Is Microtech really the best OTF? 

Just got my first ultra tech today, and my thumbs are definitely tore up lol but it’s not as painful as learning guitar lol

Ive got a couple OTF’s that I bought in North Vietnam for $1 each! That was 25 years ago and they still work fine.

I have both a Cobratec Enforcer and a Microtech Ultratech. I'm not in bed with either brand (although I do own 3 Cobratecs, the Enforcer, the King Cobra and a Boker Kwaiken OTF, made for Boker, by Cobratec... I only own one Microtech), but comparing apples with apples, both knives are M390 blade steel. Both are the same grade aluminum handles. The Microtech has failed many times (seems to be a thing with Microtech, reading many comments sections on Microtech vids). The Cobratec hasn't failed, not even once. The fit and finish on the Cobratec is better (the machining on the handles is terrific, very nicely done). The blade play is way more on the Microtech, the actuation button rattles alarmingly on the Microtech, just before it shreds more skin off your thumb. The action is WAY smoother on the Cobratec. Overall, the Enforcer is a better finished, more reliable knife and $60 cheaper ($260 vs $320). I'm not talking about the brand as a whole, I'm sure there's cheap and nasty Cobratecs if you look, but the Enforcer, the "high end" Cobratec is superior to the Microtech in every way. I'm also a watch guy and I've been defending the Grand Seiko brand against the "if it ain't Swiss, it's shit" crowd for years and years now. So here we are again: Cobratec vs US made Microtech with the "30% Stars And Stripes Tax" (50% if you go Benchmade..... I love my Bugout and Griptilian, I'm not anti-Benchmade, but $450 for the Infidel is insanely over-priced. I have a friend that owns one and let me play with it and nope, for the asking price, not worth it... $350 and I'll buy one.)

After a couple weeks with my ultra tech my thumbs toughened up a bit and I'm in love with it. But yes one minor drawback of some Microtechs

My Benchmade Autocrat (though priced high) has the best overall ergos and action for daily use. Obviously it's a personal opinion, But I went into the purchase thinking my multiple Microtechs we're better. I've been pleasantly surprised by the Autocrat. Thanks for video

I’ve got a bunch of OTF’s. My favorite by far is my Guardian Tactical Recon 40 dark stonewash Elmax drop point…. Big strong blade… easy deployment…

Great overall OTF video Dave. I own an ultratech just because. I rarely even carry it. My wife wanted it for a while too. But it just sat in her bag until she forgot about it and I put it back in the safe. The button absolutely punishes the thumb after playing with it too long. I have always been attracted to the dagger grinds with all the edges sharpened. That is an advantage of the otf design. To me they are emergency type purpose built knives. Honestly don’t have much use in my daily life but they are cool to just have. Bring on more knife videos. I’m getting back into the whole scene again and enjoying the content

I agree with you about the Microtech button. It’s really painful to use when you are older and your skin isnt as thick.

Great review. I own a Microtech Spartan. You are on point about the button being harsh enough to smooth out bunions.

I just purchased a Cobratech fs-3 small and a Microtech Exocet stormtrooper edition. I gotta say, the Cobratech is incredible for the price. Beautiful knife, well made, never fails. However, the cobratech out the box came EXTREMELY dull and the action is EXTREMELY hard, so hard I can't actuate it with my left hand. I saw a video that the guy said after a while of owning it, it loosens up nicely so im hoping that will happen in the near future, and nothing a blade sharpener can't fix about the dull issue. Now the Microtech Exocet is a piece of art. Especially the special edition storm trooper version. It does everything perfectly using 204p steel that came RAZOR sharp out the box. Thinnest blade in the industry as well. It's a little slicer. Light as hell and insanely smooth and easy action. Incredible knife, im blessed to own one. Both are great knives for different people. I spent $350 on the Microtech and $100 on the Cobratech.

Great video, i have a benchmade shootout, a heritic manticore, a microtech Ultratech, a vespa no limit knives Akuma, and a Vespa Darkstar. Out of all of them the Vespa's are the most solid.

I've owned 2 different Microtechs...let's just say my Guardian Tactical Recon 40 is my daily beater and planning on picking up a Heretic Manticore X this week.

