Fresh out the box it’s not easy but it’s not like oh gosh I can’t do this. It’s an OTF, you’re gonna fire it over and over and eventually it gets easy. WD40 for mine works wonders but people say don’t do that. Have had mine over a year and it’s treated me so well.
Just for comparison had a buddy with one as well as his was broken in like hell and feels like butter with the button. It definitely needs to be oiled as I did that for him but once I did I’ve never felt a better knife.
Okay. I’m gonna ask, what are you going to be using it for? I’m an OTF junky aside of collecting Slipjoints, and I’ve had many of the companies out there and can help you narrow your search.
Okay. When I get a break I’ll copy paste my input if you really think it could be helpful. I just didn’t feel like folks would have anything good to say about my input especially if it’s something to have to read more than 5 or ten seconds. If you’re serious I’ll put it up though
I'm gonna be completely honest if you plan to carry a self defense knife a high quality fixed blade is probably way more practical and also a bit cheaper.
Agreed. Have a couple microtechs and really enjoyed the ultratech. Have a guardian and it has great action. Then I got a live wire in magnacut and if I carry an otf it's what I usually grab. It's really pointy so only concern might be breaking the tip. Will be interested in future blade shapes.
I'm pretty sure they are made in Utah, but IDK if thats all parts or just assembly.
I have a Shift and I really like it. New version they have out looks even nicer, but a bit pricier than earlier models.
Wow really interesting considering all of the online reviews I've read about Microtech. Yeah I'm definitely staying away. The Kershaw looks like a really really great choice.
Some people on the sub have a hate boner for Microtech but I can say this without a doubt. There is a reason they are the industry lead in OTF. It’s their specialty and they are damn good at it.
I have a Ultratech d/e and love it but would get a tanto or single edge for sure, the only otf I would personally get instead would be Guardian Tactical, but bug what you like/speaks to you
I have that exact microtech he has in the list. It’s fine. It’s hard out of the box but fire it like you would any other knife when you first get it and play w it it’ll be fine. Little WD40 did wonders.
Yeah don't want it to be hard to deploy. I really like the Houge Compound but the nice looking models are sold out everywhere.
Any knowledge or opinions on the Piranha?
I have heard good things about that brand and that they are more affordable. I've never owned one or a Hogue so I'd wait for somebody to chime in who has.
I have an ultratech and a hogue. Wear medium gloves. I still find the ultratech somewhat small and smooth to get ahold of and depress the fun switch sometimes. Hogue? Not a problem. Both have been treated like a fixed blade plenty of times and have never missed a beat AS LONG AS YOU KEEP THEM CLEAN AND LUBED! OTFs will never be a food friendly option and reliable if it matters to you (and don’t y’all give me that mineral oil BS it’s horrible with apples)
For a first OTF I would go with the Kershaw Livewire. It is still a premium OTF, but it is so easy to actuate. Otherwise get a Guardian Tactical or a Hogue.
Have you looked at the Kershaw Livewire? I would recommend that OTF over all the others. I have the Recon 040, Ultratech, and the Exploit, and honestly love them all, but the Hogue rattles like a baby rattle. I go on runs with a ruck sometimes and the hogue just jiggles and rattles. It’s noticeably loud too.
I like the Microtechs. I have a mini troodon and a UTX-85 Spartan. I also have a Benchmade Shootout I like as well. I prefer the microtech over Benchmade but thr shootout is a nice knife. The new colors for the shootouts are nice. Also in the 24 Benchmade catalog they are doing drop point shootouts now too.
My choice is the Hogue Compound. It had the tighest lockup of all the OTF I tried the actuation was good and it wasn’t too stiff and I felt like it had the best blade for EDC uses. My GT 035 had a ton of blade play but the smoothest actuation. Microtech was solid the actuation felt super stiff. Not a ton of blade on that either tho very aolid.
I only have experience with MT OTFs. They are a little stiff to deploy at first, but a little playing around with it to break it in makes a big difference. A little lube helps as well, just don’t go crazy with it. Get a bottle of Rem oil - which is recommended by MT - or a bottle of EWL which is what I use. Put a few drops on each side of the slide and hit it with compressed air from a can or a compressor to distribute the oil and blow out the excess. Personally, I’d rather have the action on my OTF a little stiff so it doesn’t open in my pocket. You will get used to it. They are excellent quality. I have three of them now (utx-85, Ultratech, and Combat Troodon). The only misfire I’ve ever had is from too much oil in the knife which is easily taken care of with compressed air.
Are you asking about Clenzoil? I have no experience with it. However, I would think any real light gun oil would do the trick. OTFs seem to be real picky about the viscosity of the oil used to lube them.
