Sidearms & Scatterguns Automatic Knife for a Lefty

[Coffee_and_Pipes]

Does anyone have any recommendations for a lefty-friendly automatic knife (more traditional or OTF)? I’m looking to keep the cost to around $200 or less. I know Protech has a left-handed version of the TR-3, but I don’t know if a TR-3 is what I want. I’ve also thought about their Godfather/Godson line. If I have to activate the knife with my index finger instead of my thumb, I’m ok with that if the rest of the knife feels good (subjective, I know). The knife won’t see a lot of heavy use (I’ve got a Benchmade AXIS Barrage for that), but I would like to be able to count on it in a tough situation if I needed to. Any thoughts or recommendations are welcome.

 

[SharpsNitro]

Give the Microtech Ultratech a look. The pocket clip is reversible.

 

[thejeep]

I’ll just say the otf bm’s Weren’t very confidence inspiring. Just ducking around with them at the store I caused it to not open 3 /10 times. Blade would hang up and not fully deploy.

 

[Cheyenne Bodie]

I'd vote for a Microtech OTF for any hand. Very high-quality blade steel and built better than anything else in the price range. If you want something a little more robust maybe the Benchmade Infidel Adamas auto, pretty sure you can reverse the clip on that as well and it's a great knife.

 

[GA_medic]

No need to reverse the clip on an Infidel. Blade comes out the opposite end and is "LH friendly"

 

[Cheyenne Bodie]

I'm stupid, I meant the Adamas auto. Didn't fancy the Infidels I looked at very much tbh, but I know people beat the hell out of them and they take it.

 

[George P. Burdell]

Lots of the Benchmade are ambidextrous
https://knifenews.com/benchmades-apb-system-you-dont-get-to-choose-which-hand-to-use/

 

[wilson1911]

I have the protech auto.

 

[Coffee_and_Pipes]

Thanks all for the suggestions. I like the Benchmade I have, but on their site they make it sound like they won’t do service work on autos unless you can show that you’re Mil/LE/First Response. Since it is an auto, eventually the spring would need to be replaced, but I don’t know that I would get my knife back.

For those of you with Microtech knives, how is the fit and finish? I’ve heard nothing but good things about Protech and wondered how they compared?

 

[George P. Burdell]

For benchmade auto knives you just can't ship them directly from out of state for warranty. You have to take them to a dealer who can ship them for you.

 

[Cheyenne Bodie]

Thanks all for the suggestions. I like the Benchmade I have, but on their site they make it sound like they won’t do service work on autos unless you can show that you’re Mil/LE/First Response. Since it is an auto, eventually the spring would need to be replaced, but I don’t know that I would get my knife back.

For those of you with Microtech knives, how is the fit and finish? I’ve heard nothing but good things about Protech and wondered how they compared?

I've handled Protech folders and Microtech OTF autos, and I've owned and disassembled my own Ultratech limited run edition. Comparing apples to oranges imo, the fit and finish are comparable. Internally and externally the Ultratech is flawless, functionally there is a small break in period of about 100 firings where it will not engage fully. For me, this was only three times in about the first 100 firings, the next umpteenth that followed it never malfunctioned in the slightest. The lockup on the Ultratech is extremely rigid in line with a cutting motion, but there is very slight play side to side. You can hammer it through a block of wood, just don't twist it. The Protech was sturdy all around, though there was still some side to side play in the blade. Protech blades all closed and laid perfectly. Quality at entry level between the two is equal imo, higher end Microtech/Marifone takes the cake all day.

If you want a tough OTF get the Infidel, if you want an auto folder get the Adamas.

If you just want a good reliable knife get an Ultratech OTF or a Protech auto folder.

 

[wilson1911]

I protech is the auto, not otf. I used to have a micro, but I lost it somewhere....fit and finish are excellent on both. The Protech is my daily carry/work knife.

http://protechknives.com/product/tr-3-l1-tactical-response-3/

 

[SharpsNitro]

Microtechs are very well made. I prefer the UTX85 to the normal Ultratech.

