Knife Review: Marfione Custom Battleship Grey Combat Troodon Hardedge OTF Automatic

The Marfione Custom Battleship Grey Combat Troodon Hardedge OTF Automatic Knife

In 1994, just a year after the first prototypes were created in Anthony and Susan Marfione’s apartment, the release of the UDT marked the official beginning of Microtech. The company began renting a building in Vero Beach, Florida, which quickly expanded to nearby empty buildings as the demand for a larger facility became apparent. Since then, Microtech has carved itself a place in history by building a long-standing tradition of innovation and quality that leaves an impression on its customers. Some of their memorable moments include:

• 1995 brought the release of the HALO, which has become a prominent line throughout Microtech’s history and earned the cover spot of the 1995 edition of Fighting Knives magazine.
• In 1999, the Ultratech, the most popular Microtech ever, first hit production. Microtech also earned Blade Magazine’s Manufacturing Quality Award for the second year in a row.
• In 2000, Microtech released the company’s first balisong knife, the Tachyon, which was later followed by the Tachyon II and the Metalmark in 2012. The Lightfoot Compact Combat was awarded Blade Magazine’s Knife Collaboration of the Year, and Anthony Marfione was also featured in “Le Chasseur a L’arc” for the uniquely designed Tomahawk.
• In 2004, the MTX2 was awarded American Made Knife of the year by Blade Magazine, while the original, limited run of the Currahee was produced for testing by the United States Special Forces.
• In 2005, after the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Microtech relocated from Vero Beach, Florida to their current factory in Bradford, Pennsylvania.
• In 2007, Microtech’s sister company, Microtech Small Arms Research engineered the original STG-5.56, becoming the first knife company to establish a firearms division.
• IN 2009, with their recent expansion in the firearms industry, Microtech & MSAR set up a second shop in Fletcher, North Carolina to better meet the increased production demands.
• In 2011, Microtech’s Select Fire won Most Innovative American Design at blade Show 2011.
• In 2012, after a successful Blade Show, where the Socom Delta won American Made Knife of the Year, Anthony Marfione entered into a collaboration with Mick Strider to create the DOC. 2012 also marked the launch of the Siphon, Microtech’s first high end pen. Both of these pieces were originally only launched as Marfione Custom’s production.
• In 2013, MSAR introduces the new line of XM Series magazines.

Today we will be discussing the Marfione Custom Battleship Grey Combat Troodon Hardedge OTF automatic knife, which is currently in stock at BladeOps.

The Blade:

The blade on this knife is made out of CTS-204P stainless steel. This steel can reasonably be compared to Bohler-Uddeholm’s M390 steel. However, it does have a little bit more tungsten than the other steel. This steel is known for having an incredibly high wear and corrosion resistance. Part of this is due to the fact that it does have a fine-grained alloy, which also means that this is a good choice for high end fixed blades as well as high-end pocketknives, such as the Marfione Custom Battleship Grey Combat Troodon.

Other than that, it is going to preform like a high-end stainless steel is expected to. You can expect it to keep its high level of quality without too much maintenance. You will want to wipe down the blade after each use, but you won’t have to worry about scrubbing it after each use, like you might on some. This is a harder steel, so it might be slightly complicated to sharpen, but nothing that an experienced sharpener can’t handle.

This steel is not a super common one, but it is a high-end steel. It will be able to hang with most tasks, so you won’t ever have to question whether or not it is going to be able to defend you when you need it most—it can handle it.

The blade has been finished satin. This is the most popular blade finish that you are going to come across in the cutlery industry, because it does give the blade and overall knife class, while still being pretty traditional. The finish is created when the blade is repeatedly sanded in one direction with an ever-increasingly fine level of an abrasive. This works to show off the bevels of the blade, while also demonstrating the fine lines in the steel. This is where the traditional look comes from. But, since it is a brighter finish, it is going to look sleek and classy.

The other benefits of a stain blade are that it does reduces some of the glares that would normally occur, because it does mattify the blade ever so slightly. It is also going to increase the corrosion resistance of the blade by some. The thing about the satin finish is that you really cannot go wrong with it.

The blade is unique on this version of the Combat Troodon. It is called a Hardedge, because it is not like your typical blade that you would see. For starters, it is basically a rectangle, with each of the sides being sharpened. The spine of the knife extends straight out of the handle and continues in a straight line until the very end of the blade. There is no point on this Custom Combat Troodon, instead, the blade tip is flat across, as well as sharpened. There is also not a belly on this blade, with the bottom edge being just as straight as the spine is.

