A utx 85 is a good choice I think; I got a new one here at $225.

quote:

Originally posted by Voshterkoff:
I have wanted an Ultratech as my first free knife purchase, orange with plain stonewashed blade. However the last price increase was the final straw against it. It now costs more than a .22lr rifle, they don’t want you to take it apart, use proprietary screws, and they appear to only make Star Wars “special” editions. I wish Hogue made a blatant rip-off of it.

Actually, they’ve changed their warranty policy on disassembly. They even sell the tool to do it with now. Just don’t modify the guts and expect them to fix it for free. If you look around, Ultratechs can be had in the $200-250 range on the secondary market, often NIB. Stonewashed SE’s seem to fetch the least money. Everyone makes a 3.5 OTF now, and while the Hogue offering is pretty good, honestly, it’s nowhere near as refined as the Ultratech. I think the only thing they do better is the button shape, that X button tore my thumb up the first week or so. I do have to give them serious credit for this, though: if you need parts, they’ll just them to you rather than require to send the knife in. If you’re at all handy, they’d actually prefer you do any maintenance or parts replacements. The slide plate on mine broke right after I got. I bought it used, and it wasn’t maintained. They shipped me one for free. I opened it up, swapped the parts out, and it was good as new.

Grumpy, I know you recommended I try one a few months ago, but that last picture you posted may very well have convinced me to try a Guardian Tactical next. I like the Combat Troodon a lot, but the action on mine is not only really stiff, it kind of stacks just before the release point on the retraction. I know Guardian Tactical uses hall bearings in their switches, and that neatly solves my big complaint with this knife so far. With a blade nearly the same size and a much more aggressive grind, it’s hard to argue against it. Looks like the 040 has a grip the same exact size with even a bit bigger blade.

Smudge that is good to hear. I have always liked the slimness and profile of the Ultratech. If I pick one up, swapping the bolts out for torx would be the first thing I do.

If you find something, let me know. I just took a quick look and all I’m seeing are colored titanium “tri wing” replacements. There’s some of the old three hole style on Ali and Wish, but I’m not putting Chinese fucking screws in a Microtech.

And yes, the Ultratech slimness in the pocket and hand is about perfect.

quote:

Originally posted by Voshterkoff:
I wish Hogue made a blatant rip-off of it.

@Voshterkoff
Check their website. I just got an email from Hogue Knives today, and it looks like they may have something you'd be interested in.

quote:

Originally posted by Il Cattivo:

quote:

Originally posted by Voshterkoff:
I wish Hogue made a blatant rip-off of it.

@Voshterkoff
Check their website. I just got an email from Hogue Knives today, and it looks like they may have something you'd be interested in.

https://www.hogueinc.com/knive...k-carbon-fiber-cover

This thing? Looks neat, but I hope they introduce a model without the carbon fiber, the glass breaker, and drop the price some. It's not into Marfione Custom territory, but I wouldn't mind a more utilitarian package. Looks like they also came out with a Sig Compound, but it's $330 on the distributor sites. You can get a Microtech with a more "premium" blade steel for less. It is nice to see them using stuff like CPM S30V and Magnacut and moving on from 154CM, though. I do like the action on the Hogue autos a lot better, but I wish their prices were more competitive. I'm guessing Voshterkoff was hoping Hogue would come out with a straight up Ultratech clone (which the Counterstrike looks to be), but for cheaper. I know I'd buy one.

Smudge, have you handled the Guardian Tactical yet ?!? You mentioned being tempted.
I really want to hear your feeling once you work the deployment switch especially if you can side by side with a Microtech.

I saw it, and it has my interest. I would like a non-premium model in aluminum, and with a single edge drop point blade.