The Microtech Ultratech: Everything You NEED To Know Before Buying This Flagship OTF Automatic Knife.
Thinking Of Buying A Microtech Ultratech?
The Microtech Ultratech is the crown jewel in the Microtech knives lineup, celebrated for many compelling reasons that set it apart in the world of edged tools. At its core, the Ultratech embodies innovation, pioneering the out-the-front (OTF) automatic knife design—a groundbreaking concept that revolutionized the knife industry. This innovation is the hallmark of Microtech's commitment to pushing the boundaries of knife technology. Beyond its pioneering design, the Ultratech is a paragon of quality, constructed from premium materials such as M390, Elmax, or Bohler-Uddeholm steel, ensuring exceptional edge retention and corrosion resistance. The craftsmanship is outstanding, with each Ultratech subjected to rigorous quality control measures, instilling unwavering user confidence.
Further enhancing its allure is the extensive array of customization options, offering a wide range of blade shapes, finishes, and handle materials to cater to individual tastes and needs. Whether for everyday tasks or more demanding endeavors, the Ultratech is designed to endure, boasting remarkable durability and reliability that has garnered a fervent following among knife enthusiasts and professionals alike. In essence, the Microtech Ultratech isn't merely a knife; it's a symbol of innovation, quality, and performance, embodying its dedication to redefining the boundaries of a knife.
Microtech Ultratech Specifications
The Microtech Ultratech is a popular automatic pocketknife well known for its high-quality construction and precision engineering. Below are detailed specifications for the Microtech Ultratech:
- Ultratech's Blade Length: The blade length of the Microtech Ultratech typically ranges from approximately 3.35 inches and could change slightly depending on the specific model or variant. This length balances compactness for everyday carry (EDC) and provides a sufficient cutting edge for various tasks.
- Ultratech's Chassis Length: The chassis, or handle length, of the Microtech Ultratech, can vary slightly depending on the exact design and any additional features. However, it is generally 5 inches. This length accommodates the blade, the firing mechanism, and the handle components, making it ergonomic and comfortable to grip.
- Ultratech's Overall Length: The overall length of the Microtech Ultratech, when deployed and the knife is fully open, typically falls within the range of approximately 8.36 inches. This size ensures the blade is substantial enough for various cutting tasks while remaining relatively compact for easy portability.
In addition to these critical specifications, it's important to note that the Microtech Ultratech is available in various blade styles and materials, handle materials, and finishes, providing users with a wide range of configuarations to choose from to suit their preferences and needs. Microtech is also known for its high-quality materials and craftsmanship, ensuring that the Ultratech is a reliable and durable tool for everyday use and more demanding cutting tasks.
The Ultratech's Patented Locking Mechanism
The Microtech Ultratech's patented internal locking mechanism is a double-action marvel of engineering that underscores the brand's commitment to functionality and safety. Microtech's dedication to precision and reliability is at the heart of this mechanism. The internal components work seamlessly to ensure the blade remains securely locked when extended, preventing accidental closures during use and guaranteeing user safety. When the blade is fully deployed, or in the closed position, the internal springs are at rest, greatly extending the life of the locking mechanism and increasing longevity.
This ingenious design also contributes to the Ultratech's durability, as the internal locking mechanism is robust and built to survive the rigors of everyday tasks and more demanding cutting chores. It's a testament to Microtech's commitment to innovation, setting the Ultratech apart as a top-tier automatic pocketknife with a mechanism that exemplifies its dedication to excellence in form and function.
The Many Blade Shapes Of The Ultratech
The Microtech Ultratech offers diverse blade shapes, including drop point, tanto, clip point, spear point, double-edge dagger, and more, catering to a broad spectrum of cutting needs and preferences. Each blade shape is crafted precisely to provide specific advantages, from piercing capabilities to versatile everyday cutting performance. Here is a list of the most popular blade options from Microtech Knives.
- Drop Point: The drop-point blade is a versatile and popular choice known for its practicality. It features a convex curve on the spine that slopes down to meet the tip, resulting in a robust and controllable point and a broad, curved cutting edge. This shape is well-suited for general-purpose cutting tasks and is often found on EDC (everyday carry) knives.
- Tanto: The tanto blade is characterized by a straight edge that meets a sharp, angular tip. This design is inspired by traditional Japanese sword blades and is known for its piercing capabilities. Tanto blades are excellent for puncturing and detailed work.
- HellHound Tanto: The Hellhound blade shape from Microtech was originally designed by Sean Marfione. It's a distinctive and aggressive design known for its dramatic, false edge on the spine and a unique, menacing appearance. It combines elements of tanto and dagger blades, making it suitable for both piercing and cutting tasks while adding a striking visual appeal to the knife.
- Warhound: Designed by Sean Marfione, the Warhound blade is a reversed tanto version of the Hellhound. It features an aggressive straight cutting edge, an upswept sharpened swedge, and aggressive jimping along the spine.
- Bowie: A clip-point blade features a concave curve on the spine that forms a clipped, sharp point. This design provides excellent precision for piercing and detailed cutting tasks. Clip-point blades are often found on hunting and tactical knives.
