Microtech Amphibian MA

T

Twindog

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Apr 6, 2004
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I suddenly got interested in this knife because of the design ergos and Microtech's reputation for engineering a fine knife. I did a search, but not much is written here about the knife. I'm looking at the manual action, not the auto, because of reliability, legal issues and because I don't need an auto.

I thought I could wait awhile, but I'm told that Microtech has discontinued the Amphibian and they are selling out fast. Prices seem to be in the $200 range, mostly over that. The newest steel is D2. On price, they cost more than a lot of really high quality Spydercos and Benchmades and such. I live in a remote area and have no chanch to try one out.

Does anyone have any experience with these knives as a basic EDC?
 
I had one at one time and I really liked it. As I remember it has a flat grind and with the wide blade it makes a great slicer. The MA has the Microtech Microbar locking liner I believe. This is a thick piece of 17PH stainless steel with a pivot and spring that engages like a liner lock. I always thought it was a great idea and it worked really well on the one I had as it is thicker than a lot of liners and locked up perfectly behind the blade. That curved handle is also pretty ergonomic, or was in my case and I have a large sized hand.

One thing a lot of folks may not know is that Microtech uses the same type of bearing system on their blades as CRK uses on the Sebenza. This ends up giving you a very large diameter pivot which only serves to strengthen the knife!

IMO, the knife is worth the asking price.:thumbup::D
 
Thanks, cutter. That helps a lot. The bearing information alone talked me into this knife. Do you know why Microtech has discontinued this model? Or why Microtech's get so little attention on this forum?
 
To be honest....who knows why Microtech does what it does? It may have been discontinued due to low sales volume, or because Tony just decided to discontinue it so that it could be brought back at a later date for a higher price. MT has done both before. It is a good knife though. Try www.microholics.org for the "real" microtech forums.:thumbup:
 
I dont own any Amfibians, just handled couple of times. I think they're ok for EDC, similar to Strider SNG in ergos.
I just not big fan of "sandpaper" handle. Also handle is too thin for me.
 
Seconded on the great slicer. Decent blade/handle ratio, found it a little slender for my hands though.

Microtech fell of a little a few years back, and some might say later runs of the Amphibian fall short of the original run.

Microtech and disontinued are two words that don't usually go together.... however they're moving into gun production and it may be a while before MT make any more knives.

If you buy it and don't like it, it shouldn't be too hard to sell it on.
 
One of my favorite EDC knives. Microtech got it right with this one. Fits the hand very well, stays put when you're using it, carries easily and with the D2 it cuts and cuts and cuts and etc...

amphibianlg5.jpg
 
cutter17 said:
... Microtech Microbar locking liner I believe. This is a thick piece of 17PH stainless steel with a pivot and spring that engages like a liner lock. I always thought it was a great idea and it worked really well on the one I had as it is thicker than a lot of liners and locked up perfectly behind the blade...
Click to expand...



Yes it does, and it is a fantastic system.

micbaryx4.jpg
 
I had an amp a few years ago, great knife, expectionally sharp, good solid lockup, only downside was the clip, it bent too easily because of the holes and I had to keep bending it back if it caught on anything.
 
I picked one up in a trade once and it was a well built knife... that was a PITA to open with that goofy low profile stud. I would have kept it most likely if it was easier to open.
 
Thanks for the comments and photos. Looks like it would be hard to go wrong with this knife. I ordered a black, plain edge from cgwgun.com for $192 with free shipping. The combo edges are cheaper. That's the best price I could find. They seem to be going fast.
 
Good call on ordering yourself one. The Amphibian is worth owning, for sure!!
Here is a shot of mine. It is my dress knife.:o
BTW- Holes in the clip sounds like the Lightfoot designed LCC. My LCC has a clip with the two cutouts. Much more fragile to be sure.
 
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