Review- Microtech Ultratech as user. Update 5/25/23

P2P

P2P

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Jul 24, 2010
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Rarely do I buy brand new. Never have I been an OTF guy, so I wanted to start with the “industry standard”. Loved the blue and apocalyptic finish. 04/23 model so this should be reflective of current production models.

I will come back to this post with an update after a considerable amount of use. I won’t be coddling this knife. I will put it to the same standards I hold my other EDC’s, my main go to is an Umnumzaan and I’m not nice to it.

There are many different thoughts on the warranty, blade thickness, reliability on this particular knife. Since I bought it brand new, hopefully I can provide some helpful info in due time.

If anyone else has long term experience with an OTF they call their edc, love to hear about it.

Keep you all posted.

Cheers,
Dalton


full

Update: 5/25/23

Fun knife so far, finally a little dull. Mainly just hate the angle from factory, doesn’t feel like it wants to dig into anything.

Since this will be a user, time to make the secondary bevel mine, flaws and all.
full

full

full

I found the steel to sharpen fairly quickly on the extra course DMT. Then DMT course, fine, spyderco brown, white. All along the way removing burr with green compound and cork.
full

full

The edge won’t win any beauty awards, but it’s hair popping sharp, and actually feels sharp.
Not saying the factory edge wasn’t sharp, it was. Just didn’t have that “sink into material” aggression.

Hopefully this new angle will produce better results. Though the edge is thick, at least it provided a good platform to figure out my new angle. Just rested the side of the blade on the stone, and lifted slightly. I truly want to experience this knife in a “real world” edc user. So trying to disregard any OCD tendencies and just put this to “work knife” status. To be continued…
 
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I have always viewed OTF's as time-bombs waiting to explode.

I realize that some never have issues with them, but I have had heard about and experienced too many issues with knives that develop blade play after limited use, or the firing mechanism becoming gritty or occasionally non-functional.

I view all OTF knives as a novelty/fidget gadget. If I need a serious knife for serious knife stuff, an OTF doesn't even make the short-list of potential candidates (for me).
 
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I carried a few Ultratechs long enough to know that a can of CLP or something similar in aerosol form will be your friend; mine aren't particularly fragile/finicky, but they do require a good douching after a few weeks of pocket time. You milage may vary, but I used mine in some fairly dusty environments and they needed a good "hose out" every month or so; you will feel the action get a bit sluggish. It isn't hard to do, just spray in and let them drip clean - stand it on end and drip out.
 
As mentioned above, you'll probably have to clean it out after a month or so, I like to use WD40, then spray it out with compressed air to get out any gunk the WD40 loosened up.

I recently had to use Microtech's warranty service for the second time. It took a little over three weeks from when I dropped it off with UPS to when it was back in my hands. They were very communicative, and sent an email when they received it, when they started work on it (including pictures of the initial condition the knife arrived in), and when the work was complete and the knife was ready for shipping. The first time I used their warranty in spring of 2021, the turnaround was quicker, maybe a week and a half from dropoff to back in my hands, but they were less communicative, only sending a tracking number for return shipping via UPS' website.
 
shane45-1911 said:
I have always viewed OTF's as time-bombs waiting to explode.

I realize that some never have issues with them, but I have had heard about and experienced too many issues of knives that develop blade play after limited use, or the firing mechanism becoming gritty or occasionally non-functional.

I view all OTF knives as a novelty/fidget gadget. If I need a serious knife for serious knife stuff, an OTF doesn't even make the short-list of potential candidates (for me).
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This has been my concern as well. My pockets are always full of sawdust while in the bucket/climbing saddle and/or dirt and dust when I'm grinding stumps.

As over the top cool as I find automatic knives, I'm yet to convince myself to pull the trigger on one for fear of having it not open properly should I absolutely need it to.

