Fifth attempt at finding someone who could explain the mysterious mechanism of an OTF was a charm. You give clear, accurate descriptions without much wordy embellishment, an asset these days. Consider teaching, or instructing, both sought after pursuits, and you seem to do so with ease. Soooooo, what'd ya know I'm terms of in-laws ? ; ) Thank you
Excellent video!! I just bought a $30 OTF Lightning & it's a great automatic for the price. I wanted to see how to get the blade back on-track if it hit something while deploying. Tried it...just pulled the blade out the front & it went right back on track. Your videos are some of my favorites. You don't make things too complicated & you don't come off as a know-it-all. Thanks!!
For about 25 years I've wondered how that thing operated. I always had a theory and I was right! Great video! Thanks! Now if I can just get my knife back from my school principal...but I don't think that's happening. I loved that knife too.
Thanks man for showing the mechanism of a double action OTF knife. I have a Lightning and it's a nice knife after I got it sharpened by my friend (I trust him since he keeps up with the maintenance of all his knifes). It's nice to know how it works.
WOW!, great explanation. I never realized there was not tension on the spring until you pressed the button. I just got my first OTF Microtech and have just assumed it was magic until now. -Chris
Thanks for sharing. You described how the OTF "Out The Front" knives work to my satisfactions. If I had any questions on how these knives work you have answered them all. Thanks again.
Yeah, otf knives, while not very practical, are very cool and ingenious! I remember having a few as a kid and taking them apart and seeing how it works. Very good video, thanks :)
Very well explained thank you... Never owned one and for some reason had the assumption that some how 2 springs with one under tension in closed and the other under tension in open but could never figure it out... Never assumed it was a momentum based device... Thank you
Nice video to show the really cool mechanism. I'm guessing these mechanisms were created during WWII for the various "wet" jobbers. Not having the main springs under much tension when retracted beats the Hell out of the old "failed safety button blade clicks through your pants pocket...again" switchblades. I have a Lightning OTF from a sale for carry. I also change over to a nice assisted opening stiletto without the clip. Thanks for the info. Clear and answers the "How'dTheyDoThat" question.
Really good vid Carter. Fun and educational, just like school should be. I´ve got an old cheapee OTF that I´ve taken apart a few times for fun. Tried to modify it to a harpoon once LoL. Didn´t work all that great haha. Funny thing is I got it back together in working order. Hooray for me!! Anyway thanks for showing the ins and outs of OTFs bro. Later dude!
I understood your other video mostly ,having been inside one ,and seen the parts first hand I knew more. This video made it clear as to what is actually going on ty for the instructions. I still can't fix the Chinese pos I bought. But I bought some better ones a Cobratec and a Templar. I'm a happy boy now.
Usually just a matter of finding that perfect sweet spot, where the pivot is tight enouph to prevent play, but not so much that is slows it down. Break in could help as well, there may be a slight uneven serface that is slowing it down that could possibly smooth out with use.
I suppose that you could make it more weight bearing by having two gates at the top and then two gates at the bottom, that way you will have two anchor points and it will be able to take a bit more strain.
***** I know that there is a circle that spins when you pull the sting which slides a knob sideways on another plate and the circle moves it up or down and its really hard to explain just look up other peoples hidden blades you will find it
The key of the whole concept is that the blade "slides" freely as it moves with nothing connected to it. The springs just give it a short, initial push to get it moving. So the blade itself has to be dense, heavy steel. Heavy enough so that the slide momentum causes it to continue all the way to the end of the slide and still have enough momentum to trip the final locking mechanism which holds it in place.
I'm looking at that and thinking: "what could actually go wrong?" XD Thanks for the explanation - I've been a knife nut for 5-6 years and ashamedly I must admit that up until now I didn't really know how those double action OTFs worked...
Thank you very much for this video, I completely love the designs of these but have been very skeptical about buying one but I definitely will get one very soon now
i did, and now that I have a reference video here, now all that would be needed is the actual string pulley system for your ring finger to activate it instead of the little switch at the side. if i find out how the pulley system would work, all that would be left is for me to make my own hidden blade :D
Great video, I was idly trying to figure out how these work in the car on the way home from work. I live in the UK so I have to watch someone over a thousand miles away take theirs apart to asuage my curiosity.
