OTF Knife Buyers Guide: Ensure You’ve Right Automatic OTF Knife
For a layman, every knife is same. But people with detailed knowledge about knives are aware of the fact that the world of knife is big enough to explore for a long time. From manual to automatic, there are many kinds of pocketknives to serve a variety of purposes. Some of these cutters are used for survival, while others for hunting. A knife in rising demand these days is Automatic OTF Pocket Knife.
What are OTF Automatic Knives?
These are powerful sliding cutters belonging to the OTF (Out The Front) series of pocketknives. Different from manual cutters, the pocketknife type comes with a blade that can be opened and closed through one a button or a lever featured on one end of the tool. Also known as sliding knives, they are quicker and easier to operate than manual ones. Here, OTF is linked to the technique behind the knife’s working. It deploys parallel with the handle.
OTF automatic knives are the latest knife types in the category. They further can be divided into two types: Single-action OTF and double-action OTF.
Single-action OTF: As the name describes itself, knife gears falling in this category perform one action automatically. When you push the button, it automatically deploys the blade. But when it is about closing the blade, you have to do it manually.
Double-action OTF: Unlike the counterparts, the double-action OTF knife’s blade can be deployed and closed through its lever or button.
There are a plenty of OTF automatics in the market to choose from. From material and size to blade type, a buyer can consider many things to ensure only the right cutting gear has been purchased. Here’s a process to follow while exploring the market in search of an OTF automatic:
Step 1: Decide the purpose
The best OTF pocket knife serves the purpose it is intended to. Before starting the search for the perfect cutter, you have to decide its purpose. It is necessary to know if the knife will be just a part of your collection or it is going to be used frequently for hunting or survival. This may help you understand the tool’s function and style.
Step 2: Decide the blade
Once you have decided why you want an automatic OTF, it’s time to choose your blade. There are numerous types of blades featuring different shapes and tip from each other.
1. Drop point: The blade style is usually found in hunting blades. It comes with a dropped tip. The blade makes a convex arc which results in a thick tip.
2. Tanto: The blade has an angular shape where two edges come together to make a strong tip.
3. Clip Point: It’s one of the most popular blade types. Towards the blade’s tip, there’s a straight cutout.
4. Spear Point: It’s a dagger where the tip is located at the center of a blade. It features a double edge that makes a spear point shape at the tip.
Step 3: Decide the size
In case of a good OTF knife, the size matters a lot. It is necessary to know if a 9-inch knife is good for the pocket or you should go for a shorter knife. There are mini OTF automatic knives that have a 7-inch length and a 2.75-inch-long blade. Specifications of a mini drop point knife will be different from a standard-sized knife.
Step 4: Select the metal
You may come across knives made of different metals. The right cutter will be made of high-quality steel.
Conclusion
There’s no magic stick to get the right OTF knife. You are required to do some research, match the sources with your requirement, and make the right decision. In addition to following the above-mentioned steps, ensure that you are buying the knife from a trustworthy supplier.
