Lightning OTF Switchblade

[Karaokephile]

The handle is zinc alloy. You obviously have no experience with double-action OTFs, judging by your "gets stuck" statement.

For other posters, it's not a "safety" or protection for the parts. The blade locks in and locks out. Between those positions, it slides free. The spring shoots the blade forward and back, and has contact with the blade for only a very short range of motion.

I have extensive experience with this knife and am extremely familiar with the internal mechanism.

[itsmysecret1]

just to share: the blade coming off track when hitting a large resistance is actually to protect the blade and the fragile internal parts, not because it is "cheap" all well made otf knives have this feature

[Jallandhara]

I've noticed a couple reviews now stating the case is made of plastic. I only recently discovered the knife, but the BladePlay claims the case is powder coated aluminum. Could the older models be plastic and current versions be metal?

[zombinator100]

how is the tension on the ramp would there be any concern of it going off in your pocket

[edgedweapon88]

@zombinator100 no

[zombinator100]

@edgedweapon88 thanks

[donny29dsm]

These knives are sweet!I want the one with the serrated edges half way down the blade though.

[thatbastardson]

@donny29dsm unique blade has the lightning in all different colors, serrated or straight. just got one myself in desert sand.

[BackGolem]

I gonna start to collect automatic knife, this will be my first one.

[litematter]

Love these knives, have had mine for around 7 months, opened packages, cut rope, cut cardboard, perfect for minor edc use. i've fired it more than 1500 times for sure and its still going strong. Bladeplay foward none, back a little bit, side to side barely noticeable. I've bought around 6 more different colors since then. make sure you get the taiwan version or more expensive one. If you want a knife to go through paper when you open it for some reason get a single action they open stronger.

[chronicleone]

Where can you get spare parts?

[bobiscool308]

will this go through paper

[BatterUp201]

you sound like dane cook!

[KnifeLover97]

does it have a safty on it

[edgedweapon88]

@KnifeLover97 no

[KnifeLover97]

@edgedweapon88 ok thanks bro

[itsmysecret1]

The reason the blade will "de-rail" is because if it keeps all the momentum and keeps going into an object the resistance will break the high spring and render the knife un-deployable...not for "safety"

[theknob1]

This guy has not a clue on automatics. Even when they are in his presence....

[theknob1]

This guy is not correct in saying it has plastic on it. It does not. It is a great knife for the money and the blade sharpens to a razor edge. It is a really great knife for the money.

[MaverickX87X]

As far as i know, even microtechs jam up when you stop it against an object when opening.

[thewhiteboysamurai]

Ps pwnd

[thewhiteboysamurai]

It's driven by two springs down the length of the handle not one spring in the back and it's cheap cuz it's a mircotech knock off from Taiwan most otfs won't go through ur hand or table it's a switch not a light saber

[Cryptosporidium138]

@TheMedievalMan Planning? Ha! Done and done, sir.

[randy25rhoads]

Great vid. I don't think the blade stopping if it hits something is a sign of cheapness. Microtech and Benchmades also have that feature as a sort of safety feature. Also, is this the Taiwanese or the Chinese version. I just order one from Blade Ops and it has an aluminum body, not plastic. Just curious.

[mathnerdm]

could you give me a link to where you can order this? pm i guess

[tengc]

The reason it doesn't deploy all the way when something hinders the blade while it's being deployed is safety.

[Naut]

the fact that the blade won't deploy when it's interfered with isn't a testament to its quality. it's a testament to the design of an otf.

[Sanguiluna]

I love this blade. I really need to get me a new one, the one I have now is pretty much shot; lost a screw, and only fully retracts when I hold it straight up. lol

[Cryptosporidium138]

the REAL reason it is so cheap is because it is made in Taiwan. Most OTF knives stop deployment when they hit something, it is a safety feature to prevent you from stabbing yourself in the leg. once deployed the locking mechanism is very strong. and perhaps CHEAP is misleading, maybe INEXPENSIVE is a better word. i have this knife and it is the best sub $50 OTF knife i have ever seen. in fact, i have seen more expensive knives that are not as good.

[santeusebio46]

pattada 4 ever

[olsonnnnn]

So if I want to kill someone really quickly by stabbing them in the chest it won't kill them!! The blade will just bounce back! Lame...

[Cryptosporidium138]

@olsonnnnn only if you try to open it into their chest. once locked in the open position you can stab them repeatedly in the chest and you wont have a problem./ that is, until your hand gets covered in blood and slips cutting your hand and leaving DNA all over your victim's body so make sure you wear thick leather gloves. ;)

[TheMedievalMan]

@Cryptosporidium138 What are you, planning on murdering somebody?

[SirMrGiggles]

how many fires do you think this will do before the spring or something breaks?

[edgedweapon88]

@SirMrGiggles At least a couple thousand. I probably have around 2000 or so just from playing with it.

[TheCampbell808]

@edgedweapon88  damn!

[sheehy91]

i just bought one today on bladeplay com

[the7thcolumnarmy]

Lol is that the taiwanese version? Looks like the cheapo chinese version

[Cryptosporidium138]

@the7thcolumnarmy your right! that is the cheaper chinese version, the taiwanese version has almost zero blade play

[nightmarefacility]

how is the "lock up" when this knife is open? it seems like it would be pretty shifty.