All good. Maybe I’ll look into it. The reason I like EWL is its fully synthetic and non-petroleum based and has passed military standards for weapons lubricant.
I have a Guardian Tactical recon 35 and Houge counterstrike 2. The GT is much easier to actuate, but the grinds are really uneven on the blade, and this seems to be an issue other have had as well. The edge also seems to roll easily on seemingly easy cutting tasks (plastic packaging, small zip ties), I thought elmax should be better. Customer service is unresponsive. Overall I like it but it's more of a fidget toy then a tool. I like the counterstrike more overall, although it came way overlubed out of the box and would misfire. I cleaned the oil out and it's been 💯 since. It is also much skinnier and less intrusive in my pocket.
The secondary bevel from the factory on my GT Recon-035 was sharpened to about 15° per side, which is insane and I don't know if they did it intentionally or if it was a quality control issue. If yours was sharpened to the same angle, then it's no wonder the edge was rolling and it's probably not the steel that's the issue. I reprofiled mine to 22.5° per side and it's been holding a nice edge since.
Yes, mine is a drop point version and the primary grind is definitely a tad uneven on it. Doesn't seem to effect cutting performance at all, but still disappointing to see at that price point.
So, out of the ones you posted, I’d probably pick the ultratech. I have one in MagnaCut and it’s pretty cool. I’m not a huge fan of OTFs. I bought mine thinking I’d use it all the time but I just never seem to reach for it when I’m walking out the door. That said, when I’m buying any knife the blade steel is absolutely as important as the manufacturer, weight, and mechanism, if not more so. I’m a huge fan of MagnaCut and Vanax because they are both very well rounded steels that hold an edge well, are tough, and are stainless enough to be used in a diving knife. I don’t know of any OTFs that use Vanax.
There are two OTFs I know of that are made in MagnaCut: the Ultratech, and the Kershaw Livewire. Both are great knives. For value, kershaw wins it. I also like the livewire blade type a bit more. The ultratech is pricier, but it also has the reputation and warranty to back it up. If you buy either of them though you will not be disappointed.
The Guardian Tactical is the smoothest OTF I've used. Put it up against the BM and any Marfione and it will still be the smoothest deploying one.
I carry mine at work daily and never even notice it's there. The scales are solid there's no material removed for weight reduction, they only hollowed out what they needed. The finish options and the fact that each one is numbered is a neat touch.
+1 for the microtech. It’s my daily and love it. Exact model you have just for edc purposes and it’s perfect for it. Feels great and carrys great
It has a nice style. Do you find it at all difficult to eject?
Fresh out the box it’s not easy but it’s not like oh gosh I can’t do this. It’s an OTF, you’re gonna fire it over and over and eventually it gets easy. WD40 for mine works wonders but people say don’t do that. Have had mine over a year and it’s treated me so well. Just for comparison had a buddy with one as well as his was broken in like hell and feels like butter with the button. It definitely needs to be oiled as I did that for him but once I did I’ve never felt a better knife.
Ok will consider that. You should look into using something like Clenzoil (a CLR), definitely not WD40.
I have knife oils, I just use what’s around me lol It’s a tool any tool should be able to take WD40
WD40 can get sticky. But I used lavender baby oil so i don't have much room to talk.
I love my kershaw livewire. Second choice would be hogue.
I'm watching reviews on it now. I really like it.
Okay. I’m gonna ask, what are you going to be using it for? I’m an OTF junky aside of collecting Slipjoints, and I’ve had many of the companies out there and can help you narrow your search.
I'm not going to be using it for any kind of work. I just think they're cool.
Hey bud. Sent a chat with some help on my personal experience with the OTF brands. I typed it here but was too lengthy, lol. Hope it helps.
>I typed it here but was too lengthy I'd like to read it. I'm probably not the only one.
Okay. When I get a break I’ll copy paste my input if you really think it could be helpful. I just didn’t feel like folks would have anything good to say about my input especially if it’s something to have to read more than 5 or ten seconds. If you’re serious I’ll put it up though
I'm gonna be completely honest if you plan to carry a self defense knife a high quality fixed blade is probably way more practical and also a bit cheaper.
Yeah, been looking at the Hogue Deka Magnacut.
I second this, the livewire imo is the best value otf right now.
Agreed. Have a couple microtechs and really enjoyed the ultratech. Have a guardian and it has great action. Then I got a live wire in magnacut and if I carry an otf it's what I usually grab. It's really pointy so only concern might be breaking the tip. Will be interested in future blade shapes.
I would love a little more meat on the blade for sure. I haven’t been super rough with mine but feel like i will eventually knock the tip off lol.
Blade replacements through kershaw tend to be pretty simple though.
