Knife Review: Microtech Purple Combat Troodon Dagger OTF Automatic Knife

The Microtech Purple Combat Troodon Dagger OTF Automatic Knife [New Arrival]

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 talking about one of BladeOps’ newest arrivals: the Microtech Purple Combat Troodon.

The Blade:

The blade on this Combat Troodon is made out of M390 steel. M390 is considered a super steel because it has such high hardness as well as such high levels of corrosion resistance. The combination of these two qualities does mean that you are going to be able to have a fine edge on the blade that is able to keep the fine edge for long periods of time, even if you are constantly using it. The drawback to the hardness is that it is going to be tricky to sharpen it, meaning you will probably have to take it in to be sharpened, instead of being able to do it yourself.

While the M390 is considered a clean steel, because it can come to a great mirror finish, it has actually been finished with a stonewash. This is a common finish, especially on hard-use knives such as this one. The process to create the stonewashed finish does create a textured appearance, which works to hide scratches and smudges that accumulate over time. This means that it is going to be very low maintenance. That feature also makes it great for hard-use knives, because you don’t have to worry about the beating that it is going to take.

The stonewashed finish is also slightly matte, which does mean that it is going to cut down on glares and reflections.

The blade has been carved into a dagger blade shape. The dagger blade is a blade that has two edges—meaning both the spien and the belly of the blade are sharpened. The shape is also symmetrical, which means that the point is right in the center of the axis of the blade. The two edges come together finely, which allows you to piece with it. The dagger blade shape is a popular blade shape for self-defense tools.

While this is a great option, it does have a few disadvantages. The first is that it does not have a belly, which does mean that it is not going to make a great all-purpose knife. Also, because the tip is so fine, it can be prone to breaking when used on harder targets.

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 a deep purple. 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 purple 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 standard for a Microtech EDC. It is relatively wide, especially when compared to other pocketknives. The top of the clip has an hourglass shape to it, with the lower half tapering toward the bottom. The Microtech logo has been stamped on this clip.

Like all OTF knives, the clip has been attached at the opposite end of the handle from where the blade comes out. This does mean that you are only going to be carrying this knife tip down, which is the safer way to carry it.

The clip, as well as the hardware on this knife, is silver.

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 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 Combat Troodon measures in at 3.81 inches long with a handle that measures in at 5.69 inches long. This means that when the blade has been deployed, the overall length of the knife is going to measure in at 9.5 inches long. This is larger than your standard EDC, which is normally around 8 inches long. However, the extra length is just going to give you extra capabilities. There is going to be the heft and length that you desire to really take on whatever may come your way.

The extra size does mean a little bit extra weight, with the overall weight of the knife coming in at 5.3 ounces. This does fall slightly outside of the ideal range, which usually has a maximum of 5 ounces. This is because more than 5 ounces can start to feel rather heavy. This knife is out of that range, but only slightly, so it will have extra heft and you will notice it in your pocket, but I wouldn’t’ say that it is going to be a hassle to have with you at all times.

This Microtech, like all the others, was proudly made in the United States of America.

Conclusion:

This out-the-front model features a purple anodized handle and a dagger 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.

This Microtech is currently in stock at BladeOps. This is a fantastic knife that you won’t regret purchasing. Order yours right now by clicking here.