Look at all those fancy customs!
Overview
The czars that run Kalifornia make it real hard on those who wish to exercise our Constitutionally-protected right to keep and bear arms. I know, I lived there for almost a decade.
Thankfully, though, there are more than a few product developers in the firearm and knife industries that find workable solutions to go around the asinine laws that govern the Golden State.
CA residents have bullet buttons and 80 percent lowers and now, the Pro-Tech Calmigo, a California-legal switchblade! It’s legal because it sports a sub-2” blade. Apparently, in California, you’re a criminal if your auto knife is over 2 inches just in the same way you’re a criminal if your magazine carries anything over 10 rounds.
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Beautiful!
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What do you think?
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Anyways, I digress. The Calmigo is a super compact automatic knife that is designed for every day carry. Replete with a drop-point blade with a rather innocuous-looking point the knife gives off more of “I’m a tool” vibe as opposed to “I’m a self-defense implement.” This non-threatening look was not an accident.
“It’s not a stiletto, it’s not big and tactical,” Pro-Tech President Dave Wattenberg told KnifeNews. “This is a great crossover knife. I think it will help newcomers to autos get over the switchblade stigma.”
The steel on the Calmigo is 154 CM. The handle on the basic model is black anodized aluminum with jimping on the spine and a shallow finger groove for improved grip. Rounded out with a deep-carry pocket clip and a sliding safety lock the Calmigo is a solid little package.
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Fully extended.
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I really like the deep-carry pocket clip.
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Specs
- Overall Length: 5.49″
- Blade Length: 1.99″
- Blade Thickness: 0.11″
- Blade Material: 154CM
- Blade Style: Drop Point
- Blade Grind: Flat
- Finish: Satin
- Edge Type: Plain
- Handle Length: 3.50″
- Handle Thickness: 0.45″
- Handle Material: Aluminum
- Weight: 2.17 oz.
- Pocket Clip: Tip-Up
- Made in USA
- MSRP: $160.00
Impression
The Calmigo is a really nifty knife. It is small, almost a bit too small for my liking. And, I’m a no-safety kinda guy. But, I’ll tell you what, if I still lived in Cali, I’d definitely have one not only because it’s a handy EDC blade, but also because it’s a way to stick it to the authoritarian elites that run the state, a way to call attention to the fact that their laws make absolutely zero sense!
In full disclosure, I already own two Pro-Techs, a Magic and a Godson. So, you can say I’m a bit of a fanboy.
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What it looks like in the hand. It is, indeed, a small knife.
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You can see some of the jimping on the spine.
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Price and Availability
The MSRP for the Calmigo is $160.00. Though, I’ve already seen them listed for significantly less on BladeHQ with the base model starting at $114.95. If you wanted one with the flashy American flag design, well, I guess you had to be here at SHOT — Or you can try your luck by contacting Pro-Tech directly.