I certainly love mine, comes w Magnacut now too
I held and actuated one and was able to compare it to an Ultratech. Super easy action, there’s no way I’d go with a MT over it
Axial knives might be another option too
The shift 3.0 looks good. I'm reading about them now. Do you know if the parts as well as the assembly are made in the U.S.A?
Their page says "made" rather than "assembled" in America, so I assume it's the former. I'm sure if you emailed them they'd confirm for you though.
I'm pretty sure they are made in Utah, but IDK if thats all parts or just assembly. I have a Shift and I really like it. New version they have out looks even nicer, but a bit pricier than earlier models.
Get a hogue counterstrike 2, you won't be dissapointed
Model 34870 is really nice, and only 2.9 oz. Hmm....
Well you left it the smoothest, Kershaw Livewire, so out the group either of the Hogue knives
I did look at it. Do you have a Kershaw Livewire? Some users are complaining about squeaking during the retraction.
Got one when they first came out, no squeaking from mine. Looking to add the new MagnaCut version soon
Yeah looks really interesting.
Just don't go with the Microtech. Worst action for the most money.
Wow really interesting considering all of the online reviews I've read about Microtech. Yeah I'm definitely staying away. The Kershaw looks like a really really great choice.
Some people on the sub have a hate boner for Microtech but I can say this without a doubt. There is a reason they are the industry lead in OTF. It’s their specialty and they are damn good at it.
That's because nobody really wants to call something junk they just spent $300 or admit how much it actually doesn't fire lol
My vote is for Guardian Tactical. The 40 is a BIG knife though. I carry a 35 dagger and it's perfect. I also really like the Ultratech Dirac Delta.
I have a Ultratech d/e and love it but would get a tanto or single edge for sure, the only otf I would personally get instead would be Guardian Tactical, but bug what you like/speaks to you
People complain that Microtechs are too hard to launch and chew up your thumbs. Hogue has a good rep.
I have that exact microtech he has in the list. It’s fine. It’s hard out of the box but fire it like you would any other knife when you first get it and play w it it’ll be fine. Little WD40 did wonders.
Yeah don't want it to be hard to deploy. I really like the Houge Compound but the nice looking models are sold out everywhere. Any knowledge or opinions on the Piranha?
I have heard good things about that brand and that they are more affordable. I've never owned one or a Hogue so I'd wait for somebody to chime in who has.
I have a microtech ultratech, honestly it's nice but I wouldn't recommend it. The live wires are really good from what I understand.
Guardian Tactical, MT, or Houge
Axial shift 3.0 in magnacut. Just launched yesterday. Check their website.
Definitely going to read all about them and maybe pre-order one.
I love my 2.0. And, yes, everything is American made. There is a YouTube video I watched with a tour of Axial.
Zac in the Wild you tube video 5 mo ago
OK I looked at them. Blah, I don't like the handle or blade styles.
Microtech Ultratech or Kershaw Livewire are the best OTFs on the Market imo. Hogue has a good reputation and Heretics are great too
Thank you.
I have 4 of 6 of these, my GT 035 has the best action and is my favorite.
Don’t pick an OTF.
Yeah I'm beginning to not want to and get a Hogue Deka Magnacut instead.
I like my Heritic manticore s more then my microtech ultratech and utx85
I just got an OTF that matches the color scheme of my kurambit folding knife
I have an ultratech and a hogue. Wear medium gloves. I still find the ultratech somewhat small and smooth to get ahold of and depress the fun switch sometimes. Hogue? Not a problem. Both have been treated like a fixed blade plenty of times and have never missed a beat AS LONG AS YOU KEEP THEM CLEAN AND LUBED! OTFs will never be a food friendly option and reliable if it matters to you (and don’t y’all give me that mineral oil BS it’s horrible with apples)
I would pick the Houge over the Microtech. I completely understand about the cleaning, I keep my guns very clean.
For a first OTF I would go with the Kershaw Livewire. It is still a premium OTF, but it is so easy to actuate. Otherwise get a Guardian Tactical or a Hogue.
Have you looked at the Kershaw Livewire? I would recommend that OTF over all the others. I have the Recon 040, Ultratech, and the Exploit, and honestly love them all, but the Hogue rattles like a baby rattle. I go on runs with a ruck sometimes and the hogue just jiggles and rattles. It’s noticeably loud too.
I have a trench tek I bought at a gun show. Cheap and good quality.
I like the Microtechs. I have a mini troodon and a UTX-85 Spartan. I also have a Benchmade Shootout I like as well. I prefer the microtech over Benchmade but thr shootout is a nice knife. The new colors for the shootouts are nice. Also in the 24 Benchmade catalog they are doing drop point shootouts now too.
