Yeah , the blade play factor is kind of a downer. I was hoping some would be better than others.
 
OTFs make somewhat questionable EDCs, to be honest. I use a Combat Troodon most days of the week, sure, but I wouldn’t trust it beyond minor cutting tasks and the inability to clean it without taking it apart is a bit of a drag. Also, one has to completely clean off the blade prior to retracting it to avoid getting additional (potentially jamming) gunk inside of it.

All that said, both are good choices. I like the looks of the UTX more, though.
 
The size and ergos on the UTX in hand is nice but the opening and closing of the UTX in hand was not good with those ergos I found my grip slipped too much which is makes for an uneasiness when handling it. I found the BM Phaeton ergos and in hand feel to me very good also with out the issues I found in the UTX. Primarily for me it all boils down to MT triggers are too stiff and make them difficult to open creating the uneasiness or just destroying the fun factor of an OTF.
 
if you can find a H&K Turmoil, those were my favorite....sad I got rid of mine. They were made by Benchmade, but were much more reasonably priced.
 
Medium hands of mine prefer the Ultratech vs. the UTX 85, but my wallet likes the 85 better.

I have gone deep into the rabbit hole with the otfs, but stayed with Microtech, excellent builds, got someone on the phone every time, and the choices in blade grinds which are spot on kept me with them instead of getting the Benchmade.

zM8sULK.jpg
 
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Yo Mama said:
Medium hands of mine prefer the Ultratech vs. the UTX 85, but my wallet likes the 85 better.

I have gone deep into the rabbit hole with the otfs, but stayed with Microtech, excellent builds, got someone on the phone every time, and the choices in blade grinds which are spot on kept me with them instead of getting the Benchmade.

zM8sULK.jpg
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Those look awesome. Especially that tanto. How’s the blade play from your experience?
 
Might want to check out the latest Hogue offerings, both theirs and the HK brand they now make. I have heard some good things about them.
 
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Wolverine666 said:
Those look awesome. Especially that tanto. How’s the blade play from your experience?
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Minor play in all 4, but present. It does not bother me though in the least, it's part of the design. If you can check out the Ultratech test that Bladehq did on youtube, it definitely convinced me the otfs especially the good ones can take more use than I gave them credit for.

btw, the hellhound tanto is really nice aesthetically, but functions no different than a normal tanto, just with a bit more of a sweeping tip.
 
I played with a UTX-85 and an Infidel (which I know is not in the running). The UTX had less blade play, was a great EDC size, and felt great.
 
Wolverine666 said:
Yes , I’m looking at a new Hogue OTF right now on BHQ.
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On my last purchase I was torn between the Hogue and MT, but went with yet another Ultratech as the blade size is about the same, but the Hogue has the bigger handle. I like the size that the ultratech carries and just felt the Hogue was unnecessarily big, if they put a larger blade on I may have been swayed.
 
Yo Mama said:
Minor play in all 4, but present. It does not bother me though in the least, it's part of the design. If you can check out the Ultratech test that Bladehq did on youtube, it definitely convinced me the otfs especially the good ones can take more use than I gave them credit for.

btw, the hellhound tanto is really nice aesthetically, but functions no different than a normal tanto, just with a bit more of a sweeping tip.
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Nice. And I’ve heard that removing the pocket clip on Microtechs is difficult to remove then I’ve heard from someone else that removing the pocket clip is simple. Can you clarify at all?
 
Wolverine666 said:
Nice. And I’ve heard that removing the pocket clip on Microtechs is difficult to remove then I’ve heard from someone else that removing the pocket clip is simple. Can you clarify at all?
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I saw that, it depends on the breaker, they use 2. Mine you can't move at all on any of them. You must have the tool, which they sell, there are no holes in the new ones to use an allen wrench or the sort. Some people use a drill face with no bit to get a grip and able to turn the glass breaker, but causes damage at the same time.
 
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