Pro-Tech Limited 24USA-2 Vintage Flag Strider Automatic Knife Review

Pro-Tech Knives, LLC is a family owned knife company that has been building high quality American Made knives since 1999. This company is based in Santa Fe Springs, California and is famous for their automatic knives. This company was founded by Dave Wattenberg.

Each Pro-Tech knife is a blend of the finest materials available and a commitment to craftsmanship. Their knives are built with the most current high tech manufacturing processes that include: CNC Machining, Wire EDM, Laser Cutting, and more. The high tech components are assembled and hand fit by dedicated and caring craftsmen right in their factory.

They manufacture small batches of their knives so that they can take the time to individually hand fit and finish each knife to a level rarely seen in a factory knife. The company produces about 12,000 knives per year and its most famous models are the Godfather, Godson, and the Runt J4.

Their production knife models offer the best design, function, and value of any knife on the market today. Their custom art knives are unique pieces of art. Each of their custom, limited-edition knives is a showpiece of heirloom quality. No matter which of their knives you choose, they are confident that you will be very satisfied with your purchase.

Their selection of knives is ever changing. New designs form collaboration partners, new variations of classic designs, inlay materials, and Damascus blade choices. Pro-Tech has collaborated with famous knife makers such as Ernest Emerson, Walter Brend, and Allen Elishewitz on various knife designs. Pro-Tech has designed models for the U.S. Military and several police departments, including the secret service and US Marshall’s Service.

Be sure to check with us at BladeOps to see what the lasts Pro-Tech knives look like.

Today we will be going in depth about the Pro-Tech Limited 24USA-2 Vintage Flag Strider, which is an automatic knife.

 

The Blade:

The blade on this Pro-Tech knife is made out of 154CM Stainless Steel. This is a high-end steel that is considered an upgraded version of 440C through the addition of Molybdenum. It is the Molybdenum that achieves superior edge holding compared to 440C while also retain similar excellent levels of corrosion resistance despite having less Chromium. The corrosion resistance levels are high. This steel is a relatively hard steel that has decent toughness good enough for most uses and holds an edge well. This steel is also not too hard to sharpen if you have the correct materials.

The blade has been finished with a bead blasted finish. This finish is created by using abrasive glass bead that are blasted at the metal at a high pressure. This results in an even grey finish. A blasted finish reduces reflections and glares due to its even matte surface. The blasting creates an increased surface area and micro abrasions make the steel more prone to rust and corrosion. A blasted blade, even with a 154CM Stainless Steel, can rust overnight if it is left in a very humid environment. All this means is that you are going to have to keep up on your maintenance at all times.

The blade on this knife has been carved into a drop point blade shape. The drop point blade shape is one of the most popular blade shapes on the market today. Not only is it popular, it is also tough and versatile. This blade shape can be found on most knife types, but is extremely popular on hunting knives. The shape is formed by having the spine of the knife run straight from the handle to the tip of the knife in a slow curved manner. The belly of the knife curves upward to form a lowered point. The lowered point makes the tip of the knife more easily controlled, which is ideal if you are performing fine tip work. The tip on this blade style is also a broad tip, which is where the signature strength of this blade style comes from. Because of the broadness, this knife is capable of tactical or survival tasks. One of the reasons that this blade is so versatile is the large belly that this knife boasts. The belly allows you to slice easily, which is what makes this Vintage Flag Strider such a great option for your everyday carry knife.

The blade does have a plain edge, which is going to give you cleaner cuts than a serrated edge would. The plain edge is also what allows you to sharpen this blade with ease and get a very fine edge on the knife. The plain edge is going to excel at push cuts, which are when you push the edge under the material and push forward. Some example of this include skinning, slicing, and peeling.

 

The Handle:

The handle on this knife is made out of 7075-T6 Aluminum. Aluminum is a very durable material for knife handles. This material is a low density metal that provides for a nice, hefty feel to the knife without actually weighing the knife down. This is ideal for a knife that you will have with you at all times, because it is not going to weigh you down, but you are still going to have the heft that you need to take on a wide variety of tasks. When an aluminum knife handle is properly texturized, you can have a very secure grip that is comfortable enough to use for extended use. However, aluminum also has high conductive properties, which means that if you are using this knife in cold weather, it will probably be uncomfortable to use.

The handle is the most unique part of this knife. It has been anodized to look like a vintage American Flag. Aluminum is most suited to anodizing, so this is an ideal finish for this knife. Anodizing is an electrochemical process that converts the metal surface into a decorative, durable, corrosion-resistant, anodic oxide finish. The anodization process increases the strength, durability, and corrosion resistance of this Pro-Tech knife handle, as well as adding a very unique look.

