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Microtech Amphibian
- Thread starter USAFSP
- Start date
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- Mar 28, 2001
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In case anyone was wondering....
I found some pics, knife looks awesome!
Hope 1SKS doesn't get mad at me for posting them but I found'em using my search engine.
[This message has been edited by cpirtle (edited 04-30-2001).]
I found some pics, knife looks awesome!
Hope 1SKS doesn't get mad at me for posting them but I found'em using my search engine.
[This message has been edited by cpirtle (edited 04-30-2001).]
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2001
- Messages
- 67
Those pics show the plunge lock which I believe Mike Turber of WOW inc talked them OUT of using. Huh. It was my understanding that they were going to the microbar. (a huge mistake in my opinion, as this knife is supposed to be "Failproof" and microbars have failed)
If Mike is around I would sure like his input as to what is up here.
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Marc
If Mike is around I would sure like his input as to what is up here.
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Marc
- Joined
- Oct 2, 1998
- Messages
- 5,461
I am here
The Amphibian should be out by late June but don't hold me to that date. 1SKS is accepting preorders and I am as well at WOW for dealers.
Yes, Tony changed the design because of my input so you can blame me if you don't like it. I did ask to get the sculptured handle back. I held the knife at the Shot Show and as it was, it would not sell. Sorry folks but the knife will sell with the microbar and if Tony refines a super lock design down the road that does not require two hands then it can be incorporated back into the design.
Right now Microtech needs a knife that will SELL and this quick fix will make that happen. You get you an auto version as well as a reduction in the price. I think it was a great compromise because the design rocks!
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Mike Turber
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[This message has been edited by Mike Turber (edited 05-01-2001).]
The Amphibian should be out by late June but don't hold me to that date. 1SKS is accepting preorders and I am as well at WOW for dealers.
Yes, Tony changed the design because of my input so you can blame me if you don't like it. I did ask to get the sculptured handle back. I held the knife at the Shot Show and as it was, it would not sell. Sorry folks but the knife will sell with the microbar and if Tony refines a super lock design down the road that does not require two hands then it can be incorporated back into the design.
Right now Microtech needs a knife that will SELL and this quick fix will make that happen. You get you an auto version as well as a reduction in the price. I think it was a great compromise because the design rocks!
------------------
Best Regards,
Mike Turber
BladeForums Site Owner and Administrator
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[This message has been edited by Mike Turber (edited 05-01-2001).]
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- Apr 17, 2001
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I can't stand a compromise because usually no one gets what they want. However, I can live with this one IF Microtech can later produce the original prototype for mass consumption.
Give us back the plunge lock w/ safety, the sculpted TITANIUM handle, the asymetrical thumb studs and the 4" blade length. Damn the cost!! MT offered us the ultimate "take no prisoners" folder and I want it back
!
In the mean time I'll settle for this version
Give us back the plunge lock w/ safety, the sculpted TITANIUM handle, the asymetrical thumb studs and the 4" blade length. Damn the cost!! MT offered us the ultimate "take no prisoners" folder and I want it back
In the mean time I'll settle for this version
- Joined
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I am not sure if you guys understand how that knife's lock worked. Did any of you actually hold it? Holding it and hearing it described are two different things. The main thing was if it was a marketable product as it was. I did not think it was but I do agree there is a need for one.
If anyone can figure out how to make it work and still be a one hander, Tony can.
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Best Regards,
Mike Turber
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If anyone can figure out how to make it work and still be a one hander, Tony can.
------------------
Best Regards,
Mike Turber
BladeForums Site Owner and Administrator
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Mike:
Is the final version going to come with a 'plug' to cover the cut-out and screw holes for the left hand clip mount? If not it would probably keep me ffom buying one
It's much more obtrusive than the extra screw holes in the L-UDT 2000 and I can't even see how the curved clip will work when mounted on the opposite side
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"Don't get even, get odd"
Is the final version going to come with a 'plug' to cover the cut-out and screw holes for the left hand clip mount? If not it would probably keep me ffom buying one
It's much more obtrusive than the extra screw holes in the L-UDT 2000 and I can't even see how the curved clip will work when mounted on the opposite side
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"Don't get even, get odd"
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is a microbar different than a liner lock in any way, or is that just the MT name for a liner lock?
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William Callahan
"I can picture in my mind a world without war, a world without
hate. And I can picture us attacking that world, because they'd
never expect it."
-Jack Handey
I'm one of those wierdos who likes Zytel.
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William Callahan
"I can picture in my mind a world without war, a world without
hate. And I can picture us attacking that world, because they'd
never expect it."
-Jack Handey
I'm one of those wierdos who likes Zytel.
- Joined
- Feb 3, 1999
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- 3,180
Mike
No offense meant, but yeh, I have handled both versions of the Prototypes, on several occasions.
I actually liked the "plunger lock" design. Did it take two hands to close, yeah, but after a few minutes I was doing it one handed. Was it difficult to close with one hand, sure, it was "unusual", but not unworkable.
