OTF Knives! Why YOU Should Carry One! 

Definitely the simplest and easiest type of knife to operate. They're also really cool and fun to play with. I definitely agree that they are probably the last type of knife you'd want to use for hard use or self defense due to their complex and fragile construction.

I own many automatic knives. I found OTF are great for cutting string, rope or paper. But for most other tasks I prefer out the side switchblades.

The higher end D/A OTF's are a lot more reliable than they're given credit for....the main problem is people buy them for the "cool factor" and don't know how to maintain them...like you said, they are susceptible to debris getting in the mechanism which does likely limit what professional fields (military/law enforcement or EMT's) they should be used in...I get a lot of ziploc bags and boxes full of parts because people take them apart to try to either clean them or they just want to know how they work and then they can't figure out how to re-assemble them...this is a big part of why Microtech uses proprietary hardware...I've carried a Microtech Combat Troodon T/E for close to 6 years, and it's just as snappy as the day I bought it because I know how to maintain it....mechanical failure is inevitable with OTF's...I love my OTF, but I wouldn't bet my life on it...fortunately, the Combat Troodon also includes an attitude adjustment device on the tail end...lol

I went into this video thinking "no way is this knife for me." But you may have sold me again. Great video as always!

You get some mud, dirt, or hell a good piece of lint in that mechanism and don't have a can of WD-40 handy, well just say good bye to your OTF knife. The knife I did carry in the Army was a simple Cold Steel Recon for a folder and a Holtafors chisel knife that I would carry on my vest to break open ammo boxes and cut open mortar round tubes. I also made a little piece of kit that had a couple of Knipex tools that were mostly found on regular multi-tools because being in mechanized I would sometimes have to make on the spot repairs to my vehicle. I also had multiple multi-tools stolen or just get "lost" so having each individual item that cost dirt cheap was better.

Great channel my friend. I have a large number of high end fully automatic OTFs from Benchmade and Microtech primarily for collecting. However, I do carry a Benchmade Infidel OTF occasionally for personal protection when discretion is a must. Most of my OTFs are double edged dagger blades that are useless for everyday knife tasks which is 99.9% reason why an EDC pocket knife is needed. My EDC is a Gerber combo 1.5" pen blade, finger nail clipper, nail file which I keep on my key chain.

Unfortunately for my wife I like em all! Do not discriminate against my fellow blades! And it is cool to pick different models and types to carry each n every day! Thanks for your review!

i have been carrying otf knifes for about 4 years now. i got them for edc self defense purposes, but they got demoted to edc daily tasks cutting open boxes and mail. i love my otfs, but they can get gummed up and its a process to disassemble and clean them, if they get gummed up from something as simple as cutting an apple and you forget to wipe the blade down before putting it away, the tracking gets gummed up and then it wont fire out all the way. still i love them i have some cheap ones and expensive units and love them all, but i used to carry a zippo and i didnt even smoke, i just like playing with it, same goes for the otf, it feels and sounds so cool playing with it

Just a quick follow up on my OTF. I contacted Normandy Knife sabout my issue. Got a quick response from Jeremy Pyne. He kindly asked me to return the knife for inspection and politely ask if I had used a safe gun oil. I clean the knife and used Hoppe's now the knife operates perfectly with a light touch. Good company great guy! Buy with confidence.

Excellent, professional videos, many thanks.

First visit to your channel. I really like your format! Thanks

I've always seen otf as one more thing to fail.

My baby 3 1/2 Normandy OTF is great knife. However, I found when cutting for example an orange, the blade if not cleaned immediately after use material even a slight amount will jam the internal mechanism leaving the knife unusable in this case requiring a clean and reset. Definitely not a reliable defense knife stilla. very cool knife. Thank for the video..

So I just got one and I carried it once knife laws in my state just relaxed and I found a nice not to expensive one .mostly just a toy for around the house now though. Lol

Real cool video. I love it!

I’m currently trying to decide whether I should get any serrations on my micro tech. Full serration on one side of double edge , partial serrated on a 1 sided edge or just a straight up. Any input on my decision would be cool considering I’m probably spending $300

I own an automotive repair shop, so I open a ton of boxes and use my knife constantly throughout the day. I’m on the bench made plan so to speak. There is an army navy surplus store two doors down from me. I have a drawer full of auto benchmades. My current favorite is an OTF (I can’t remember the model) I personally don’t like double edged knives so mine isn’t one. There are some serious down sides though. The spring gets pretty tired toward the end of sharpness cycle. This isn’t an issue for me because I take my knives two doors down and send them back a couple times a year. They come back rebuilt, sharpened and refreshed after a couple weeks. So when I send them off I always buy a new bench made auto. Hence the drawer full of knives.

I like the concept of an OTF, however, most of the places I might go that I might perceive the need for one are also places where any kind of spring deployed knife is illegal - crept for one state that does allow switch blades with blade lengths of one inch or less. Plus the cost of a Benchmade or Microtech is a bit stiff.

