Your value just went way up as far as a knife presenter to me. I love my Boker and have beat the crap out of it and it just keeps on working. To hear you say that you have changed your mind, to me means that you can still continue to learn and that your judgement to me has value that is proven. Good video, keep up good work.
My Lightning otf lasted 5 years as my work box cutter in a grocery store. I finally gave it to my brother when he moved to Texas. To celebrate moving to a knife friendly state
When I was trying to buy my first auto a couple months ago, I would've really liked to see a video like this xD. I was deciding between the Boker Strike, Boker Kalashnikov, and lightning. I ended up going with the lightning because the OTF action was too cool to resist and so far it is serving me well!
I don't know how it happened, but I bought my first Kalashnikov last year, and now I have 5. Two things sucked me in: First, they have some really fun designs. I have a Sand colored version, P-40 Warhawk and three lightsaber designs. So fun. The second reason I bought them is that I've moved from an anti-auto state (WA) to a knife friendly state (UT). I'm going auto knife nuts. I don't have a Lightning, but I do have a Benchmade Phaeton, which is similar in design, albeit much higher quality. Great comparison MC, as always. Very objective, which is hard to do.
James Cathcart lol..I just bought my first Kalashnikov a couple weeks ago and I just ordered my second as well as a Boker Strike in D2..I was pleasantly surprised with the Kalashnikov,it turned out to be quite a bit better than I expected
I have both of these knives because I can't afford to spend over 100 bucks on a knife. I love how a microtech or Benchmade look and sound but I have 4 kids and just can't justify the price. I love both of these knives and they have never failed me. Some day I hope to own a more expensive and higher quality otf or ak but for now these will do. Both great knives.
My microtech Ultratech had a catastrophic failure so I impulse bought a boker Kalashnikov to have while it was getting repaired. It has not left my pocket since. Not to say one is better then the other but I just like the boker better. I don't think your missing out on anything magical
Das_Ranger pretty cool but as a left handed person,I don’t mind the regular version at all..instead of pushing the button with your thumb you push it with your pointer finger.you can’t see the button using it left handed but you really can’t miss it...it may bother some but it works fine for me. us left handers have lived our entire lives in a right handed man’s world,we learn to adapt 😂
Just bought both. Nutnfancy Lightening and a Boker AK 74 Od green with bronze blade in slipped point. Very happy with both! Thanks for the video. Why choose one of these. Get them both. I think I have the coolest version of both now.
Sheesh, back again, watched this like 3 times,I find myself cleaning, tuning and just fooling with my knives while watching your vids.. excellent work my friend!!
I’ve noticed that the standard lightning is a bit better knives then the newer lightning elite ,apparently the older knife is manufactured in Taiwan and the elite is Chinese,you can tell the two apart by the pocket clip having 2 screws in the older model and 3 in the Chinese version.the original lightning also has 2 springs and the elite has 1 inside the otf mechanism
That was a very good comparison review. It didn't need to be a battle because the only thing they had in common is price. Appreciate how you readjusted your opinion on each knife. It seems like the Boker if you want an auto and if you want an OTF then the lightning.
Ive owner both and by far like the boker Kalashnikov better. Both great knives that served me well. I unfortunately lost the lightning because the clip fell off so eventually it slipped out of my pocket to its new owner 😂. But overall I feel the Kalashnikov has much more of a quality feel/action.
I was about to ask “what is that plastic piece on the spine of the Kalashnikov?” lol..I’m glad you explained that,I got a newer model of the Kalashnikov with the wider dagger blade and it doesn’t have the safety lock but I also noticed the button is flush with the scales on the newer models,the one in this video sticks out a bit so the safety makes much more sense on the older model than the newer model..I haven’t got a OTF yet but I’m about to order a Lightning OTF tomorrow..after the holidays are out of the way I’m gonna buy a CobraTec OTF,they are made in Texas and have D2 steel blades..the medium size (about the size of these Lightning’s) cost $120 and I’ve seen a lot of people comparing them to Microtech Ultratechs and Benchmade Infidels some even said they prefer them to the Microtech and Benchmade
Ah 440C isn't tuff ? It's extremely tuff great knife steel many of the most expensive custom makers used it pre 1995 because it's very good steel. Buck used 440C pre 1986 those are the best Buck knives for edge retention preferred by collectors in the knife world by those who really knows knives
I guess "tough" is relative to whatever steels any individual uses that they consider "tough". This is also a pretty old video. I might have explained it differently today.
Hands down a side opening auto will always be more reliable and sturdy. Not even a comparison. OTF is nice for novelty, but isn't practical for anything but show.
