Just ordered mine from the service providers program today. Always thought it was kind of an ugly little guy, but your review got me looking closer…now I’m excited for my ugly new friend to arrive
That’s funny because I was dead set on a socom elite but after getting the price and order sheet from Microtech LE/Military program I started looking at this and now I’m stuck between the two.
Hands down best video on the LUDT out there. Very well thought out and detailed analysis. I wonder if knife makers put this much consideration into the knives they make. I'm waiting for delivery of my red/black example. Really looking forward to getting it in hand. Your black/bronze knife is sweet.
I really appreciate you going through several important points of a grind geometry - most users don't quite have that insight. I was considering to make a video on blade geometry in kitchen and pocket knives for while now - your video ist just another nod in that direction. I may as well start making some preparations. I think that this topic should get more attention so that people better understand what to expect from what kind of geometry and what kind of maintenance may/will be necessary in the long run. So, thanks again for diving into the technical details.
I'm gonna start off by saying you're the best knife channel on youtube right now. Now, I used to own one of these but i traded it for a praetorian. That was the worst knife decision I've ever made. I order the gray and black ludt yesterday in 204p. This time around it will not leave my collection. Thanks man for actually breaking down what a knife should be!
Mine just came today -> ODT Green and Stonewashed 204p blade. Thx for making the choice to order it so easy! Love your channel and your view on knife performance. You`re the main reason why I even started to fully regrind my Grailer 2 by hand because I want to get it under 0.010 behind the edge like the ludt. When I started it was on spyderco lvl about 0.020 and I´m at 0.015 currently. Keep it up and love from austria ;)
I just bought the LUDT on your recommendation. Came today and I'm really impressed. Can't wait to carry it tomorrow. I bought the purple handle version with 204P satin blade. Good lookin' blade. Thanks nero
Geez, I learned more in the first five minutes of this video about blade design than I had known in the rest of my life! I'm not a real knife nerd, though I like them. I only learned about the LUDT because I'm a veteran and it's one of the available knives for discount. I wanted an Ultratech, but now I think I'll be buying the LUDT... first. haha I'm torn, the all black tactical is cool, but how can you not love the beauty of the satin finish steel? My eyes did keep going back to the Stormtrooper, it's quite beautiful.
I love the black one with the 'Apocalyptic' blade. These look like really well made knives, with not just durability and strength, but fantastic cutters. I'm learning a lot from your videos about blade geometry and ergonomics during hard use of a knife, so keep 'em coming. Also, there are many knife channels I watch (big and small you tubers), but none really do what you do, and some 'hard truths' about facts and myths of certain brands/steels/knives really need to be said- and you are great at calling bullshit on stuff that doesn't add up. Just keep doing what you are doing, cos, well, frankly not one else is🤔🙄😂.
I've always suspected that the LUDT would be a great slicer. Microtech consistently delivers the thinnest edge geometry of US production companies, and the LUDT uses thin stock and has a relatively high grind. Great video.
I've a stuning Socom Elite M390 steel auto, and i love it. Microtech are the best knives in the planet! Some Chinese knives have very good quality too, such as Reate and WE, but Microtech is Microtech, the special finish that last for a live time. Yes, is American made, top quality! thanks for the great presentation.
I have both of these models and I use my LUDT for EDC because it's overall size is so much carry friendly. I use my Socom for camping or "bigger" jobs.
@@larrymarsico4059 I too love my Socom but for EDC the LUDT is the best in my opinion as I now have two of them and I am looking at a '10 model. I wish I could pickup an auto mini socom for EDC.
I just pulled the trigger on one of these. I figured having that tiny bevel would be a lot easier to sharpen. It makes sense that it’s easier to sharpen, most knives have a massive bevel which means a lot more material to remove.
Brilliant observations: the clip in-line with the pivot, taper of the handle, jimping, blade geo . Colors? I have my eye on the purple handle w/ black blade. Waiting for the Dirt Test !
Another great thing about this knife is that it has a pivot bushing, which is pretty sweet too for the price. Just crank the pivot down all the way and it is perfect, pickin another one up in the morning for $150 lnib
Whaaaaaat no umnumzaan 😞thought for sure that would be in your top #1 lol I’m loving mine bro!!! I did jus purchase my 1st ludt auto partial serrated, can’t wait to get it
The LUDT that I just received today manufacture date is 02/2022 has absolutely zero side to side play so they either have improved the tolerances or it is just because it isn't broken in yet maybe but it fires fast and locks up bank vault tight!
The one complaint I will make is if you have med to large hands then this knife is not going to be comfortable for you unfortunately they should have added an extra half an inch to the handle imo then it would be a perfect knife and they should also offer a manual version...
Side to side play? Wow. None of mine have any sort of movement, except my Turquoise satin version. Absolutely rock solid. Just had to pull them out and test, to verify I wasn't fibbing. Honestly. that might make me send em back, to have MT check it out. Fantastic video. Nice to see some Ludt love :)
Jef Jewell hm interesting. Everyone I own has a little side to side blade play. I can feel that it’s cause the pivot isn’t tightened up all the way. Maybe the person tuning the knives was different.