 

[Coffee_and_Pipes]

I haven’t seen an Infidel in person, but they look interesting. @thejeep do you think that the Benchmade you looked at was just a rare, out of spec example that you looked at, or have you seen a number of OTF Benchmades that left you feeling questionable about their quality?

Thanks @George P. Burdell for clearing that up for me. For some reason I was under the impression that even then you had to have a Mil/LE ID on the dealer’s side.

Thanks @Cheyenne Bodie for the great info on Microtechs vs Protechs. I’m definitely looking for something entry level. As much as I would like an auto Benchmade, I think they’re going to be outside of what I can afford for a while. If I were to buy a new knife right now, I could afford a Protech Godson. In your opinion, would it be worth holding off a while longer until I could afford a UTX-85? From what I’ve seen, there’s about a $75 price difference between the two.

 

[Downtown]

https://www.bladehq.com/cat--Protech-Emerson-CQC7--399. My favorite, Protech with a Emerson blade.

 

[GA_medic]

I haven’t seen an Infidel in person, but they look interesting. @thejeep do you think that the Benchmade you looked at was just a rare, out of spec example that you looked at, or have you seen a number of OTF Benchmades that left you feeling questionable about their quality?

Thanks @George P. Burdell for clearing that up for me. For some reason I was under the impression that even then you had to have a Mil/LE ID on the dealer’s side.

Thanks @Cheyenne Bodie for the great info on Microtechs vs Protechs. I’m definitely looking for something entry level. As much as I would like an auto Benchmade, I think they’re going to be outside of what I can afford for a while. If I were to buy a new knife right now, I could afford a Protech Godson. In your opinion, would it be worth holding off a while longer until I could afford a UTX-85? From what I’ve seen, there’s about a $75 price difference between the two.

Most places would give you a public safety discount if you have your ID. I had my ID with me and was in uniform when I bought my Infidel and still paid full price. I asked that same question and they told me anyone with $400 can buy it. Any warranty work and I would need to bring it to the place I bought it and they will ship it off to Benchmade. Benchmade will ship it back to the store and I can pick it up from there.

 

[GA_medic]

Benchmade has a no questions asked lifetime warranty so rest assured if anything happens to your high dollar investment, you'll have piece of mind in having damages covered free.

I'm sure other companies have the same warranty and are cheaper. I just dont know who those companies are.

 

[ingraham]

My Spyderco Endura has a reversible clip so you can carry blade up or blade down. Kershaw makes knives with clips that can be reversed as well.

 

[Cheyenne Bodie]

The Godson is 154CM blade steel and probably aluminium frame. It would be a better value fit and finish wise for the dollar. Probably rides in the pocket better, and in more styles of pockets. 154CM is still a semi-premium blade steel.

The Ultratech is Elmax blade steel and aluminium frame. Elmax is by far superior blade steel to 154CM in every way. It's more complicated in design but executed with the same level of fit and finish as the Godson. I would say the Ultratech is the better knife and the cost reflects that.

For just an EDC either will work, mostly just a matter of what you want. You could take that extra $75 and get a decent sharpening system and the only real difference would be that you would be sharpening the 154CM Godson more frequently but more precisely— and in that case you would have a better knife long term for the same costs. The Ultratechs come sharp from factory too, but eventually, you'll need to work with some quality stones or jigs to really get either models back in shape.

 

[thejeep]

I haven’t seen an Infidel in person, but they look interesting. @thejeep do you think that the Benchmade you looked at was just a rare, out of spec example that you looked at, or have you seen a number of OTF Benchmades that left you feeling questionable about their quality?

Thanks @George P. Burdell for clearing that up for me. For some reason I was under the impression that even then you had to have a Mil/LE ID on the dealer’s side.

Thanks @Cheyenne Bodie for the great info on Microtechs vs Protechs. I’m definitely looking for something entry level. As much as I would like an auto Benchmade, I think they’re going to be outside of what I can afford for a while. If I were to buy a new knife right now, I could afford a Protech Godson. In your opinion, would it be worth holding off a while longer until I could afford a UTX-85? From what I’ve seen, there’s about a $75 price difference between the two.

