OTF Knives: Why are they $40 or $400???

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11-24-21, 17:05
FromMyColdDeadHand

OTF Knives: Why are they $40 or $400???

I know it isn't totally true, but there are very few knives in the $150-300 price point. I think I talked about this before. But you have Microtechs and Benchmade at the top end, and I've gotten a AKC Evo. I don't get the huge price difference. Granted, the Benchmade has been in my pocket alot and has never misfired, but the Microtech- a drawer dweller and my AKC both stopped working. A little TLC and the AKC EVO came back to life, need to work on the Microtech when I find the tool I ordered.

Tearing down the AKC, I was impressed with the inards. I like how it came apart. It seems more dust proof than the BEnchmade. I just don't like the ergos/shape of it, and it doesn't have a pocket clip-though recent versions have a clip.

I know blade steel and manufacturing location. But almost 10X, or at least 4x?

I like OTFs, but frankly, they catch and get flunk out of my pocket once in awhile. $400 a pop is steep, but the sub $100 are lacking features. Seems like there should be more $200 options....

Good God, those Hawk OTF Deadlocks are pretty dear...
11-24-21, 17:12
HKGuns

OTF Knives: Why are they $40 or $400???

I have several OTF’s. I believe they are complicated to do well.

It is a niche market and not legal everywhere which may be a contributing factor.

My Bench made OTF’s are over priced for what they are and the $40 variety aren’t worth the energy used to walk them to your car.

In my experience Guardian Tactical strikes that middle ground you are looking for in an OTF knife.

They ain’t cheap, but they aren’t $400 either.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...603a7a7ddf.jpg
11-24-21, 17:12
Pappabear

I watched some torture test with the Benchmades and was shocked at the absolute beating they could take and still work. I mean slamming the blade into a 2X4 and torquing it back and forth , multiple times and it still worked. The guy couldn't break it. I don't know how they build such quality but I can see how the prices can get up there. I thought these blades creeped down into the $350ish range?

PB
11-25-21, 04:51
joffe

Because they are gimmicky Hollywood things that are complicated to do properly, meaning you get two segments: the shitty Chicom ones for posers to put next to their nunchuck and throwing star collection, and expensive well-made ones for collectors.

I'm still really challenged on why someone would buy this over a folding knife with a flipper, but to each their own.
11-25-21, 06:51
Mysteryman

Quote:

Originally Posted by joffe

Because they are gimmicky Hollywood things that are complicated to do properly, meaning you get two segments: the shitty Chicom ones for posers to put next to their nunchuck and throwing star collection, and expensive well-made ones for collectors.

I'm still really challenged on why someone would buy this over a folding knife with a flipper, but to each their own.

It takes less effort and less pracitce to thumb the button than flick a folder with a stud.
11-25-21, 11:58
HKGuns

Quote:

Originally Posted by joffe

I'm still really challenged on why someone would buy this over a folding knife with a flipper, but to each their own.

Because its good to have options.

https://hkguns.zenfolio.com/img/s/v-...34604688-5.jpg
11-25-21, 17:08
Pappabear

And just because they are cool as fck.

PB
11-26-21, 21:23
FromMyColdDeadHand

I’ve reached a saturation point on bench made 940 variants They are still my favorite knife, but when they made auto knives legal in Colorado I started looking at them. I can flick and pop open a 940, cut something, and have it put away fast enough that people think that it’s a switchblade. I just found the infidels really interesting. I like the ambidextrous nature of the double sided spearpoint.

I agree, it does seem the market is divided into crap and collectors. It be nice to see some more options that are “BCM “type that don’t break the bank, or crapped the bed.
12-02-21, 03:59
WS6

Who currently makes a good, high-end needle?
12-02-21, 12:14
Adrenaline_6

Quote:

Originally Posted by WS6

Who currently makes a good, high-end needle?

Double or single action?

You can't go wrong with Microtech, but some people have problems with Marifone's business tactics.

The new G&G Deadlock is double action and has solved the previously "unsolveable" OTF blade play problem. Not cheap either and good luck finding one right now.
12-02-21, 13:27
gunnerblue

Quote:

Originally Posted by WS6

Who currently makes a good, high-end needle?

Hawk Deadlock, Benchmade Infidel and Microtech
12-02-21, 17:12
FromMyColdDeadHand

That new SOG Pentagon OTF looks pretty cool. Pretty good locking up mechanism. Pretty expensive though, closer to my $400 end, and too long for pocket carry here in CO.

https://youtu.be/IybZNjiTP7w

The Deadlock is the hotness though, but I’d need a knife to protect me when carrying that knife. It is worth more than anything else I’d be carrying….
12-03-21, 06:21
WS6

Quote:

Originally Posted by gunnerblue

Hawk Deadlock, Benchmade Infidel and Microtech

Is the Hawk Deadlock better than a Microtech? I don't really consider Microtech to be a very high quality brand. Also, they are not full-travel drive. It kindof "launches" the blade on momentum after the first little bit of driven travel. Does anyone make a full travel assisted/driven needle anymore, even?
12-03-21, 08:34
Adrenaline_6

Quote:

Originally Posted by WS6

Is the Hawk Deadlock better than a Microtech? I don't really consider Microtech to be a very high quality brand. Also, they are not full-travel drive. It kind of "launches" the blade on momentum after the first little bit of driven travel. Does anyone make a full travel assisted/driven needle anymore, even?

You are referencing double vs single action. Single action will have full assist all the way to the lock. That's why it takes you manually pulling the blade back to reset it to it's closed lock position. The Microtech Halo VI is single action. There are a few others. They even make an "ice pick" type of single action called the Guard Father Spike. You have to reset it on a hard surface. Cheap at $16.99

https://www.bladehq.com/?search=guard+father
12-03-21, 09:59
gunnerblue

I missed out on the first Hawk Model C drop so I can't comment yet, but based on reviews they seem to be a top pick.

