Cheap OTF (Out The Front) Automatic Knives...What You Need To Know... 

Every time I have enough money to buy a microtech I buy a gun instead.

It’s amazing to me that now days a $100 knife or anything for that matter . Is now thought of as cheap or not Quality. To me something that is $100 is expensive or a lot of money.

Now I don't know about everyone else but I'd buy a "Billy Bob's Automatic".

Jeff, you made a lot of great points in this video and I appreciate you making it. I'll be honest and say that I've had a Lightning OTF in my weekly rotation for the past 2 years now since I'm allowed to carry it where I live. I originally bought it just to see if the OTF scene was for me, and I'll tell you that I love the thing. Is the blade steel soft? Yes, but it sharpens easily. I only ever had a problem with it for the first time about 2 weeks ago where a screw fell out of the side of it, but it was easily locked back into place. My plan was to run the Lightning for awhile, and if I enjoyed it, then invest in a higher name-brand piece but medical costs have gotten in the way and here we are, two years later still using it. I know I'll figure out something nicer in the future, but for now this works just fine. It's funny since I was actually giving it it's weekly sharpening at work about 10 minuets before I got the notification that you uploaded this video. Again, I just want to say thank you for this video, and touching on all of the aspects that you did since they are important for anyone considering their first OTF knife purchase. Good show man.

I so appreciate your videos. Started watching about 3 years ago and almost all I know about knives had been thanks to you. In fact every purchase I have made with your advice has been spot on. I purchased Benchmade Infidel and Microtech Ultratech. Both home runs. Thanks

Very concise and comprehensive conveyance about this type blade. Exactly what anyone mulling the OTF pool needed to know from a neutrality that covers the truth about this type blade as well as the type who are looking to dive into this market. Thank you for breaking the surface.

Hi Jeff, I have 3-4 Lightning OTF knives I got for $25-35 each and I am pretty happy with them. My expectations were not high so I was happy when they actually worked properly. I also got a name brand ITF foe $200 and it was so hard to activate that I had to send it back for adjustment and then it came off the track periodically.

Regarding qualify, I've had a lightning otf for almost 10 years and I've beaten the snot out of it and it has never failed. Amazing quality for a cheap knife.

My first OTF was a white shell black DE blade AKC F-16 from BHQ @ $60. I liked it so I saved up and bought a Microtech Ultratech T/E, Red Tanto SE with a two tone blade and love every minuet of it when it's my carry for a day! I almost bought an Infidel, but already have quite a few BM's sitting around. LoL I wish Spyderco had an OTF!

My first OTF were kinda similar to the 2nd from the bottom, but bigger. The clip, glass breaker, pouch and the skeletonized blood groove is the dead giveaway. The matte finish were nice, but not the most durable. It peeled off and bubbled in the first week, but for around 20 bucks it's amazing.

I do!! I have 4 LIGHTNING ELITES, that are razor sharp with mirror edges! EZ to do when you have a sharpening side gig, and a real super sharpener. Budget knives also have D2 steel Not just 440. I remember when 90% of knives were 440. No one complained as loud as people do today about it. I've had them all. I'd rather have 4 LIGHTNINGs then one Microtech. Wanted to sell my microtec's and it took 6 months, because everyone thinks "it could be a clone". Took 6 months to sell a Heretic OTF too. NEVER EVER AGAIN. LEARN TO SHARPEN. and save a lot of buyers remorse!!

I have about 12 cheap otf's and love them. Good video.

I have an otf I paid 70 follar for on amaxone..been an unbelievable everyday carry ...took it apart very high quality internals...

I have been looking for this type of cheap knife ,thanks

Definitely appreciate the video. I’m new to otf knives and pocket knives in general. Thanks to your video I know what to look for and the difference in prices.

Great as always Jeff!

I'm really happy with the one I just got today, I was going to buy one on aliexpress but then I realized there is a local store near by that specializes in knives and it was super nice to be able to hold them in my hand first.

Great video & topic idk why this dnt have more views dude yu deserve tons more views👏

Excellent, you answered my question on the blade safety

I was driving 4 hours today and I was listening to a knife podcast, and thought it would be awesome to hear you on a podcast man. Have you ever been approached to do one? Or ever thought of starting one?

Side opening autos can be had in pretty good quality though, boker Kalashnikovs are aus 8 for about 40

I recently bought a vipertech otf for around 80 bucks as a work beater knife thats easy to use with greasy hands and it comes with d2 steel. Great knife for basic cutting and work tasks but I can't bring myself to spend the several hundreds on a benchmade or similar knife in general. The d2 steel is good, not great, but good enough for a medium duty knife and I would definitely recommend one if your looking

love my hogue CPM154! Release is a little stiff though. But that's how the mechanism works.