I definitly agree with the very safe EDC use of Double action OTFs, I have a Guardian Tactical Recon-035. It is great! Off center blade and play in the lockup bothers people but I found it only took about 3 uses and I don't even notice anymore. I really wanted the Legendary Microtech Ultratech but the action was really stiff and harsh texture on button for EDC.

Using a bench infidel for 10+ years never failed me until one time a penny got inside the case lol.

before you consider spending 400 on a microtech look out for the hogue collectors series counterstrike. carbon fiber and magnacut blade made in the usa for 340. beautiful knife insane value

I've been collecting and sharpening/tuning knives semi professionally for decades now. Personally I've seen more side opening autos fail than otf's. Both types are certainly less reliable than manual openers or fixed blades though.

Thanks.

I watched a guy hammer a OTF through a 2x4 didn’t hurt the knife at all. It was a sos knives OTF. I carry a shootout wanted one when they came out but it was illegal until early this year.

How can i purchase it...??

I’ve had one for a year and love it but there are serious drawbacks and benefits. It does need regular cleaning and oil to be functional or it will gunk and jam easily. One of the benefits is the blades are easy to replace if you’re not big on sharpening but disassembling required

thank u sir

I do not carry an OTF. Unlike side opening switchblades they are illegal to own in the jurisdiction I live in. For some time OTF rescue tools are legal. I do not have a real use for it. I probably would carry a single edged OTF if they were legal. My go to is a Buck 110. Sometimes I carry fixed blades as they are less problematic in terms of jurisdiction and still can be deployed onehanded.

They just came legal in state so I've been carrying one.

Just picked up a Krate Tactical OTF and I was blown away by the build quality, lifetime warranty and price under $150 with D2 steel.

Folding knife wont close on your fingers if you use them right. I dont think anyone is striking the knife on its back flat side which is where it has to be hit or pushed on to close on your fingers. Now with that said, if you go forward with the knife and your angle is off upon entry to a hard substance, then maybe at that point it can buckle in and close on you.

I wear gloves at work. My OTF makes it easy to use and I don't have to remove my gloves to open it. I have had more problems closing my OTF than opening it.

What does OTF stand for?

Never again will I carry a OTF. It's great when it works but an absolute nightmare when it stops working. A few granules of sand will ruin your day. Good for fancy occasions and showing off or a good desk job but if you need a heavy duty knife this isn't the blade for you. I own several high end OTF and I absolutely love em but they'll stay in the safe awaiting letter opening duty

I have an OTF comb.

When I was a kid in the Seventies we called them "angel blades".

Hey how are you Knife Life? I wasn't sure of a better way of reaching you but I'm something of an enthusiast of various weapons (knives but also various ancient weapons from all over the world, including some rather obscure ones) and I was wondering if you would like to collaborate in regards to expanding your channel's subject matter into those areas. I'm looking to start a RU-vid channel on the topic although my technical knowledge is limited at the moment since I don't have much in the way of say editing equipment or knowledge of that process, but I was thinking splitting profits on those specific videos in a way that compensates you adequately for your part to be discussed at your leisure would be pretty cool. I'm always looking to update my knowledge on the subject as well in my own time so that such a topic on your channel doesn't become stale. I'm looking to break into this particular field of informative videos because I'm normally a writer and martial artist as well as an enthusiast of ancient history (especially when it comes to ancient warfare and the like) but due to severe disabilities I'm limited in my capabilities, and I figured that I could still utilize my knowledge. If you're interested in seeing what we can do together on this topic should it appeal to you I would love to touch base and I can give you my e-mail address and get things going. I eagerly look forward to hearing from you soon and hopefully working with you! Thanks for your time either way.

I do not agree with them being fragile - watch X-Ring's video "Counterfeit Microtech torture test!" You can clearly see that both genuine product and the replica are able to withstand being hammered into a 2-by-4

Sadly they are illegal in my State,as they are switchblades , but they can be owned just not carried at the current time. 💯

Quickest knife to deploy is Karambit

like parceiro

I've owned an OTF switchblade, but I don't care for them. I think OTS (Out The Side) Switchblades are much stronger.

I have a neighbor with one arm and I need to tell him he can carry any switchblade legally. In all 50 states. Its federal.

Unfortunately illegal in Canada.

I disagree the otf is not good for cutting food the juices will gum up the mechanism

OTFs are banned in Germany.

NEVER BRING A KNIFE TO A GUN FIGHT!

First 🤔?

Third 🤔?

Get on with the fucking point.

thank you for uploading. please send one for free

Second 🤔?

I'd definitely carry one, if the communist state of Somalisota allowed me to...😤

But the advertised credit card carrier is only available as single action, right. I have to shove the cards back by hand.

The Knife Life : Will this open in my pocket by accident?