But let me point out a couple of things.
Number one, just like with defensive pistols, the deployment is more important then the putting away.
Number two, a knife that takes two hands to close is not a terrible thing. Might I point to the UDT design (UDT2000, MUDT, LUDT, ect), perhaps the cornerstone of the MT line; the LCC DA (most find it easier to use two hands, but it is fairly easy to close one handed in one is careful not to loose ones grip and shoot the knife across the room); the DA (coil fired) Socoms and any MT OTF, short of the UT protos.
In my humble opinion, the large proto was a tad to large and the small proto was a tad too small. I'd like a midsized version with the cam lock.
I like that Tony, Al and the gang are thinking outside the box, too bad they keep getting dragged back in for one reason or another. I'd really hate to see them become "just another 'cookie cutter' maker".
Again, just my opinion and probably not a popular one at that.
Respectfully
John
[This message has been edited by John Hollister (edited 05-01-2001).]
No offense meant, but yeh, I have handled both versions of the Prototypes, on several occasions.
I actually liked the "plunger lock" design. Did it take two hands to close, yeah, but after a few minutes I was doing it one handed. Was it difficult to close with one hand, sure, it was "unusual", but not unworkable.
But let me point out a couple of things.
Number one, just like with defensive pistols, the deployment is more important then the putting away.
Number two, a knife that takes two hands to close is not a terrible thing. Might I point to the UDT design (UDT2000, MUDT, LUDT, ect), perhaps the cornerstone of the MT line; the LCC DA (most find it easier to use two hands, but it is fairly easy to close one handed in one is careful not to loose ones grip and shoot the knife across the room); the DA (coil fired) Socoms and any MT OTF, short of the UT protos.
In my humble opinion, the large proto was a tad to large and the small proto was a tad too small. I'd like a midsized version with the cam lock.
I like that Tony, Al and the gang are thinking outside the box, too bad they keep getting dragged back in for one reason or another. I'd really hate to see them become "just another 'cookie cutter' maker".
Again, just my opinion and probably not a popular one at that.
Respectfully
John
[This message has been edited by John Hollister (edited 05-01-2001).]
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- 15,226
Personally, I hated the Cam "safety" and found it to not only be a huge pain in the ass, but extremely difficult to use. While putting away isn't as important as getting it out quickly, I'd prefer not to have to juggle the knife around twisting and prying and poking and turning to close it. A simple slide or bar safety similar to what Jim Ray at MOD is using on the Dieter would have been just dandy for the Amphibian, IMHO, not to mention have been mechanically simpler and easier for us users.
Kevin
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Kevin Jon Schlossberg
SysOp and Administrator for BladeForums.com
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Kevin
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Kevin Jon Schlossberg
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Hey John H.-- Your opinion is popular with me!
P.S. Has anyone handled the latest proto? The photo on the MT site is pretty blurry but I can see that the thumb studs are now round
I can't tell how the microbar may have changed the handle or how the reversible clip is being done.
P.S. Has anyone handled the latest proto? The photo on the MT site is pretty blurry but I can see that the thumb studs are now round
- Joined
- Oct 2, 1998
- Messages
- 5,461
John,
No offense taken at all. My whole reason for asking that the changes be made was so that the knife would sell better and hit a price point we all will like. Also we now get an auto version. The end result is more sales for Microtech and that is what they really need right now.
The Amphibian, as it was, would be a nightmare sales wise. Reason is that the average consumer would not buy it as it was too clunky to operate. Also very few stores would have an educated sales staff to properly show the knife in a proper fashion to faciliate a sale.
All of your points are valid and yes deployment is much more important. I carry a Commander and a Combat Talon II myself daily so you know I am concerned about deployment
Now after this version hits the streets for a while, who knows, you may see another "Elite" version hit the streets.
Tony will always think outside the box. The problem is not dragging them in the box, it is dragging the consumer out of the box and then try to stay in business.
------------------
Best Regards,
Mike Turber
BladeForums Site Owner and Administrator
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No offense taken at all. My whole reason for asking that the changes be made was so that the knife would sell better and hit a price point we all will like. Also we now get an auto version. The end result is more sales for Microtech and that is what they really need right now.
The Amphibian, as it was, would be a nightmare sales wise. Reason is that the average consumer would not buy it as it was too clunky to operate. Also very few stores would have an educated sales staff to properly show the knife in a proper fashion to faciliate a sale.
All of your points are valid and yes deployment is much more important. I carry a Commander and a Combat Talon II myself daily so you know I am concerned about deployment
Now after this version hits the streets for a while, who knows, you may see another "Elite" version hit the streets.
Tony will always think outside the box. The problem is not dragging them in the box, it is dragging the consumer out of the box and then try to stay in business.
------------------
Best Regards,
Mike Turber
BladeForums Site Owner and Administrator
Do it! Do it right! Do it right NOW!
Show Your Support -Visit Our Sponsors - Click On The Banners!