440C can certainly have better edge retention than AUS8A. Given a good heat treatment protocol 440C can have great edge retention. The edge retention you will get from a $30 bargain basement auto blade in a mystery "440 steel" may or may not approach a decently made AUS8 blade. I don't know if it is actually known for sure what the steel in the Lightning is. It is claimed it is some sort of 440 series steel.
It doesn't make a difference if a spring is under tension or at rest. The action of the spring being loaded and releasing its energy is what will eventually cause it to fail.
Brian, it'd be cool to see the thumbnail looking like a fight card. At the start of the video a tale of the tape showing the stats of the blades briefly before you go into a general description of the rules or your criteria while comparing. And the national anthem of the lades country of origin.... hahahaha no thatd be ridiculous but what would actually be super cool is seeing the records of the blades as blades make multiple appearances and knowing how both blades have fared so far would really give the death matches viewers some reasons to talk sh!t (comment on the video) while watching. Just loving the comparisons and wanting to see them appreciated. 👍🏼
I have a Boker Kalashnikov and have never heard of a safety on it. I’ve had it over 2 years and had it apart a few times and do not recall any left over parts or loosing any. Did they just stop putting a safety on it? I think I can see where it may have gone but nothing there.......buy the way it’s s30v , nice steel👍👍
Well I had the boker+ auto and the auto spring broke after having it for 7 months. Kinda a bummer, still have my lightning I've had for a year and a half working good as new
T-6061 is dirt cheap. It's the overall go to alloy for all billet aluminum parts because it's strong enough and rigid, and machines easily. It's about 1/3 the cost of the "super" alloy 7075 which rivals certain steels in tensile strength. There would be zero reason to make any machine cut part of an alloy other than T-6061.
Funny but, I made a duct tape sheath for my automatics when not being carried. Out of the 30+ years I've had my auto's, not one spring has ever failed! Go figure...
fckina78 the Lightning more than likely has more blade play than the Kalashnikov because it’s OTF..the Kalashnikov blade,when open,gets extra support from the handle from where it locks up.this completely eliminates and front to back movement.my Kalashnikov doesn’t have any play but I’ve only had it for 2 or 3 weeks now.Ive read some people talk about blade play in Kalashnikov’s and I’ve read people say they have had their for years and still have no play..this may be the difference between newer models and older models,who knows...with that being said,I don’t have a Lightning OTF so I could be wrong,that blade may come out with zero play but I highly doubt it because it’s the nature of the beast..don’t let a little blade play throw you off from OTFs because when built right they are surprisingly tough knives.you can find a video here on RUclips where a man does a torture test with a Microtech Ultratech.This man beaver chewed a 2x4 in half,he then batons it through about 1.5 feet of a 2x4 followed by hammering it through a 2x4 point first like a nail,beating it back out and then finishing the test off by shooting the blade with a .40S&W..after all that abuse it still looked great and it functioned every bit as good after the test as it did before he started it...that video gave me a new level of respect for OTF knives
440c is pretty crap chinesium steel. I’d say that for any knife a good starter is 1084 c, or 1095, and D2 if you want stainless. But I’d rather see more affordable cpm 3v and 4v…fking super steels are way way too expensive!
If you go cheap don't buy an otf in my opinion they all fail eventually and sooner or later you'll need to disassemble it and un-fuck what ever list of problems it may have
Your value just went way up as far as a knife presenter to me. I love my Boker and have beat the crap out of it and it just keeps on working. To hear you say that you have changed your mind, to me means that you can still continue to learn and that your judgement to me has value that is proven. Good video, keep up good work.
My Lightning otf lasted 5 years as my work box cutter in a grocery store. I finally gave it to my brother when he moved to Texas. To celebrate moving to a knife friendly state
What’s great is the Boker is in D2 now! I have a Boker Strike which is in D2 and it’s a great knife.
That Boker is one of the best knife values there is.
Got several, big and small.
Just bought one…happy to hear that!
Not when you get the XHP version the price goes up enough to buy something else. Like a piranha virus for 30 bucks more
When I was trying to buy my first auto a couple months ago, I would've really liked to see a video like this xD. I was deciding between the Boker Strike, Boker Kalashnikov, and lightning. I ended up going with the lightning because the OTF action was too cool to resist and so far it is serving me well!
I don't know how it happened, but I bought my first Kalashnikov last year, and now I have 5. Two things sucked me in: First, they have some really fun designs. I have a Sand colored version, P-40 Warhawk and three lightsaber designs. So fun. The second reason I bought them is that I've moved from an anti-auto state (WA) to a knife friendly state (UT). I'm going auto knife nuts. I don't have a Lightning, but I do have a Benchmade Phaeton, which is similar in design, albeit much higher quality. Great comparison MC, as always. Very objective, which is hard to do.