This does mean that this is not going to be a general-purpose blade. The lack of belly does mean that it is going to be a little more complicated to slice with. The lack of point does mean that you are not going to be able to pierce with this knife. But the point is not fine in the slightest, which does mean that this knife is going to be durable. There is very little chance that the tip cracks or chips, because it is going to be so strong.

The Handle:

The handle is made out of an alloy, which is going to add strength and durability to this custom knife. It is going to add in a little bit of heft, which is perfect, because it will ensure that you feel confident while using this knife. It also is going to keep the maintenance of the handle down, because it is going to be fairly corrosion resistant. Unfortunately, this knife is going to be fairly prone to getting scratched.

That being said, the handle has been anodized to a battleship grey. The anodization process chemically changes the surface of the knife. This means that it is going to be more corrosion resistant, tougher, and more durable, while also being less prone to getting scratched. Really, the anodization process increasing all of the good aspects and qualities of the alloy while removing some of the more negative aspects of it.

The anodization process also adds in the sleek and unique battleship grey color that helps to make this MCK knife look classy and elegant, while still looking relatively tough. On the face of the handle, the MCK logo has been stamped in white. This is the only white thing on the entire knife, so it does pop.

While this knife has nearly nothing that is typical, the handle shape is fairly classic for an OTF. The basic shape of the handle is rectangular, although the spine does extend a little bit further out near the hole where the blade deploys form. Then, near the halfway point, there is a short row of jimping and the handle goes in slightly. The butt is squared off.

The belly of the handle is pretty much the opposite of the handle, it does go in very slightly at the top. The butt and head are slightly flared. There are two rows of jimping on the belly, which will work to give you more grip and control while using this knife.

The Pocket Clip:

The pocket clip is wider than your typical pocket clip. It does have a unique shape to it, as there are almost two separate portions of the pocket clip. The first is more hourglass shaped, with the top being the thickest that the clip gets. It does curve in slightly and then extends back out to nearly the thickest again. At this point, the second portion of the clip starts. This portion tapers towards the butt.

The pocket clip is finished satin, which is classic and pairs perfectly with the sleek black handle. It is attached so that you will be carrying tip down, as that is the standard when it comes to OTF knives. The clip has been stamped with the MCK logo as well as the number of this custom knife.

The hardware on this knife is silver, which matches the brightness of the blade.

The Mechanism:

The Combat Troodon is an Out-the-Front Automatic knife. The fact that it is an automatic knife does mean that it is going to fall under a strict set of laws in the United States. These laws state that automatic knives are not going to be legal in all states, cities, or areas. It is your responsibility as the user and purchaser, to know your local knife laws before buying and definitely before carrying this knife with you. You are the responsible party, not BladeOps.

While the legality of an automatic knife can serve as a disadvantage, there is a major advantage of owning an automatic knife: it is going to be easy to deploy. All you have to do is push the lever up that sits on the side of the handle and the blade will be open and ready to use in mere seconds. In situations where every second counts, MCK has made it a breeze to bring this knife into play. There should be no fumbling with this knife.

This is an Out-the-Front knife, or an OTF knife, as it is commonly referred to. Wikipedia explains OTF knives as a type of pocketknife that has a blade that opens and closes through a hole in one end of the handle. This is different than other pocketknives that have the blade come out of the side. They go on to explain that OTF is only referring to the basic portion of the knife’s mechanical operation.

Like has been previously mentioned, this is an automatic OTF knife, which means that the blade travels within an internal track or channel in the same manner as a manual OTF knife. However, the automatic main spring drive and button mechanism that are enclosed in the handle do require the handle of an automatic OTF to be thicker and longer than a manual one.

The lever on the side of the handle is stepped, so that it has enough texture that you can easily find the mechanism and keep your grip on it while you are deploying the blade.

The Specs:

The blade on this custom knife measures in at 3.81 inches long with a handle that measures in at 5.69. This means that when the blade is deployed, it measures in at an overall length of 9.5 inches long. The Marfione knife weighs in at 5.3 ounces. This was proudly made in the United States of America.

Conclusion:

This custom out-the-front model features a battleship grey hefted anodized aircraft alloy handle and a tri-beveled blade in a two-tone satin finish.

Marfione Custom Knives (MCK) are well known for their high-end custom knives and products that feature exotic materials that turn mere tools into works of art. Highlights of this knife include two-tone satin finished hardware and is lasered with the Marfione dagger logo. Additionally, the blade has 3 separate bevels that are all sharpened. Package comes complete with a presentation box, zipper pouch as well as a certificate of authenticity.

This custom knife is currently in stock, but like all Marfione Knives, it is going to fly off the shelves. This is the ideal holiday present for that knife lover in your family. To guarantee that you can get one, order now by clicking here.