got my new MT knives - got some questions too

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dulaboy

Joined
Mar 9, 2005
Messages
42
I just got 2 boxes from 2 different vendors so I wanted to give a BIG thumbs up to debritos.com (Kirk Debrito) - this dude had the best prices I could find on a Microtech Amphibian ($174) and a Mini SOCOM Elite in green camo ($126). They're here and they're awesome and he packed them like they were going to Yugoslavia! The nylon sheaths on the MT are hi quality stuff too. When you flick these suckas open it just says SOLID! I love the sandpaper stuff on the Mini-SOCOM , wish the Amphibian had it too.

Also got in a SOG mini X-Ray from flames-n-knives (off eBay) and it came here as promised.

What's cool is that the everywhere I saw the Amphibians for sale on the net they were all 154CM - I'm looking at my stonewashed blade, made in 05/2004 and it's S30-V, so that's cool.

Questions - on the Amphib - when it's folded, should the blade be dead center in between the handles? Mine's not. And on the Mini SOCOM, when folded, the blade tip is actually resting on the handle part inside - it has made a mark inside.
 
dulaboy said:
Questions - on the Amphib - when it's folded, should the blade be dead center in between the handles? Mine's not. And on the Mini SOCOM, when folded, the blade tip is actually resting on the handle part inside - it has made a mark inside.
Click to expand...
The norm is for the blade to be dead center. On my 'Phib the blade is the slightest bit off center, not enough to warrant sending it back. On the mini SOCOM, the edge should not be touching the handle when closed. If you think it will even out after you sharpen it for the first time, then it's no biggie. If it's worse than that, or bothers you at all, you should return it.
 
the first 1/4" of the blade is hitting the frame and the blade is duller where's it's impacted. Also, it's not giving that "click" closed feel like on the Amphib.

The Amphib is SWEET - too nice to use dammit!
 
I wouldn't necessarily call a centered blade a norm, more like an ideal. Ideally the blade should be centered between the liners when closed, but if it is slightly off center and not rubbing anything it isn't a big deal.

As for the blade hitting the scales that could be a problem. Try TorzJohnson's suggestion of sharpening and see if it helps. Otherwise that is something that should be fixed. As you have found out it will dull the blade rather quickly.
 
Thanks for the response guys. Another issue on the Amphib - about half the time that I try to unlock it with my right thumb, there's no way, the locking gizmo is pressed up against the blade so tight I've gotta use my other hand to TORQUE the sucker down. It's on TIGHT! This can't be right. Frankly I'm not happy because when I'm comparing it to my old Gator Serrator lock back - that thing has always been smooth and works like it should ALWAYS and here both MT knives that cost 4 and 5 time more have issues right out of the box. I'm a little pissed because now I've gotta wait for Microtech to tell me what to do and I'll have to mail them $10 for their trouble and waste money and time at the post office.

My Amphib is now locked open and my thumb is raw - it ain't budging. I now have a fixed blade!
 
One problem with these locks is that a hard opening can allow the liner to move farther over than it should, creating that greater friction that keeps you from closing it easily.

I had the same problem with an Emerson Commander, but it loosened up enough with time and use. Another trick is to lubricate the interface of liner and tang: use a soft pencil and scribble on the tang. The graphite will keep the lock from sticking.

As far as the SOCOM being off center, have you tried adjusting the pivot? On many knives, a loose pivot allows the blade to shift position.

These knives are machines. Like any machines, they work better when the operator knows how to maintain and adjust them. Relax with them, play with them a bit. If your thumb is sore, give it a rest for a day or so, and then try some other techniques.
 
You know, this pisses me off, there was a time when when buying a MT knife, you could all but be guaranteed to get a very near perfect knife, one with a perfectly centered blade, no blade play, a well executed lock, that was one of the MT hallmarks, exceptional F&F, but, I just do not feel this is the case any longer, the last time I saw a bunch of new MTs in a store, I played with most of them, they ALL had at least something wrong with them, whether it be an off center blade, something you should NOT accept on a MT, blade play, some had locks that engaged where they should, others did not, some had ball detents that worked, some did not.

