Knife Review: Microtech Orange Exocet OTF Automatic Knife

The Microtech Orange Exocet OTF Automatic Knife

Microtech Knives, Inc. is a knife manufacturing company that is famous for its automatic knives. This company was founded in Vero Beach, Florida in 1994. It operated there until it relocated to Bradford, Pennsylvania in 2005 and then to Fletcher, North Carolina in 2009. It was in 2007 that the company began manufacturing in American-made version of the Steyr AUG under the subsidiary name of Microtech Small Arms Research.

The company has long promoted itself as stressing quality with regard to tight machining tolerances, to within on thousandth of an inch. Microtech has designed knives of ruse by the US Military such as the HALO, UDT, SOCOM, and Currahee models. Custom knife makers, such as Greg Lightfoot have remarked that these tolerances are what makes the factory knives so close the custom design: “It has the same quality as a handmade custom.”
And although Microtech has produced many styles of blades such as kitchen knives, fishing knives, arrow heads, and balisong knives; Microtech is most famous for its tactical automatic knives. Microtech along with Benchmade Knives was responsible for the resurgence in the popularity of tactical automatic knave sin the 1990s. These knives were seen more as a precision-made tool utilizing powerful springs and high-grade bushings as opposed to cheap import.

Microtech has collaborated with famous knife makers and designers such as Ernest Emerson, Bob Terzuola, Mick Strider, Walter Brend, Mike Turber, Greg Lightfoot, and Reese Weiland on exclusive designs.

For over 20 years, Microtech has been working to build a long-standing tradition of innovation and quality with each knife that leaves their facility. In a world of every changeling 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 appreciated their customers or the years of loyalty and support and for motivating them to better themselves so that they may continue to rise above your expectations.

Today we will be discussing the Microtech Orange Exocet OTF automatic knife, which is a new arrival at BladeOps.

The Blade:

The blade on the Exocet has been made out of CTS 204P stainless steel. This steel is made by Carpenter and is pretty similar to Crucible’s CPM-20CV steel. The CTS 204P steel has high amounts of Chromium, Molybdenum, Vanadium, and Tungsten. This means that the blade is going to be tough and strong, while remaining sharp throughout use.

When Carpenter is explaining this steel, they say, “The unique combination of wear resistance, toughness, polish ability and corrosion resistance makes CTS 204P an excellent candidate material for pelletizer, granulator and high-performance industrial and custom knives as well as food processing equipment.” The steel is designed to have high corrosion resistance, which helps reduce the amount of maintenance that is required with the Exocet. You will not have to worry too much about the steel rusting and a simple wipe down and occasional oil should be enough to keep it having its usual high quality.

The blade has been finished in a black and satin finish. The blade is mostly black. This portion of the blade is one of the safer portions, as there is a barrier in between the steel and the environment. This means that the black portions will have their life prolonged, as well as increased corrosion and wear resistance. Not only that, but the black finish does cut down on glares and reflections, since it is a matte finish. This portion of the blade won’t be as susceptible to scratches either.

The other finish is the satin finish. The satin finish outlines the blade as well as there being a thin portion of satin in the middle of the blade, also in a dagger style shape. The satin finish looks bright and clean against the black finish. The outline creates a unique look on the blade, that is both modern, yet still classy and somewhat edgy.

The satin finish is also low maintenance, because it does increase the corrosion resistance of the blade. This means that the combination of the two finishes work to create an edgy blade that is easy to take care of, what more could you ask for? The combination of the black and satin pair perfectly with the bright blue of the handle.

The blade has been carved into a wide dagger blade shape. This is going to be different than many other dagger blades, because the others are known for how fine they are. However, like a typical dagger blade shape, you are going to get the point. The point is the most crucial aspect of the dagger blade.

The entire blade is nearly perfectly symmetrical, with both sides of the blade rising and falling at the same points, which creates a tip that is perfectly in line with the center of the blade. While this normally creates an extremely fine tip, the Exocet has such a wide blade that you do not get as fine of a tip. You will be able to pierce, there is no doubt about it. But, since the rest of the blade is as wide as it is, you should not have to worry about the tip breaking. With the Exocet, you do not need to be as careful as you do with a regular dagger blade.

Another drawback to a typical dagger blade shape is that thee reis no belly. With the Exocet, you get a wider and more rounded side than normal, which does mean that you are going to have a slight belly. However, this portion is not designed specifically for slicing, so it is not going to excel. But you will be able to complete what you need to with it. The blade edges are plain edges.