A couple of guys at work carry Microtechs- they seem well enough built to me but I don't like the action and thumb stud placement. I much prefer the thumb placement on my Benchmade which the Deadlock shares.
12-03-21, 23:41
WS6

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adrenaline_6

You are referencing double vs single action. Single action will have full assist all the way to the lock. That's why it takes you manually pulling the blade back to reset it to it's closed lock position. The Microtech Halo VI is single action. There are a few others. They even make an "ice pick" type of single action called the Guard Father Spike. You have to reset it on a hard surface. Cheap at $16.99

https://www.bladehq.com/?search=guard+father

Thanks!
12-11-21, 15:33
camoman

Quote:

Originally Posted by FromMyColdDeadHand

I know it isn't totally true, but there are very few knives in the $150-300 price point. I think I talked about this before. But you have Microtechs and Benchmade at the top end, and I've gotten a AKC Evo. I don't get the huge price difference. Granted, the Benchmade has been in my pocket alot and has never misfired, but the Microtech- a drawer dweller and my AKC both stopped working. A little TLC and the AKC EVO came back to life, need to work on the Microtech when I find the tool I ordered.

Tearing down the AKC, I was impressed with the inards. I like how it came apart. It seems more dust proof than the BEnchmade. I just don't like the ergos/shape of it, and it doesn't have a pocket clip-though recent versions have a clip.

I know blade steel and manufacturing location. But almost 10X, or at least 4x?

I like OTFs, but frankly, they catch and get flunk out of my pocket once in awhile. $400 a pop is steep, but the sub $100 are lacking features. Seems like there should be more $200 options....

Good God, those Hawk OTF Deadlocks are pretty dear...

Check out Guardian Tactical.
One of my friends bought one, and it is simply amazing compared to my AKC evo extreme, and my AKC is pretty nice in my opinion.

The guy who started the company, used to design knives for Microtec, he started his own company to take his designs to a new level… and from what is said, they accomplished the mission.
It’s supposed to have the absolute best action out there. I believe they incorporated ceramic bearing into the action.
12-22-21, 17:01
chamber143

There are also many microtech ultra techs being beat to shit as well and they hold up incredibly well. I went Ultratech from spiderco pm2 because I had the pm2 open slightly in my pocket and when I reached in it went straight to the bone and I had to have 7 stitches on the tip of my finger. From that point I won't carry anything but an Ultratech because there is no way in hell that thing will accidentally open and I love the action. So I'm sold on them

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pappabear

I watched some torture test with the Benchmades and was shocked at the absolute beating they could take and still work. I mean slamming the blade into a 2X4 and torquing it back and forth , multiple times and it still worked. The guy couldn't break it. I don't know how they build such quality but I can see how the prices can get up there. I thought these blades creeped down into the $350ish range?

PB
12-27-21, 08:09
Adrenaline_6

Quote:

Originally Posted by chamber143

There are also many microtech ultra techs being beat to shit as well and they hold up incredibly well. I went Ultratech from spiderco pm2 because I had the pm2 open slightly in my pocket and when I reached in it went straight to the bone and I had to have 7 stitches on the tip of my finger. From that point I won't carry anything but an Ultratech because there is no way in hell that thing will accidentally open and I love the action. So I'm sold on them

I understand why you switched, but how did that happen with a PM2 if it was clipped in your pocket correctly?
12-27-21, 09:20
chamber143

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adrenaline_6

I understand why you switched, but how did that happen with a PM2 if it was clipped in your pocket correctly?

I have no idea. I carried them tip up and carried one flavor or another pm2 for 5ish years and it happened twice. One didn’t get my but I felt it was open and the second was the mf that made me change. I still love them but just can’t trust them
12-27-21, 12:19
Adrenaline_6

Quote:

Originally Posted by chamber143

I have no idea. I carried them tip up and carried one flavor or another pm2 for 5ish years and it happened twice. One didn’t get my but I felt it was open and the second was the mf that made me change. I still love them but just can’t trust them

OK, but if you carry tip up, pocket clipped, the blade should open towards your rear when in the pocket. This allows you to pull it out of your pocket with thumb going in pocket and the rest of your hand on the outside of the pocket. This aligns your thumb with the thumbhole to allow you to quickly open the blade with your thumb. If the blade is partly open, it should be to the rear of your hand and should catch the corner of your pocket when you try and pull it out.

edit: I know what you are talking about though. It has happened to me once on my ZT550, but it caught the corner of my pocket like I mentioned. It got close to me hand, but never touched it.
12-27-21, 12:50
chamber143

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adrenaline_6

OK, but if you carry tip up, pocket clipped, the blade should open towards your rear when in the pocket. This allows you to pull it out of your pocket with thumb going in pocket and the rest of your hand on the outside of the pocket. This aligns your thumb with the thumbhole to allow you to quickly open the blade with your thumb. If the blade is partly open, it should be to the rear of your hand and should catch the corner of your pocket when you try and pull it out.

edit: I know what you are talking about though. It has happened to me once on my ZT550, but it caught the corner of my pocket like I mentioned. It got close to me hand, but never touched it.

I am not sure how it happened but I have a scar to show for it. I wear lightweight Columbia fishing pants at work and I imagine that it could have twisted in my pocket.

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12-29-21, 11:41
chamber143

Quote:

Originally Posted by chamber143

I am not sure how it happened but I have a scar to show for it. I wear lightweight Columbia fishing pants at work and I imagine that it could have twisted in my pocket.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Sorry I misread. I was putting my hand in the pocket that the knife was in to get something out.

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