This knife broke and is now at warranty. Not a lubrication issue.

The springs are worn, I used to work on these knives I’m telling you 100% it’s the springs they get worn buddy, when they treat the springs some of them don’t get the full treatment cause there on top of one and another so new springs will have it back 100% when the temp affects the deployment it’s the spring

My UTX developed the same problem. I cleaned it with oil and compressed air. That work for a time then the same problem happened. I cleaned it again and now the spring is completely disengaged. Won’t fire at all. I really don’t feel like dealing with the hassle of getting this fixed. I wish I could just open myself and fix it instead have to pay for it to be shipped and worry that some minor thing I overlooked voided the warranty with me knowing. I’m pretty bummed over it all.

Had the same issue on retraction only, took apart and blew out the locking gates. It either had debris or excessive oil because it is firing and retracting perfectly now. Does not take much debris or excessive oil to cause these knives to hiccup.

i have this on a brand new troodon, rectraction issues only though. i also noticed that the failures happen way often when the temperature goes down. lubricated it and blew it out with a compressor, but nothing seems to help. i also noticed that the retraction often feels very mushy and strange.

I’m putting my AKC F-16 (beater otf) in the freezer and I set the alarm for 60 minutes and I have a good feeling it’ll do the same thing. I have a feeling this is gonna be a common thing? Idk I’ve been wrong before.

I have a combat troodon and it detracts perfectly but when go to open the knife it never wants to come out like ill hold the button and nothing. then sometimes it will come out late and its really annoying especially after I just paid 500 bucks for it......... any help would be appreciated???

Here searching for a way to resolve the same issue. My prior Microtech NEVER FTD or retract, ever. That one walked away at some point and years later I bought another. My 2nd was a safe queen for a couple years and once I took her out I experienced FTD starting at about the 100th fire and fail to retract around 200. I have shot air in and lubed and the problem has only increased over time. I havnt botherred to send her back because I would not use this knife for anything besides opoening letters or boxes. You cant pay me enough to carry this as a defensive weapon.

Idk man, you said you sent it off for warranty, so they would’ve replaced the springs if one broke. So freezer right, condensation builds up, so the water that builds up “could” affect the springs… I would buy the proprietary tool and take it apart myself, CLEAN everything, and either use REM ( Remington ) Oil, or other OTF Oil. You could have some gunk or something small in there somewhere. But yea it shouldn’t be doing that.

Mine started doing the same thing. Got slow and failed often. I took it appart and polished all of the sliding friction points and the locking paws. I used 1500 grit paper and mirrored everything. Then i cleaned it, and put a tiny amount of oil on the friction points. It helped allot.

i posted a video a couple years back with “kinda” the same issue, but not as often as yours.. i sent it in and it looked like they just flooded it with oil and didn’t even take it apart. it was from 2011.. i ended up selling it at a loss because i didn’t want to take the risk.

Only rem oil! , when I first got my ultra tech I tested it in a bucket of sand until It was completely clogged and some rem oil and compressed air and couple minutes later it was flawless I carry it on a masonry job site quite a bit too

From my slim experience with my budget OTF I have always had that problem when its colder but never when its warm 🤔

I've had 2 and rarely used them but both stopped working after about 2 months

Mike emler was talking about how you can buy aftermarket springs that are stronger.. I think you can refer to his AUTO knifes myths/misconceptions video

Strange that your having so much trouble with that ultratech? I own pretty much own every model of Microtech otf made over the last five years and multiples in some models (like ultratechs) and only have had your problem once. The problem was a result of getting adhesive residue stuck to the blade (cutting boxes and lots of tape) being retracted into the knife between cuts and affecting the lubricating oil. The moment that adhesive touches with the oil, the consistent functional properties the oil go out the window and would present like your problem. Because of my job, I always haven’t had the luxury of waiting for my duty knives to be serviced (3 to 6 week turnaround) and have chosen to risk warranty and pull them completely apart to service them myself. The internals are far more simple designed (*but simply genius) than someone might think. I swear that some people think these oft’s work by black magic or something like it. Lol If I were you, I’d spend the $15 and get the correct propriety driver bit and pull this knife apart. From there I’d carefully and completely disassemble the knife (do it on a cotton towel to not lose anything), degrease every part to completely dry and absolutely clean. Then check all the sliding surfaces for possible roughness with a q-tip (you’ll feel it if there’s a rough spot with a q-tip)... Then Rem oil the tracks and locking tabs before reassembling the knife. All of this is super easy to do and there’s even a couple of KZfaq to see how first. Since you said you found the knife in the first place, I’d go for it and pull it apart. I don’t think you have anything to lose at this point but only more to gain by internally knowing your knife and discovering any possible hidden problems. 🙂👍

Just bought one and it failed to retract within 2 weeks and is completely undependable.

