Knife Review: Microtech Combat Troodon OTF, Turquoise

The Microtech Turquoise Combat Troodon OTF Automatic Knife

For over 20 years, Microtech has been working to build a long standing tradition of innovation and quality with each knife that leaves our facility. In a world of ever-changing technology, they strive to ensure their customers have access to the latest advancements in knife making, while still continuing to maintain a humanized element throughout the manufacturing process. As the company continues to grow, their focus remains the same: to deliver revolutionary products that exceed the industry’s ever-increasing desire for groundbreaking ideas. They appreciate their customers, for the years of loyalty and support, and for motivating them to better themselves so that they may continue to rise about your expectations.

Microtech Knives was established in 1994 in Vero Beach, Florida relocating to Bradford, Pennsylvania in 2005. They have always operated with a simple mission: To make the best possible knives. The mission is still true today. Their goal is to attain and maintain extremely high-quality knives throughout the evolution of growth and change. Founder, Anthony Marfione’s objective is to ensure that every day, each customer will receive the highest quality knife that money can buy. They deliver personalized service with exceptional attention to detail. Even though they produce thousands of specialized knives, the quest for quality remains their primary focus.

The Microtech Reputation has continued to stress quality which means that they have extremely close tolerance—their designers and technician measure to the thousandths to ensure precision action. They also only use USA manufactured parts, material, and labor. They research and test only the highest grade of Tool Steel, Aircraft Alloy, and component pieces—all developed by USA Manufactures. Also, approximately 95% of all parts are fabricated by them not for them. All of their knives are designed and engineered by experts—aiming to meet and exceed customer needs, targeting ease in application and effectiveness. They also have a lifetime limited warranty of all Microtech Worldwide products. Microtech does not compromise on quality.

During their history, they have produced revolutionary tactical knives and in keeping with their tradition, they continue to introduce new innovative products, striving for excellence.

Microtech is a leader in the industry. They will continue to be one of the World’s finest in pioneering creative and inventive designs. Microtech’s goal is to attain and maintain extremely high-quality knives throughout the evolution of growth and change. They deliver personalized service with exceptional attention to detail. Even though they have produced thousands of specialize knives, the quest for quality remains their primary focus.

Today we will be discussing the Microtech Turquoise Combat Troodon OTF automatic knife.

The Blade:

The blade on this Combat Troodon has been made out of Elmax steel. This steel is produced by Bohler-Uddeholm and is a high chromium-vanadium-molybdenum-alloyed steel. Tis steel is going to have 1.7% carbon, 18% chromium, .3% manganese, 1% molybdenum, .8& silicon, and 3% vanadium. This combination of different materials gives the metal a high wear resistance, high compressive strength, superior corrosion resistance, and also the stability and ability to retain its size and form after taking abuse or taking on a harder task. High wear and high corrosion resistance are a hard combination to find on a steel, but this steel’s powder-metallurgy based production allows for its imperviousness to wear and corrosion. The steel is hardened to 57-59 HRC usually, although some companies do push that and harden it to around a 62 HRC. This steel does have good edge holding ability. Elmax steel is produced through a hardening and corrosion resistant mold using a powder-metallurgy process, which Bohler-Uddeholm is known for using in a variety of their stainless steels. This process involves blending fine powdered materials, pressing them into the desired shape, and then heating it to bond the material.

The blade has been finished with a stonewashed finish. The stonewashed finish is created when the blade has been tumbled in an abrasive material, which is normally small pebbles or rocks. The finish easily hides scratches, while also providing a less reflective nature than a brushed or satin finished blade. One of the best benefits of a stonewashed blade is that they are low maintenance and preserve their original look overtime. The stonewashed finish also hides smudges, which means that maintenance is low. The stonewashed finish gives a very rugged, well-worn look to the knife.