- Double Edge Dagger: Double-edge blades have sharp edges on both sides, making them ideal for thrusting and stabbing motions. These blades are commonly associated with tactical and self-defense applications.
- Spear Point: The spear-point blade has a symmetrical, double-edged design with a central spine that tapers to a sharp point. It balances piercing and slicing capabilities and is favored for tactical and everyday carry knives.
- Bayonet: Bayonet blades have a spear-point shape with a false edge on the spine. They are versatile and well-suited for various cutting applications, including self-defense.
What Blade Steel Does The Microtech Ultratech Use?
Microtech Knives are celebrated masters of metallurgy, weaving their blades from the finest steels to forge cutting-edge legends, each a symphony of performance, edge mastery, and rust-defying resilience. Among their armory of choice metals were the likes of:
- Bohler M390: This high-end powdered metallurgy stainless steel is widly used for its exceptional edge retention and corrosion resistance. It's useda in high-performance and premium knives.
- Elmax: Elmax is another powdered metallurgy steel that offers excellent wear resistance and edge retention. It's known for maintaining sharpness over extended periods of use.
- CTS-204P: A high-alloy stainless steel with a good balance of edge retention and toughness. It's known for its ability to maintain sharpness in demanding cutting tasks.
- MagnaCut: New for 2023, MagnaCut blade steel is a highly regarded and recently developed steel known for its exceptional edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance, making it a top choice for high-performance knives.
About The Microtech Ultratech Chassis
The Microtech Ultratech boasts a meticulously designed chassis that is integral to its exceptional performance and distinctive features.
- Chassis Design and Ergonomics: The Ultratech's chassis is crafted with precision and attention to detail. It typically features an ergonomic design that fits comfortably in the hand, allowing for a secure and controlled grip during use. The contours of the handle are carefully shaped to enhance handling and minimize fatigue, making it a reliable choice for extended cutting tasks. Milling at strategic points on the sides of the chassis ensures a secure grip under adverse cutting conditions or while using gloves.
- Finishing Options: Microtech offers a variety of finish options for the Ultratech's chassis, allowing users to select a style that suits their preferences. Standard finish options include type III hard anodized aluminum, which provides durability and a sleek appearance. Some models may feature special coatings or patterns for added aesthetics. Take, for example, the Shadow series knives with an all-black appearance and deleted logos across the body and blade.
- Internal Locking and Deployment Mechanisms: The Ultratech is renowned for its patented internal mechanisms, which enable the knife's unique out-the-front (OTF) automatic deployment and reliable locking. Within the chassis, precision-engineered components work seamlessly to ensure smooth and consistent blade deployment when needed. Microtech's commitment to quality and precision in these internal mechanisms enhances the knife's functionality and safety, preventing accidental deployments.
The OTF mechanism, in particular, is a hallmark of the Ultratech, with the blade deploying from the front of the handle with impressive speed and precision. Microtech's internal locking mechanism also ensures that the blade remains securely locked in place when extended, providing users with confidence in the knife's reliability and safety during use.
The Microtech Ultratech's chassis is a testament to the brand's dedication to ergonomic design, finish variety, and precision engineering. It houses the patented internal mechanisms that enable the knife's rapid and secure deployment, making it a versatile and dependable tool for various cutting tasks.
These Ultratech Tops Are Top Shelf
Microtech didn't just craft knives; they empowered users to make a statement. They offered a captivating array of chassis top options for the Microtech Ultratech, inviting enthusiasts to personalize their blades with a touch of individuality. Here's a tantalizing glimpse of some of those striking choices:
- G10 Top: A durable, lightweight composite material often used for knife handles. The G10 top on the Ultratech provides a textured surface for a secure grip and comes in various colors, allowing users to personalize the look of their knife.
- Frag Milled Top: The frag milled top features a textured and patterned surface, resembling the appearance of fractured metal. This design adds a unique aesthetic and enhances grip and tactile feedback.
- Frag Milled G10 Top: Combining the durability of G10 with the textured frag milled pattern, this chassis top option offers both style and functionality. It provides an attractive appearance and improved grip.
- Tan Top: The tan top offers a distinct color option for the Ultratech. It adds a touch of warmth and uniqueness to the knife's appearance while maintaining high-quality construction and functionality.
- Clear Top: The clear top is a visually striking option that allows users to see the inner workings of Ultratech's mechanisms. It provides a transparent view of the blade and internal components, giving the knife a futuristic and high-tech look.
- Ultem Top: The "Ultem" top, introduced more recently, is a high-performance engineering thermoplastic known for its exceptional heat resistance and chemical resistance, often used in industries like aerospace and electronics. While not a traditional knife-making material, it finds applications in knife handles or other non-blade components due to its durability, resistance properties, and unique clear yellow appearance.
Ultratech Standard vs. Ultratech Signature Series
Microtech's Ultratech Standard product line and the Ultratech Signature Series diverge significantly. The Ultratech Standard emphasizes practicality and functionality, typically employing high-quality blade and handle construction materials. These knives offer reliable performance at a more accessible price point, making them a preferred choice for users seeking Microtech quality without the premium associated with the Signature Series.