Definitely looking forward to seeing how yours holds up though P2P P2P
 
when they get sluggish I just use remoil or wd40, used to use zippo ligher fluid and pour it in, shake it and drain. fire few times and wipe clean. never had one I couldn't get working again with a cleaning. I haven't found them to be unreliable in my uses. if they worked out of the box and I keep them clean, they keep workin.
 
shane45-1911 said:
I have always viewed OTF's as time-bombs waiting to explode.

I realize that some never have issues with them, but I have had heard about and experienced too many issues of knives that develop blade play after limited use, or the firing mechanism becoming gritty or occasionally non-functional.

I view all OTF knives as a novelty/fidget gadget. If I need a serious knife for serious knife stuff, an OTF doesn't even make the short-list of potential candidates (for me).
Click to expand...
I think you would be surprised. They are some of the safest knives to use one-handed truly and if they fail, your fingers are not in the way like a side opener. The blade play is inherent for most out the fronts and knowing that helps me not obsess over this.
 
I've used my Heretic Manticore E a lot. I did after 2 and a half years run into firing issues. However, that was due to the lube Heretic used, a thick, viscous black gunk. It had attracted a ton debris. I took it apart, removed all of that crap, used CLP, and it's been perfect ever since. Actually better action than new.

I have found this same black, viscous lube used in many knives over the last few years. It gums up the action on both manual and OTF. Now, I check for it on any new knife that I like but maybe could have better action. My Cheburkov had it, now it is nearly drop shut. So did the Civivi Riffle and A Purvis Ptogeny.

The stuff attracts an incredible amount of debris, I font know why companies use it, especially in ball bearing pivots.
 
Yo Mama said:
I think you would be surprised. They are some of the safest knives to use one-handed truly and if they fail, your fingers are not in the way like a side opener. The blade play is inherent for most out the fronts and knowing that helps me not obsess over this.
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Agreed, but I was not referring to safety. I am more concerned with robustness and reliability.
 
I had a UTX 70 that I lost at work. 2.2 in blade. Made me fall in love with the OTF design because of how fast I could use it to just zip a box open or apart or tape, bags, stuff like that which I work with all the time.

I am going to buy a new one, probably larger, but for pure utility. I literally would not reach for an MT for self defense, got better stuff. But yeah, it's great for whipping out and making the fast daily cuts. I like the double sided blade. Would LOVE a Wharnie if they weren't a million dollars.

Debating between a Merlot color frame or a Magnacut cos I can't have both. Heard some weird things about their M390 being soft but just that... Heard.

Never truly sharpened it just honed it on the sharpmaker. Was okay. Never got that insane edge but it sharpened.
 
Hashishiin said:
I had a UTX 70 that I lost at work. 2.2 in blade. Made me fall in love with the OTF design because of how fast I could use it to just zip a box open or apart or tape, bags, stuff like that which I work with all the time.

I am going to buy a new one, probably larger, but for pure utility. I literally would not reach for an MT for self defense, got better stuff. But yeah, it's great for whipping out and making the fast daily cuts. I like the double sided blade. Would LOVE a Wharnie if they weren't a million dollars.

Debating between a Merlot color frame or a Magnacut cos I can't have both. Heard some weird things about their M390 being soft but just that... Heard.

Never truly sharpened it just honed it on the sharpmaker. Was okay. Never got that insane edge but it sharpened.
Click to expand...
I agree. I actually bought my first OTF for when I'm around kids, my sister has 4. I can open, cut, and close quickly, and if I drop it, it won't accidentally open. The kids also aren't strong enough to operate most of them. Heck I know adults that can't open my Manticore.

I agree on the wharncliffe. I bought an Axial Shift because it's too hard to find and too expensive for the Microtech ones.

I hear about a lot of companies that run M390 and it's derivatives soft. I wonder why that is. Thus far, the ones I have have had excellent edge retention.

To the OP, I would have no qualms about using your OTF. I wouldn't beat on it like a fixed blade, but it will do fine at tasks that are reasonable for a folder. Prying is definitely a bad idea.
 