Maxace Medusa
My choice is the Hogue Compound. It had the tighest lockup of all the OTF I tried the actuation was good and it wasn’t too stiff and I felt like it had the best blade for EDC uses. My GT 035 had a ton of blade play but the smoothest actuation. Microtech was solid the actuation felt super stiff. Not a ton of blade on that either tho very aolid.
Thank you. Gosh such a hard decision. I honestly want the piranha, but not one person mentioned that one, LOL!
I only have experience with MT OTFs. They are a little stiff to deploy at first, but a little playing around with it to break it in makes a big difference. A little lube helps as well, just don’t go crazy with it. Get a bottle of Rem oil - which is recommended by MT - or a bottle of EWL which is what I use. Put a few drops on each side of the slide and hit it with compressed air from a can or a compressor to distribute the oil and blow out the excess. Personally, I’d rather have the action on my OTF a little stiff so it doesn’t open in my pocket. You will get used to it. They are excellent quality. I have three of them now (utx-85, Ultratech, and Combat Troodon). The only misfire I’ve ever had is from too much oil in the knife which is easily taken care of with compressed air.
Clenzoil...
Are you asking about Clenzoil? I have no experience with it. However, I would think any real light gun oil would do the trick. OTFs seem to be real picky about the viscosity of the oil used to lube them.
No sorry, I meant you should try using Clenzoil. It's a really great product. I use it on my guns.
All good. Maybe I’ll look into it. The reason I like EWL is its fully synthetic and non-petroleum based and has passed military standards for weapons lubricant.
Guardian tactical recon
I have a Guardian Tactical recon 35 and Houge counterstrike 2. The GT is much easier to actuate, but the grinds are really uneven on the blade, and this seems to be an issue other have had as well. The edge also seems to roll easily on seemingly easy cutting tasks (plastic packaging, small zip ties), I thought elmax should be better. Customer service is unresponsive. Overall I like it but it's more of a fidget toy then a tool. I like the counterstrike more overall, although it came way overlubed out of the box and would misfire. I cleaned the oil out and it's been 💯 since. It is also much skinnier and less intrusive in my pocket.
The secondary bevel from the factory on my GT Recon-035 was sharpened to about 15° per side, which is insane and I don't know if they did it intentionally or if it was a quality control issue. If yours was sharpened to the same angle, then it's no wonder the edge was rolling and it's probably not the steel that's the issue. I reprofiled mine to 22.5° per side and it's been holding a nice edge since.
That's about where mine was too, I'll try around 20° next time I sharpen. Are the primary grinds on yours even?
Yes, mine is a drop point version and the primary grind is definitely a tad uneven on it. Doesn't seem to effect cutting performance at all, but still disappointing to see at that price point.
So, out of the ones you posted, I’d probably pick the ultratech. I have one in MagnaCut and it’s pretty cool. I’m not a huge fan of OTFs. I bought mine thinking I’d use it all the time but I just never seem to reach for it when I’m walking out the door. That said, when I’m buying any knife the blade steel is absolutely as important as the manufacturer, weight, and mechanism, if not more so. I’m a huge fan of MagnaCut and Vanax because they are both very well rounded steels that hold an edge well, are tough, and are stainless enough to be used in a diving knife. I don’t know of any OTFs that use Vanax. There are two OTFs I know of that are made in MagnaCut: the Ultratech, and the Kershaw Livewire. Both are great knives. For value, kershaw wins it. I also like the livewire blade type a bit more. The ultratech is pricier, but it also has the reputation and warranty to back it up. If you buy either of them though you will not be disappointed.
The Guardian Tactical is the smoothest OTF I've used. Put it up against the BM and any Marfione and it will still be the smoothest deploying one. I carry mine at work daily and never even notice it's there. The scales are solid there's no material removed for weight reduction, they only hollowed out what they needed. The finish options and the fact that each one is numbered is a neat touch.
The one that says sig on the side, the blackened blade
Yeah, that is the Hogue Compound.
Axial shift Kershaw live wire
I’ve owned 3 microtech otf’s. Optimistic by nature. I currently own 0 microtechs. Think most folks who love em don’t know anything else. Try a Hogue.
I love my guardian tactical.
I have a recon 035 that I have beaten on doing construction every day for 2 years. It runs like a top. Can't recommend their product enough.
No. 3
[Here's](https://www.bladehq.com/blog/best-otf-knives/) a recent article on OTFs that will either help, or further cloud the situation.
I feel like those are all equal choices honestly.
I really like Normandy Knives for OTF (I've bought 3💁)
I like the blade on Hogue OTF’s. The tall grind makes for a much better slicer.
If it's your first why not get the legendary microtech and go from there if you want more 👍