Invisibleflash
Diamond Member
The benefit of OTF (out the front) knives is they do not need room on the side to spring open like an out the side knife requires. Here is an informal comparison between a $480 Microtech Combat Troodon T/E Gen III OTF Knife vs. a no name $80 generic Chinatech OTF knife. (Chinatech knife has the giant glass breaker on the end.)
The Chinatech knife weighs 5 grams more than the Microtech. Both knives are sharp. The Chinatech is about 70% as sharp as the Microtech knife. Both knives shave hair, although the Microtech knife shave hair easier, whereas the Chinatech requires more effort to shave less hair.
The action is smooth on both knives. The Chinatech is akin to a Gen II Microtech OTF for the amount of effort needed to deploy and retract the blade. The Gen III Microtech is noticeably easier to deploy and retract than the Chinatech knife.
The gaps are larger on the fit for Microtech, but there may be a reason for that, such as drainage...dunno. The Microtech rattles if lightly shaken. The Chinatech only rattles if vigorously shaken.
The Chinatech knife blade is more solid when deployed compared to the Microtech which has a fair amount of movement.
Durability? The Microtech is a proven durable brand. Chinatech, don't know. The Chinatech has worked flawlessly since I bought it last week. But will it continue to work that way over the long term? And when it comes to options, Chinatech has very few options, whereas Microtech has numerous options on their knives.
The con with OTF knives is they need to be kept clean to work reliably.
The Chinatech knife weighs 5 grams more than the Microtech. Both knives are sharp. The Chinatech is about 70% as sharp as the Microtech knife. Both knives shave hair, although the Microtech knife shave hair easier, whereas the Chinatech requires more effort to shave less hair.
The action is smooth on both knives. The Chinatech is akin to a Gen II Microtech OTF for the amount of effort needed to deploy and retract the blade. The Gen III Microtech is noticeably easier to deploy and retract than the Chinatech knife.
The gaps are larger on the fit for Microtech, but there may be a reason for that, such as drainage...dunno. The Microtech rattles if lightly shaken. The Chinatech only rattles if vigorously shaken.
The Chinatech knife blade is more solid when deployed compared to the Microtech which has a fair amount of movement.
Durability? The Microtech is a proven durable brand. Chinatech, don't know. The Chinatech has worked flawlessly since I bought it last week. But will it continue to work that way over the long term? And when it comes to options, Chinatech has very few options, whereas Microtech has numerous options on their knives.
The con with OTF knives is they need to be kept clean to work reliably.
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