[Sharkey]

Agree. I got these before I hardened that stance for myself. I try hard not to now, but it is pretty difficult sometimes.

I had a lightening and it was a good OTF knife. A bit too much blade play to me so I sold it. I am really not an OTF kinda guy. I probably have as many China made knives now as I do non-China made knives. Heck I might have more. How many of the big name knife brands now have China made knives too? Most of my China Made stuff are clones but some are orginal. SRM, Kizer, and Civivi are in no way 2nd tier knives. I just got another China Made Auto knife and quality might not Lexus like but it is definitely Toyota quality like.

 

[razorbacker]

I have never owned an OTF knife but kind of developed an interest in owning one a few months ago. Planned to purchase a Microtech since they seemed to be the standard for high quality OTF knives. I was in my local gun store a few weeks ago, that had a display of various models of Spartan OTF knives. I decided to give one a try at about 1/3 the price ($130) of a Microtech, thinking I may still buy a Microtech later if I like OTF models. Seems like a very good quality knife, strong lock- up, 9" knife with 4" blade, I like it so far. Made in Guthrie Ok, lifetime warranty.
S3 | Spartan Auto Knives (spartanautos.com)

 

[CaptainO]

Italian (AKC X-treme) OTF knives are a decent "mid-grade" OTF. An AUS-8 steel blade with a price of around $100-$110. The knife will do the job again, and again, and again.

 

[Sharkey]

Italian (AKC X-treme) OTF knives are a decent "mid-grade" OTF. An AUS-8 steel blade with a price of around $100-$110. The knife will do the job again, and again, and again.

I just saw some a couple nights ago at Blade HQ for $50

 

[Scott60]

Do inexpensive, quality OTF knives exist? What would be your choice and why?

Thanks

Yes, and they all come from China, so if that's a deal breaker for you, your out of luck unless you want to pony up Microtech, Benchmade, or Guardian Tactical prices which average 10X more.
You can buy a Chinese made "knockoff" of a Combat Troodon for around $45 to 50 via either of the two major Chinese distributors, both of whom have easy to use apps. For that money you will get a knife that is indistinguishable from the US made version in terms of appearance, fit, finish, and over-all function. It will come with a fully anodized chassis, tri-corner screws, pocket clip with appropriate markings, and a selection of blade styles with correct markings. If you have a MT expert next to you, they may be able to tell the difference, if you have a genuine MT to compare your "Chicom" knife to, you WILL see the subtle differences, but be assured, the Chinese have copied MT knifes to a high degree. The most obvious copy I've seen so far is the UTX and UTX85 because the Chinese models have a larger body, slightly longer blade, but in their own right, are quite robust, well-built, and attractive knives. You can choose to pay $35 or so for a Taiwanese made "Lighting" that looks pretty bland, or $40 for a beautiful MT "copy." Your choice.
I own a number of Chinese made MT OTF knives, but I own more genuine, US made MicroTech knives, and here's what all that extra $$$ buys you:
When you remove the top cover of MOST non-branded - meaning Lightnings, Atomic, etc., you will see the internals are pretty well done. When you remove the top over of a Chinese MT copy you will see the insides are BETTER done. When you remove the top cover on a MT genuine article you will see perfection! All the others use unknown steels, of unspecified temper and hardness - though most are certainly serviceable enough. MT uses the highest quality, modern alloy steel for their blades, AND the other critical internal parts, most notably the blade locks. The blade locks are the backbone of the knife. Most - including Lightening, use thin slivers of punched steel about 1mm thick, dropped into oversized, somewhat indistinct recesses. When the blade is deployed, it's this thin sliver of metal that keeps it locked forward. There is a lot of room for movement, and when subjected to strong tip forces trying to collapse the blade, these locks will fail. Probably be fine for plunging the blade into soft things, but anything hard will likely defeat the lock. The generics will also have springs of dubious quality. But I can say with certainty, the Chinese MT copies are superior to the OTFs you'll find on Grindworx.
MicroTech blade locks are made of quality, hardened steel, precision formed slabs that measure on average about 1.52mm thick with perfectly radiused "front and back" edges. These locks are then inserted into zero-tolerance frame recesses so the lock is fully supported, and what's better, when the blade is open, the front lock assumes a geometry that the more force on the tip, the more firmly the lock is held in place! This is why a MT OTF blade can be hammered through a seasoned 2x4 without damage. This is why the knife can then be "hammered" back and forth to loosen it, and worked until it's pulled free without damage. That's what you're $300 for a UTX is buying you. There is no better DA OTF knife!
Benchmade is in the same class....expensive, with with twin, parallel locks that cannot fail! The 4" dagger blade is built to go deep, and yet, it too can be hammered through a seasoned 2x4 without damage to the locks! The BM Infidel uses twin steel guide frames sandwiched between anodized aluminum chassis slabs. A massive, hardened steel "boss" mounted through the blade shank rides these rails and, combined with the twin locking arms, results in a near solid, 3-point lock up.