I own the identical Guardian Tactical Recon 035 Ermax, stonewashed, tanto. And I love it! Blade length in the $300 range is 3.5”. A 4” blade model regardless of brand costs $130+ more, for only an additional 1/2”, a “great divide” in the price range. The “Fuller Groove” you mentioned, is commonly called a “blood groove”, to release the suction, when retracting the knife after stabbing with it. A glass breaker is only needed by first-responders, or by those planning on driving their car into a lake. It adds a gaudy look, & is a giveaway to carrying concealed. The blade-play of the Micro Tech is unacceptable! What a ridiculous rattle, their QC accepts that? The Recon has it’s non-proprietary fasteners on the face side, not the clip/backside, but it can be serviced! I find that side mounted switches aren’t ambidextrous, which Heretic & Benchmade market. Note that Guardian Tactical is the choice of Gov’t agencies. The action of the Recon is ultra-satisfying, it operates with a pronounced authority! You can’t go wrong & worth it’s price🏆.

I'm new to the otf game. I've had an AKC since the 80s and it still works fine. I'm looking for a good company backed knife for $100-150 but I'm finding there's $30-$60 then $280-500 not many options in the middle. I got a microtek and I hated it. Too hard to open and close, proprietary screws, and scratched very easily. For all these reasons I sent it back after 30 minutes of delivery. Thanks for this video, you make valid points.

Have a GT Recon and 3 Microtechs, the EDC fidget knife for me is the Ultratech. The fit, finish and durability of the Ultratech has far exceeded my expectations. I don't feel like I have really strong or rugged hands, but I have zero issues with the button and operate the knife many times each day. You do have a valid point though, my wife has no issues with the GT Recon, but the Ultra tech is a 2-hand operation for her. For me though, it's perfect!

I guess I don’t have delicate hands, I have purchased 4 Microtech’ s the first one was a Tri-grip Ultratech in 2016 and that has been my EDC ever since. And my Combat Troodon wasn’t made in China. Thank you for the review, I do think I want a Guardian Tactical.

All righty... I usually run from videos over 10 minutes BUT you did good.

I would also like to add that with the Microtech over time your thumb strength becomes stronger, so it won’t take as much force to open, so in turn you can open and close the blade without hurting your thumb as much. Also it’s best to go in person to a authorized dealer, because there’s a pretty big difference between how much force you need to open and close each blade between the same exact knife. Say for instance the difference between two of the same ultratechs can be like 20%.

Can you send me the link to where you got the Vespa?

You have some big hands that 035 look tiny lmao. Great video. Subscribed!

Really good reviews of the listed knives. However, it would have been a nice idea to list links to the knives reviewed. 👍😊

Yea I've wanted an otf for years, just never could bring myself to spend the money. But lately I've been back into them and stuck between the benchmade autocrat and maybe the hogue compound. Wish I could find a fair priced used one lol.

Great explanation of the materialistic state of the human condition. So true...

Cool video. I'm new to all this and first bought a gt recon elite. I like it, is a really nice knife but after getting into the discussion had to get a Microtech. I searched forever for the combat troodon I wanted and in the meantime got the smaller ultratech model with bayonet blade. Very nice and much smaller and lighter. Much easier to carry and yes the x button is sharp and harder to deploy. I finally found the combat troodon I wanted in hellhound tanto blade and it was almost double the price of the gt recon elite. It's a nice knife but not twice as nice as the recon elite. It took getting that combat troodon to be able to see how truly good the recon elite really is. The blade is a two tone and is beautifully made, and the action is lighter and smoother. It weighs less too. But I very much enjoy the Microtech too. Seeing is believing.

TBH, imo isn't the best knives is the one that makes you, yourself the happiest and really love, no matter what it is.

Its all preference i guess ive been in the market for an OTF and maybe im brainwashed but i just love the look of the ultratech its my favorite design by far and ive heard their warranty work is good but i do wanna be open to the best one especially for the money but i also need a reversible pocket clip cause im left handed but i guess I'm trying to be sold on not getting an ultratech as ny first real otf i mean i do have ultratech knock off and im not proud of getting it and honestly cant even bring myself to carry it for that fact but i do like it so idk what to do😂 great video btw there's so many options i just like the thin sleek design of ultratech. Which one is the best slicer cause thats my main use case

I got a hifinder otf 2 days ago and I love it, literally no blade play and it works like a beast. Would be insane to spend a few hundred bucks for the same knife

I had a big callus from flippers, but I open and close the dirac 50+ times per day, it's breaking in nicely, i use it in a wood shop daily for strapping, tape, mdf, cardboard, corex, but i fidget with it a lot

If I had lilly white looking lawyer hands, I guess the button would be too rough for me too. BUT ITS NOT!

get the callus, and get the ultratech tanto. liked and subscribed!