Let me know how the tool works. Since the sides of the pivot screws taper down, I have been hesitant to bother. I've thought about it since my satin version has the tiniest amount of movement, but just never got around to it.
They have a barrel spacer in the blade likes sabenza 21 and pre 2012 Socom. Iv never felt a knife with a bearing pivot that didn't have a little blade play. The older ludt did anyway would bet the newer ones do to.
I love the Microtech LUDT. I have one in S35 VN (2012), one in Elmax (2015), and one in M390 (2017). As you mention, the knives come incredibly sharp out of the box, but also take an amazing edge (if you know how to sharpen). I carried one for years and had no damage to my edge. The LUDT is still in my carry rotation, since I like to mix it up a little. It is super light in the pocket but offers a very usable and substantial blade.
Really interesting stuff man! I’m gonna have to pick on if these up. What do you think about the different finish types? Do the black blades grab/feel more friction than the satin or stone wash blades?
Robert M I would be too. If you’re looking for the cutting preference and don’t mind a auto ludt. It carry’s better as well. Hard use / bad ass knife socom.
I have the LUDT and Socom in black with apocalyptic blades. I EDC the LUDT because it is just more ergonomically designed and built for that purpose. And I use my Socom for camp or "heavy" duty cutting. Both knives are super high quality but they are each completely different.
So I know this is a two year old vid, but I hope you still carry and use the LUDT. Around the 16:20 mark of your vid, you go into the minor side to side blade play. I’ve found that once the blade is open, if you release the blade, pull it back about 1/4 to 1/2 way closed then release it again; this will seat the button tighter, resulting in solid, no side play lock up. Thx for the vid.
I have the all black ludt coming in tuesday been wanting that one for a while & it finally came available . My fav knife right now would be my guardian tactical helix
I recently purchase a LUDT after a lot of research. I found that your video detailing the knife was really the final factor leading to my purchase decision, so thank you for that. I find your knife related videos to be among the very best overall that I have viewed on RU-vid. Look forward to many more to come as have found something of value in each one that I’ve been able to watch. I do have a question for you regarding the LUDT. I plan to just strop the blade as needed to maintain sharpness. However, if/when the blade edge becomes worn enough where stropping won’t repair it and regular sharpening/honing is needed, are there any specific recommendation for sharpening technique for this particular blade (mine is CTS-204P)? What sharpening angle would you recommend - 15 degrees per side or just follow whatever the factory angle is set at? As you pointed out in your video, it has a really short/thin bevel and I don’t think it would probably be a good thing to widen it. Also, like you pointed out I also really like the thinness behind the edge for all the reasons you mentioned, so thank you for pointing those benefits out. What a good cutter it is! Thank you for any input you can provide.
Just finished the video, I like the stormtrooper the best for looks but I wouldn’t use it would just be a safe queen because of that finish. Using it would be like spilling ketchup on a white shirt
I wish more production companies had the balls to make nifes* this thin. Or at least offer nifes* two different ways; (thick for morons) and thin for ppl that want to take full advantage of the steels properties with the thinnest possible geometry. 😬
I had the LUDT in hand once and loved it. And .006 bte that's fucking crazy on a production folder man. What you didn't talk about is lockup. I think that's always interesting on automatic knives because I had a 200$ protech before that basically was a slipjoint. I could just push it close with my thumb on the spine when it was in my hand. But I also had a 40$ Boker Strike which was solid as hell with 0 blade play and I can really recommend to you if you want to look at some more budget knives. My favorite version of the LUDT is the apocalyptic blade with black handle or the black blade/grey handle one.
Hey. Just discovered your great channel. Super educational, especially in just how little I know. Trying to find your background. Can you fill me in on how you attained your knowledge? Self study? Working in the industry? I’d love to know. Thanks so much.
Really love this knife just super pissed off that in 2 weeks of owning the ludt the spring is broke and i haven't even carried it yet just would come home and open and closed it so pissed off. Wish they made a version with hidden flipper tab with button lock. Now i have to play the game of shipping it back to have it fixed and deal with the bullshit...
Man idk if I can pick a favorite lol I really like the apocalyptic one the storm trooper one and the bronzed one plus the bronzed one would go nice with my bronzed ultra tech hellhound
Mine doesn't have any play at all. I guess I got lucky. Are all of yours like that? The only issue I have is button being a little sticky. I have heard from many people that it smooths out after a little use.
We've exactly the same taste if they're yours, I bought an orange COPY, I would have cried like a baby if it had been the original (I like black and grey) 👍👍
Hey Brother can you clear something up for me? Is the stop pin on the LUDT (I know its floating) supposed to rotate and rattle when I shake the knife? Ive read that this could be normal due to the fact that it’s floating but if its not, is there a way to remedy it? Any help would be great. Thanks a lot and great video by the way.
I bought a combat at blade shiw and the little brochure that let's you k ow about the warranty says "Microtech will not warranty products due to loss or damage caused by abuse, neglect, misuse, accident, (this part is actually underlined) improper blade sharpening or disassembly. Interesting or am I crazy?
