Blade Linx

ceo51378 · Master Blader Joined: 23 Jan 2004 Posts: 1743 Location: MD

For me personally, I’ve always had a special place in my heart for D/A OTF automatics. The problem is, you can’t find a truly functional D/A OTF for less than $300. Until now, the closest thing you could get is a tomb raider. And let’s face it, it won’t last long under moderate use. I’ve paid $70 for a black finger that does little more than opening my mail (this was before I found Cam’s site Wink

). Enter the Lightening D/A OTF.
There are a few exciting things that have been happening in the knife world that have caught my attention. One would be a budget automatic using a premium AUS8 steel blade, namely, the Kalashnikov 74. Now something I find even more impressive. The Lightening is the first truly functional OTF I have ever seen and also comes with a very low price tag of $40.
As most of you know, the Lightening is a clone of the Microtech QD Scarab. I will use the Tomb Raider as a comparison in this review. I was going to try to convince Cam to give me real Scarab to compare it against but I didn’t think he would go for it Laughing

. As with the Tomb Raider, the Lightening uses a NATO type spring mechanism. This actually makes the knife rather safe in that the blade will disconnect from the track if there is anything in the way. You reset the blade in the same manner that you would the Tomb. The handle length is about 4.65”; almost exactly the same length as the Tomb Raider. The OAL is 8”; a quarter inch shorter than the Tomb. It uses 6 phillips head screw to hold the handle together and 2 allen screws for the clip. The handle and button are made out of cast aluminum and have a textured grip. The handle is only ½” thick and the firing button is on top of the handle rather than on the side. Both of these features make the Lightening very comfortable to carry in your pocket. The firing speed is right on with the T.R. This is made possible because of the dual springs that are used to launch this beefy blade. There is a little more force required to open and close the blade, however, the button is quite a bit larger and more comfortable to use. You wouldn’t have any problem activating this knife with gloves on.
The blade comes in a stain finish (nothing special there) and is letter-opening sharp. Luckily, it will be much easier to sharpen this compared to the T.R. The overall fit and finish far surpasses any budget OTF I have ever come across bar none. There is a little blade play but not much - about the same amount that the T.R. has. I also notice two little holes at the butt of the handle which is where the glass breakers go on the Scarab. It makes me wonder it the company that made this knife simply got a real scarab and took laser measurements of it… and if that is the case, how close is the internal mechanism to the real thing??
So what do I think of this knife? I love it. I’ve been waiting for one of these for years. I do not have a scarab to compare it against but I can guarantee that the scarab doesn’t have $400 worth of improvements over this. You will not find another budget OTF (S/A or D/A) that even comes close to this knife. This might be enough for Microtech to reconsider their prices. And as always, here are a few pictures for your viewing pleasure. I hope this was informative for you and I will be happy to answer any questions you have.
-Chris

Blood_drinker · Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2004 6:36 am Post subject:

ceo -

I'll bet Microtech is ( shakin' in it's boot's ) Exclamation

$400+ for
a Microtech scarab Exclamation

Alotta non-sense, I say Exclamation

From the look's of your posted pic, it look's like the lightening has
about the same mechanism as a NATO military ( dual coil springs )
arranged a little differently. One can see how "clones" of just about
any high priced knife ( save that they're made well ) sell better than
the original.

Thing is, can Cam keep'em in stock long enough Question

Blood_drinker Twisted Evil

butch · Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2004 6:54 am Post subject:

Thank's for the review Chris, look's like I'll be getting one (sooner or later) It look's better than I thought it would.

Butch

nebulus · California Legal Joined: 10 Oct 2003 Posts: 12

That review is just plain awesome! I hit the site from time to time to see What Cam's got new, and imagine my surprise to see an affordable, USEFUL otf! I immediately hit the forum to ask about the blade play, durability, etc, and saw your review. I'm ordering one right now. Thanks for the review!

ceo51378 · Master Blader Joined: 23 Jan 2004 Posts: 1743 Location: MD

Thanks Nebulus... I'm glade it was informative to you.
You know what the real kicker is... Imagine this. All you need is a 6061 aluminum milled handle (standard on most american auto's, an AUS8 blade, and maybe some more reliable springs and they could have a D/A OTF that would easily compete with the Scarab for about $100 - $150. Hell, leave the handle the way it is. How much more would is really cost to but higher quality springs and blade on that knife? Kalashnikovs have that and they're in the $30-40 range. Microtech - Your days of outrageous prices are coming to an end!! Oh wait - I forgot, the cost of the inlaid grip tape has to be astronomical! Laughing

ceo51378 · Master Blader Joined: 23 Jan 2004 Posts: 1743 Location: MD

Now that I think about it - maybe Microtech puts those custom screws in their knives to thwart people from actually seeing whats inside. I can't guarantee it isn't enough to warrant their prices.