The blade has also been sharpened into a plain edge, on both sharpened portions of the blade. This means that it will be easier to work with, because it will equip you to take on a wider variety of tasks.

The Handle:

The handle has been made out of 6061-T6 aluminum that has been anodized orange.

Aluminum makes a great option for a knife handle material because of its various qualities. The aluminum is tough, corrosion resistant, and lightweight. In fact, aluminum is known as low-density metal. This means that it is does not 

have the weight that you would typically find on other materials that are as hefty as aluminum is. But, the lack of weight is not going to take away any of the toughness. A low-density metal is going to still provide you with the heft that you feel like you need to confidently rely on this Microtech. That being said, because this is a much smaller knife, you will definitely not have a heavy knife.

Aluminum is also incredibly corrosion resistant, which does mean that the knife is going to be as low maintenance as possible. This is not prone to rusting and really all of the maintenance that it requires is wiping the handle down and making sure that it is dry after each use. 6061-T6 aluminum is the aluminum alloy that has the highest yield resistance. This means that it is going to be the toughest, most durable, and most corrosion resistant alloy out of any aluminum handle.

Of course, aluminum does have a few disadvantages. The first is that it has high conductive properties. This means that in cold environments, the aluminum is going to feel even colder. In many environments, this actually does not affect the usage whatsoever. However, in extra-cold or tumultuous environments, you may want to keep in mind that the handle can feel bitter at some time. The other disadvantage is that aluminum is prone to getting scratched.

The aluminum has been anodized orange, to add the color in, but also to increase all of the good qualities that aluminum already provides. For example, it increases the strength, durability, and hardness of the aluminum. Not only that, but it also increases the wear and corrosion resistance of the knife, which means that the handle is going to have a prolonged life.

The handle on the Exocet is extra wide. The frame of the handle is nearly perfectly rectangular with various spots of jimping on both the spine of the handle as well as the belly of the handle. To combat the lack of texture and grip that aluminum offers, the handle has different ridges on it to add in the lacking texture. All in all, the Exocet is designed to give you a great hold on this little knife.

The Pocket Clip:

The pocket clip on the Exocet doubles as a money clip. This means that not only will you have a convenient place to store cash and business cards, but the clip is going to be extra-wide. In fact, on the Exocet, the clip is nearly as wide as the handle. This is a benefit, because if you choose to not use it as a money clip, but instead attach it to your pocket, the clip should keep the knife securely in place throughout your day. You should not have any issues with this clip sliding out of your pocket as you move about your tasks.

The pocket clip has been finished in black, which matches the rest of the hardware on this knife.

The Mechanism:

This is an automatic OTF knife, which means that the blade is deployed from a hole in the top of the handle, instead of folding out of the side of the handle. The blade on the OTF knife will travel on an inner track. To deploy the blade, you will need to slide the stepped lever on the side of the knife, which pushes the blade up the inner track and shoots it out of the hole at the end. The OTF knife is going to be easy to deploy and easy to bring into play. You can even do it with only one hand if need be.

This is an automatic knife, which does mean that it is not going to be legal in all states, cities, or even areas. It is your responsibly as the user and purchaser to know your local knife laws before buying this knife. It is not the responsibility of BladeOps.

The Specs:

The blade on the Microtech Exocet measures in at a mere 1.98 inches long, with a handle that measures in at 3.62 inches long. Both the blade and the handle are definitely on the smaller end of the spectrum when it comes to EDC’s. This means that the overall length of the Exocet when the blade has been deployed measures in at 5.6 inches long. This is a tiny knife, but it is built with quality materials so that it can actually take on what you need it to. The handle and blade are also thick and hefty, so it is going to be durable and strong. Even though the Exocet is tiny, it does pack a punch.

The knife weighs in at an overall 3.1 ounces, which actually falls in the spectrum of the ideal weight for an EDC. The range is between three and five ounces, because those weights offer enough heft and control without weighing you down. As you can see, even though the knife is tiny, it weighs enough that you can have total faith in it.

This Microtech is proudly made in the United States of America.

Conclusion:

This out-the-front knife features an orange anodized handle and a dagger style blade in a black and satin finish.

The new Microtech Exocet combines the portability of a sub-2" blade with the practicality of a money clip--making it perfect for daily carry. With an extra-wide frame, this knife will serve you well and keep you safe.

This version of Microtech’s Exocet is currently in stock at BladeOps, order yours by clicking here.