James Cathcart lol..I just bought my first Kalashnikov a couple weeks ago and I just ordered my second as well as a Boker Strike in D2..I was pleasantly surprised with the Kalashnikov,it turned out to be quite a bit better than I expected
Welcome to Utah! What city are you in? I’m just a small Outdoor RUclipsr, but I’m as knife nuts as they come! I think I have 20 or so now…
I have both of these knives because I can't afford to spend over 100 bucks on a knife. I love how a microtech or Benchmade look and sound but I have 4 kids and just can't justify the price. I love both of these knives and they have never failed me. Some day I hope to own a more expensive and higher quality otf or ak but for now these will do. Both great knives.
My microtech Ultratech had a catastrophic failure so I impulse bought a boker Kalashnikov to have while it was getting repaired. It has not left my pocket since. Not to say one is better then the other but I just like the boker better. I don't think your missing out on anything magical
Actually at the time of this comment, the Boker comes in a left handed config that got released a couple days ago.
Das_Ranger pretty cool but as a left handed person,I don’t mind the regular version at all..instead of pushing the button with your thumb you push it with your pointer finger.you can’t see the button using it left handed but you really can’t miss it...it may bother some but it works fine for me. us left handers have lived our entire lives in a right handed man’s world,we learn to adapt 😂
Just bought both. Nutnfancy Lightening and a Boker AK 74 Od green with bronze blade in slipped point. Very happy with both! Thanks for the video. Why choose one of these. Get them both. I think I have the coolest version of both now.
Sheesh, back again, watched this like 3 times,I find myself cleaning, tuning and just fooling with my knives while watching your vids.. excellent work my friend!!
I’ve noticed that the standard lightning is a bit better knives then the newer lightning elite ,apparently the older knife is manufactured in Taiwan and the elite is Chinese,you can tell the two apart by the pocket clip having 2 screws in the older model and 3 in the Chinese version.the original lightning also has 2 springs and the elite has 1 inside the otf mechanism
If you have to much blade play just tighten the pivot pin. Boker Kalashnikov is a great knife even in non-auto
The boker is gonna open everytime more so then the lightning
That was a very good comparison review. It didn't need to be a battle because the only thing they had in common is price. Appreciate how you readjusted your opinion on each knife.
It seems like the Boker if you want an auto and if you want an OTF then the lightning.
Ive owner both and by far like the boker Kalashnikov better. Both great knives that served me well. I unfortunately lost the lightning because the clip fell off so eventually it slipped out of my pocket to its new owner 😂. But overall I feel the Kalashnikov has much more of a quality feel/action.
I was about to ask “what is that plastic piece on the spine of the Kalashnikov?” lol..I’m glad you explained that,I got a newer model of the Kalashnikov with the wider dagger blade and it doesn’t have the safety lock but I also noticed the button is flush with the scales on the newer models,the one in this video sticks out a bit so the safety makes much more sense on the older model than the newer model..I haven’t got a OTF yet but I’m about to order a Lightning OTF tomorrow..after the holidays are out of the way I’m gonna buy a CobraTec OTF,they are made in Texas and have D2 steel blades..the medium size (about the size of these Lightning’s) cost $120 and I’ve seen a lot of people comparing them to Microtech Ultratechs and Benchmade Infidels some even said they prefer them to the Microtech and Benchmade
Thanks for mentioning the Cobratec knives. Definitely going to check them out.
I'm pretty sure the Cobratecs are made in China.
They are absolutely made in China.
Ah 440C isn't tuff ? It's extremely tuff great knife steel many of the most expensive custom makers used it pre 1995 because it's very good steel. Buck used 440C pre 1986 those are the best Buck knives for edge retention preferred by collectors in the knife world by those who really knows knives
I guess "tough" is relative to whatever steels any individual uses that they consider "tough". This is also a pretty old video. I might have explained it differently today.
Buck uses 440c and does a really good job with heat treatment, which gets the most out of the steel
Hands down a side opening auto will always be more reliable and sturdy. Not even a comparison. OTF is nice for novelty, but isn't practical for anything but show.
The cts xhp version of the Kalashnikov is just about the best bang for the buck auto I know of.
440c has higher edge retention than aus8. Check out
Cedric & Ada's channel for steel comparisons
Or go on BladeHQ's ultimate blade steel guide
440C can certainly have better edge retention than AUS8A. Given a good heat treatment protocol 440C can have great edge retention. The edge retention you will get from a $30 bargain basement auto blade in a mystery "440 steel" may or may not approach a decently made AUS8 blade. I don't know if it is actually known for sure what the steel in the Lightning is. It is claimed it is some sort of 440 series steel.
