I recently picked up my first OTF (out the front) knife – the Kershaw Livewire 9000CF.  I like it.  A lot.  Much more than I thought I would because I really didn’t think that OTF knives were for me.  But when it comes down to it, I really only carry a knife for one reason:  Self-defense.  Of course, there are many suitable choices for this purpose at a relatively low cost.  I just happen to also like over engineering products.  Rolex.  BMW.  Quality, class leading brands which manufacture legendary products.  So I was curious to check out Microtech – the undisputed leader in this segment.

If I could configure my ideal OTF knives, I’d pick two in the following configurations.  One that would be purely carried for self-defense and not used for EDC tasks.  A premium blade steel, dagger shaped, and covered in some form of a black coating.  The handle would have carbon fiber on the show side and a black button.  Essentially a blacked out premium knife.  The second would be EDC tasks.  Uncoated Magnacut blade with a drop point with a tumbled finish that will resist showing wear.  The handle on this knife is probably less important but carbon fiber on the show side is always a good choice for its wear resistance.  My preferred blade length is about 3 1/2 inches.  The Livewire I picked up, meets some of these criteria for an EDC blade.   So here again, I was looking for that premium OTF knife that wouldn’t be used for EDC cutting tasks.  Looking through the landscape of available Microtech models, many configurations and variations were available.  The closest I could come to what I was looking for was found in an Ultratech.  Though I was unable to locate one with a carbon fiber show side.  The model I chose was DLC coated with full aluminum handle scales and a dagger shaped blade:

The first generation of the Ultratech line of OTF knives was introduced in 1999 and it was their first double action OTF (DA OTF).  The Ultratech is still going strong 25 years later and is considered Microtech’s flagship line.  The third generation (Gen III) was officially introduced in 2024 and brings with it several new features.

ZERO BLADE PLAY – ZBP

Zero blade play used to be a feature, only found on custom OTF knives – the Hawk Deadlock to be exact.  Microtech Is the first knife company to make a production knife featuring ZBP.  All both companies have patterns on their systems, Hawk currently has patent infringement lawsuits against Microtech.  It will likely be several months if not years before we see how the lawsuits play out.  ZBP wasn’t necessarily a feature that I was looking for, but I’m happy that the Ultratech model that I purchased features ZBP.  I checked and sure enough the blade is locked solid when forces applied in all directions.  Apparently with the Microtech system blade play can show up over time, but the system can be adjusted by the user and Microtech has videos on their website which demonstrate how to disassemble and adjust the ZBP system.

Microtech used to outright state that disassembling your knife voids the warranty—this was frequently mentioned in older YouTube videos and the printed manuals, especially pre-2021 models.  But thankfully their current policy has evolved.  The Microtech support articles updated in June 2025 clearly state that user disassembly does not automatically void their limited lifetime warranty as long as the user does not damage a knife in the process.  Their language makes it explicit: if internal components, the handle, or firing mechanism are damaged during disassembly, that’s not covered.  so disassembling, the knife does not in and of itself, void the warranty as it did to the past.  As long as you do, no damage to the knife when you disassemble it and reassemble it then if anything pops up down the road that would normally be covered under the warranty it should be covered without question.

It should be noted that zero blade play is it nice to have feature at best.  The blade play that ZBP eliminates does not improve the safety, reliability, or performance of an OTF knife.  It’s simply eliminates an annoyance for obsessive compulsive knife enthusiast like myself.  A folding knife that exhibits blade play is considered a substandard performer within knife enthusiast circles.  Since most knife enthusiast start with folding knives before graduating to OTF knives, they sort of migrated the folding knife blade play standard to OTF knives – however, wrongheaded it is.

DUEL-FUEL DRIVE TRAIN

Gen III also introduces the “Duel Fuel Drivetrain” To the Ultratech line.  Now, instead of a single spring that manages both blade ejection and retraction, the Duel-Fuel Drivetrain incorporates two Springs into the action.  this makes the operation of the knife, much smoother, and easier for the user.  I can remember visiting the Microtech booth at both Blade Show and SHOT show, picking up their knives and working the action, thinking that it was not a very comfortable or pleasant experience.  The new system radically improves the user experience.  Deploying and retracting the blade is far more pleasant, but the slider/switch which deploys and retracts the blade remains less comfortable due to sharp edges.  The switch is optimized for gloved operation in tactical environments, and not for bare handed, fidget friendly fun.