In contrast, the Ultratech Signature Series elevates knife craftsmanship to an art form. These knives prioritize luxury and aesthetics, often featuring exotic or premium materials such as Damascus steel, carbon fiber, rare wood inlays, or unique finishes for both the blade and handle. Signature Series knives are designed as collector's items, showcasing intricate designs, extensive customization options, and limited production runs. While the Standard line is about practicality, the Signature Series is a realm of customization and uniqueness, where each piece is crafted to be one-of-a-kind.
The difference in price point reflects these distinctions, with Standard Ultratech knives being more affordable for a broader audience, while Signature Series knives command a premium due to their rare materials and intricate craftsmanship. The former is a dependable tool for everyday use, while the latter is a sought-after collectible designed to make a statement in any knife collection. Ultimately, the choice between the two depends on individual preferences, budget considerations, and whether one seeks a reliable workhorse or a luxury showcase piece.
Microtech Ultratech's Pocket Clip Design
The Ultratech pocket clip is typically designed for deep carry, which allows the knife to be discreetly and securely clipped to the edge of a pocket, ensuring that most of the knife is concealed while allowing for quick and easy access. The clip is often reversible, allowing users to carry the knife tip-up or tip-down according to their preference. This ambidextrous design accommodates both right-handed and left-handed users.
Ultratech Pocket Clip Finish Variations
Microtech offers a variety of finish options for the pocket clips on the Ultratech, enhancing both functionality and aesthetics. Some of the standard finish variations include:
- Stonewashed: A stonewashed finish involves tumbling the clip with abrasive materials to create a weathered and textured appearance. This finish adds character and helps conceal wear and scratches over time.
- Tactical/Black: Tactical finishes may include black or dark-coated clips, which provide a low-profile and discreet appearance suitable for tactical or covert use.
- Signature Series: This denotes that the knife is a signature series and bears founder Anthony Marfione's signature deep engraved into the clip. Signature Series pocket clips are generally found in black, stonewashed, or bronzed finishes.
- Custom/Exclusive/Shadow: Microtech occasionally offers limited edition or custom Ultratech models with specially designed pocket clips. These clips may feature unique patterns, engravings, or finishes that set them apart from the standard options. The Shadow Series is an excellent example, featuring deleted logos and a blacked-out DLC finish. You will often see a bronzed finish as an option as well.
The choice of pocket clip finish allows users to personalize their Ultratech knife, aligning it with their style preferences and intended use. Whether it's a rugged stonewashed finish for durability or a sleek and discreet tactical option, Microtech strives to provide opportunities that cater to a wide range of user preferences. Please note that the availability of specific pocket clip finishes may vary depending on the Ultratech model and its production run.
Ultratech's Ground Breaking Integrated Glass Breaker
The Microtech Ultratech often features a glass breaker, a specialized tool integrated into the knife's handle. This glass breaker is critical in emergencies where the need to shatter glass windows or windshields arises, such as during vehicle accidents. It is typically a small, hardened, pointed device made from rigid materials like carbide.
In an emergency, users can employ Ultratech's glass breaker by positioning the knife with the glass breaker tip facing the window. With a firm grip on the knife, they apply steady and focused pressure to the glass surface. The hardness of the glass breaker tip, combined with the applied force, creates a small fracture point in the glass, allowing for safe and quick escape or rescue.
While primarily designed for breaking glass, some users have discovered alternative applications for the glass breaker, including breaking ice or using it as a striking tool in self-defense situations. Nonetheless, its primary and most influential role remains critical in emergency glass-breaking scenarios, adding a valuable preparedness dimension to the versatile Microtech Ultratech knife.
Final Thoughts On Why You Should Own A Microtech Ultratech
The Microtech Ultratech is a knife encapsulating innovation, quality, and performance. It introduced the out-the-front (OTF) automatic knife design, revolutionizing the knife industry and establishing Microtech as a leader in pushing the boundaries of knife technology. Crafted from premium materials like M390 steel, it excels in edge retention and corrosion resistance. Rigorous quality control and many customization options have made it a favorite among knife enthusiasts and professionals. Its innovative internal locking mechanism adds to its durability, setting it apart as a top-tier automatic pocketknife.
With versatile blade lengths, ergonomic chassis designs, and various blade shapes, the Ultratech caters to a wide range of users and cutting needs. Microtech's mastery of blade steels, including the newly introduced MagnaCut, further elevates its cutting performance. The Ultratech's variety of chassis tops, from G10 to the innovative Ultem, allows users to personalize their knives while maintaining Microtech's hallmark quality.
The Ultratech doesn't just excel in everyday tasks; it's a tool designed for critical situations. Its glass breaker, precisely engineered for emergency window shattering, reinforces its reputation as a dependable tool. Whether you seek practicality or luxury, Microtech offers options with its Standard and Signature Series models, showcasing exceptional quality and reliability. The Ultratech's pocket clip, available in various finishes, ensures secure and discreet carry. In sum, the Microtech Ultratech symbolizes excellence in automatic knives, combining pioneering design, premium materials, and commitment to quality.