I've always been a guy that buys from all ends up the spectrum. Theres room for all kinds. I've purchased a 400 dollar microtech because cmon lol it was gonna happen but the less expensive clones have their place as well because in a way its kinda all the same sortaaaa maybe Idk ppl ate giving you shit its a great video I can't stop watching otf vids and buying em sheesh Good job nice video Thanks for the tip on vespa buying

Vespa OTF have a quality close to the 400 or $500 OTF .

what is the knife on your extreme right? thanks.

What do you think of the Hawk Deadlock?

You had the balls to give an incredibly controversial opinion that may very well keep you out of many circles. I like the presentation, the simple explanation and the down to earth comparisons. Well done. Subscribing right now.

Microtech makes great knives, I have one of each otf model, the Dirac is my favorite. Benchmades are nice too, have the new shootout, an autocrat and an infidel. Guardian tactical very smooth switch love my 35 the elite is a little large for me. Got cobratecs and vipers, lightning ⚡ and akc. The best otf by a huge margin is the hawk deadlock period.

What is the knife on the far right ? black one? Couldn't find one anywhere.

are the "spear" or "dagger" blades better for any reason? I personally like the look of those blades.

The button is how it is to prevent accidentally firing off in the pocket. I don't exactly like it but it is what it is and I understand the business side of it and liability.

I do like the design of that black heretic, manticore?

If you want the best and can afford it get a Deadlock Ti Model C Titanium - by Hawk, Grant & Gavin This is just one of their models that I just picked randomly there are more. Absolutely NO blade play absolutely zero deployed or retracted and goes in and out smooth as glass, superb highest quality parts, metals used and you don't use lube on it because it's so smooth and all made by hand everyone of them and an hands down a real work of art!! But if and I mean if you can find one for sale you are going to pay! Take a look at them!

I have to be honest. My Microtech Ultratech keeps misfiring. When I say always I’d say within every 50-60 deploys, it’ll misfire. I do not use my knives for any hard use. I’m a safe queen I guess. My Benchmade Mini Infidel, Guardian Tactical’s and even a couple cheapie OTFs I have NEVER misfired. What do you all think? I’m going to Blade Show West next month with full intention of buying more Microtech’s. Just wondering if anyone else had problems.

9:53 Hi from Ukraine lol. It's me! your in-wartime viewer

I greatly appreciate this review and I am inclined to agree with you as a mainly EDC knife collector tho I do use mine at work for wires ropes an things like that. I own a microtech and a own a normandy knife OTF (would greatly appreciate you checking that knife out) and I prefer the normandy knife due to its handle design and the fact it cost me 150 has a great warranty decent steel and it functions just as good as my microtech. Both has similar switches and I click them 1000 of times a day so I agree with the bite being unnecessary ( please check out normandy knives I would love your opinion cos I think they are great)

Honestly, the microtech button is like that because it looks cool

Paragon's mini udt and old school the chameleon forgot the maker.

Great video but super blurry. Content good.

I don’t have microtech knives but i wish i have one 😜🙏

Love my made in the USA Cobratech for $84

PLUS Vespa comes with extra springs, screws, tool to open it, and a nice little bag. And, my $150.00 Vespa looks like a $2400.00 Microtech

I own 2 and both came very stiff even after hrs of trying to loosen then up even tried knife oil the quality control is pretty bad as I’ve seen many utoubers having the same problem I’ve recently sent them back to microtech which cost me $20 they say it takes 6 weeks to fix ok that’s fine I can only hope it comes back looser so I don’t have to use 2 hands to open and close it which defeats the purpose of buying a OTF knife.

Micro techs are great don’t get me wrong but there are plenty of other otfs out there that have the same quality, if not better than microtech for a more reasonable price.

The real question is why do the other knives cost 4+ times as much as the quote Chinese knock off?

I recently spent $260 on a utx-85. Not gonna buy any more microtechs I’m afraid. While the blade steel and edge grind are good, I’m not impressed with much else. The action and pocket clip are weird and cheese grater sucks. It would be a good $100 knife. But not $260.

Kershaw has a new otf and I have to say it is just as good or better than my microtech knives and it only $240 with 20CV.

I have a cobratech fs3 large. I love it. And unlike my ultratech it didn’t cost $350. 😂. Yes microtech is the harly Davidson of the knife world. If i was going out the door on a mission. Id grab my cobratech.

Bold statements. I’m looking for another Otf. Looking at that recon.

