Can OTF “tactical” knives function in field conditions? Ultratech, Shootout, Exploit, EXO-M tested.

Have you wondered how come there are tons of mud and sand test videos about the firearms and almost none about the OTF knives? Because they are treated like manwelry, not weapons by most. Regardless of how tactical or tacticool the name of the knife is, buyers beware!
I set out to test Hogue Exploit, Benchmade Shootout, and Microtech Ultratech automatic OTF knives and failures plagued all of them. Then I tried my EDC Reate EXO-M gravity OTF and it didn’t do much better…
Conclusion: they are all man’s jewelry! (MANWELRY)
#edc #knife #benchmade #tacticalknife #hogue #microtech #reate #exom

[@tombrown4683]

Finally , these are collectable, hold more of their value if you or your heirs want to resell them and the pride of ownership has more to do with their sales than "tatical needs". Besides most knife channels are really concerned over fidget factor, which these have a ton of. Still I do apprwciate your ability & willingness to use over a thousand dollars worth of knives for testing. You seem to be willing to gore some "sacred cows" & I like that !

[@mileswatto6221]

appreciate the review!

[@mel87123]

"Oh my thumb. I am such a whiny baby"...🤣 Cracked me up!

[@kuznecss]

Very helpful video, thanks! I don’t throw it in the dirt, but I often cut sausage with Microtechs, I’m not particularly afraid, this is a knife, not a museum piece

[@kuznecss]

@@CuttingBoardRx о, прекрасно, по-русски веселее. Ничего, если на русском писать?

[@litsci4690]

The conditions in my mom's basement include much Cheeto dust.

[@CuttingBoardRx]

😂

[@benjaminnardoni9637]

I appreciate this test!! I’d be interested in seeing how knives with intentional “drain holes” would function underwater, models like the Benchmade Infidel or the gen 3 combat troodon. My theory is that since there isn’t any way for water to rush in behind the blade on deployment or out of the handle on retraction, the resistance being applied to the blade is enough to prevent full movement. Just a thought though!

[@CuttingBoardRx]

Spot on, good Sir! Watch my video about Kershaw Livewire please next! They solved the problem. There’s a specific instance where you can see the water being expelled!

[@benjaminnardoni9637]

@@CuttingBoardRxnice! I just watched it, that’s pretty dang impressive!!! Thanks for the content!

[@AlekPlaysMinecraft]

Will you clean the knives or let the water and dirt sit? Interested to see how the materials react to being exposed to water and silt

[@AlekPlaysMinecraft]

@@CuttingBoardRxNice, what are your expectations?

[@stevenjoanelvelez7019]

I would hate for a brand new PFC to spend 400+ on this because the box said “tactical” and it falling into a puddle and not deploying until dry 😂🤦🏽‍♂️

[@bobdegutis302]

This is a very informative video. I guess it just goes to show that these knives are made for pretty clean conditions, and you really need something that is easy to take apart and clean. Looks like all of these have the fault that the knife gets filled with water, and then when the blade retracts it can’t overcome the water pressure in the handle. None of them had an open back design or some holes in the handle so the water could escape. In fact if they had an open channel, they could just put a triangle on the back of the blade and the knife retracted itself the glass breaker that’s an important feature.

[@tombrown4683]

It might be more realistic to test these by having them in a pouch or a pocket for the getting wet part of the trial. I believe the water is providing enough resistance to engage the safety mechanism during the underwater deployment test but I think they might work if there was some sort of fabric between the knife & the water. Of course it would still be possible to drop the knife while in the river or surf and that brings us back to the silt test. A known no-go !

[@tombrown4683]

@@CuttingBoardRx I think it was a good test. I'm liking what you have been showing. I just meant that when crossing a stream or whatever water the OTF would likely be in a pocket or pouch & would get wet inside there. Obviously the operator could then lose a grip & then it would be in the silt. I wasn't criticizing your test in the least. Just imagined that it wouldn't be in hand in the water. Obviously more things could happen in such a scenario than I could guess. You did very good & risky testing.

[@markmcelderry6353]

Can you please do a full review on the medford OTF when you get a chance. Thank yoy

[@Buzz-Killjoy]

Have you tried this test with the glykon? I'm curious to know if it performed better/worse/similarly to the ultratech

[@HardRockinRed]

The reason they don't run underwater is physics. Water is not compressable, nor does it move out of the way fast. It provides positive pressure against the blade and mechanism. This is the reason divers. SEAL and SpecOps use a fixed blade.

[@CuttingBoardRx]

@@HardRockinRed Everything you said is correct. You know what a good engineer call this? A design challenge, which is not insurmountable. And it has been solved, watch this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpicdJJ4pc1_r9U

[@mantaray2239]

Thanks for exposing the hype.

