Are OTF Knives Practical?

[Kdf101]

Or just cool looking? I have a regular side opening Benchmade “switchblade” and like it a lot. Solid lock up and I carry it everyday and use it often. Do the OTF knives lock up solid enough to be useful, or are they wobbly and fragile? The only thing I know about them is I want one and they are expensive!

 

[patience0830]

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Or just cool looking? I have a regular side opening Benchmade “switchblade” and like it a lot. Solid lock up and I carry it everyday and use it often. Do the OTF knives lock up solid enough to be useful, or are they wobbly and fragile? The only thing I know about them is I want one and they are expensive!

They're designed to poke stuff and be stabby in a pinch, not necessarily for carving or fieldcraft. Just got my Infidel back from Benchmade and they removed the play that had developed and I do use it a fair amount to cut light stuff. For real work though, the out the side knives are much more durable.

 

[Edged Tools]

Or just cool looking? I have a regular side opening Benchmade “switchblade” and like it a lot. Solid lock up and I carry it everyday and use it often. Do the OTF knives lock up solid enough to be useful, or are they wobbly and fragile? The only thing I know about them is I want one and they are expensive!

I can help you save a bit.

They are practical… for certain things. But for work use or cutting more than paper, tape, or stabbing you might go with an out the side.

They do make excellent stabbers, or even peeling an apple or something. But widdling wood, batoning or other hard use scenarios you might want something a bit sturdier

 

[BigRed]

A tool for a purpose.

 

[nate77]

I always wanted one, but never ponied up for a Microtech.

Preordered a Kershaw Livewire as soon as they were announced.

Functions flawlessly, and makes a nice dress knife, but seems too fragile for an EDC knife, I’ll stick with side openers for that.

 

[printcraft]

I have 2 Microtechs that I beat on, I just keep the blades cleaned and lubed, no problems and work like new.

 

[Spartanmage]

Or just cool looking? I have a regular side opening Benchmade “switchblade” and like it a lot. Solid lock up and I carry it everyday and use it often. Do the OTF knives lock up solid enough to be useful, or are they wobbly and fragile? The only thing I know about them is I want one and they are expensive!

Like any knife they're designed with a purpose. I wouldn't use them for anything hard use like batoning or peeling, but for a quick deploy self defense they're okay. Also laws regarding them are finicky so you have to be really careful.