The Hollow Grind / First Microtech guide / Part 1

Three Ultratechs.
Which one should be your first?

The classic Gen 2, the Zero Blade Play ZBP, and the Gen IV all have their appeal. The best choice depends on what you want to live with every day.

The quick answer

For most first-time buyers, choose the Gen IV.

Starting at $299, it gives you the modern Ultratech styling and easier dual-spring action without the extra complexity of the ZBP system. The discounted Gen 2 is worth a look if you prefer a slimmer handle and don’t mind a stiff button. The ZBP is for the buyer who specifically wants its exceptionally tight blade lockup.

The classic / Ultratech Gen 2

Slim, straightforward, and now more affordable.

The Gen 2 is the familiar Ultratech many people picture when they hear the name: a slim handle, a firm thumb slide, and a basic, reliable design. For longtime Microtech owners, this is the classic experience.

With newer generations taking its place, remaining Gen 2 stock has become an appealing value. At the 25% discount discussed here, a model originally priced at $294 comes down to $220.50. That puts it $78.50 below the starting price of a Gen IV.

The biggest trade-off is the button. Its single-spring action takes more thumb effort than the newer dual-spring system. Owners sometimes call getting accustomed to that resistance “Microtech Thumb.” Many find operation easier with familiarity and use, but that does not mean everyone will find it comfortable.

In our experience, the Gen 2 is comparatively straightforward to disassemble for someone already familiar with servicing OTFs, and aftermarket parts are available. That established platform is part of its appeal.

Our take: Choose it if you want a slimmer package, have no trouble with firm activation, and like the discounted price. Buy it to carry and enjoy. With older stock being discounted, we would not buy a standard Gen 2 expecting a strong near-term resale return.

The enthusiast option / Ultratech ZBP

The appeal is in the lockup.

Introduced in 2024, the Ultratech ZBP brought a different feel to the open blade. Its internal wedging system is designed to take up the small amount of movement normally associated with an OTF. For someone who dislikes blade wiggle, that is an impressive difference.

The change many of our customers appreciated just as much was the button action. The newer Dual-Fuel Drive Train uses two springs rather than the older single-spring arrangement. In use, the action feels smoother and easier to operate. The handle chassis is also a little bulkier than the Gen 2.

The trade-off is internal complexity. In our shop experience, a ZBP that does not lock open correctly, or that develops blade movement, can require adjustment or service. Disassembly is more involved than with the older design. That does not mean every ZBP will need attention, but it is an ownership consideration.

At a starting price of $415 in this comparison, the ZBP costs $116 more than the Gen IV. You are paying for a particular feature: the tighter lockup.

Our take: Choose the ZBP if eliminating blade play is a priority and you appreciate what the mechanism offers. You do not have to service it yourself to own one, but for a casual first purchase, we usually favor the simpler Gen IV.

Our first-purchase pick / Ultratech Gen IV

The modern action, without the ZBP complication.

Think of the Gen IV as the middle ground between the classic Ultratech and the ZBP. You get the newer styling and easy dual-spring action, while the Zero Blade Play system is left out.

There is some blade movement when locked open. That is the trade-off. In return, there is no ZBP mechanism to adjust. This does not make the knife maintenance-free; it removes that particular complication from ownership.

For a first-time buyer, the button feel matters every time you use the knife. Getting the easier action at $299, without paying the ZBP premium, is why the Gen IV is our recommendation for most people.

Our take: If you want a current Ultratech that is easy to operate and reasonably priced within the lineup, start here. Unless you specifically want the slim Gen 2 handle or ZBP lockup, this is the most balanced choice.

Which one sounds like you?

“I just want a good first Microtech.”

Choose the Gen IV. Modern styling, easier action, and a $299 starting price make it our default recommendation.

“I want the slimmer handle and the lowest price.”

Look at the discounted Gen 2, provided you are comfortable with the stiffer button.

“Blade wiggle really bothers me.”

Consider the ZBP. Its tight lockup is the reason to spend more, with the added complexity understood.

All three can be a suitable first Microtech. For most buyers, though, the Gen IV puts the features you will appreciate every day at the right price.