The Lightnings, and Atomics, and other non-brands are perfectly okay for cutting cardboard boxes into squares, and slicing through Wavy Lays bags, cutting cord, rope, even carving polymer material away on a P80 build, but they aren't made for combat. The Benchmade, and MT knives are made for combat. Guardian Tactical also makes a beautiful selection with super-thick Elmax blades, massive drum-style - perfectly fitted blade locks, and ball-bearing supported firing switch, but you'll pay almost as much for a Recon 040 as you will for a MT Combat Troodon. The 040 has a solid, 4.1" razor sharp blade compared to the Combat Troodon's 3.8", but the blades are quite thick and robust. The amount of blade shank retained in a quality OTF is of greater surface area than any "hinge" type knife...I'd trust any of my high dollar DA OTF knifes in a multiple thrusting life-or-death confrontation over most hinged knives of equal blade length.
The best way to "run" a DA OTF knife is with minimal lubricant - as dry as possible to avoid the phenomenon known as "stiction" which is why people report their OTF knives suddenly becoming jam-o-matics after oiling.

 

[flaman]

If you have a MT expert next to you, they may be able to tell the difference, if you have a genuine MT to compare your "Chicom" knife to, you WILL see the subtle differences, but be assured, the Chinese have copied MT knifes to a high degree. The most obvious copy I've seen so far is the UTX and UTX85 because the Chinese models have a larger body, slightly longer blade, but in their own right, are quite robust, well-built, and attractive knives.

Scott60, thanks for your thoughtful response. Can you suggest specific Chinese MT copies that meet this criteria, and... the best place to purchase them from? I definitely want something with a solid lockup.

 

[uravan]

oxymoron,, quality & inexpensive😊

 

[flaman]

OK.... Thanks for your thoughts. I pulled the trigger and ordered this Microtech

 

[CaptainO]

This is a nice Idaho-made Pirhana

 

[Hoss]

Define inexpensive for you. Quality and inexpensive rarely go hand in hand. Inexpensive usually comes at a cost. Sweat shops come to mind as does communism. If it could be produced completely without human involvement time or labor wise it coukd become less expensive down the road once the facility that makes them begins to produce enough to turn a profit.

OTF knives will come down in price as manufacturers tend to use cheap Chinese communist labor. If you want a quality American made knife that will eventually be less money a lot of things would have to be automated and the people who own and run the companies would need to take less of a bottom line to be competitive with foreign made products. Then there would have to be a large market for the product. Why not just save up and buy a good one and over time it will be less expensive to you.

 

[flaman]

Define inexpensive for you. Quality and inexpensive rarely go hand in hand. Inexpensive usually comes at a cost. Sweat shops come to mind as does communism. If it could be produced completely without human involvement time or labor wise it coukd become less expensive down the road once the facility that makes them begins to produce enough to turn a profit.