The hard core MT fans say nothing has changed, MT still makes the finest production knife, I just can't agree, they have slipped, I no longer hold them in the very high regard I once did, I still love my older MTs, but it sure seems the newer ones are not made with the care the older ones were, and then there are the persistant, numerous stories of MT's poor customer service and difficulties in getting knives repaired under warratnee.

I'm not about to sell my HALOs, Combat Talons, older Ultra-Techs, Kestrals, Vectors, SOCOMS, etc., but, I'm also not about to buy anything new, at least unless I can examine it in person before I buy it, and the poster's experiences here just confirm what I already knew, MT has slipped, it'll be interesting to see where they go from here.

It's a shame too, some of my all time favorite knives, knives that exhibit a quality and F&F that very few knives, even customs, can match, are Microtechs, I hope they can turn things around and regain the reputation they once had.

Die hard fans will say that every company has a few that slip through, I have to call shennanigans :) on them, for 2 reasons, first, MT was once so well known and respected precisely because they let out so very few lemons, it was very rare to find a MT with a serious defect, and 2) what I am seeing is not a rare one or 2 that slipped by, but WAY too many, far higher a percentage of defects than used to be the case for them, sure, maybe their defect rate is now similar to other companies, but the quality and consistancy they used to have is what set them apart, if they lose that, they lose everything IMO. They are still capable of producing an exceptional knife, but whereas it used to be the norm it seems to now be the exception, at least in my experience of late.

Neither of your knives is working properly, if they are new, your dealer should replace them, if not, MT should fix them, but good luck with that, unfortunately. 3-5 years ago, the idea of a MT leaving the factory with a blade so far off center it rubs the handles, would have been unthinkable, things have changed.

I was once their biggest fan, I can't in good conscience, recommend them, until things improve. Given the chance, I'd still buy an original HALO, Combat Talon, Nemesis etc. in a heartbeat, these are true Microtechs, but the newer stuff, made in the last year or 2, just doesn't seem to be on that level anymore, the newer stuff seems mass produced and lacking in quality in comparison.
 
I don't even want to mess with them. We'll see what MT says. Statistically, 2 knives having flaws is not a good sign, unless the dealer knew they were flawed and sent them both to me.

On the Mini SOCOM, how could it even leave the factory without someone verifying that the thing closed all the way and that the tip didn't hack into the back end of the frame? I'm not a knife expert, only been on the forums for a couple of weeks digesting all the info, but as soon as I looked at the Mini and closed it I noticed the problem. (Also, I noticed a tiny knick on the finish, like it had been dropped onto another knife, there was a mechanical pattern to it.)

As for snapping the Amphib too hard - a regular opening on it causes it to get stuck. It was maybe 20 openings when I first got it that all was well and then it got progressively worse.

For the money, I'm really DISAPPOINTED. I hope MT makes good on this. The manufacturer has time to slip in a little flyer about being a Christian but DUDE - worry about the knives first before trying to save me!
 
I think Ari hit the nail on the head. Time was that MT on the blade assured near custom quality, now you have to go through a few to get one that suits. I can almost promise you that if you'll follow Esav's advice you'll find that the lock will be much easier to work with. That type of lock has a lot of surface area being covered and can take a little "work-in" time to get seated. How far off center is the blade when closed? Even the slightest bothers me, especially if I have paid over $100.00 for it!!
 
i dont think the newer MT's have the F&F of the older ones myself, i think about '01 or '02 it started going down, not much mind ya, but pre '00 ya RARELY heard of probs with anything but the OTF autos, not so anymore. when i first started coming to this forum MT was recognized as one of if not the top brand in F&F just not the case any longer imho. MT has always been expensive, ya expect great F&F when ya spend that kind of $$, like i said its still ok, just not as good as it once was imho.

and the customer service to fix it if its funky? dont ask lol.
 
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