Max Knives MKO43S — OTF automatic knife, 80 mm partially serrated blade

Overview

The MKO43S belongs to the OTF family: the blade never swings out sideways, it leaves through the nose of the handle and returns by the same route. Closed, it fits inside 123 mm of aluminium handle and slips into the nylon belt sheath supplied with it; blade out, it measures 203 mm on the table for a weight of just 99 g. What sets it apart within the series is its cutting edge: the 80 mm stainless blade is partially serrated, plain towards the point and toothed on the section nearest the handle.

Partial serrations, two ways to cut on one blade

A partially serrated blade works in two ways depending on which section you bring to bear. The plain part cuts like any straight edge, cleanly, through soft material that offers no resistance. The teeth bite instead of sliding: each point concentrates the effort on a tiny surface, which is what lets them get into rope, webbing and synthetic cordage, the sort of material that happily rolls away from a plain edge. On the MKO43S the serrations sit at the base of the blade, where the arm has the most strength and the best control, while the forward section stays plain for finer work.

Technical specifications

The blade is stainless steel, 80 mm long and 2.5 mm thick, with a partially serrated edge. The handle is aluminium and measures 123 mm, which is also the length of the knife at rest; with the blade deployed the whole thing reaches 203 mm. The mechanism is OTF double action: one and the same slider sends the blade out and brings it back. The knife weighs 99 g. A nylon belt sheath is supplied with it.

Care

An OTF carries a rail and a spring inside its handle, and that cavity is what needs to stay clean. Blow out the dust and grit that work their way in through the nose of the handle with dry air, then wipe the blade down after every outing. Teeth are good at holding on to rope fibres and webbing fluff: a soft brush clears them out from between the points. Store the knife in its nylon sheath rather than loose at the bottom of a bag, and let the sheath dry in open air if it has taken on damp.

Legal notice. Age-restricted item (18+). In France this knife is a Category D item: legal to sell but reserved for adults, with age verification at checkout. Automatic and OTF knives are restricted or prohibited in many countries — the United Kingdom, Germany and several US states among them. It is the buyer's responsibility to check the law that applies where the order is delivered before purchasing.