Visit www.onestopknifeshop.com
Sales from 1 Stop Knife Shop help support this site!
- Joined
- Feb 3, 1999
- Messages
- 3,180
Spark, you idea of the "sliding" lock is well taken, but the MT is spring loaded so that it automatically engages. Perhaps they can come up with a spring loaded cam that automatically engages, but when slid to the rear, holds there until the knife is closed.
Mike, I don't "Kiss and Tell", but I'll go out on a limb to say that it may not be a big stretch of the imagination to believe that the folks at MT (who are known for their autos) designed the Amphibian with an auto mechanism in mind. Even with the "Cam Lock". 'Nuff said about that.
You may be correct about consumers and the cam lock. But I can't help but think one rolling cam and one plunger lock (as has been on any number of MT products like the UDT series, CTII, Socoms, Halos, ect) has got to be less complicated to consumers then, say the CTII. A manual safety, a plunger, a charging handle AND a leaf lock! Consumers seemed to have caught on pretty fast and I don't recall anyone screaming because it's IMPOSSIBLE to close one handed (no cheating and using your teeth
). Maybe I give consumers too much credit.
All that having been said, I completely agree with you on MT needing a series of profitable hits. I think the LUDT2001 was a step in the right direction.
[This message has been edited by John Hollister (edited 05-02-2001).]
Mike, I don't "Kiss and Tell", but I'll go out on a limb to say that it may not be a big stretch of the imagination to believe that the folks at MT (who are known for their autos) designed the Amphibian with an auto mechanism in mind. Even with the "Cam Lock". 'Nuff said about that.
You may be correct about consumers and the cam lock. But I can't help but think one rolling cam and one plunger lock (as has been on any number of MT products like the UDT series, CTII, Socoms, Halos, ect) has got to be less complicated to consumers then, say the CTII. A manual safety, a plunger, a charging handle AND a leaf lock! Consumers seemed to have caught on pretty fast and I don't recall anyone screaming because it's IMPOSSIBLE to close one handed (no cheating and using your teeth
All that having been said, I completely agree with you on MT needing a series of profitable hits. I think the LUDT2001 was a step in the right direction.
[This message has been edited by John Hollister (edited 05-02-2001).]
- Joined
- Oct 27, 1998
- Messages
- 178
I must say I was really looking forward to getting the Amphibian. but the changes to the design and materials result in a new knife. The original Amphibian was meant to be a Fail Safe folder, strong, reliable etc. The new model is just another knife and doesn't stand out from the pack like the prototype did. The titanium scales, no rubber inserts, a decent lock, unusual thumb studs and a 4 inch blade made for a Great knife.
I can't blame Microtech for producing what they think will sell the best, but they have severely underestimated the knife buying public by thinking the prototype wouldn't sell. If Spyderco can sell heaps of Spyderenches I can't see how the plunge lock would confuse anybody. Who wants to close a knife with lightening speed? I am pretty sure that any of us could close the prototype one-handed with a few minutes practice.
I would have bought one of the prototypes in a heartbeat. As it is now I am considering cancelling my pre order. The new version seems to be just another knife from the pack when it should have been all out on it's own.
Cheers
Peter
I can't blame Microtech for producing what they think will sell the best, but they have severely underestimated the knife buying public by thinking the prototype wouldn't sell. If Spyderco can sell heaps of Spyderenches I can't see how the plunge lock would confuse anybody. Who wants to close a knife with lightening speed? I am pretty sure that any of us could close the prototype one-handed with a few minutes practice.
I would have bought one of the prototypes in a heartbeat. As it is now I am considering cancelling my pre order. The new version seems to be just another knife from the pack when it should have been all out on it's own.
Cheers
Peter
John H., John F., and Peter have summed up my feelings on the Amphibian. A manual knife with a plunge lock and cam-safety had real appeal to me. First knife in a long time, I was ready to buy when it came out. Losing the plunge lock makes it just another liner-lock knife. If I were buying a liner-lock from MT, I would buy the LCC. It is cheaper and looks way cooler. If MT was looking to make a lot of money, they should sell a knife that would sell for less then $50. They could reach the general consumer market. I think people on these forums are more sophisticated and saw that the Amphibian was something different and better. MT can make the Amphibian any way they want. Just one request. Please let me buy the prototype in the picture. Thats the one I want.
:0
cheers,
Damon
cheers,
Damon
What I don't understand is why MT can't re-engineer the plunge-type lock so that it will work? MT has got to be one of the best manufacturers of knives and I can't believe that engineering the lock to work properly would be difficult. MOD and the Dieter model has a plunge-type lock that works great on a large knife and it has the safety too, MT should be able to make it even better.
The Amphibian as presentede in the Ti prototype form would be one of the ultimate large fighting folders available. If they go for a small version with the standard lock, you might as well get a SOCOM.
The Amphibian as presentede in the Ti prototype form would be one of the ultimate large fighting folders available. If they go for a small version with the standard lock, you might as well get a SOCOM.