Good on you Jeff not all of use can afford expensive otf so the cheap ones are the only option for us to experience one thanks

Great video, and great points. Thank you, you helped out a lot.

I really want to expand my otf collection. Currently have a midtech, but want a mini or 2 and now i want that red one

great selection of cheap ones!

I have that vespa cypher. One of the best knives i own. Very reliable if keped oiled and clean. Edge keps sharp with use for a long time and easy to fi when it starts 2 dull. Would defiently reccomend it

I would liked to have know the price point of the knives he had on the table instead of calling them cheap 1000 times. Sometimes context is better quality.

thanks man great video helped me out alot !

I've got one from Spartan Auto Knives that I got as a christmas gift, and I believe it falls into this category. Cheap or not, the thing works really damn well.

I just bought a normandy griffin 2.75" (legal in my state) with a d2 tanto blade for 100$. Not sure where all the parts are sourced from but its assembled in usa, and has lifetime warranty. They also had a sale for 50% off a second knife so I bought another with 440c spear blade. Can't wait to get my hands on them.

My only one is the Schrade that BUDK has had on sale for 2 or 3 years. The only thing I don't like is that my blade is partially serrated and they do have 2 other blade styles. It is single action but that is no big deal. I do collect Schrades and may pick up the other blade styles one of these first days.

I have the red handled one in the middle (mines blue) and the one above it, and I'm here to tell you that their quality is no joke. I have 5 different models from DHGate, along with some other expensive and cheap models from bladehq. I have been collecting autos since about 1985 so I know a thing or two, and these two from DHgate are surprisingly nice. I've taken every auto I have apart and you can tell the fit and finish of each goes up with the price. The insides of those two were absolutely perfect. ZERO machining marks, no casting flash nothing. The blade polish was perfect all the way down, the sears didn't appear like some garbage stamped POS with sharp edges, but they were perfectly formed and even all the way around; almost look machined if I didn't know any better. The anodization inside and out were flawless and they locked up tight every time. For the price I paid I'd NEVER buy the 400 dollar versions. Not for these knives. These knives will surprise you I promise that.

Absolutely love my tacknives otf, great quality for the price

I started off buying very cheap otfs...actually the first one I got was a schrade single action, schotfg, went to a gun show..didn't know much about Microtech and bought a hellhound copy otf for like 30 bucks. From then I'd buy cheaper ones, here and there Lightning, Vipertec, etc...then after trying some copies of some microtechs and other types, eventually bought an microtech ultratech and wow...yes there is a huge difference in quality and performance. Since then, I've gotten a few more and they're great. Yes the Chinese make some very decent quality otfs, but..once they break they're gone...that's one of the reasons I usually stick with Vespa otfs..at least they give you some spare parts if you happen to break a spring or lose a screw. For cheap otfs, if and when I get them, I usually get them in better steels or stick with a brand that has good track record. For example, Lightnings, AKC, Boker, Cobratec, Vespa (some sub 100 dollar types) maybe the occasional titan otf. I would say tacknives too (get them on sale for like around 30 to 40 bucks), but most use zinc alloy handles...so they are heavier. Honestly the otfs people really should avoid are the ones sold by companies that sell huge amounts of them with weird names like "covertops, tactical trooper, reaper" etc. They are extremely cheap otfs that either are completely crap and feels like they will break any minute or you might get lucky and get a decent one. I've experienced both. It's a crap shoot. Lately been getting into more expensive ones, but do enjoy the occasional cheaper options. Also usually I buy clones or copies to get a feel for the handles or ergos to see if I like it and then buy the real thing.

I have purchased about 5 different styles of Tacknives they are all great.

I use my cheap otf around the ranch it works, if it dulls just sharpen, the only thing i would say is they are heavy, handle is made of heavy pot metal, zamak metal. I still like them...

I have an OTF lightning. Even though I can carry it here the quality isn't up to par with any of my EDC knives. I'm kinda a hard user. But that being said it's a fun knife that I get out and play with from time to time.

I thought single action otf's would go through paper and light targets if fired into them without coming off their track?

You should check out the S&W assist OTF I carry mine all the time.

You should do a video that shows the inside and the workings

I bought a cheap (35?) small otf, branded as "Delta Force" (farce?) and it's been a sweet little knife. Always goes snick-snack, keeps an edge as well as most gas station fodder, just for small tasks and "fidget spinner" type fun. It's about the same size as that small one w/same silver clip and lanyard cap/glass breaker? I've got a larger unbranded one that, well, hardly ever works right lmao. Gonna tear it down and polish the contact points where it feels like a burr or two is dragging, oil the springs etc.