I love OTFs, but not because of practicality. In just about any category of use, some other knife is absolutely better. I just really like OTFs.

I don't baby mine, but I also try to avoid using them with gunky stuff. That said, I have eaten with them, it isn't a big deal to clean them up if you need to.

I'm not sure if this is as useful for others as it is for me, but actually taking one apart, so I understood the mechanism, went a long way towards having a feel for their limitations. Pre-purchase, perhaps a Youtube video could substitute.
 
Clean it out and lube regularly according to Microtech's recommendation with a spray can of RemOil. If pocket lint builds up it's hard to get it out. Better to stay out front than deal with an already clogged mechanism. When I carry mine I do that once a week. The worst you can do, is nothing.

As far as usability, an OTF is great for slicing and cutting. I wouldn't use it for prying anything though. Hard steels, as all of us know, can be a challenge to sharpen. Luckily Microtech's come out of the box pretty darn sharp but 10 minutes on a Sharpmaker using an extra fine stone bar will work wonders.

You don't have to baby an Ultratech but you do need to treat it with respect. Use it for what it is intended to do and you'll be fine. I own three Microtech OTF's, an Ultratech, a early Hera and a Combat Troodon.
 
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Been using the Hogue & Axial as work knives, HVAC, going on 2 years.
They are, without a doubt, the most convenient knives I’ve carried while working.
Both have had the snot beat out of them…….no issues. Little lighter fluid flush occasionally.
Have a bunch of Microtechs & Heretics I EDC……no issues.
I see more OTFs in the OP’s future…….they are in no way toys.
12228AD9-3B97-476C-928B-1CCF55EAE143.jpeg42DA49CF-5AA0-4F66-81C4-673BF0C94388.jpeg730C0E1E-48B1-4B6E-9729-0365FAC2A704.jpeg2A155D5C-3339-430B-87DB-904A13571390.jpeg
 
Expect some cleaning, lubing and spring break EDCing an OTF.

If you do this(hard core EDC OTF), you can start of with getting the tool to open the knife and replacement springs cause they WILL BREAK after x amounts of firing.

OTF's r fun but they need more TLC than other EDC knives.

Just my experience EDCing this one:

pmJfyOQh.jpg
 
P2P said:
Rarely do I buy brand new. Never have I been an OTF guy, so I wanted to start with the “industry standard”. Loved the blue and apocalyptic finish. 04/23 model so this should be reflective of current production models.

I will come back to this post with an update after a considerable amount of use. I won’t be coddling this knife. I will put it to the same standards I hold my other EDC’s, my main go to is an Umnumzaan and I’m not nice to it.

There are many different thoughts on the warranty, blade thickness, reliability on this particular knife. Since I bought it brand new, hopefully I can provide some helpful info in due time.

If anyone else has long term experience with an OTF they call their edc, love to hear about it.

Keep you all posted.

Cheers,
Dalton


full

Update: 5/25/23

Fun knife so far, finally a little dull. Mainly just hate the angle from factory, doesn’t feel like it wants to dig into anything.

Since this will be a user, time to make the secondary bevel mine, flaws and all.
full

full

full

I found the steel to sharpen fairly quickly on the extra course DMT. Then DMT course, fine, spyderco brown, white. All along the way removing burr with green compound and cork.
full

full

The edge won’t win any beauty awards, but it’s hair popping sharp, and actually feels sharp.
Not saying the factory edge wasn’t sharp, it was. Just didn’t have that “sink into material” aggression.

Hopefully this new angle will produce better results. Though the edge is thick, at least it provided a good platform to figure out my new angle. Just rested the side of the blade on the stone, and lifted slightly. I truly want to experience this knife in a “real world” edc user. So trying to disregard any OCD tendencies and just put this to “work knife” status. To be continued…
Click to expand...

Congrats! Love the blue and stone wash.

Are gona open it or just use the OEM service?

Anyway, looking forward to hear updates after some hard use.
 
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