The spine of the handle sports a short row of jimping that increases your control over your slices. There is a wide finger groove that makes this a comfortable knife to use for long periods of time. The butt of the handle is angled and has a row of jimping across it. The bottom of the blade is flared to also add extra control to your cuts and slices. The butt also features a lanyard hole. The portion of the handle that is closest to the blade is dark blue with stars. The bottom portion is the red and white stripes.

 

The Pocket Clip:

The pocket clip on this knife is statically designed for tip up carry only on the traditional side of the handle. This is a custom titanium pocket clip. Titanium is a lightweight metal alloy that offers the best corrosion resistance of any metal. This material is also sturdy but still “springy,” which is why it makes a good pocket clip material. The clip has been finished with a dark bead blast finish, matching the blade. The clip slightly tapers, but does have a rounded shape to it. The clip is kept in place by one big screw that matches the other hardware on this limited edition knife.

 

The Mechanism:

This is an automatic knife, or switchblade. Because this is an automatic knife, you do need to be aware that it falls under a strict set of laws in the United States. This means that this Pro-Tech knife is not going to be legal in all states, cities, or areas. It is your responsibility, as the user, to know your local knife laws. BladeOps does not take responsibility.

An automatic knife is a type of knife with a folding blade contained in the handle which is opened automatically by a spring when a button on the handle is activated. The firing button on this knife is recessed to avoid accidentally deploying the blade. Most switchblade designs incorporate a locking blade, in which the blade is locked against closure when the spring extends the blade to the fully opened positon. The blade is unlocked by manually operating a mechanism that unlocks the blade and allow sit to be folded and locked in the closed positon.

Because it is an automatic knife, you can expect it to open smoothly and efficiently. You can bring an automatic knife into play much quicker than a regular folding knife, because of how quickly you can open it. However, you do have to be aware that because of all the inner mechanisms, the maintenance on this knife is going to be a little bit trickier. You have to make sure that the inside parts are completely clean and dry after each use to avoid rusting or breaking.

 

 

The Specs:

The blade on this knife measures in at 3.5 inches long, with a handle that measures in at 4.75 inches long. When the limited edition Strider is opened, it measures in at 8.25 inches long. This knife weighs in at 4.95 inches long. This knife was made in the United States of America.

 

The Pros of the Pro-Tech Limited Vintage Flag Strider Automatic Knife:

• The blade steel is a high end steel.
• Because of the Molybdenum in the steel, the blade holds an edge for long periods of time.
• The blade has high corrosion resistance properties.
• The steel is easy to sharpen.
• The bead blasted finish is even and cuts down on glares and reflections.
• The drop point blade has a strong point that is both sharp and controllable.
• The drop point blade has plenty of cutting edge that is perfect for slicing.
• The aluminum handle is strong.
• The aluminum handle is lightweight, but still hefty.
• The aluminum handle is durable.
• The aluminum handle is extremely resistant to corrosion.
• The automatic opening mechanism allows you to bring this knife into play quickly and efficiently.
• This knife is made in the United States of America, so you can be proud to own, carry, and use this American flag knife.

 

The Cons of the Pro-Tech Limited Vintage Flag Strider Automatic Knife:

• Because of the micro abrasions that come from the blasted finish, the steel can rust overnight in humid conditions.
• The drop point blade does not have as sharp of a tip as a clip point blade shape.
• The drop point blade is to as capable for piercing as many other blade shapes.
• The aluminum has high conductive properties, which does mean that it can be cold to hold.
• The aluminum handle is slippery.
• The aluminum handle is prone to scratches and dings.
• Because it is an automatic knife, this Strider will not be legal in all states, cities, or areas.
• The maintenance on this automatic knife is increased because of all the inner mechanisms.
• Automatic knives are more likely to break than a fixed blade.

 

Conclusion:

This Pro-Tech Strider SnG automatic knife blends classic Strider design elements with the incredible Pro-Tech manufacturing system to create an auto knife you will never want to put down. This particular model sports a smooth contoured design, a recessed firing button and a flared base to promote extra control. The stainless steel blades deploy lightning-fast and includes etchings of both Pro-Tech and Strider logos. This limited model features an anodized aluminum handle with a vintage American flag graphic, a mosaic pin push button, a drop point style blade in a dark blasted finish and the custom titanium pocket clip is statically designed for tip up carry only on the traditional side of the handle. Pick up this phenomenal automatic knife today at BladeOps.

 

(Due to the overwhelming success of the American Flag graphic models created for 2017 SHOT Show, BladeOps teamed up with Pro-Tech to create a secondary run exclusively for us. While Pro-Tech will bring some models to 2017 Blade show, BladeOps will remain as the only dealer with these limited models available for sale.)