I'm a butcher by trade and keep my knives sharp and oiled... But I'm also cheap. The only 'Expensive' knife I ever acquired is a Cold Steel AD10 which was like $120 on Amazon. I do own a couple Kershaw's that were like $50 I've purchased over the years. All that said, I currently have a $17 Grand Way folder in my pocket that I really like as my nicer knives sit on my desk or in the drawer. So I'm one of your Rare Ones ;-) Thanks for the video, been thinking about getting an OTF just to toy around with it, so I was glad to see the low end isn't that bad. I can deal with soft steel's just makes them easier to sharpen lol.

Thanks for the video. In my opinion o much prefer to have a good cheap knife than an over expensive one

Love my microtechs...just like a lot of folks wanted one after watching Jack Bauer in 24. I was able to get a limited Tadgear Halo III (first Halo used fullers which was supposed to be a tadgear edition exclusive along with no markings on the knife only on the charging handle). I recently looked up what others went for in the secondary market and the knife has 3x since then. Since then I have picked up a couple along the way and love pulling them out now and then. Thinking about picking up another one as a beater.

yeah times have changed. lots of great otf top steel knives coming out of china now.

I have an AKC F-16. Great fidget toy.

Very informative! I actually wanted to know a bit more on these cheap OTF from China. We all know how good a $300 Benchmade can be but little is known about these cheaper ones. I think I may actually get one because I fit the description, someone who wants to try an OTF but does not want to throw a whole chunk of savings on it.

Good video however I'm just looking for the best one double action $100 or less tops. I don't feel like I would want to "use" one that cost over $100. Any suggestions would be appreciated Thanks! 💪🙏🇺🇲

I have a dirt cheap Atomic that was given to me, works great...

The single action S&W otf's are made in Taiwan with Aus8 blade steel for 30 - 40 bucks. I agree with others that 100 bucks for a knife is expensive, not cheap.

I usually keep a few lightnings on hand to sell and gift friends and make a few extra dollars

What's the name of that little one at the bottom? would love to get my hands on it for work

I love the Lightning.

I live in Indiana where we don’t have knife restrictions, but I still don’t own an otf. I know I’d never carry it so I won’t buy one, but there still neat

You all should buy the vespa ripper! It is the best otf you can buy for the money! It’s genuine m390 with good HRC. I believe it was tested by luvthemknives. Comes with all tools and extra springs. It will outperform you typical mictrotech in quality.

Bought a cheap otf with 440 steel and I've had it for about 3 years, thing is a freaking tank.

Shot I gave 49.99 for my otf knife and its 440 stainless whole steel construction with a iodized dragon and skull front plate 2 tone blade it's very nice for 50 bucks and sharp as a razor

I have 2 cheap otf in d2 and 440c..... The problem of cheap otfs is the blade play is so much that the edge touching the inner part of the handle, usually at 75% of the blade length, also at the top pin of D/E blade..... Cheap steel just won't hold the edge..... I ground the edge to the point where it won't touching the handle and work nicely.....

I really like that green one. Do you have a link for it, or the name of it?

i like how he doesn't shame people who buy cheaper otfs

I have a Microtech Jedi Knight, the plue powdercoated blade, I bought it via a payment plan. It's definitely a safe queen but I love it. I've looked into these cheap OTFs. I seen someone at a flea market last fall selling the branded counterfeits for more than say wish.com but less than the obvious msrp for the real knife. Questioned him and he defended that they were legit, I didn't buy it one bet. He most likely got them online somewhere, branded counterfeit ones, and was trying to sell them as legit. Don't get me wrong, he had a Boba Fett Microtech counterfeit for like 75 bucks that looked really good, but then I thought if I wanted one myself I could just buy one for like 35 bucks on wish or other sites.

Great vid. Which is the bottom smallest in the video?? Thanks

Where did you find any of these? Tac knives website doesn't have any of the cool looking ones you've shown.

Kind of reminds me of a Ganzo when they first came out, but otf's instead Benchmade. I think if you can make a knife that well, then you should do your own designs! It's not that hard. Anyway. Shame i'm in the UK lol, i'd get arrested for a plastic spoon!

What Kinda knife is the copper one and where’s the link to it?

Yup!

My best friend bought me a Microtech Bounty Hunter last year for my birthday, (he knows I love Boba Fett and he as contractor money). Well, not even a year later and the $300+ knife won't come out far enough to lock out and won't come in enough to lock in. Like you mentioned, the insanely priced knives have good warranties.

For cheap OTF's I like Bokers and AKC's that they sell on BHQ.

I do own a UTX 85 clone and it's really nice but if opening and closing it 10 times or more in a row, it really hurt my thumb, especially closing it. Also maybe the X patern on the button is not really ergonomic. What I wanted to know, is that appart from the Halo and the small OTF, which of your clone have the lightest detent?