Wow. I tried to make my own dual-action OTF, but I went about it wrong. I imagined 2 springs working against each other to make the knife go in and out, but that just generated perpetual motion. Thanks a lot for this vid.
I always wondered how a spring could give tension to an other spring ! But in reality that's the user who gives the tension to the spring, just the complete opposite of what I thought ! ^^
So while watching this. I'm playing with the lighting that I keep in the coffee table and give my self a nasty cut. Worst one I've had in a long time. Oh great video. Thanks for the info.
I understand that the upper gate holds it open, But Carter stated the weakness on the upper gate, and how it would only be suited to lighter tasks. Hence I asked if with the load of a forward thrust would cause it close, fail, snap, break, slip etc...??? Thanks
Great Vid. I wonder if a couple of mods and removing the springs you can make a gravity OTF? Just let gravity slide the blade out and back in controlled by the button. Hey, by the way, not shaving will not make you stronger so you can move up from the girlie weights, LOL............. Did some chest work today. Thought about you when I was using the 100lbs dumbells for flat pressing. I am getting old. I only knocked out 10 reps with them 100s. Guess I will have to stop sahving.
Its amazing they fit all that in such a little package! I have a Shrade OTF and a smith and Wesson OTF. The shrade is way better quality but both mechanisums are pretty strong. I know the Shrade has enough force to go trough your skin. I stabbed myself on accident when I first got it. But the S&W force is not as strong.
I have a SuperAutomatic. if the spring comes out of the knife. Do you need to recoil it or something to give it enough tension for the knife to be pushed out. The locking works on the knife. But the spring mechanism isnt working. I just found this laying around and would like to fix it.
Fifth attempt at finding someone who could explain the mysterious mechanism of an OTF was a charm. You give clear, accurate descriptions without much wordy embellishment, an asset these days. Consider teaching, or instructing, both sought after pursuits, and you seem to do so with ease. Soooooo, what'd ya know I'm terms of in-laws ? ; )
Thank you
Best explanation I've found so far. Great job.
Excellent video!! I just bought a $30 OTF Lightning & it's a great automatic for the price. I wanted to see how to get the blade back on-track if it hit something while deploying. Tried it...just pulled the blade out the front & it went right back on track. Your videos are some of my favorites. You don't make things too complicated & you don't come off as a know-it-all. Thanks!!
Much better than the first video! I finally understand how this works. Impressive piece of engineering.
Great explanation, I'v watched 6 videos but you were the only person that showed me how it worked and not just that it worked, thanks a lot.
Awesome video man. Ive always wondered how OTFs worked but never really looked into it. The designer of that was a smart man. Way beyond my brain lol
Yeah... We're all trying to make the Assassin's Creed hidden blade.
+DarthTwilight true dat.
I have a few D/A Microtech's but never opened one up to figure out how it works. Thanks for doing this video. Very helpful.
For about 25 years I've wondered how that thing operated. I always had a theory and I was right! Great video! Thanks! Now if I can just get my knife back from my school principal...but I don't think that's happening. I loved that knife too.
Thanks man for showing the mechanism of a double action OTF knife. I have a Lightning and it's a nice knife after I got it sharpened by my friend (I trust him since he keeps up with the maintenance of all his knifes). It's nice to know how it works.
Thanks for the explanation, its a really complex system that's simplified for mass production and its really well done.
That was an excellent explanation, thanks.
Very informative. I always wondered how OTF knives worked and you explained beautifully. You are right-Not for heavy use. Thx.
WOW!, great explanation. I never realized there was not tension on the spring until you pressed the button. I just got my first OTF Microtech and have just assumed it was magic until now. -Chris
Pretty good video, You explained it really well. I had no idea how brilliant the design of these was
Thanks for sharing. You described how the OTF "Out The Front" knives work to my satisfactions. If I had any questions on how these knives work you have answered them all. Thanks again.
Yeah, otf knives, while not very practical, are very cool and ingenious! I remember having a few as a kid and taking them apart and seeing how it works. Very good video, thanks :)
Thanks you so much! I've seen a few videos and they made no sense until I watched this! Video explained it perfectly for me!
Great video. I've always wondered how double actions worked. Also glad to know how small the gate is that holds the blade out.
Very cool video. Thanks!
I've been carrying a Microtech Troodon everyday, but I'd never take it apart. Really appreciate you showing this.