[@trevorthomas1030]

OTFs are supposed to not open when pressed against something so I'm assuming that's why the Benchmade Shootout didn't deploy underwater for the safety of the user, so to me it passed the safety tests of deploy because of all the pressure of water in front of it.

[@thnd-uo4vp]

Anyone familiar with OTF knives would know the outcome of these tests.

[@KOAnonymously]

I own a couple microtechs and There’s nothing a little clp wont fix ..

[@AfterWorkRipper]

Left mine on the table in bathroom while taking a steamy shower ( room is small) knife stoped working until I put wd40 on it. That’s the day I got it but it works fine now

[@OldDominionEDC]

Great video! You've answered a lot of questions I've had for a while about OTF use Be sure to proofread your text though. "Concussion" should read "conclusion."

[@JM-nb4yo]

UTX 75 busted a spring in the field and I was able to fix it. Broke again a couple weeks later. Waste of money for anything other than something to mess with.

[@shenmisheshou7002]

I had some nice OTFs about 5 years ago, but I came to feel that they were even susceptible to pocket lint. I also feel that bearing knives have the a somewhat similar issue in that after a month of carry, the bearings will start to get debris and become rough. My preferred knife style is a Axis or G lock knife with bushings. They are not heavy duty knives, but for everyday carry, they are hard to beat. They are light, compact, reliable to lock up, and durable enough for daily chores and tasks. I do have one bearing knife that I love love love, and it is a cheap Ganzo Firebird F7621. I hated the knife when I got it, but I removed the lanyard holder and rounded the sharp corners on the frame and now it is my favorite knife. I have knives that cost 10 times as much, but the F7621 is the one I carry 80% off the time.

[@Join0rDIE1776]

My microtech ultratech sits on a shelf broke after 2 months of light use, I alternate edc my guardian tactical recon, and my axial shift Magnacut daily. Both are my favorite otfs ive had. I’ve had 3 microtechs over the years and the first 2 I have away to friends and the 3rd one snapped a spring after 2 months of light light use. Microtechs suckkkkklkk. I highly recommend guardian tactical either the 035 or 040 recon. Absolute BUTTTTERRRRRRRR SMOOTH action, perfect ergonomics and a delight to deploy and retract unlike Microtechs thumb crushing /tearing mechanism. Also if you get lucky and can find an axial shift in stock anytime I highly recommend also. An amazing otf especially with the magnacut!!

[@DavidV4444]

I use my Microtechs heavily and have never had a problem - yours sucked for some reason but thousands and thousands used by many of my first responder friends have a very different experience than you.

[@AfterWorkRipper]

Send it in for a repair it’s easy and under warranty and even in a upside down world you could buy a new spring and do it your self

[@Trianetrum]

The most interesting is not a mechanism;) it's all about blade rust if it's not coated. Those ultratech was rusty as hell

[@robertg3592]

These knives are more novelty and fun knives than tactical or survival knives. Should compare to a manual opening cheaper BM Griptillian .

[@weedtheblunted4143]

You should do a single action OTF knife abuse review video.

[@weedtheblunted4143]

@@CuttingBoardRx the gravity knife would be better for the long run less maintenance. But the otf and switchblades are still one if my favorite knives for convenience.

[@FriedPi-mc5yt]

Single action knives would definitely work better compared to the D/A knives. I’m not sure how much better. But in theory due to the constant force of the spring, they should fully deploy. But when it all comes down to it. A fixed blade is far superior for a tactical use knife than an OTF, auto side opener or folder.

[@dualsportoutdoors]

My Axial Shift and Heretic Manticore X have survived tons of abuse in the wilderness and work place

[@tombrown4683]

OK, its going to take more than 1 comment to unpack my thoughts on this subject. I think you'll be alright with that. First I believe if you are Special Operations operating behind enemy lines you would be better served with a manual opening knife if you aren't using a fixed blade for whatever reason. Save the OTF for impressing folks at the cookout.

[@tombrown4683]

@@CuttingBoardRx 100% agree about Spec Ops & Knife manufacturers !

[@tombrown4683]

I'm not covinced that Spec Forces personnel actually buy these knives to take on deployment any more than I believe some soldier or marine was using a Medford in Iraq or Afghanistan.

[@Scooby3150]

No, they are buying Emersons and Spydercos.

[@Scooby3150]

Why bother, I know exactly how they will perform, flawlessly. Especially the Emersons, they are built specifically for tough environments. @@CuttingBoardRx

[@guitarded197]

Seems to me that an intelligent person that truly relies on a knife would choose a fixed blade. I don't know, I'm just a casual collector. But, if I were preparing for an actual mission - fixed blade.

