Is Microtech really the best OTF?

Or is that just what the fanboys say, because they identify with the brand?

Let's take a look and examine some key areas around different brand OTF's.

VESPA Knives:

Guardian Tactical Recon 030:

Heretic Knives Cleric Tanto:

Heretic Knives Manticore X Recurve:

Microtech Ultratech clip point:

[Redspeciality]

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

[REBELSCL]

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…

[bigpatt]

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

[arupian]

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 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.)

[Redspeciality]

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.

[masonw]

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

[TheBostonTom]

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.

[stevenkoski]

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🏆.

[satudave]

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

[wrjames]

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

[justinbraathen]

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!

[EdLrandom]

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

[Jeromybergman]

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.

[BTeehanKnives]

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.

[jesuschrist]

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%.

[jasonburch]

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

[ChachoTrades]

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.

[CaptDavesSportfishing]

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

[forrestearwood]

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.

[Teromi]

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