User Panel
Posted: 9/21/2021 7:37:46 AM EDT
Almost every single one I have ever looked at seems to be more like a poorly made toy and less a sturdy or solidly made knife that will take a bit of abuse.
So what company makes one that is somewhat reasonably priced for what you get. Don't mind paying for it but I also don't want to pay for junk. Thanks. |
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Reasonably priced would be Kershaw or Protech
If you want OTF a microtech combat troodon is very beefy |
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The Gerbers are particularly overbuilt if you’re wanting a side folder, as are the Kershaws, Bokers and Protechs. The microtech side folder is a beast, as is the heretic. OTFa are not meant for heavy work - there are some that are pretty tough, but I’d stick to side opening. The Italian knives are beautiful, but really not for much more than light work. One exception is the AKC Extreme Side Opening - it’s on par with the Kershaws and has a similar build quality.
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Protech
OTF are inherently flimsy. Particularly double actions. My Halo V knockoff is stout. It's single action though. IIRC, it's not in production so it's either a knockoff or secondary market $$$. |
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This guy beats up on a Microtech UTX85 pretty hard, and it keeps going. I don’t feel any reservations about my use case after watching multiple videos of people do similar things to Microtech’s OTFs.
Microtech UTX 85 Torture Test lets see what it will take A lot of the side openers are just a manufacturer’s manual knife with some springs added. If you are uncomfortable with OTFs, but you’re comfortable with folders, then any one of those should be fine. |
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Benchmade makes...or at least made some tough autos. My microtech had a beefy blade but the wobble bothered me. Protec has some nice ones as does Kershaw. I think this depends on model. Every brand makes some that are beefier and some that are more delicate
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Been happy with my Protech. Waiting on my Benchmade Adamas to show up. Wish they made the mini Adamas in an auto.
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Quoted: Benchmade makes...or at least made some tough autos. My microtech had a beefy blade but the wobble bothered me. Protec has some nice ones as does Kershaw. I think this depends on model. Every brand makes some that are beefier and some that are more delicate View Quote I have an Benchmade AFO II that is big, heavy and seems to be very well made. It's almost too big and I don't carry it very often. I have been carrying a Boker Kalashnikov for about 4 years. It still opens very fast and locks up tight. Just wish the blade was better steel. |
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Quoted: Been happy with my Protech. Waiting on my Benchmade Adamas to show up. Wish they made the mini Adamas in an auto. View Quote I had a benchmade auto (afo) and a manual and the adamas fixed blade before they outed themselves as commies. Their quality and value was not even close to protech. My one hogue auto is solid but not as refined as protech. |
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Dunno. I like my autos OTF, and I like 'em purdy, symmetrical, svelte, and sharp. Which is why I've got three Benchmade Infidels.
For beastly "switchblades", I've got several Zero Tolerance assisted-openers to fill that need. Those are sexy too, but could no doubt take lots more abuse than the Benchmades. |
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microtech combat troodon. Mine has been EDC for like 4 years, been through a car window to get a guy out, keeps ticking.
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I handled a Mikov with buffalo horn handles this weekend. Nice knife. I think the guy wanted $130 for it. I have several "Lightning's" and they have been ok for the money($35). They are not really that "beefy" but seem to hold up ok as long as you aren't using them for a pry bar.
I gave my wife one for Christmas Cero coated pink with her nickname engraved on the clip. The engraving and Cero coating cost more than the knife but she is tickled with it. Thinking seriously about getting the Mikov if I can find one with white bone scales at a reasonable cost. Not really a "need" more like a "want." They look to be sturdy. Doe's anyone know what the steel in the the blade is? I think I'll email my "knife guy and see if he can scare up one with white bone scales. |
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i’ve had a couple benchmade’s that were made well and sturdy. their assisted ones are the same.
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Quoted: More of a gravity knife, but those old BW issue parachutist knives were pretty overbuilt. https://i.imgur.com/pSr0sO1.jpg View Quote I have the one on the left. My brother Neal (rip) brought it back from Germany 35 years ago |
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OP, quit looking at cheap junk and asking for quality. There are loads of quality automatic knives on the market. When you say switchblade that is pretty general. Do you want out the front or out the side like a regular pocket knife? Lots of quality options of either. Just be ready to pay for what you are asking to receive. Best option is to find an actual knife store and go there.
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Have carried a Benchmade mini barrage daily for about 10 years.
It's assisted, but assisted done well. Very tough with very good, tight lockup. A shame I can't buy Benchmade anymore without feeling I am supporting the wrong side. |
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If you're talking OTF autos, pretty much all of them except the Deadbolt ($$$$$) are going to seem flimsy compared to a fixed blade or traditional folder. No way to avoid it. That said, I have seen Microtechs put through some amazing abuse in several vids and still functioned fine. I own two, my wife has one as well.
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Quoted: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/203250/20210210_211055-1819597.jpgG & G Hawk Deadlock. Get on the mailing list and wait for a release. View Quote Came here to post this. Pretty much the only option if you insist on having a solid lock up with no blade movement. With that said I carry a Microtech Troodon and I love it. |
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I want one of these,
http://www.agacampolin.com/zero.html AGA Campolin Zero |
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Unpopular Opinion: Beefy and OTF aren't really words I would use together. Unless you mean beefy as in sheer size, but I am thinking beefy as in strong and robust, etc.
I feel like the OTF mechanism is inherently flawed as far as weak points. Yes they are cool and yes they are fun, but if you want a stout knife I feel a side folder is the better play. Just my opinion, maybe I'm wrong. |
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