[edgedweapon88]

@nightmarefacility It has some bladeplay but OTF knives are intended to do that. You cannot have extremely tight tolerances otherwise the knife will not open.

[RandylanProductions]

what is bladeplay?

[edgedweapon88]

@RandylanProductions Movement of the blade side to side or up and down when locked into the open position.

[knifeman126]

are both switchblades and spring assisted blades illegal in the UK?

[edgedweapon88]

@knifeman126 I am not sure. You would have to check with your local laws to be 100% sure.

[XxKiNgxxKrAbxX]

how much play is there in the blade?

[edgedweapon88]

@XxKiNgxxKrAbxX There is a lot. OTF knives typically have a lot of blade play no matter how good quality they are. It is part of the design.

[BaltoMovie]

can you disassemble that for use

[SILKIL68]

Alot of switchblades do that,-I hear that the reason it will not go through and lock into place while holding up to an object,is because when you conceal carry,or whatever-it dont stab into that much if accidently fired.nice vid thou man she's a beaut.

[zmanroks]

It's because he has the ridiculiously crappy Chinese version, instead of the Taiwanese version.

[TerryOShea]

buy this knife, metal handle, not one misfire i have fired it over 100 times.

[Marvelousextrema]

plastic handle? its aluminum

[THEDXFAN28]

any tips on geting the knife to loosen like when u press the deploy button

[THEDXFAN28]

i just ordered the knife tonite is it worth the buy?

[edgedweapon88]

Its a cool knife. I like it because it is different but you cant carry it since it is an automatic.

[CamaroSS2236]

Some say that it is a spring assist. but spring assist actions are part of the blade itself. this is activated by a button so it is a switchblade. Is is illegal in 50 states?

[edgedweapon88]

Spring assisted knives are legal but automatic knives are illegal in all 50 states. California allows a switchblade as long as it is under 2 inches.

[walktherightpath]

in FL if you have a license to carry its legal... but if you dont then you can keep it securely encased in any compartment of your vehicle, or at home, but not on you

ch 790 FL allows you to have any weapon except the kind of knife that projects. but a switchblade doesnt project out of the mechanism, so its fair game... btw ive had this knife... for 30 bucks you cant go wrong, its a fast one, and intimidating to those who have never seen one

[rightsman123]

Great knives!!! check dellsmart for some good deals and sign up for there newletters.

[HALE2daKINGbaby]

did it break if so how long did u have it also where did u get it

[edgedweapon88]

It didn't break.  I got it from a friend as a gift but you can find them online.

[enjoiorange]

my bro just bought me the kit for this from roadsideimports

[IhateSatan333]

go to bladeops(dot)com

[enjoiorange]

this is the other site sells it for 10 bucks less

[Claildes]

is the blade sharp?

[edgedweapon88]

It is not extremely sharp but it is decent. It is as good as any other chinese blade.

[schu740guy]

where did you this knife?

[edgedweapon88]

A friend gave it to me.

[Nightkill95]

I have this knife and it has a metal shell. I think its like aluminum or something.

[alienman69]

k it doesnt go out all of the way when it hits something because it is simply a safety feature. many people use them as neck knives and people have died and have been seriously injured carrying one of themthem on duty or simply every day in their pocket. you can even get some pieces of paper that will stop the blade because of this, just because it does does this doesnt make it cheap even my $500 dollar micotech does it.

[edgedweapon88]

Thank you for the information. Many people have corrected me already.  I am learning as I go.

[JKDROB]

No problem, Even the expensive ones won't be able to shoot through a person or a peice of wood or anything like that.

Consider the amount of force required to do something like that...

The mechanism in the cheap or high quality ones are just not capable of generating that kind of force.

[edgedweapon88]

That is very true. It is kinda misleading but when you look at is closely it makes perfect sense. Thanks for the information and the constructive comments. I appreciate it!

[JKDROB]

..It is not a saftey concern. THe mechanism is just not strong enough. You may get a small cut on you hand if using a high quality one with a very good spring but no way will you ever seen a OTF that will go straight through your hand. That is hollywood...

[edgedweapon88]

Thanks for the info.

[JKDROB]

The ones with the silver button are form Taiwan and conisdered not bad quality for the price..IIRC...

Also, a common misconception is that a OTF of good quality can go through wood or metal...NOT SO. I have seen many OTF's are very high quality and they all use the same basic spring design.

The spring is put under tension by pushing the button, at the last instance of the button push the lock let's go...out comes the blade. Retract is the same.

[gotknive]

is this the china made one?

[edgedweapon88]

Yes it is made in China.

[Nightkill95]

no it's not made in china

[DefiantWulf]

The thing it does when you open it against something may not be a quality issue. Microtech's do that as a safety feature so it wont stab your leg if it opens in your pocket. I'm sure the lightning is weaker, but its not a flaw.

Also, there are two versions of the lightning. One is made in Taiwan, the other is made in China. The one from Taiwan is actually decent quality, the other is crap.

[edgedweapon88]

Thank you for the information. I don't have a Microtech to compare it with but it is good to know that they do it as a safety feature.

[fenderstrat5]

how much bladeplay is ther??

[edgedweapon88]

There is a lot but that is expected for such a cheap knife. But i won't complain seeing as i only payed twenty dollars for it.