[@jheintz5084]

Any quality OTF is not going to perform well with sand, dirt, grip or too much or heavy oil. They are just not made for that kind of abuse. Tight tolerances equal no room for foreign substances.

[@CuttingBoardRx]

That’s my point exactly! Not everyone has the vast knife of knives like yours, so hopefully the video helped some folks to make a more informed choice!

[@Trianetrum]

Three days ago i i've resharped ultratech... Well, the most tactical of all OTF is discription.😂😂😂

[@Trianetrum]

@@CuttingBoardRx John Wick is interesting because of tryin to repeat)))) Try it on with any OTF, that will be funny. But best way is the pencil

[@slkknifelover]

That was painful to watch😮

[@CuttingBoardRx]

Ha! Have you seen my HypeSmasher and Dehyporator tests? Welcome to the channel, if you’re a new sub!

[@jacobburks3652]

Dude isnt even in frame doing the water test.

[@CuttingBoardRx]

Being an smart arse is your constitutional right. How much you exercise this right will determine whether you will end up poor and alone or rich and happy 👍

[@jacobburks3652]

@CuttingBoardRx not being a smart ass. im just pointing out a fact. The whole point of filming doing tests like this is to show viewers the performance of the knife. is it not?

[@lancasteredc7773]

Also no military personnel use otf for real tactical purposes… they use fixed blades or Emerson’s 😂😂

[@Scooby3150]

Field conditions? I went on eight overseas deployments for my country and don't ever recall the million dollar boats or the dog sleeping on the beach behind me. Take it out in the desert somewhere and then let's have this conversation.

[@dripskee6443]

Why tf is he gonna fly out to the middle of desert just to test a knife. Sounding alot like one of those “thank me for my service” types

[@thewolfofgod3908]

Don’t get high on your own supply, Afghans in sandals don’t seem too Impressed with how tough NATO boys think they are m.

[@Daddy53751]

Putting a bit too much chili on the dog scoob.

[@weouchere8384]

Relax Rambo 😂

[@brettclark8020]

The military aren't the only ones who work in "field conditions". You may not get shot at being a farmer, a logger, or a utility worker, but your gear gets just as dirty.

[@twisstedcrowez]

Microtech all day still I have few of them and been carrying them in rotation for 4 years still good to go

[@CuttingBoardRx]

Good to know.

[@DavidV4444]

The newest Microtechs are even better - you can’t go wrong with the original!

[@mattnordlich184]

I bought a guardian tactical otf hoping based on its rugged appearance it works as good as it looks. Knife failed to deploy after 2 weeks of normal knife use. That’s when I knew unless you’re an office boy, these aren’t real knives

[@CuttingBoardRx]

Not true. an Automatic knife can survive abuse. Newest Kershaw Livewire field-test and real-world review. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpicdJJ4pc1_r9U

[@mattnordlich184]

@@CuttingBoardRx I watched your video and although similar, from a scientific standpoint I don’t think it’s the same conditions. You had a soup of suspended fine sand before, which will intrusion of sand inside the mechanism a lot easier. Not saying that Kershaw mechanism couldn’t be superior to everything else, it is possible but it’s still by far less reliable than a normal folding knife. My experience with Guardian tactical did not involve any dipping in sand or dirt and was just simple use. My knives are tools that need to be ready to go, whether it’s for cutting a seatbelt during accident, cutting something up on a ladder or cutting up a steak and the more complicated the knife is the less I will trust it in the field. That’s why it’s either a crossbar, shark lock, lockback or a fixy for me.

[@CuttingBoardRx]

@@mattnordlich184 what I love about my channel is how intelligent and well thought through some of the comments are. I actually agree with you on most points. My videos are for entertainment, although recently, I started producing more scientifically designed and better organized tests Including those of lock resilience. I built an apparatus, which I lovingly call The Hype Smasher that I use to test knife locks’ ability to absorb the realistic impulses… but perhaps better show you the videos than talk about them? Here are my latest: Kershaw Mini & Full Iridium, Layup, Demko AD20.5, and Boker Lateralis D2 roundup - 5 knives examined kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJOyqWmYgJh3fNk Knife lock tests. Spyderco Manix 2, Benchmade Adira, Remette Falcon, Reate Alvin Lee, Microtech MSI kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJ_WeIChidmLptU

[@mattnordlich184]

@@CuttingBoardRx I try to give constructive criticism or no criticism at all lol I’ll definitely check em out. The big questions is What’s your knife of choice?

[@CuttingBoardRx]

@@mattnordlich184 Honest answer: I don’t know. If I only had one knife, it would be Spytillian (BM 550 with the spydiehole) or Manix 2 LW. Either one would be a recommendation for a reasonably priced US-made first knife. In the most basic plain-Jane configuration.