OTF's are toys, not defensive weapons.

 

I say that about any switchblade, but I agree that OTF are the worst of a bad lot. They probably make less sense than butterfly knives and both exist just for show.

 

I had an infidel do the same thing! I ruined it when I tried fixing it myself! bench made will definitely fix it for you!

 

I had a balled up piece of lint stop my HALO III Tactical from deploying once... Never carried an OTF since ..
@sciolist is dead on...

 

Pocket lint was my first thought too.

And I agree. @sciolist is indeed dead on.

 

I've had good luck with Benchmade product/warranty support. Give them a call.

As far as using OTF spring-loaded knives? Suit yourself, for whatever reasons seem appropriate for your needs and circumstances.

They certainly seem to appeal to the gimmick-oriented folks.

When it comes to spring-powered knives? Well, I wouldn't wish for one to come open when I didn't wish for it to come open (it's happened to me with 2 different assisted-opening folders, one of which required a few stitches) ... nor fail to come open when I desperately needed it to open.

Life is about compromises, and the choices we make that expose us to the consequences of our decisions.

Best of luck.

 

I also don’t care for OTF knives.

I like the Boker Automatics- they are sturdy and have a “safety” to lock it out in use or prevent it from opening in your pocket if you are inclined to use it. Best low cost knife I own.

 

Benchmade is pretty solid when it comes to warranty stuff, email them and go from there. I own several otf knives but this is the exact reason I don't carry one if I'll be relying on a knife for a secondary line of defense.

 

Microtech only, not a fan of BM otf

 

If you can barely open a switchblade, how are you going to use a knife for self-defense?

 

I’m too mature to go hands on, anymore. Offside knife deployment is simply a supplement to defense against a gun grab. The blade is not my primary self defense plan.

I don’t have your expertise or extensive training, but with my training, my strong side hand locked onto BG’s hand going for the gun, a twist into it, combined with a cut across a bicep (or whatever you can get to), I think, will dampen their enthusiasm.

For me, in the exertion and movement of a struggle like that, OTF with a single flick and hand already around the knife, works much better for me than a side opener or even a Emerson wave blade. YMMV.

 

Dont care too much for anything spring assisted. for benchmade I stick to the Ritter Griptillian I like that one and carry it a lot. I only have 1 spring assisted and when I bought it it was on a whim and I didnt even know..the Kershaw Leek..its ok but i just dont need nor am I a fan of the spring assist....no need...no want in a knife..its just something else that can go wrong.

 

"Naptha/Ronsonol (Zippo lighter fluid) is definitely what you want to use to clean your OTFs. It's thin with good solvent properties, and it leaves behind very little residue and the residue will act as a lubricant without attracting more dust and lint." This was taken from a user on a knife forum. That and a good air blasting might be worth a try before you go through the trouble of taking it apart or sending it back. As others have said, this is one of the reasons I wouldn't trust an OTF for SD purposes, unless I had no other choice.

 

Try vacuuming the blade opening with the crevice tool for maximum suction. I do this with my carry pistols sometimes. Lint builds up, especially if you're pocketing the knife.
I have an inexpensive Gerber F.A.S.T. Draw... assisted opening, that I keep clipped inside my offside front pocket.
I was worried about opening a manual lock blade fully on the first attempt... and one handed.

 

My middle son and I just made a 125 mile road trip to Benchmade in Oregon City OR about a week and a half ago. One of the items we brought was his Infidel. Same problem that you are having. The same issue occurred a year or more ago while he was still in the Marines, he called them, and they said send it in, or deal with the likely problem of pocket lint if he wanted to give it a try, and they would tell him how. He was able to fix it with the use of an air compressor, but this time, we took it in with others, (as they just needed sharpening, and we wanted to see the place). It was cleaned up, sharpened and returned in a couple of days. There was also a mistake we made when we bought a couple of new knives, and they took care of it for us, so their customer service is solid. Very friendly folks, and quite helpful.

The pocket lint seems like a recurring problem, and maybe you could talk to them about that to do a weekly cleaning on it so something at home to prevent issues. Again, their customer service is top notch. I like the knife, and I have an auto opener that have carried at work for 15 years with little or no issue, and I have been hard on it. It is about due to for new blade, as Benchmade said it has about 2 to 3 sharpening left on it before it is time for a blade. (The angle of the steel is changing, making is not as safe to sharpen and use).

 

I recently got a Microtech OTF Hera model. It disappears in pocket;quick to deploy;a very satisfying fidget-toy;and,the one I got qualifies as functional jewelry,the Source model ,artsy-fartsy.

It has a slicey M390 steel blade that is scary-sharp;hopefully I never have to use it to cut anything. Should it ever fail to deploy(I have forced this situation),a quick shake locks it open.

