Knife Type: Double Action Out-the-Front (OTF) Auto
Blade Material: D2 Tool Steel
Blade Length: 3.95 Inches
Blade Style: Double Edge Dagger
Overall Length: 8.95 Inches
Closed Length: 4.80 Inches
MSRP: $450; I have seen them selling new for $325-450 both online and in store fronts
I have never been a really big fan of automatic knives (switch blades). Well designed folders have always worked well for me and I can open them as quickly as an automatic. I have owned a few automatics from Benchmade and Gerber that were issued to me by the military. After using them for a while I got rid of them to acquire other tools that I found to be more useful in my job. All of these knifes were side-opening (the blade pivots 180 degress from the handle just like countless folders on the market).
Recently I went to a gun show in Georgia where I spotted a vendor selling OTF autos made by Microtech and a few other companies. I've owned several Benchmade knives but I spotted a model I had never seen; the 3300 Infidel. I had never seen an OTF auto in real life let alone used one. I messed with several different examples and was left with two impressions; COOL and OUCH. COOL because I liked pushing that sliding thumb switch and seeing the blade appear instantly. It makes a cool noise too. They are fast. OUCH because the cost of a quality OTF is staggering. Microtechs START at about $350 and from the research I've done they seem to be the most popular producer. A quality used handgun can be purchased for this price with a little searching.
I was intrigued but unwilling to fork over the money for what amounted to a toy for me. So began my search for a bargain on an OTF. I scoured the internet, gunbroker.com particularly, until I found a deal I could not pass up. I was looking for a Benchmade 3300 Infidel or Microtech.
It took a few months but I ended up finding an Infidel first. I got it on gunbroker.com for $230. It was sold as "like new in box" but turned out to be falsely advertised. The blade was dull and had a few knicks in it and the pocket clip was bent. I have never bought a new knife in this condition. This turned out it be no big deal. I assume the seller sold it because he could not ship it to Benchmade for repair (that requires an active military or law enforcement ID for an automatic knife, which I have). All I did was ship the knife to Benchmade postage paid and insured with $5 for return shipping. They sharpened the blade, removed the knicks, replaced the pocket clip and opened it to clean/lubricate the action. They charged me nothing but the shipping fees. All in all I feel I got a good deal.
Anyway, I could afford to set loose this amount of money for a toy so I finally owned an OTF automatic. I drove my girlfriend nuts flicking the blade in and out while sitting around the house. I carried it to work so I could impress all my friends with my spiffy new toy. But as with any new toy the cool, new effect wore off. Now it sits at home.
The OFT knifes are cool but I just don't see how they fit into the real world. A really good quality fixed blade or folding knife (even a side opening auto) can be purchased for a fraction of the cost of an OTF. These non-automatic knives can also be carried legally in areas where autos are prohibited. I am not saying I agree with banning autos. I think it's idiotic. In my opinion a fixed blade knife is just as concealable and deadly as an automatic. While the Infidel sits at home I carry my TOPS Calcutta fixed blade daily. My opinion on OTF autos is save the money for a gun or a couple of other really good knives.
As far as the Infidel itself goes I was impressed. I mean it is a Benchmade. The Microtechs are very well made, smaller and therefore more easily carried than the Infidel. However, the Infidel is not at all difficult to carry and I prefer the larger handle if I were to ever use it. It seems to offer better control of the knife and feels very comfortable. The handle has the bi-directional serrations set in aluminum common to Benchmade Black Class knives. This design offers good control even with wet hands. It's used on their model 140 as well and I like it on that knife too.
From my research it seems that some play in the blade is common with OTF's when they are extended. There is a little on my Infidel but nothing objectionable. If I did have to use this knife for self defense I would trust it.
I am not an expert on the internal functions of OTF knifes so I will not disassemble mine. I cannot comment on the internal structure. As I understand it double action autos function in this simplified way:
Pushing the thumb switch up to extend the blade compresses a spring to a certain point. The blade is then released to be pushed out of the handle by the compressed spring.
To return the blade into the handle the thumb switch is moved in the oppostie dirction, compressing a spring (maybe the same one to extend the blade) to a certain point at which the blade is released to allow the spring to put it back into the handle.
If this information is flawed feel free to correct me. I noticed on the several Infidels I have handled that if the thumb switch it compressed too quickly to extend the blade the action feels sluggish and the blade does not pop out as quickly. If a smooth motion is used (like pulling a gun trigger) it works much better.
The Infidel, as all the OTF's I have handled, is equipped with a safety mechanism that will not allow the blade to fully extend if it meets ANY resistance. The blade will not even penetrate a single sheet of notebook paper. Well it penetrates slightly, maybe half an inch, but the blade will not lock out. If opened into a human body part I cannot imagine the blade causing more than a slight knick; nothing dangerous. That is not to say that anyone should try that. I know I would not. And the knife is very dangerous when fully extended.
I can sum up my feelings on this knife as follows:
The quality of this knife (look, feel, construction) is great. Another good Benchmade.
The price is ridiculous and impractical. This goes for all quality OTF's. Maybe it's required for the designing and manufacturing; I don't know.
The practicality of OTF's is unknown to me. Buy a good fixed or folding blade.
Benchmade customer support and warranty/repair services are top notch.
This page was last modified on 07 Jun 2008 21:06