The blade on this Microtech has been carved into a drop point blade shape. This is one of the most common blade shapes that you are going to come across, because it is so incredibly tough and versatile. The spine is mostly straight, but it does begin to curve down toward the tip, creating a lowered tip. This lowered tip is going to give you more control over your cuts and slices.

The tip on the knife is also very broad, which is exactly where the strength of the drop point comes from. Drop points are known for being super tough. This is because the broad tip has enough extra steel on it that it is not going to be in danger of breaking when used on harder targets. That being said, the drop point is also not going to excel at piercing, because the blade tip is so broad.

One of the biggest advantages for a drop point blade is how large the belly is. The belly gives enough surface area that you are going to excel at slicing, which allows you to excel at a wide variety of tasks.

The blade is a combination blade, which means that there is a portion of the blade that has been sharpened into a plain edge and a portion of it that has been serrated. The plain portion is the large of the two and it is also the upper part of the knife. This portion will allow you to perform fine detail work and get cleaner cuts.

The serrated portion is about 1/3 of the blade. This section will allow you to saw through some thicker materials, such as ropes or vines. The combo blade is going to work to give you the best of both worlds.

The Handle:

The handle on this OTF knife has been made out of 6061-T6 aluminum. Aluminum itself is a widely popular option for high-quality knife handle materials. Aluminum is tough, durable, incredibly corrosion resistant, and best of all, it is lightweight. However, it is also prone to getting scratched.

Aluminum is known to be a low-density metal, which is where the low weight of the handle comes in from. A low-density metal is a metal that is going to provide you with the heft that you need to take on all of your tasks. It is not going to make you feel that you cannot rely on the handle—instead, it is going to give you enough heft in your hand that you feel confident. Confident enough to take on whatever comes your way. Confident enough to rely on the Microtech Troodon. That being said, it is not going to weigh you down. This is a larger knife, so any lightness is going to be appreciated.

6061-T6 aluminum is the most common aluminum alloy that is used. This is also because it is the toughest of all the aluminum alloys. It has the highest yield resistance of any. It is going to give you everything that aluminum originally would have and then increase it. With this handle, you are going to have a reliable and solid knife to use.

The handle has been adonized turquoise. There are a few major benefits of having your aluminum handle anodized. The first is that the anodization is actually a chemical change of the surface of the aluminum. This means that the sleek turquoise color is not going to peel off like a regular coating could and would do. That does not mean that the color cannot be scratched off though. While the aluminum can still be scratched, the anodization process is going to make it harder to do so. If the surface was scratched, you would be able to see the original silver aluminum underneath the anodized surface.

The rest of the handle is rather basic, especially for an OTF knife. It is relatively rectangular, although the belly does have two slight curves to it. The first one is slightly deeper than the second one. Both of them stretch about half of the length of the handle. Across the face of the handle, to add in the required texture that aluminum cannot offer, are two sections of curved grooves. These rest in places that will provide plenty of texture for you to feel confident while using this knife.

The Pocket Clip:

The pocket clip is finished in a darker grey, which does perfectly match the rest of the hardware on the knife. This also works to match the blade, even though the blade has been stonewashed and the hardware is in a matte finsih. It is a thick pocket clip. The thickness will help it stay securely inside of your pocket with no issues. The pocket clip is attached to the butt of the blade, like is often the case when it comes to OTF knives. On the clip, “Microtech” has been etched in, which does make it appear to be a darker grey.

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, Microtech 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 pocket knife that has a blade that opens and closes through a hole in one end of the handle. This is different than other pocket knives 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.

Conclusion:

This out-the-front model features a turquoise anodized handle and a partially serrated drop point style blade in a stonewash finish.

Those that need a larger OTF knife in the field gravitate towards the Microtech Combat Troodon because it can be effectively operated with or without gloves and its substantial feel makes it suitable for hard-use. Each Microtech OTF knife has extremely sophisticated internal mechanisms which improve the overall operational functionality and reliability and its ability to be operated with just one hand makes it all the more practical.

You can purchase this knife today at BladeOps by clicking here.