Good point, I have actually hammered one through a piece of partical board in the past. No fail
Nobel Peace Prize for describing Double Action OTF knives? You, my fine sir, make perfect sense. XD
That system is very clever! Thanks for the great explanation!
Really good explanation. I have always wondered how these work. I agree it's ingenious.
Thanks for making another video. This one is a lot easier to understand.
Thank you for sharing I did open mine OTF 13 years ago :) I like to see thing work.
Very well explained thank you... Never owned one and for some reason had the assumption that some how 2 springs with one under tension in closed and the other under tension in open but could never figure it out... Never assumed it was a momentum based device... Thank you
Nice video to show the really cool mechanism. I'm guessing these mechanisms were created during WWII for the various "wet" jobbers. Not having the main springs under much tension when retracted beats the Hell out of the old "failed safety button blade clicks through your pants pocket...again" switchblades. I have a Lightning OTF from a sale for carry. I also change over to a nice assisted opening stiletto without the clip. Thanks for the info. Clear and answers the "How'dTheyDoThat" question.
this was an extremely well displayed and well explained video, thank you very much for taking your time to show us this.
Finally! I understand in how that thing works! Thank you!!
A simple design but for some so complicated....Amazing and cool.
Really good vid Carter. Fun and educational, just like school should be. I´ve got an old cheapee OTF that I´ve taken apart a few times for fun. Tried to modify it to a harpoon once LoL. Didn´t work all that great haha. Funny thing is I got it back together in working order. Hooray for me!!
Anyway thanks for showing the ins and outs of OTFs bro. Later dude!
Fascinating!! Always wondered how they work. Genious engineering
Wow.. that really in ingenious. "All that is complex is not useful and all that is useful is simple."
I understood your other video mostly ,having been inside one ,and seen the parts first hand I knew more. This video made it clear as to what is actually going on ty for the instructions. I still can't fix the Chinese pos I bought. But I bought some better ones a Cobratec and a Templar. I'm a happy boy now.
This is an extremely clever design!
Usually just a matter of finding that perfect sweet spot, where the pivot is tight enouph to prevent play, but not so much that is slows it down. Break in could help as well, there may be a slight uneven serface that is slowing it down that could possibly smooth out with use.
On of the biggest question I always asked myself finally answered ! thanks a lot and very clever system too.
thanks for saying this!
I was wondering why this kind of machine works but now i can understand it!
Again thank you
first time watching understands it clearly great video carter
this helped me to understand the otf system a lot, thank you so much. i will be mentioning you to my friends.
I suppose that you could make it more weight bearing by having two gates at the top and then two gates at the bottom, that way you will have two anchor points and it will be able to take a bit more strain.
You can also enlarge the gates and increase the spring force
That's actually so simple, thanks for explaining.
Cool video man, a lot of people do not go into solid detail re OTFs.
Assassins creed shit right here
***** let's unite
yes...that...would...be...AWESOME!!!!
Yeah, I'm building one right meow, I just don't know how to make the little latches that lock the blade into place
***** they already did that.
***** I know that there is a circle that spins when you pull the sting which slides a knob sideways on another plate and the circle moves it up or down and its really hard to explain just look up other peoples hidden blades you will find it
finally a video worth watching. Thank you
Really cool, man. Thanks for the explanation.
Yes! I don't think it would launch to far though. A much better on to convert would be a single action OTF, much more spring strength
The key of the whole concept is that the blade "slides" freely as it moves with nothing connected to it. The springs just give it a short, initial push to get it moving. So the blade itself has to be dense, heavy steel. Heavy enough so that the slide momentum causes it to continue all the way to the end of the slide and still have enough momentum to trip the final locking mechanism which holds it in place.
Thank you! I just got my MT Combat Troodon and now I understand how this works.
You are a very brave man! This is almost hard to watch assuming you might get cut again.It was educational and entertaining.You got big Balls.
Peace!
That's pretty cool. I've always wondered how they work.
I'm looking at that and thinking: "what could actually go wrong?" XD
Thanks for the explanation - I've been a knife nut for 5-6 years and ashamedly I must admit that up until now I didn't really know how those double action OTFs worked...