My wife surprised me with a badass Recon 040. I had a Scarab Executive for a while a few years ago and foolishly traded it and have wanted another one since then. I love this thing. BUT I also just ordered a Lightning Elite just because. To have an inexpensive one to fuck around with and not worry about.

The more u spend will determine how likely u r to keep it once used for it's intended use 😉 There's 2 types of knives: weapons and utilities. Never use one for the other.

I’m really glad you made this video. I’m hoping to get some info as a resident of the communist state of California. The law as I understand it is you can own and purchase OTF knives you just can’t carry them. You can carry and under 3” otf or auto. I don’t need a legal binding answer, but looking for someone who lives in CA who has bought or does buy them legally (the ones over 3”) I’m originally from Nevada where you can have anything you want including open carry of a firearm so I’d love some detail on CA’s laws. Any help is appreciated. Thank you.

good video I purchased the $35.amazon just recieved button is extremely hard to eject & retract blade I have very strong hands so I'm dissapointed.I've opened/closed a dozen times there's no sign of easeing up.any suggestions

Really wish knife brands would let you choose blade material. Seen so many cool looking knifes go above 100$ just because it's using premium steel that I don't really care for. D2 works fine for me and even 440/420.

Hi Jeff. I have a lightning otf as well as a few other Chinese otfs. But I also have a benchmade Infidel in blue, and a microtech combat troodon in sand like color. These two are in my everyday carry as secondary carry or backup knives. I have many knives like yourself, and my main carry is a benchmade bugout that I still haven't worn out. It's alternative is my cold steel recon 1, and my cold steel srk. Those 3 are my main rotation with an occasional supplement as the mood strikes me. I loved your video and look forward to more. Take care. Tommy B.

I love the little one on the bottom

Love your content man been here since the last lethal weapons update awesome channel

What is the little gray one in front? Thanks

How’s about torture testing a vespa troodon clone otf? You’d be the first person to ever do so, that I know of and it’d make for a hell of a good vid...

can someone please help me out. what is the small black knife on the bottom?? i cant find it anywhere

What is that orange one?

I got into cobratec knives recently. They're made very well for a reasonable price. Good steel and smooth action on them. I really do reccomend them.

What brand are the green knife and the red and black one and where can you get it?

I had purchased a few non MT otf's for around $80 a piece. After buying an authentic MT Ultratech theres no comparison. The authentic has way better fit and finish and the cheap blade steel of the non MT can't stand anywhere close to the elmax of the original. At the end of the day I just don't want to carry a $300 knife around so it's more of a collection piece and $80 non authentic makes it's rotation as an edc knife. I agree though save the $$$ and get yourself an authentic MT.

I've had 2 microtech come apart on me. And they have NEVER seen heavy use. Hardly light use...

not only do you get inexpensive knives from China you can get knives that are out of production or impossible to find they are upgrading the steels, and 440 is no longer they only choice ... the BIGGEST shortfall Now is their inability to produce a clean sharpened edge grind. The grinds are all over the place but with china knives, if you don't take them apart and clean up the shortcomings, they are short lived novelties. I have been able to make all of my favorite knives from "close to correct" china knives. I have a couple dozen of them now, and only spent a few hundred dollars ... and with some TLC, they all work as they should : ) I started buying them as research for a new OTF heavy use knife that I am designing from scratch. I wanted to see how the different mechanisms functioned and where they fell down. Now I am addicted to them : D

Here in LA it's good to have these kinds of things. Especially these days.

I just got a lightning last night. What a coincidence!

What’s that orange one? The coolest on the table IMO. Probably gonna pick one up 🤙🏻 great video by the way. I’m now a subscriber!

Buy a Lightening or AKC and invest the difference between those an expensive OTF knife. Grindworx has the AKC f-16 for 39.99 right now.

Looking for a pocket clip for my M&P spear tip blade

How are the Tacknives Pro? Or Viper tec with higher end steel?

So is the Damascus blade knife one good at retaining an edge?

Just shop smkw for Hogue OTF. They make a quality OTF with s30v and usually under $250

What is that little OTF knife in your video that you said is about $20? I would like to find one

My knife perspective.. Is it easily obtained? Is it legal? Does it cut? Does it take and maintain a good edge? Is it sturdy? Is it safe to use? Is it comfortable in the hand? How is it carried? What is it's intended use? Do i like it? Notice the brand, packaging etc is not a factor to me. Other considerations.. Time it takes to ship. Is it out of production? Price Intimidation factor. Which may translate into, will it be taken from me, or will I shy from carrying or using it..? If I can't get it..what is the point?

How long for shipping? If it like a month like dhgate I really don’t want to order one

I like cobratec!