I'm just saying... I've had my microtech fail to deploy more than either of the of the lightings I've had... you guys can take that for what you will.

I bought a Brand new Microtech Dirac and was having deployment issues as such. I decided to call a Great Professional microtech dealer ( Southern Tactical Blade) and John told me to blow the knife out with compressed can air , and then use REM oil to lube the mechanics of the knife .(use oil lightly) So I did as he said, and it worked perfectly. I hope this helps , And check out Southern Tactical Blades . Have a Blessed Day 🍀

It's 98° in Virginia Beach I'm having the same issue. Starting to get buyers remorse

My 18' bladeshow UT does the same shit. I've rem oiled and degreased it numerous times and it starts doing it again after a day or two. So aggrevating. And....my LUDT spring is also broken but I've hesitated sending it back right now.

When I had this issue, I blew mine out with compressed air, dripped a few drops of CLP in the tracks and it was good as new

I own a Combat Troodon, Ultratech, Ultratech UTX-70 and a Dirac. The only two that ever failed were the Ultratech and the UTX-70. The 70 only failed once on deployment and Ultratech fails maybe every 100 or so. I've never had a fail to retract. Maybe its a lemon. Idk.

I’ve had a couple ultratech and unfortunately nothing like this.. it could possibly be a lemon :/

That is super messed up. I just got into otfs, Benchmade Shootout on the way, and I was really wanting an Ultratech too. Until I started looking into them. How many years of horrible QC can a company live through???

or you can cut a little bit from the screw ... the one with the ball ...that is the problem try opening it without the screw in the back.... you will see it will work fine ... polish the screw a little to cut from it like 0.01mm

I hate when you are moving your hand in a forward motion or up and down and it doesn't deploy. Though sitting still you shouldn't have any issues as far as temperature goes unless there is condensation involved. Put a drop of oil at the base of the blade on both sides and see what happens. I own many btw and have seen almost every problem there is.... Non deployment while holding it still shouldn't happen at all though.🙏

It's called the law of averages. You just happened to get a lemon it happens, with every company!!! It looks to be a spring tension issue or possibly some of the internal milled parts could have been manufactured slightly off-spec. I've owned several Microtech Ultratechs over the years and I've never had any of them fail to deploy or retract like this.

*IF YOU HAVE THIS PROBLEM* *TRY THIS SOLUTION FIRST BEFORE SENDING IT IN* Step 1: Give it a naptha/lighter fluid wash (maybe even a couple) to strip the gunk and whatnot and LET DRY Step 2: heat with a hair-dryer on high (heat gun on lowish). And deploy back and forth several times (pull out and click it, ofc). Mine was almost too hot too touch (use a towel to handle) Step 3: Use a tiny tiny amount of GRAPHITE lubricant around the base of the blade and deploy back and forth a couple times manually, if need be and it should come back to lock up at that point. GRAPHITE is best as it is a completely greaseless (won’t attract fuzz) lubricant made for the delicate insides of locks. My Ultratech did the same thing after a couple months of using and flushing with naptha. Messed with it for hours only to see it half deploy. Did the above and it works like a charm again

I think is because of the screw in the back...if you remove it ... it will work perfectly .... the screw in the back .... is hitting the spring ...

My brand new BH ultratech does this all the time. No matter what I try. Too lazy to send it in tho. Its weird tho, I will have it retracted successfully and then I will come back the next day or so and the blade will be sticking out ~1/2 an inch.

I'm confused why temperature has anything to do with it....🙄🤔

I have an ultratech. It is the biggest disappointment I have ever paid big money for. Your handles are probably torqued too tight. They are sensitive to over tightening, putting pressure on the channel spring. Back the screws out, (get the tool) and barely tighten them. Use blue lock tight. Here's another problem I encountered. Aluminum is too soft to hold up impact. If you use the knife to make punctures, the blade base pushes on the internal exit gate, and then the gate digs into the metal, creating a divot. The gate will eventually be able to slide up into the divot, and the knife locks up until you take it apart and reset it. Granted, it will lock up again until you somehow repair the divot.