I appreciate it, but this video is pretty old. Since then, I've learned a bit about steel 😉. Thanks though 👍
It doesn't make a difference if a spring is under tension or at rest. The action of the spring being loaded and releasing its energy is what will eventually cause it to fail.
Brian, it'd be cool to see the thumbnail looking like a fight card. At the start of the video a tale of the tape showing the stats of the blades briefly before you go into a general description of the rules or your criteria while comparing. And the national anthem of the lades country of origin.... hahahaha no thatd be ridiculous but what would actually be super cool is seeing the records of the blades as blades make multiple appearances and knowing how both blades have fared so far would really give the death matches viewers some reasons to talk sh!t (comment on the video) while watching. Just loving the comparisons and wanting to see them appreciated. 👍🏼
I see where you're going with that. Cool idea! One question... who is Brian? 🤣
I have a Boker Kalashnikov and have never heard of a safety on it. I’ve had it over 2 years and had it apart a few times and do not recall any left over parts or loosing any. Did they just stop putting a safety on it? I think I can see where it may have gone but nothing there.......buy the way it’s s30v , nice steel👍👍
Thank you for saying "excuse my phone."
Well I had the boker+ auto and the auto spring broke after having it for 7 months. Kinda a bummer, still have my lightning I've had for a year and a half working good as new
LOL-just bought both of them yesterday.
Seems like they would be great choices for customization or personalization.
I actually like the AKC F-16 better than the lightning for a budget OTF
Thats a good one too!
T-6061 is dirt cheap. It's the overall go to alloy for all billet aluminum parts because it's strong enough and rigid, and machines easily. It's about 1/3 the cost of the "super" alloy 7075 which rivals certain steels in tensile strength.
There would be zero reason to make any machine cut part of an alloy other than T-6061.
Funny but, I made a duct tape sheath for my automatics when not being carried. Out of the 30+ years I've had my auto's, not one spring has ever failed! Go figure...
You really can't beat either of these knives for the money ! 😜👍
Just bought both of these today! I prefer my ultratech tho.
Duh
Hate it when my knife falls into a volcano! Takes forever to fish it back out! Half the time I have to Maui and his damn hook!
👍🏻thanks
ah you live in kansas?
I have both. Like them both
Lightning for me...
U need to try cobratech and uh the action is better then infidel trust jumppluff
You will never see a Cobratech on this channel. Sorry.
@@metal_complex Did they do something wrong ?
Their marketing is, IMO, unsavory and extremely misleading.
@@metal_complex I'm gonna order the lightning otf hope it's as good as everyone says . And I respect it we all have our opinions
Of course. Buy what makes you happy 😊
What about blade play on these knives, which one has less?
fckina78 the Lightning more than likely has more blade play than the Kalashnikov because it’s OTF..the Kalashnikov blade,when open,gets extra support from the handle from where it locks up.this completely eliminates and front to back movement.my Kalashnikov doesn’t have any play but I’ve only had it for 2 or 3 weeks now.Ive read some people talk about blade play in Kalashnikov’s and I’ve read people say they have had their for years and still have no play..this may be the difference between newer models and older models,who knows...with that being said,I don’t have a Lightning OTF so I could be wrong,that blade may come out with zero play but I highly doubt it because it’s the nature of the beast..don’t let a little blade play throw you off from OTFs because when built right they are surprisingly tough knives.you can find a video here on RUclips where a man does a torture test with a Microtech Ultratech.This man beaver chewed a 2x4 in half,he then batons it through about 1.5 feet of a 2x4 followed by hammering it through a 2x4 point first like a nail,beating it back out and then finishing the test off by shooting the blade with a .40S&W..after all that abuse it still looked great and it functioned every bit as good after the test as it did before he started it...that video gave me a new level of respect for OTF knives
Lightning are great until you sharpen it. My won't take an edge.
Sword fight them!
YOu're a smart dude- smooth with your vocabulary.
😊🤝
the lightning isn't an auto though, its an OTF
The Lightning is an automatic OTF.
I’d go for the lightning. Bought the boker at the beginning of summer. Broke within 6 months
The lightning is junk. Bought a couple of them, and both would derail at the worst times.
440c is pretty crap chinesium steel. I’d say that for any knife a good starter is 1084 c, or 1095, and D2 if you want stainless. But I’d rather see more affordable cpm 3v and 4v…fking super steels are way way too expensive!
If you go cheap don't buy an otf in my opinion they all fail eventually and sooner or later you'll need to disassemble it and un-fuck what ever list of problems it may have