Thank you very much for this video, I completely love the designs of these but have been very skeptical about buying one but I definitely will get one very soon now
i did, and now that I have a reference video here, now all that would be needed is the actual string pulley system for your ring finger to activate it instead of the little switch at the side. if i find out how the pulley system would work, all that would be left is for me to make my own hidden blade :D
Thx a lot! I always wondered how these impressive knives work!
you did a great job explaining that how these work, i always wanted to know
Thank you!!! This is just what I was looking for! Very very helpful!
Great video, I was idly trying to figure out how these work in the car on the way home from work. I live in the UK so I have to watch someone over a thousand miles away take theirs apart to asuage my curiosity.
Very informative, thanks! I'm planning on building my own at some point.
Wow. I tried to make my own dual-action OTF, but I went about it wrong. I imagined 2 springs working against each other to make the knife go in and out, but that just generated perpetual motion. Thanks a lot for this vid.
Awesome explanation, thank you very much!
Mind blown!!! I always wondered and now I know.
Good video!!!
i have been carrying my lightning for some time now and was not sure how it works. thanks! very informational
I always wondered how a spring could give tension to an other spring ! But in reality that's the user who gives the tension to the spring, just the complete opposite of what I thought ! ^^
So while watching this. I'm playing with the lighting that I keep in the coffee table and give my self a nasty cut. Worst one I've had in a long time. Oh great video. Thanks for the info.
Thanks for that vid, definitely learned something new today.
wow, that's actually really simple. Thanks, for the great video
Reminds me of a Glock trigger.
Very informative.
Looks like it depends on a lot to work correctly.
Nice job on the explanation! Thanks for the vid!!
That didn't help me to figure out what I'm trying to, but thanks it did show me how otf blades work.
Thanks! Much appreciated. Ill check out your blog
Great explanation, i always wondeed how it works, Thank you very much!!!
I understand that the upper gate holds it open, But Carter stated the weakness on the upper gate, and how it would only be suited to lighter tasks. Hence I asked if with the load of a forward thrust would cause it close, fail, snap, break, slip etc...??? Thanks
reminds me a little of my recoilless FWB65 Match grade pellet pistol
Cool! Let me know if you can pull it off
do you think it would be possible to have two gates on each end? for more support?
Really interesting Carter, thanks :)
Take care, Ben
Great Vid. I wonder if a couple of mods and removing the springs you can make a gravity OTF? Just let gravity slide the blade out and back in controlled by the button. Hey, by the way, not shaving will not make you stronger so you can move up from the girlie weights, LOL............. Did some chest work today. Thought about you when I was using the 100lbs dumbells for flat pressing. I am getting old. I only knocked out 10 reps with them 100s. Guess I will have to stop sahving.
Finally a video that made sense..!! Thx..
thank you!
Yeah, those templars are a pain in the ass. I'd recommend using one of the Da Vinci brand wrist-mounts. They're hand crafted in Florence.
This actually really helped. I know exactly how it works now.
Thanks Bro, Great great vid, one questions, so in self if you were to stab, would the blade close on a double action??? thanks again
nice vid! learned allot about OTFs. I would be way too scared to actually open up one on my own.
Very informative video. Thanks for posting it.
Thanks for this video !
Now I finally understand how it works :)
if you don't mind me asking, where did you buy that knife? i'd like to purchase my own for future experimentation!
Its amazing they fit all that in such a little package! I have a Shrade OTF and a smith and Wesson OTF. The shrade is way better quality but both mechanisums are pretty strong. I know the Shrade has enough force to go trough your skin. I stabbed myself on accident when I first got it. But the S&W force is not as strong.
do you think there all designed like that? do you think the microtech's are any different in concept?
I have a SuperAutomatic. if the spring comes out of the knife. Do you need to recoil it or something to give it enough tension for the knife to be pushed out. The locking works on the knife. But the spring mechanism isnt working. I just found this laying around and would like to fix it.
Thanks for explaining it!
very well explained, thank you !
very informative video, well explained!
hey man, great vid. I always wondered how it works.
Very helpful thanks a lot i was wanting to make one of these and know i know how to thanks bro.
All good. And yes it is simple, as all ingenious things are nice vid thanks
How do i get the blade out of this exact knife?
Great video! I finally get it.
awesome brother! i personally dont own one and always wonder how the hell they work!!
Wow! Let me know how that goes!