I had mine 2 weeks, had same issue. Then it deployed and would never retract. Sent it in(deployed), got it back 4 weeks later yesterday. Still does the same shit. Wont deploy or retract properly. I gotta flick my wrist to deploy n retract. Absolute trash.

Same thing is happening to my brand new ultratech

I use dry lube...graphite to be exact...it won't attract dust.

I always thought Microtech to be more of an engineering thing than knife stuff. Never heard a KZfaqr talk about the blade itself aside from the metal. Personally I like them but I live in Italy and if I get one and fails, there's no way I ship that for warranty, I'm not seeing that knife again. Plus, here Microtech is rare asf and you need to sell a kidney to get an ultratech. I'd rather take the first flight available and walk to the factory myself. U.S. friends, trust me, you are blissed. That is, 200 dollars? maybe 300? here I saw only one (ultratech sith lord) at 500 EU.

Get some rem oil and drowned it in the oil then clean w compressed air! Guaranteed work

I had the same problem with a microtech wasn't old at all..won't get one again

Not normal at all. I have had several over the years up in Nevada where it gets real cold. No matter how cold my Ultratech knives have always worked.

Needs to be oiled...I use Frog Lube and it works great..no problems since.

Send it in to microtech they are great about fixing stuff

To the freezer my ultratech goes 🤣

I just bought 2 and both of them don't work. Highly irritating.

Add rim oil!

Let me help you out. If you are reading this comment and do as I say you will fix the problem. The problem is that the spring mechanism acts like the blade is hitting something in front of it and the safety goes off. That's why it stops halfway. Usually it is because there is some junk inside the knife. Fill the knife with Zippo lighter fluid. Flush it a couple of times. It will help. The best way is after that to disassemble the knife and clean all the leftovers with cotton and lighter fluid. Make sure it is squeaky clean. DON'T PUT OIL or any kind of lubricant on the spring or the blade. NO OIL. Put a drop of oil under the button when disassembled. Clean the spring and side springs of all the parts with lighter fluid. Or let them soak for a couple of hours. The problem like I said is that when launching the blade it gets resistance from some junk inside and the safety goes off. After that the blade stops. Heating the knife will help but the best thing is : 1 Flush it with zippo lighter fluid a couple of times 2 Disassemble the knife and clean it with soaked cotton buds with lighter fluid (spings, mechanism everything) DON'T BUY NEW SPRINGS OR SEND IT IN UNTIL YOU HAVE DONE THE ABOVE. MICROTECH WILL DO THE SAME.

My microtech does same thing because its junk, not because of temp! My knock off micro has NOT failed once and owned it same amount of time as authentic microtech!

CLP

It's a mechanism.. don't be scared to take it apart to clean it.. If that's difficult, you probably shouldn't have it.. (just saying) It's a mechanism.. Tedious small components that work awesome WHEN free of debris.. a grain of anything, hair, lint ball.. anything can effect it.. clean it and keep it lube it'll flash like a nude dude in a trench coat..😭😂😆😁🤔🤔 and about the whole knockoff price thing.. people will always pay more for a better quality of a product even if it doesn't perform like the little guy.. 🤷🏾‍♂️ ohh & the temp thing.. Think about it.. pot metal.. Aluminum.. stainless.. those all twang at a different temp.. and you have them all trying to work together!!!! And for the most part they do...

Way overpriced for what you get. Mine was unreliable

Lol a $40 lightning double action will never do that. This design is ancient and has remained unchanged in all that time. This is completely unacceptable for a $50 knife, nevermind for a REAL Microtech. The higher end chinese clones are better made. And they come with the proprietary screwdriver so you can actually clean and degrease it properly.

Need your OTF fixed or tuned up? Need new springs or gateway trapdoors? Email the OTFmechanic@gmail.com

Really I see know reason to spend all that money on a knife. I have $30 lightening that never fails. But I don't see the value in microtech way,way overpriced. But personally I carry a coldsteel everyday never have a problem and sometimes a boker AK in xhp never fails either.

I know what’s wrong, it’s a 300.00 gimmicky POS.

Microtechs are absolute garbage!!! I gave up on them. I highly recommend either a guardian tactical recon, or an axial shift 3.0, both exceptional amazing edc hard use knives. Microtech is an absolute joke of a a knife company. The price me they charge for absolute shitttttttt products blows my mind!