OTF recommendations

[BoilerWes]

Hey! Looking for some recommendations on an OTF knife for carry. I have mainly looked at the Benchmade Infidel and the Microtech line. Any thoughts on those two? Or others worth looking at? Thanks!

 

[Edged Tools]

There are a LOT actually. What's your budget?

The Kershaw Livewire, and the Hogue OTFs aren't bad either for a slightly smaller budget.

If you want any help pricing one, shoot me a message and I'd be happy to quote you on any of them.

 

[Expat]

Edged Tools got me an Infidel and I am really happy with it.

 

[shootersix]

I bought a benchmade infidel but that’s because I had to have a knife that day I couldn’t wait, but if they had one I would have preferred a microtech (I’d want a blue ultratec with a Spartan blade!)

But that was a couple of years ago, today I’d probably buy the new Kershaw live wire, I’ve got a few kershaw autos, and they’re the best auto knives I own!

 

[erasure]

American - Kershaw Livewire
non American - Vespa, either Ripper or some microtech clone

 

[KokomoDave]

I have a Microtech and like it. It fires decently and is a stout blade albeit short profile (height).
If I were to by anoher, I'd opt for the Kershaw. The 2 swing autos from them that I own fires hard, has enough profile to bite deeply into flesh or make feather sticks for fire & is a good all around knife. It's not as combat driven like the Microtech.
So the decision is: do I want tactical or practical?

 

[Edged Tools]

I have a Microtech and like it. It fires decently and is a stout blade albeit short profile (height).
If I were to by anoher, I'd opt for the Kershaw. The 2 swing autos from them that I own fires hard, has enough profile to bite deeply into flesh or make feather sticks for fire & is a good all around knife. It's not as combat driven like the Microtech.
So the decision is: do I want tactical or practical?

one of each?

 

[BoilerWes]

Great info friends. Size wise…between the Kershaw, Benchmade, and Microtech…all fairly similar?

 

[Dean C.]

Skip the Infidel it's a cool name but that about it, D2 in a OTF I am not a fan of as it can surface rust easily and with an OTF good luck fixing that.

Go with Microtech an Ultratech will be at least $100 cheaper than an Infidel and if you want to spend more I suggest a Scarab or Combat Troodon. Keep it a single edge, as daggers are fragile and difficult at best to sharpen well. The new Microtech M390 blade steel they are using now from Böhler is awesome too.

 

[Edged Tools]

Great info friends. Size wise…between the Kershaw, Benchmade, and Microtech…all fairly similar?

Depends on the model. They make all sizes.

	Open Length	Closed Length
Kershaw Livewire	8.125"	4.78"
Benchmade Infidel	8.91"	5"
Benchmade Mini-Infidel	7.1"	4"
Microtech Ultratech	8.4"	5"
Microtech Troodon	7.5"	4.5"
Microtech Combat Troodon	9.5"	5.75"

 

[daddyusmaximus]

Skip the Infidel it's a cool name but that about it, D2 in a OTF I am not a fan of as it can surface rust easily and with an OTF good luck fixing that.

Go with Microtech an Ultratech will be at least $100 cheaper than an Infidel and if you want to spend more I suggest a Scarab or Combat Troodon. Keep it a single edge, as daggers are fragile and difficult at best to sharpen well. The new Microtech M390 blade steel they are using now from Böhler is awesome too.

I've had mine since 06 when they first came out. Carried and used very often... zero rust.

I line the huge easy to use button, and it's double edged, meaning it's not only a decent back up weapon, but it will stay sharp twice as long during normal cutting chores.

It's bulky and heavy... but so easy to use, especially one handed.

 

[sadclownwp]

Dollar for dollar, the Kershaw OTF's are not beatable. This is not an opinion, they are the best value in OTF's with a lifetime warranty that there is.

That being said, Microtech uses some better steels. They have the proven history.

 

[Itchytriggerfinger]

I have microtech and hogue otf knives. No Benchmade since they decided to destroy guns for a local pd.

If you're not in a hurry, Dack Outdoors is a great place for Hogue. Just picked up another hk (hogue) micro otf for $112

 

[snapping turtle]

Check out the OTF’s carefully. (Also see the third paragraph) buy from reputable places.

The infidel is often counterfeit very well even the boxes are now near perfect replicas. The only ones more counterfeit than the infidel seems to be the micro tech models. We used to be able to tell from the boxes and the documentation but even these are nearly identical now. I got burned on a model 42 butterfly knife at a gun show as when I compared it to my father’s model 42 the only difference was the spring latch spring and the box shape.

certain Chinese knife (makers?) fakers are actually doing a very good job making OTF knives. I cannot test metal for hardness ect so I cannot say that they are made with the blade metal the advertised item lists but they are very good copies and very bad copies available if you can wait for the 2-3 month shipping they seem to use To get the the USA(FUSA).
I had a 10 custom made microtech like copies made 2 years ago from a Chinese producer with custom logos for co workers Christmas present.
one guy used the blade as a ply bar and broke the blade (this will happen to any knife if you give it to an idiot) the rest are working everyday for some of them and a couple have never been used.
the model 42 is a very good knife but it is not a bench made model 42. It is a copy but a very good copy.

 

[Dean C.]

I've had mine since 06 when they first came out. Carried and used very often... zero rust.

I line the huge easy to use button, and it's double edged, meaning it's not only a decent back up weapon, but it will stay sharp twice as long during normal cutting chores.

It's bulky and heavy... but so easy to use, especially one handed.

View attachment 309283

Glad you like yours , I have had a Medford with a D2 blade develop surface rust after being in my pocket after a busy day shooting USPSA in 90 degree weather. Swore right then I would not do non stainless bladed OTF since disassembly is frowned upon and I don't want to mess with it myself. I personally feel that the Microtech is the better knife but that's just an opinion.

 

[Bluedragon]

Like what you stated, I find the Benchmade Infidel and Microtech offerings to be nice.

Two more otf's that have my vote are ones made by H&K and also Kershaw.

The Kershaw Livewire is one I have specific interest in buying actually for my first otf.

 

[Edged Tools]

The Kershaw Livewire is one I have specific interest in buying actually for my first otf.

I’ve got one on hand. Message me if you decide you want one or something else, I can usually get you a better price than others

 

[breakingcontact]

I liked the Guardian Tactical I had, but I've since gotten away from OTF knives.

 

[Evergreen]

There are a LOT actually. What's your budget?

The Kershaw Livewire, and the Hogue OTFs aren't bad either for a slightly smaller budget.

If you want any help pricing one, shoot me a message and I'd be happy to quote you on any of them.

I can second the Hogue OTF knifes, pretty decent little knives

 

[patience0830]

Great info friends. Size wise…between the Kershaw, Benchmade, and Microtech…all fairly similar?

Infidel is a horse. Microtec more so a gentlemans size.
No experience with the Kershaw autos.