The sharp edges of the Gen III Ultratech button will discourage “fidgeting” with the OTF, but will come in handy while wearing gloves.

CRUD CUTTER FEATURE

Microtech also introduced the “Crud Cutter” feature with the Gen III Ultratech.  An OTF is a mechanical system where the blade ejects and retracts via a control switch and uses springs to initiate both actions.  The blade rides on a track and if debris is introduced into the system, the action can be inhibited.  The Microtech Crud Cutter feature is designed to allow debris to exit the body of the knife and reduce buildup along the blade track.  Essentially ports are machined into the bottom of the knife, which provides an exit path for debris.  When the blade is retracted, debris is naturally kicked out the back of the knife via these ports.  The system won’t entirely alleviate the need to occasionally maintain the knife to ensure optimal operation, but it will certainly help.  it should also extend the periods between disassembly because you should be able to pretty effectively remove any built-up pocket lint or debris with a can of compressed air being blown into the front hole of the knife where the blade exits, causing “crud“ to be forced out the back ports.  Simple but quite effective.

View of the titanium pocket clip, carbide tipped glass breaker, and Crud Cutter ports

IMPROVED HARDWARE

Microtech has made several improvements in the hardware found on the Gen III Ultratech.  Firstly, Microtech used to put proprietary fastening hardware (screws) on previous generations of the Ultratech.  Doing so made it difficult to disassemble the knife without expensive proprietary tools.  But given the need to adjust the ZBP System, it makes sense that Microtech would want to make it easier to remove the screws and disassemble a knife.  So gone is the proprietary hardware in in its place are industry standard Torx screws.

Previous generations of the Ultratech typically featured blades made from either M390 or 20CV.  But beginning with the Gen III Ultratech, Microtech is now making their blades from “M390MK” – a slightly chemically tweaked version of M390 Exclusive to Microtech.  Does M390MK perform better?  Sort of.  You see, the M390 Microtech used on previous generations was heat treated to a HRC of ~58 – well below what most knife companies achieved with their own heat treatment.  Edge retention suffered rather dramatically as a result.  Multiple sources of tested Microtech knife blades made from M390MK as hitting 60-62 HRC.  Unsurprisingly users are reporting much better edge retention with these blades.  So essentially Microtech has simply fixed how  their knife blades are heat treated.  But yes, they do exhibit better edge retention than previous generations.  The 3.5″ fullered with relief holes, dagger blade on my Ultratech example is DLC coated like the aluminum handles with non-coated blade surfaces for added aesthetic uniqueness which I quite like.

Finally, The titanium pocket clip and integrated glass breaker have been redesigned and improved.  The pocket clip also incorporates a ceramic ball to improve pocket insertion and removal.  I believe this is my first knife with an integrated glass breaker.   Some believe that built-in glass breakers can be a surprising lifeline in scenarios like jammed doors, engine fire, or flooding—especially when you can’t get to dedicated rescue tools.  Others feel that they just add weight and discomfort.  I’m sort of neutral on the future on this knife.  Nice to have I suppose.  But I can’t help, but wonder if I’m ever stuck in a situation where I could use it if I’ll actually have this knife with me?  The rest of the pocket clip is both aesthetically, attractive and functions quite well.  When clipped to the pocket, the retention is excellent but does not inhibit quick deployment of the knife if needed.

The price of the Gen III Microtech Ultratech ZBP is $379.00.  Standard, non-ZBP Ultratech models are priced at $311.00. so you’re paying an up charge of about $70 to eliminate blade play on your OTF.  Is it necessary?  Probably not.  But the cool factor is undeniable.  Again, I tend to like over engineered products.  Do I need a Rolex Submariner with 300m of water resistance?  No.  Do I need the off-road capabilities or 155 MPH  top speed of my BMW X3M?  Nope.  But that doesn’t mean I don’t want them.