If you are looking to purchase an out-the-front automatic knife, you can find models in every price range. OTF automatic knives range from the inexpensive to quite expensive. With OTF knives you will generally get what you pay for, but you can still find a great selection for under $100. In our opinion:
Best OTF Knife Under $40
One of the best OTF knives you can find for under $40 is the Schrade Viper OTF Knife. This is our top selling version of this knife: The Schrade Viper Tanto OTF Automatic Knife which you can also get the serrated version (right picture). The Schrade Viper is made in China with stainless steel and no blade play. Both knives function great for the price but its all up to your preference which one will be YOUR knife. These are OTF knives that have great action and reliability and they will not disappoint.
Best OTF Knife From $40 To $60
In the $40 to $60 price range you can find some great OTF knives by the AKC knife company. The AKC Tactical Minion is a good double action automatic that retails for around $50. This is one of the smallest OTF knives on the market. It is a great choice if you are looking for something small and lightweight. Their blades rarely come off track or lock up. These knives from AKC function just like knives that are much more expensive. The Tactical Minion has a fast out-the-front action that puts all other knives in its price range to shame.
AKC Tactical Minion
Best OTF Knife Under $100
If you are looking for a knife that is more than $60 but is still under $100, I recommend the Tactical Concord by AKC. These amazing automatic knives range from $70 to $80 dollars depending on the style. There are dozens of blade and handle styles to choose from. They all have quick and reliable out-the-front action. The AKC Black Tactical Concord has a sleek design and a fast release that makes it a great choice for an OTF knife that is under $100. Other AKC OTF knives available on the Grindworx and Bladehq.
AKC Tactical Concord
Best OTF Knife From$100 to $250
In the $100 to $200 dollar range you can find some very high quality OTF knives. One of the best automatic knife companies out there is Benchmade. They make high quality out-the-side and out-the-front automatics. The best OTF under $200 dollars is the H&K Benchmade Tumult. This knife is popular because of its great design and its affordable price. The Tumult includes an ambidextrous sliding button that makes extending and retracting the blade easy and convenient. The blade on the Tumult uses DLC finished steel for durability and blade strength. If you are looking for a high quality knife that won’t break the bank, the H&K Benchmade Tumult is the perfect choice. Check out more OTF knives in this price range at Bladehq.
H&K Benchmade Tumult
Best OTF Knife From $250 to $300
If you are comfortable with spending more than $250 dollars, you can select from the best OTF knives on the market. The most respected name in OTF automatic market is Microtech. Their knives run anywhere from $250 up to several thousand dollars. Their award winning design and construction make them the most trusted OTF brand in the knife business. One of their more affordable and popular knives is the Microtech Ultratech. These amazing knives retail at around $225 dollars. The Ultratech has the impressive OTF action that Microtech is known for and a sliding ambidextrous button for easy dual action blade release and retraction. This OTF automatic allows you to experience the OTF quality of Microtech without the extreme sticker shock.
Microtech Ultratech
Best OTF Knife $300 & Beyond
If price is not an issue you should consider the biggest and baddest OTF out there, the Microtech Halo 5. This is an enormous powerful knife with an incredible 4.6 inch blade. The biggest difference in the Halo 5 model from other models is the size. When fully extended it is almost 11 inches long. There is a recessed firing button that springs the blade into place with impressive force. This is the only knife I have used that has a serious kick to it. The blade is retracted with a black retracting handle on the bottom of the blade that you just pull to bring the blade back into closed position. Remember the Halo 5 retails at around $500 dollars. So it is not for anyone of the faint of heart. But you will always get your moneys worth with Microtech.
Microtech Halo 5
As you get into the $500 plus price range, the price has less to do with the quality of the knife and more to do with the rarity or collectibility of the knife. There are rare uniquely designed OTF’s that can be priced as high $2000 but this does not mean they function any better than a $300 dollar knife. These knives are more of a collectible piece of art than a functional everyday tool. Whichever knife you choose to buy should fit your specific needs and budget. There are great OTF knives in every price range. If you stick with trusted OTF brands like Benchmade and Microtech, you will never have any problems. Check out our available options for OTF knives at BladeHq.
Editors Note: Published May 2012. Updated August 2017.
