Infamous Microtech CMTX5-A Issue

[R_P_C]

All,

Those who have been around a while might remember the ill-fated Microtech CMTX5-A of which only a few hundred were released in the mid-2000's. The issue had something to do with the sear that holds the spring back wasn't heat treated in the first several batches, wore incredibly quickly, and within 10-50 firings one's knife wouldn't operate as more than a manual.

I scored a CMTX5-A but it is one stricken by the sear issue. I reached out to Microtech customer service for direction but have not heard back- unfortunately I expected this...

Long story short, many who experienced this issue got the runaround from MT and there are rumors that some were even flat out told not to send their knives in for repair while others were told that if they were sent in they would be returned as manual operation only.

I've searched high and low for a resolution which doesn't require MT and it seems that in 2005-2007 several people stepped up and were actually able to repair these where MT was not. Microholics was one of the better sources of info on these knife and it's issues but those threads are five and six years old and that site seems all but dead.

Can anyone here offer either: the right language to use with Microtech to get them to honor their "Lifetime Warranty" or someone on any forum who has/can address this very specific problem?

This is my first stab at resolution outside of having contacted MT customer service. I also read a recommendation to a person having the same problem, albeit six years ago, to contact Butch Vallotton for help as he was an original collaborator on the design but so long after the fact I think I'll leave as my last option.

Long read for a yes or no question, I know... Any help out there?

[Chief]

You won't be successful getting any help from Microtech on the CMTX5-A sear issue, might as well not waste your time. Look for a custom maker who can replace the broken sear with one that is properly heat treated (good luck) or learn to live with a manual action knife.

[R_P_C]

Hey Chief, I saw you all over Microholics on this issue! Any recommendations on who could help me with this?

[Chief]

Hey Chief, I saw you all over Microholics on this issue! Any recommendations on who could help me with this?

Sorry, can't help you with a recommendation ... but if you do find someone to make them, I would like to buy a couple.

[Gavin S.]

God Microtech is a POS company. I used to think these type of stories were the exception. but no, they are the rule, apparently. Sad. Marfione has no integrity. Sorry to hear your troubles and good luck.

[R_P_C]

Sorry, can't help you with a recommendation ... but if you do find someone to make them, I would like to buy a couple.

I'll let you know what I find.

[R_P_C]

I think I've probably read every scrap of information on the web about the CMTX5-A's sear issue. Along with looking for some shred of hope for a fix, I was hoping to find a picture of a "bad sear" (in all honesty I couldn't have picked the part out of a line up). Because I couldn't quench my insatiable need to see this Achilles heel, I stripped the knife myself and want to post the results in case someone comes behind me looking for the same.

Anyway, I ordered the necessary wrenches from Matt at www.modelandtool.com and, in addition to a #8 Torx bit, I disassembled this knife to satisfy my curiosity. I'm not any closer to resolution, and in fact feel even more perplexed that such a small part causes so much trouble. But, without further adieu:

Assembled-


(below- leaf spring removed)


Breakdown-



Release mechanism-


Sear-


(below- couldn't get a good close up)




Well folks, there you have it.

[whippersnapper]

I think just about any machinist could duplicate the sear and probably not have much time in it.

Be easier "if" you could borrow one that wasn't wore, just to get better measurements and eliminate fitting. Not ever owning one, I can't tell exactly what is wear, and what might be machined relief on the end. I guess you might be able to tell better with the sear back in and looking into the blade channel to see how much wear has occured. Does the sear hold/catch the leaf spring up at all anymore?

If you can't make one yourself, or get someone on the forums, or locally, you could probably get modelandtool to make you one...although I'm not sure how cost effective that will be....They do claim to specialize in short orders and small parts.

[R_P_C]

Thanks Whipper. I did float the idea to Matt of reproducing the sear, and while I agree that a machinist should be able to make short work of producing one, I'm leery of having someone make their first for me. There's a cat on Microholics that has reproduced these sears for others and asks a pretty fair price. I finally got a hold of Jim at MT today and at least got my complaint on the board. This will be my first customer service experience with MT and though I've heard plenty negative, I'm going to give them the chance to do right.

And to your question, the sear only barely clips the leaf spring as it (spring) moves back and forth past the sear. With the amount of material gone from the sear I'm honestly surprised that even a good one could last a lifetime of high pressure friction back and forth across the spring. Either way, there are plenty of folks on various forums who have had their CMTX5's repaired from everyone from MT, to Butch Vallotton, to private parties and everyone says this knife is tits with a properly functioning release mechanism.

Looking forward to it.

[Kunklec]

I do not usually frequnt this forum. I saw a link about this in the knifemakers forum. I have worked on and built some auto knives.
As a hobby machinist and knifemaker, I think that part would be easy to fabricate. As far as wear and impact, think about the sears in a pistol such as a 1911 (I build custom 1911s). The sears are made from A2 and S7 at around 55 to 60 RHc. I have one that has over 20,000 rounds through it and the sear is barely worn. I am not soliciting business, only giving my opinion. The only problem would be in needing a decent one to use as a pattern.
Chip Kunkle

[type00rev]

Thanks for posting.....I'm interested in seeing how this turns out.

[R_P_C]

I do not usually frequnt this forum. I saw a link about this in the knifemakers forum. I have worked on and built some auto knives.
As a hobby machinist and knifemaker, I think that part would be easy to fabricate. As far as wear and impact, think about the sears in a pistol such as a 1911 (I build custom 1911s). The sears are made from A2 and S7 at around 55 to 60 RHc. I have one that has over 20,000 rounds through it and the sear is barely worn. I am not soliciting business, only giving my opinion. The only problem would be in needing a decent one to use as a pattern.
Chip Kunkle

Let's make this happen Chip!

[R_P_C]

Chip looks like the real deal- anyone else want a sear or two made while he's at it?

[Mikjk]

PM sent

[Bronco]

You won't be successful getting any help from Microtech on the CMTX5-A sear issue, might as well not waste your time. Look for a custom maker who can replace the broken sear with one that is properly heat treated (good luck) or learn to live with a manual action knife.

Hi Chief, good to see you here.