Protech Runt 5 Review: Small Knife, Big Potential

At the time of this writing, automated knives are authorized in 44 states, with every state having its personal set of rules. But it’s essential to notice that no federal statutes maintain you from proudly owning and possessing an automated knife. 

For a deeper dive into what you possibly can carry and the place, the American Knife & Tool Institute has accomplished an awesome job of breaking it down, by state.

The Pro-Tech Runt 5, in the meantime, is presently marketed as “California Legal.” This implies that it has a blade of two inches or shorter. The Runt simply makes this reduce with a 1.96-inch blade.

But don’t be deterred by the Runt’s small stature; it’s not attempting to be something greater than a knife designed to get you out of a jam, with just one hand.

In brief: If you’re in search of a premium utility knife with all the bells and whistles, the Pro-Tech Runt 5 must be on the prime of your record of concerns.

Pro-Tech Runt 5 Review

Design and Features

Made within the United States by family-owned Pro-Tech Knives, the Runt 5 combines anodized aluminum handles that kind a body round its DLC-coated, reverse tanto, MagnaCut blade. Where some automated knives have a lock to maintain you from urgent the activation button, the button on the Runt 5 is flush with the deal with to forestall it from opening by accident.

It’s a small knife that disappears in your hand when closed and hangs over the edges of your palm when absolutely opened. It encompasses a right-hand, tip-up, deep-carry pocket clip that matches the coating on the blade.

The spring on the Runt 5 is fierce. Once you depress the button, the blade flies into motion.

The first couple of occasions, it’s a bit startling.

That stated, you wish to be sure you’ve acquired grip on this little bugger earlier than you open it up or it would fly out of your hand.

On the purple variant I examined, the anodized aluminum handles are patterned for grip. That sample carries over onto the backbone in your thumb or index finger, relying on the way you’re holding the Runt 5.

The matte end of the anodization will increase your total grip, and it feels very good and grippy in your hand, even when working with it for prolonged durations of time.

First Impressions

I wished an auto that wouldn’t elevate any eyebrows and that I may both clip to the strap of my pack or my pocket for simple entry. Of course, the concept of utilizing it to get out of an emergency crossed my thoughts, however I’ve been on the hunt for utility knife for odd jobs in my life (like reducing up leather-based and pelts for sheaths and issues).

And as a bonus, I wished one thing I may take out on the path and use to chop punky wooden from rotting timber to make a fast fireplace at camp. 

The Runt 5 is all of that and extra. Out of the field, I used to be impressed with the shape and end of the knife. And this rapidly turned extra admirable as I did extra with it.

The purple on the deal with is simply as cosmic as it’s electrical, and it actually takes the knife to a different place. But extra importantly, it’s simple to determine through the day and at night time, so if I do ever get right into a jam, I gained’t be there for lengthy.

Another noticeable characteristic: Due to its measurement, you possibly can shut the Runt with one hand. This is one thing that’s a bit trickier to do with bigger automated knives. That stated, you possibly can really feel the complete pressure of that spring once you shut it again down.

In the Field

MagnaCut metal is everybody’s newest obsession, and there’s purpose for it — it’s resilient to every thing. Even within the small bundle of the Runt 5, you could find quite a lot of issues to do with the blade and never fear about it dulling prematurely, chipping, or snapping. 

I’ve used knives this measurement for prying tinder out of dying timber for years. They’re simple to maneuver and match into tight locations, and the Runt does all of that, plus shaves down branches to make fur sticks to start out fires. This, by default, makes the Runt 5 a shoo-in for making tinder bundles to start out fires as nicely.

Though I didn’t get an opportunity to strive it out but, I consider the Runt 5 will make an awesome knife for harvesting fiddleheads and mushrooms this spring and summer time because the reverse tanto permits it to slip into locations and slice exactly.

What’s extra, the Runt 5 performs nicely whereas working with hides and pelts. It’s sufficiently small to carry in such a means which you could separate materials simply. It’s additionally nice with completed hides, leather-based, and strap. 

In my evaluate of the ZT 0006, I discussed that I had made a brand new belt loop for the sheath. The materials I used, Biothane, is extremely resilient to scissors and razor knives. The Runt 5 made fast, exact slices with out slipping out of the groove I made, which most razor knives would do.

This was because of the form of the Runt’s blade, which made better contact with the fabric.

Overall

It’s no secret that I don’t have to purchase all the knives I take a look at out, however I had to purchase the Runt 5. I used to be actually choosy with the match and end of it. This purple variation with textured handles is one thing to admire.

Beyond that, sure, the Pro-Tech Runt 5 is small, however that’s what I used to be in search of. I wished a knife I may use in a large number of conditions, a few of which contain just one free hand. 

Admittedly, that originally meant reducing the rope on the Christmas tree after my household and I acquired it in the home. But it additionally applies to folks climbing or tied off to at least one one other, attempting to champion mountains like Everest. The MagnaCut blade on the Runt 5 would slice by a thick, moist, icy rope in a single swipe.

Ultimately, the Runt 5 presents the proper knife that will help you out of a jam, and it’s additionally critically good as a utility knife. For anybody in search of a easy resolution or a backup blade, give the Runt 5 a shot. Just double-check these state rules first!