I have the little Spyderco Dragonfly with ZDP-189 blade or old Delica VG-10 for general use. But mostly,if I really have to cut something my tiny Victorinox Classic does just fine.

I can draw my pistol as quick as the knife;not that fast with either. Don't really see myself using a knife for self-defense. That's not the reason I have a OTF knife. But if you carry a OTF blade for that reason,just like your sidearm,keep it clean and lubed and practice with it.

I use Rem-Oil spray as suggested by MicroTech;blow it out with compressed air. Except for my "failure to deploy" test whereby I blocked the blade from deploying fully,it has never failed to open and lock in place. That's after thousands of times pushing the button.

If your assisted or automatic-opening knife can ever unintentionally open in your pocket,that's just a basic design flaw imho.

I considered a Benchmade Infidel;but,in comparison to the Microtech it looks crude. I prefer the go-button location of the Microtech Hera. I wouldn't argue with anyone who sees OTF knives as toys. It is one of my favorite toys.

 

Love the idea of an OTF from a gadget perspective. However I’d rather not be betting life or limb on one.

If you’re having issues opening folders with your off hand, maybe a better defensive tool could be a small fixed blade, like a Clinch Pick or similar. No need to do much other than pull out and poke holes where needed.

Hope you get your Infidel fixed.


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For what you are describing( off-hand defensive use), I haven’t found anything better

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I have a number of these collectors and not really a daily use knife.Just bought a otf for like $38 bucks to the door a well made novelty blade.Since i did not have a OTF model, will i carry it with the 45 auto.? no. The Italian Latamas are $500.00

 

Those are cool knives. Just wish they could blend in the handle material where it meets the metal fittings. I have a Kissing Crane stiletto that's the same way with stag handle.

I'm enjoying a Chinese OTF,Lightning Elite;$30. It sharpened ok;bet it won't hold an edge long if I actually use it.

 

OTF's aren't as reliable as auto side openers.
Auto side openers aren't as reliable as folding knives.
Folding knives aren't as reliable as fixed blades.
YMMV

 

I carried a Kershaw Scallion for 20’ish years. I probably replaced four (4) torsion springs in it over that time. Even with a failed spring, it would open the stud.

My fastest opening knife is a Boker Damascus folder (no spring) but it is not as good of a knife as the Kershaws.

My current edc is a Kershaw automatic. No problems whatsoever in the last three (3) years.

 

A knife is only useful if you carry it, can speedily access it and deploy it. I have a couple of Benchmade Phaetons. I misplaced my carry Phaeton so immediately ordered a new one as they meet my primary purposes. Like carry pistols, they require maintenance. I strop the edge regularly. I disassemble, clean (lint), lube (Remington Oil) and reassemble. No complaints.

I have a small landyard on the clip for easier access.

Microtech makes great OTF knives but the deploy switch and the glass breaker are non-starters to me. The glass breaker tears holes in my pant’s pockets.

 

Well stated,Muskie.

Sorry to hear about your wandering Phaeton(I hate losing anything!). Hope you find it soon.

I had to look that Phaeton model up; it looks to be somewhat similar to the Microtech Hera. I have a Hera, single-edge. No glass breaker, slim/easy to carry. I did have to get used to the go-button;but,it's fine now after hosing it out with RemOil spray and blowing that out with compressor. 28,683 deployments later,I love the knife and carry it.

I do wish the Hera had some sort of lanyard-hole. I don't think I want anything on the clip.

I agree it's only useful if you carry it. Maintenance is same as a sidearm if that's one of the reasons to carry it.

I can deploy the OTF as quickly as my gun; sadly,both could be quicker.
Seems as though I'm getting slower at everything;I have to devise ways to cheat my draw at all times!

If you're worried about lint clogging up the action of your knife,clean your pockets out.

 

Mine does the same thing. Mini Infidel. I just wash it with a little dish soap and rinse really well with hot water. Dry overnight then drip gun oil down the slot and the little hole. I’ve been eyeing the Microtech for when I send it back to Benchmade. N+1

 

I have an ultratech that I carry and love. Man jewelry? Sure, ok. Bet my life on it? Probably not. Better than a kick in the nuts? You betcha…
I think about guys being shanked to death with filed down tooth brushes and I think, “eh, better than nothing”.

Does a helluva job opening the mail too…

 

How about pulling the blade out to reset it? Then clean it out with lighter fluid and compressed air. No need to send it in to the mothership.

 

BTW, just to close this out, I contacted Benchmade. First guy suggested that I blow canned air in the small hole at the bottom of the handle and follow it with 2-3 drops of oil. Did that, with no change, so called again and they said to send it back. Should’ve gotten there last Tuesday. In the meantime, cleaned and lubed my Microtech, and while it has a much heavier opening than the Infidel, it’s much better than before.