Exclusive Steel, Snappy Action: Microtech UTX-85 OTF Review

I was 9 years old the first time I saw The Warriors. Admittedly, I was a bit young by today’s standards for that sort of film, but the early 1980s were a very different time. Not only was that movie my first look at (outlandishly Hollywood) inner-city turf wars, it was also the first time I remember seeing a switchblade.

As much as I desperately wanted one, that was an impossible ask back then.

Today, not only do I have a grown-up’s budget, I can even count the purchase as a tax deduction. Plus, automatic knives aren’t nearly as illegal now as they were back then. As a result, I’ve picked up several automatics over the last few years, side-opening as well as out-the-front (OTF) models.

And even amid all these options, the Microtech UTX-85 might just be the best of the bunch.

In short: The UTX-85 is 85% the size of the Microtech Ultratech, the brand’s flagship model. The result is a knife that’s small enough to easily EDC, but with plenty of blade to handle just about anything you’ll tackle on an average day. The price makes it more of an enthusiast’s investment, but for those who understand when and how to legally use an auto, it’s worth a look.

Check out GearJunkie’s guide to the Best Pocket Knives.

Microtech UTX-85 Review

I’d heard a lot about Microtech Knives, but hadn’t pulled the trigger on one until recently. The brand’s offerings look amazing, but I’d always had something else I was chasing. A few months ago, I was on the hunt for a new OTF and landed on the UTX-85.

As I perused the offerings at DLT Trading, there were a number of questions I had to ask myself.

• Single- or double-edged blade?
• Blade profile?
• Serrated or non-serrated?
• Preferred blade finish?
• Favorite handle color?

The double-edge spear point was giving me strong John Wick vibes, but I wanted something that would actually be useful in my normal day-to-day. I finally settled on a single-edge drop point with a satin finish and Merlot Red handle.

After carrying it off and on for several weeks, I found this knife to be a reliable, and kind of fun, EDC option. About the only complaint would come from others in my home who quickly tired of hearing snick, snick all day long.

Admittedly, a nice automatic like this can be sometimes be akin to a fidget spinner, albeit one that has a sharp edge.

Materials: Proprietary Steel

Microtech uses M390MK steel for its knives. This is a special blend of M390 that was specifically created for Microtech by Böhler. According to Microtech, compared to M390, this proprietary iteration offers better edge retention, corrosion resistance, and polishing.

So, as my first Microtech knife, the UTX-85 also provided my first experience with M390MK steel. Though I haven’t had any issues with edge retention, I haven’t seen any noticeable differences between this steel and the M390 blades I’ve used — at least as far as performance goes. I also carried the knife in a front pants pocket and took it on some fairly warm hikes. It didn’t demonstrate any issues related to sweat or moisture.

Is M390MK better than the plain Jane M390? Maybe, but not in any significant way I could see.

Design: Blade Shape, Handle

The UTX-85 blade is a drop-point design, which I feel is one of the most useful blade profiles. Double-edge knives are cool, but can be impractical for many common knife duties. The spine is slightly chamfered, and there is a fuller on either side. Both of these features presumably serve to reduce the weight of the blade a touch.

The aluminum handle is smooth, but not slippery or slick. There are three ridged sections on the top and bottom of the handle, which is slightly contoured as well. These features aid retention, even in challenging conditions. The deep-carry pocket clip also plays a part with this, as it naturally rests against your palm while the knife is in use.

I’ve not had an opportunity to use the glass breaker at the tail end of the handle. But based on my experience with similarly designed implements, I think it would do the job just fine.

UTX-85 Performance

I’ve opened and closed the UTX-85 several hundred times at this point and it hasn’t failed to fire even once. The switch has a fairly long pull before the blade shoots out, which serves as a safety feature.

I cannot imagine a circumstance where this knife will open accidentally in the pocket. The thing is, even if it does, it isn’t going to send you to the hospital. As the blade slides forward, if it encounters any resistance, it stops. I tested this a few times against the side of a cardboard box. The blade tip made just a small hole before it stopped moving.

Unimpeded, however, this blade is fast — ridiculously so. Whether pushing the blade out or pulling it back in, the springs and mechanisms inside are top-notch. The drawback is that this isn’t a quiet knife. There’s not much in the way of stealth going on here, not ear-shatteringly loud, but it’s definitely not subtle. It opens with authority.

Once deployed, the UTX-85’s blade is locked in place until you retract it. The lockup is as solid as it gets with OTF knives. In my experience, there is always going to be a slight bit of wiggle, just by the nature of the design.

The knife was very sharp right out of the box, and it has held a great edge over the time I’ve been testing it. I’ve used it as my primary knife on a few hikes, and while doing chores around the house. It’s opened packages and cut zip ties, sliced fruit and vegetables, even trimmed a few loose threads from a shirt.

It’s not the kind of knife I’d want to rely upon for a lot of outdoor use. OTFs can get fouled from dirt, sand, and other debris. That said, I have no qualms using the UTX-85 as my EDC when I’m not planning to head for the hinterlands for days on end.

The knife weighs about 3 ounces. On my scale, this tester came in at 2.9 ounces, but the official specs list 3.1 ounces. So, split the difference at 3 ounces.

It’s light enough that it carries easily, but there’s just enough there to let you know you have something in your hand when you use it.

OTF Maintenance

It’s important to understand what you’re getting into when you buy an OTF knife. Sure, it’s a lot of fun and the sound of it firing open and closed can be addictive. But if you want to keep it opening and closing as it should, you need to stay on top of maintenance.

It starts with making sure the blade is clean before you close the knife. Anything still on the blade can gum up the works inside the handle. Sticky tape residue, crumbs from the sandwich you cut in half, grease from summer sausage, all of that and more can cause trouble. Rubbing alcohol works great on adhesives.

Pretty much any tool with moving parts benefits from regular cleaning and oiling, and an OTF is no exception. Blowing it out with canned air and then applying a couple of drops of oil to the base of the blade can work wonders with keeping the knife operating efficiently. I use KPL Ultralight Knife Oil.

Who Needs This Knife?

The UTX-85 operates like a well-oiled machine. It only has one job, but it does it very well. Something I personally appreciate is that it isn’t strictly utilitarian. This knife looks incredible and is very eye-catching. It will appeal to anyone looking to ramp up their EDC by adding a high degree of cool to the functionality.

Or if you’re like me, maybe your inner 10-year-old still gets giddy about switchblades, and now you’re in a position to do something about it.

The Microtech UTX-85 is available now. This particular model retails for $262, but they range in price from around $250 to about $350, depending on configuration and options.