Sample size of one. Ended up getting an AFO II instead.

 

[AUXIN]

Protech has options for lefties. I have a handful of microtech and protechs the fit and finish is great on both, but I feel like the protechs hold an edge better. My edc is a TR3 and had been for about 6years.

 

[Coffee_and_Pipes]

Thanks for all of the great feedback. It’s been helpful in figuring out which knife to go with. One knife I’ve also glanced at some is the Gerber Covert Auto. I think it’s a good looking knife, but I don’t know anything about the quality. Does anyone have any experience with that one?

 

[SharpsNitro]

I want to say I only paid $225 for my UTX85 from pvk.vegas. I’ve been told their Mil/LE program is very generous.

This is mine, I did a battleworn Cerakote job on it with a Celtic knot pattern. It’s been my EDC for a year now.

 

[Coffee_and_Pipes]

I want to say I only paid $225 for my UTX85 from pvk.vegas. I’ve been told their Mil/LE program is very generous.

This is mine, I did a battleworn Cerakote job on it with a Celtic knot pattern. It’s been my EDC for a year now.

View attachment 7017713

That’s a beautiful knife. I’ve looked at PVK Vegas, and that seems to be their running price. My only thought about EDC with a glass breaker is that I would always be catching my leg or my hand on it as I moved around during the day. Has that been an issue for you?

 

[SharpsNitro]

Not at all. The glass breaker is rounded so it doesn’t catch on stuff.

 

[Cheyenne Bodie]

You can find screws to replace the glass breakers on the Ultratech here: https://www.switchbladekits.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=1376

They also have other glass breakers, various bits, screws, and small parts. I've used their hex head retrofit pack and the glass breaker delete screw, both were decent.

 

[deerhunter70]

Lots of the Benchmade are ambidextrous
https://knifenews.com/benchmades-apb-system-you-dont-get-to-choose-which-hand-to-use/

I’ve got an APB from Benchmade. It’s a daily carry.

 

[deerhunter70]

Thanks all for the suggestions. I like the Benchmade I have, but on their site they make it sound like they won’t do service work on autos unless you can show that you’re Mil/LE/First Response. Since it is an auto, eventually the spring would need to be replaced, but I don’t know that I would get my knife back.

For those of you with Microtech knives, how is the fit and finish? I’ve heard nothing but good things about Protech and wondered how they compared?

The springs are super easy to change in the Benchmades. Hardware stores have the springs.

 

[George P. Burdell]

The springs are super easy to change in the Benchmades. Hardware stores have the springs.

Really? Do you know where to find some instructions? I'm afraid I'll take it apart and pieces will go flying. Haha

 

[deerhunter70]

Really? Do you know where to find some instructions? I'm afraid I'll take it apart and pieces will go flying. Haha

I don’t. I like to tinker with things. They aren’t complicated.

 

[George P. Burdell]

I don’t. I like to tinker with things. They aren’t complicated.

I'm gonna give it a shot I think

 

[George P. Burdell]

I don’t. I like to tinker with things. They aren’t complicated.

Any idea which springs you bought?

 

[deerhunter70]

I don’t. I like to tinker with things. They aren’t complicated.

I just did a quick looksy on YouTube. Not a ton of videos. But I did find this one. You might need to brush up on your Russian.

 

[George P. Burdell]

Ha. Nice

 

[Ozarkcop]

Do you want a fast deploying knife that’s tough as hell? Buy an Emerson with the wave. On a budget buy the spyderco with the wave. You want a knife that’s fun to play with an impresses your friends buy an otf like the infedal but it will never be as fast or strong as an Emerson

 

[deerhunter70]

Do you want a fast deploying knife that’s tough as hell? Buy an Emerson with the wave. On a budget buy the spyderco with the wave. You want a knife that’s fun to play with an impresses your friends buy an otf like the infedal but it will never be as fast or strong as an Emerson

I own an infidel and it’s the least carried of my autos (or any of my knives). Maybe its cuz its the double edged one but other than ‘cool guy’ points it really isn’t good for much other than picking your teeth.