Valid “fan boy” points. I don’t currently own any OTF knives, but I plan to in the future. That being said, your comparison is more apples & oranges. The Ultratech has a lower profile (height/width), thus more systemic vertical blade play, independent of manufacturing tolerances. A better comparison would have been with a Troodon. Also, you mentioned the steels were comparable, “premium steels”. Not so. CPM 154 CM and S35VN are classified High End, not Premium. Also, in the video you didn’t mention the Vespa steel. Reviewing retailer sites, it’s D2. Finally, your comparative analysis didn’t demonstrate the key component for knives: CUTTING & SLICING. Finally, your assessment weighed heavily on fit & finish (important) and even more so on fidget factor, which is a relatively new factor of importance. Reliability, dependability and longevity seem more important than fidget factor. At any rate, I enjoyed the video (thus subscribed) and will use the information in choosing the OTF I will purchase. 👍🤘👍

I'm with you on the button it sucks

Can't not get them in UK

I want one of the Vespa OTFs real bad but I don’t want to have to order one on a slow boat from China.

You really need to check out the Axial Shift OTF. 😉

G&G Hawk is the best OTF.

You know tony marfiones son owns heretic right

I skin deer with mine. So yeah my hands get real slick with blood. Of I guess.....my enemies.

answer is no. it's just marketing like the difference between a Honda and a Toyota. you mean my favorite lightning elite it's not in this competition? but I'll be the one crying less.....LOL.

Glock is the best simply because it’s ability to have multiple choices for it it may not be the best looking of course but who cares same goes for the Microtech it looks sexy but I wouldn’t say it’s the best

23:33. The force is takes to push the ultratech is really the driving factor for the skin abrasion. Idk why you had to make fun of “people who love collecting knives” seems pretty boneheaded to do when your trying to make a knife channel

In my opinion, microtech The spends way too much time. Creating collectible knives. you can’t blame people for purchasing a tool that is similar to the one that is not available. for example, I love Eastwing hammers, but if one is not available, I will settle for a Stanley just so I can get the job done.

Something something Microtech is crap something something. Honestly I wish other otf brands made 3" blades. The Guardians are 3.33" for the 035 and 2.5" for the 035, so either I get a way smaller one which I don't want or I get one that's over the legal limit in my state. The UTX 85 is 3.125" which is just close enough to 3" that if anyone ever checked it, it's within tolerances,

You never know, it may be a very good thing your wife has never used her Microtech 💀 !

The thing I kinda don't like about the microtechs is the glass breaker. My $25 lightning otf has a squared off end which I use as a light duty hammer all the time. The chance that I'll ever have to use the glass breaker on my ultratech is pretty slim to none, and the chance I'll remember I even have it in the event of an emergency situation isn't very high either. But the amount of times I need something solid to give little hits to the end of a stubborn bolt or tap a piece of lumber into place is almost daily. Still an awesome knife and better than the lightning in every way

This is hilarious.

Do people just sit around firing these over and over? Sharp. Cut your hands and fingers. What in the world is going on!? I carry my microtech and pull it out a few times a day to use. Yes I actually work with my ultra tech. That being said I don't just sit around flicking it in and out over and over.

Kinda don’t trust these not to open in your pocket sooo I like microtech stiff button

This is a bad comparison You need to compare them with a combat Troodon Because the knife see you are comparing are way bigger and have bigger buttons and those knives from heretic will be equivalent to a combat the troodon

Your argument towards the aggression of the firing switch cuts was well formulated and competently articulated. I however disagree with your assessment, and in my view, as much as you don't like hearing it; myself being someone who works with my hands daily in my craft, do not experience discomfort while operating an ultra tech even in rapid succession and I would conclude that you're gripe is unfounded. As a piece of pocket furniture for the"serious man" I giggle that you have been immasculated by its design and are foisting you're displeasure onto others

I have the same Microtech and it doesn’t have as much blade play as your wife’s when deployed. Maybe send it in for repair?

Sounds like you need toughen up your hands.

I just don't buy Chinese copies, whether they're "counterfeit" or not.

No……not even close …Deadlock blows it out the water

Video begins at 3:38 ...sort of. Lots of BS before and during!

Given that the ultratech has a really difficult to deploy button and microtech doesn't seem to be too interested in the user experience of the knife, plus Microtech's absolutely terrible customer service, I would say that Microtech is far from the best OTF. Most expensive, yes, but best, definitely not. The kershaw livewire, guardian tactical, axial shift and even some benchmades are better designed than the ultratech

So you have a bench full of "ahh" there all the same, don't really see any difference. Go lay down somewhere 🐇.

Lol I guess Reate, WE, QSP, lionsteel, etc all make crap knives since they Chinese.

Nope Over priced Tons of wobble

Unfortunately you had to generalize and come off as a snob as to what people use their knives for

woman thumbs :), not for you......

No. Microtech sucks. Guardian Tactical is the best

Meh, nothing to see here. Just a pretentious wannabe.

Where's Axial?