OTF knives will come down in price as manufacturers tend to use cheap Chinese communist labor. If you want a quality American made knife that will eventually be less money a lot of things would have to be automated and the people who own and run the companies would need to take less of a bottom line to be competitive with foreign made products. Then there would have to be a large market for the product. Why not just save up and buy a good one and over time it will be less expensive to you.

Thanks for your thoughts. I pulled the trigger and ordered a Microtech

 

[uravan]

Face it, American made products just cost much more to manuf than Chinese stuff. Has been for the last 40years. China labor is pennies per hour while United States is $25+ per hour. Energy cost for manuf & transportation has just gone up significant in the US, while China is gov subsidized. China has shifted manuf of nearly all items to china. I encourage everyone to go ahead and purchase goods made in the US.

 

[Borderland]

I bought this Lightning Elite OTF for $30.00 from grinderworx to see what they were about.
Great knife for the price, it really feels solid. I thought that if I liked the type I'd buy a good one.
I do like this type, very one handed handy! But honestly I now don't see the point in spending more.

 

[uravan]

I bought this Lightning Elite OTF for $30.00 from grinderworx to see what they were about.
Great knife for the price, it really feels solid. I thought that if I liked the type I'd buy a good one.
I do like this type, very one handed handy! But honestly I now don't see the point in spending more. View attachment 1079487

made in Tawain. Enough said

 

[Sharkey]

made in Tawain. Enough said

What does that mean? Is that good or bad? I had a Volvo S60 Inscription for awhile. Best seats ever and the inscription models were assembled in China.

 

[lazarus66]

Got a couple of those Lightnings. I'm not ripping gunships out of the sky with them, but they do ok around the shop.

 

[billorights]

I bought this Lightning Elite OTF for $30.00 from grinderworx to see what they were about.
Great knife for the price, it really feels solid. I thought that if I liked the type I'd buy a good one.
I do like this type, very one handed handy! But honestly I now don't see the point in spending more. View attachment 1079487

I have the same one except black. Good choice. It does what I need a knife to do. And stays razor sharp with just a couple swipes on a fine stone now and then. If I wanted to carry a fighting knife, it would be my Gerber Guardian Loveless.
BTW, today I bought a Ruger Single Six. I could have got a Microtech instead with about the same money. Duh.

 

[Hoss]

Thanks for your thoughts. I pulled the trigger and ordered a Microtech

Good choice on a great knife!

 

[Out West]

