Manual Microtech Vector Question

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Cross_Steel2

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What's it's like to open a manual Vector? I read the description of the lock and it sounds like it's something special.

Lock: Pivoting MICROBAR - Manual Action-Constant Thrust Load With Wave Spring, Leaf Lock

"Wave Spring" does this mean they borrowed from the Kershaw opening system?
 
It's Microtech's "better" version of a liner lock -- a small piece of metal is attached to the frame with a screw so that it can pivot while a spring provides the action to force the piece against the blade.

AFAIK, the only other Microtechs with this feature are the SOCOM Elite, Kestrel, and Amphibian.

- D. Rifle
 
I currently own a MT Kestrel, which is identical to the Vector except for blade shape. It is as easy to open as any liner lock I own, not quite as easy as an Axis lock, but requires very little effort. In regards to lock up, again it is the most solid of any liner lock I have seen. The lock-bar on my knife measure .098" thick; the only knives I have seen with a thicker lock are frame locks, and by the way it is designed, it could only fail if the liner slipped to one side. It will not bend as will some liners that are in the .040" range of thickness. If you are fond the the unique blade on the Vector or the Kestral, I would highly recommend this knife, as its quality is second to none.
 
Cross_Steel2, I'm checking the micro-bar lock on my Socom Elite for reference and wonder about the overall strength of this lock. Although the bar looks thick, it is difficult to assess the strength of the nested liner's pivot which could be the weak link in this setup. Further, when the micro-bar is engaged in the lock position it leaves a large pocket-like gap between the liner and the right side handle--large enough for concern that misc. matter (pebbles, etc. in gritty/sandy environments) could become lodged therein while the knife is in use and consequently prevent the blade from closing until the matter is cleared. Nothwithstanding the above comments though, this lock does seem sturdy on the Socom Elite.

I'm not dissing the micro-bar lock but you have to wonder why it is not used on more Microtech models. Is it a (higher) cost thing? or is it a (low) functionality thing? Perhaps the Microtech experts here can offer some current info on this subject--I believe this subject has been discussed in the past.
 
Originally posted by toothed
I'm not dissing the micro-bar lock but you have to wonder why it is not used on more Microtech models. Is it a (higher) cost thing? or is it a (low) functionality thing? Perhaps the Microtech experts here can offer some current info on this subject--I believe this subject has been discussed in the past.
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Toothed, you had me searching for a good while trying to find info on why they don't use the Micro-Bar on all of there manual models. I can't come up with an answer. Thinking about it, most of there newer manual models do use it. With the exception of the new Mini Socom Elite, which is going to be a framelock:eek: (Can't wait for this one)

I have a few MTs with the Microbar and love them. In my search, I came accross this in another thread:

In other news about this topic, i just got another email from our good friends at MT. I asked them why they decided to use a Micro-Bar rather then a Liner and they told that it's because the Micro-Bar is stronger. They said that in testing it, the Micro-Bar proved to be 25% stronger then a liner.

They also said that they've had 100 Socoms returned for liner repair vs only having 3 Elites returned for Micro-Bar repair. And those three Elites were all from the same batch.
Click to expand...
 
BadGuy, sorry to put you through the extra work. I don't recall the specific thread nor the specific date but it must have been sometime after Microtech came out with the LCC. (Someone wondered why the micro-bar was not used on the LCC if it was supposed to be superior to the regular liner lock).

Being that the pivot end of the micro-bar requires an opening in the handle, it's possible that design elements on certain models (e.g., the bolster and thick, carbon fiber scales on the LCC) precludes its use.
 
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