Excuse me, MAM? I’m in love…

[scdub]

…but would you mind trying on a different outfit??

I haven’t bought myself a folder for years, but recently saw a similar model Operario from MAM Portugal, (thanks D dog star ) in another thread and decided that for $17 it was worth a try. It’s very similar to my wife’s older Opinel, but there’s no annoying (to me) lock collar and instead this has a liner lock. It feels very similar in construction to me.

I’m very pleased overall and it was fine out of the box, but I wanted to make a few changes. I had the afternoon free and got several little mods done.

First off - as expected there was some vertical blade play in the open position, which would rattle if shaken, and the knife was relatively easy to open. So, the first thing I did was tighten the pivot with a c-clamp.

There’s still vertical blade play, but now it takes significant pressure to make the blade move, so it no longer bothers me. Also now there’s no way the knife will open by itself in my pocket.

I also thought the liner lock release tab was a little too large, so I filed it shorter. I carefully slid the knife across a hard “blade file” that I was holding on a platform as per the picture below:

I didn’t care for the dark stain or the large branding on the handle, so I did some sanding with 50 grit - 1000 grit paper.

The logo is pretty deep so removing it required a good deal of material removal. I decided to taper the handle just behind the lock.

Tung oil time. Inside and out.


More to follow!

 

[jbmonkey]

I have couple of these. one the locking bar tab goes past the blade....once I used it. neat knives, but not high quality on function..but not bad fit and finish cosmetically for what they are and cost.

 

[scdub]

After several applications of tung oil (keeping the surface (re)saturated every 20 minutes), I put a tip on using my “tip stone” for the first time. Then sharpened. It’s a great cutter and I’m looking forward to using it to cut meat/food at home and in restaurants, as well as other utility tasks.

 

[scdub]

but not high quality on function.

How so?

Definitely not a hard use knife but I recon it’ll out-cut 99% of pocket knives in most materials…

 

[jbmonkey]

How so?

Definitely not a hard use knife but I recon it’ll out-cut 99% of pocket knives in most materials…

on cutting tape on a box..didnt even hit the cardboard.....the lock bar went past past the blade tang and no longer functions as a lock on one. that isn't good quality in function.

it couldn't function as a hard use knife. I'll disagree on out cutting other knives. my opinel out cuts it, in a price similar comparison.

 

[scdub]

the lock bar went past past the blade tang and no longer functions as a lock on one. that isn't good quality in function.

Ah - That would certainly bother me too!

I did see a YouTube video of another guy that had the same thing happen while cutting zip-ties, but like you he said he wasn’t putting much pressure on the lock…

I wonder if you (and that YouTube guy) got a lemon with some material missing opposite the lock bar? The lock seems pretty sturdy on mine so far, but I’ll certainly update this thread if I have any problems…

(ETA - do you think you might be able to fix this problem by tightening the pivot as above…?)

 

[jbmonkey]

That would certainly bother me too!

I did see a YouTube video of another guy that had the same thing happen while cutting zip-ties, but like you he said he wasn’t putting much pressure on the lock…

I wonder if you (and that YouTube guy) got a lemon with some material missing opposite the lock bar? The lock seems pretty sturdy on mine so far, but I’ll certainly update this thread if I have any problems…

(ETA - do you think you might be able to fix this problem by tightening the pivot as above…?)

nope can't be fixed by the pivot. factory angles are cut wrong and lock bar is just too short. I could take it apart and peen it to be longer and it would help.......but not worth the effort.

 

[dogstar]

scdub that is a nice mod job!
The issue that jbmonkey mentioned is why I went with the non-locking version. I'm glad you got a good 'un, though. Have fun with it!

 

[scdub]

scdub that is a nice mod job!
The issue that jbmonkey mentioned is why I went with the non-locking version. I'm glad you got a good 'un, though. Have fun with it!

Thanks!

I’ve been thinking about a “table knife” for awhile now and have used the dark-handled Herder paring knife pictured above a few times for steaks, but I really like the feel of this little knife and I think I’m going to use it often.

 

[Planterz]

I have a linerlock MAM, but I've never felt it's much more than a friction knife with a secondary liner blade block rather than an actual locking knife.

 

[dogstar]

I have a linerlock MAM, but I've never felt it's much more than a friction knife with a secondary liner blade block rather than an actual locking knife.

Yeah, that is the best way to explain it.

 

[cbach8tw]

My locking one is fine for simple jobs, not hard use, but light and quick. The liner lock seems sturdy on mine.

 

[scdub]

I don’t usually take pics of my food but this is a special occasion…

I’m actually doing it you guys!!

INSIDE a restaurant!!!

 

[scdub]

Lol - this is a little embarrassing but funny so I figured I’d go ahead and share…

I just finished my meal and am still feeling the adrenaline from using the knife to eat.

I’m very familiar with the feeling of adrenaline, as I’ve been a Peace Officer for 18 years and have had many “exciting” experiences in that job.

I didn’t expect waves of adrenaline to wash over me while cutting up an English muffin, but they came nonetheless.

I felt like an outlaw.

 

[dogstar]

Lol - this is a little embarrassing but funny so I figured I’d go ahead and share…

I just finished my meal and am still feeling the adrenaline from using the knife to eat.

I’m very familiar with the feeling of adrenaline, as I’ve been a Peace Officer for 18 years and have had many “exciting” experiences in that job.

I didn’t expect waves of adrenaline to wash over me while cutting up an English muffin, but they came nonetheless.

I felt like an outlaw.

Dare to live dangerously!

That knife looks right at home there... it's what it was designed for.

 

[DocJD]

waves of adrenaline

I would have been terrified of a gallbladder attack !
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Not really my kind of knife for carry . Gotta have a very strong lock ...or none .

Folders with no lock ,or weak ones, just plain make me nervous .

Sub $20 , I'd have to go with a fixed blade . YMMV .

 

[dogstar]

I would have been terrified of a gallbladder attack !
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Not really my kind of knife for carry . Gotta have a very strong lock ...or none .

Folders with no lock ,or weak ones, just plain make me nervous .

Sub $20 , I'd have to go with a fixed blade . YMMV .

No slip joints for the Doc, then? That rules out a lot of nice knives.

 

[DocJD]

No slip joints for the Doc, then? That rules out a lot of nice knives.

Not for carry .

I grew up with these types and can use them fine ...just don't like them !

Even my multitools and SAKs have locks, on the main blades at least .

 

[dogstar]

Not for carry .

I grew up with these types and can use them fine ...just don't like them !

Even my multitools and SAKs have locks, on the main blades at least .

Friction folders and slip joints are kinda my bag... It's good that there is something for everyone.

 

[scdub]

I would have been terrified of a gallbladder attack !
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Not really my kind of knife for carry . Gotta have a very strong lock ...or none .

Folders with no lock ,or weak ones, just plain make me nervous .

Sub $20 , I'd have to go with a fixed blade . YMMV.

Oh Doc…

I also had my ZT 0560, my Glock, and my OC.

This little knife is specialized.