Yes, and they all come from China, so if that's a deal breaker for you, your out of luck unless you want to pony up Microtech, Benchmade, or Guardian Tactical prices which average 10X more.
You can buy a Chinese made "knockoff" of a Combat Troodon for around $45 to 50 via either of the two major Chinese distributors, both of whom have easy to use apps. For that money you will get a knife that is indistinguishable from the US made version in terms of appearance, fit, finish, and over-all function. It will come with a fully anodized chassis, tri-corner screws, pocket clip with appropriate markings, and a selection of blade styles with correct markings. If you have a MT expert next to you, they may be able to tell the difference, if you have a genuine MT to compare your "Chicom" knife to, you WILL see the subtle differences, but be assured, the Chinese have copied MT knifes to a high degree. The most obvious copy I've seen so far is the UTX and UTX85 because the Chinese models have a larger body, slightly longer blade, but in their own right, are quite robust, well-built, and attractive knives. You can choose to pay $35 or so for a Taiwanese made "Lighting" that looks pretty bland, or $40 for a beautiful MT "copy." Your choice.
I own a number of Chinese made MT OTF knives, but I own more genuine, US made MicroTech knives, and here's what all that extra $$$ buys you:
When you remove the top cover of MOST non-branded - meaning Lightnings, Atomic, etc., you will see the internals are pretty well done. When you remove the top over of a Chinese MT copy you will see the insides are BETTER done. When you remove the top cover on a MT genuine article you will see perfection! All the others use unknown steels, of unspecified temper and hardness - though most are certainly serviceable enough. MT uses the highest quality, modern alloy steel for their blades, AND the other critical internal parts, most notably the blade locks. The blade locks are the backbone of the knife. Most - including Lightening, use thin slivers of punched steel about 1mm thick, dropped into oversized, somewhat indistinct recesses. When the blade is deployed, it's this thin sliver of metal that keeps it locked forward. There is a lot of room for movement, and when subjected to strong tip forces trying to collapse the blade, these locks will fail. Probably be fine for plunging the blade into soft things, but anything hard will likely defeat the lock. The generics will also have springs of dubious quality. But I can say with certainty, the Chinese MT copies are superior to the OTFs you'll find on Grindworx.
MicroTech blade locks are made of quality, hardened steel, precision formed slabs that measure on average about 1.52mm thick with perfectly radiused "front and back" edges. These locks are then inserted into zero-tolerance frame recesses so the lock is fully supported, and what's better, when the blade is open, the front lock assumes a geometry that the more force on the tip, the more firmly the lock is held in place! This is why a MT OTF blade can be hammered through a seasoned 2x4 without damage. This is why the knife can then be "hammered" back and forth to loosen it, and worked until it's pulled free without damage. That's what you're $300 for a UTX is buying you. There is no better DA OTF knife!
Benchmade is in the same class....expensive, with with twin, parallel locks that cannot fail! The 4" dagger blade is built to go deep, and yet, it too can be hammered through a seasoned 2x4 without damage to the locks! The BM Infidel uses twin steel guide frames sandwiched between anodized aluminum chassis slabs. A massive, hardened steel "boss" mounted through the blade shank rides these rails and, combined with the twin locking arms, results in a near solid, 3-point lock up.

The Lightnings, and Atomics, and other non-brands are perfectly okay for cutting cardboard boxes into squares, and slicing through Wavy Lays bags, cutting cord, rope, even carving polymer material away on a P80 build, but they aren't made for combat. The Benchmade, and MT knives are made for combat. Guardian Tactical also makes a beautiful selection with super-thick Elmax blades, massive drum-style - perfectly fitted blade locks, and ball-bearing supported firing switch, but you'll pay almost as much for a Recon 040 as you will for a MT Combat Troodon. The 040 has a solid, 4.1" razor sharp blade compared to the Combat Troodon's 3.8", but the blades are quite thick and robust. The amount of blade shank retained in a quality OTF is of greater surface area than any "hinge" type knife...I'd trust any of my high dollar DA OTF knifes in a multiple thrusting life-or-death confrontation over most hinged knives of equal blade length.
The best way to "run" a DA OTF knife is with minimal lubricant - as dry as possible to avoid the phenomenon known as "stiction" which is why people report their OTF knives suddenly becoming jam-o-matics after oiling.

Where can these better knock offs be found? Got a link? Thanks

 

[Sharkey]

Where can these better knock offs be found? Got a link? Thanks

Aliexpress is where I get mine. Delivery can be anywhere from 3 weeks to 6 weeks. I have never lost money on a purchase but think I have had 2 that didn't show and money was refunded. Customs might snatch it.
That said, I have a drawer full of Chinese clones. Maybe I will post a Pic later. I was hesitant to buy the autos but now have 3 and gave one as a gift so no issues. Some are not clones but actually counterfeit so know that going in. We have had discussions before. No way I am buying a $200+ folder so I am not the market for the originals. I compare it to buying a fake Coach purse. If you notice, the cases (bought off Amazon) hold 10 knives and I have 5 of them so all total around 75 Chinese Knives. Of those maybe 20% are actual Chinese Brands like Civivi or SRM and not clones. The rest are. You have 3 autos and one spring assist and all work fine. There is one real Brous blade but it is in the drawer because I like the clone one better. The two bottom clones should be familiar to those collecting high dollar folders. I don't abuse my knives. I carry them to cut stuff with (to include 2 legged predators) and all the China made knives work fine for that.
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