microtech doc fit and finish

Will Batayte

Will Batayte

Joined
Jan 8, 2007
Messages
640
I pre ordered a stonewashed doc flipper and it just arrived. It seems like the finish is half done. On the beginning of the "nightmare" grind you can still see the lines from the grinder under the stonewash. Not such a big deal if the whole blade was this way but it is the only part where this occurred. It makes it look like a pretty big error. So guys out there with stonewashed DOCs are yours like this? Seems to me on a $300+ knife a nice even finish should be a given. One of the reasons I really like high end brands is that level of perfection. This is kind of a big let down especially from microtech. Their finishes are usually top notch.

Also anyone know of a place I can get the pocket clip refinished if I chop it down a bit? Is the only bit of odd ergos on the whole thing. They should of just thrown a strider clip on there.
 
I don't have an answer for your questions but I have also noticed the lock-up seems to vary on the DOC. Some have a very early lock-up while others have a 40% plus lock-up out of the box. Seems like they would all be the same. Also, I just saw an S30V variant for sale so the initial Elmax run must be over. So...... the Elmax version will probably be tough to find soon if they don't produce more.
From what I've seen it's a nice folder for the money if you want a larger heavier EDC. The pocket clip protrusion is the biggest drawback and I would personally like to see these in G10 instead of aluminum handles and for Microtech to continue using Elmax or use M390 or a Carpenter steel.
 
Ok so now that I've had time to look it over better I noticed some pretty glaring issues. The grind on my knife is completely uneven on each side. The swedge grind is awful. It goes past the centerline on one side and is what i assume is correct on the other side. So when looking down on the spine it's extremely uneven. I measured the front line of the swedge near the tip and one side is .40" while the other side is .54". That's a pretty huge difference. The blade is not centered in the handle. And the lockup is like 80% or more. Between all this and the crappy finish im pretty pissed off. This knife never should have left the factory like this. We're talking a $300+ knife here with errors that wouldn't be on a $100 benchmade or spydie. Needless to say it's going back to the factory. I just read my warrenty card and I am supposed to send them $15 for return shipping. WTF! So I'm supposed to pay shipping a total of three times because they sent out an inferior product? Thats some BS! I hope microtech fixes this issue.
 
Don't worry, Microtech has some of the worst customer service. At least you know it will be a battle.

And yes, they usually have great F&F. This is sad to hear. But, I won't be buying one anyways because of the clip design.

And about 2 years ago there was talk of a BFC sponsor becoming an "Authorized Microtech Repair Center". I don't remember who it was or if it even happened. You may search BFC and try to find out about it.

I would but I am on my phone and don't have time. Good luck!
 
I just received my DOC in dlc coating. Mine is next to impossible to close. I'm not a small guy so I figured I could muscle it closed with one hand but nope. It's even hard to flip open. This thing is ridiculously hard to open & takes two hands and a lot of muscle to close it. The grind, close to the choil area, looks only half way complete. Of course the pocket clip is just plain stupid too! This was a big let down knife to me.
 
Yeah I think their quality control is really slipping. They sent me my number for service so I'm sending it back. I have no idea how they could fix an uneven grind. I'm guessing new blade or not at all. Unfortunately the horrible pocket clip was done on purpose so no fixing that:mad:
I'm going to bend it down and if that doesnt work I'll have to cut it. But I'm gonna wait because I'm sure I'll void my warrenty.

As far as your issues go I'd say send it back too! As a community we have to make it known that we won't accept a a second rate product. Most of these companies are already jerking us around by charging $300 or more per knife. I pay it because I really like some of the designs even though I know it's overpriced. The least they can do is make sure the knife is damn well near perfect!
Recently I bought one of those chinese KO knives for $70. It has a 5mm thick d2 tanto blade, titanium framelock with both handle slabs 4mm thick titanium. It has a steel insert, lock bar stabilizer, strider style pivot, flipper, phosphor bronze washers. All for $70. Fit and finish is excellent. The only issue was stiff action. I polished the contact points added a bit of tough glide and now it's smooth as butter. When I can get all that for $70 shipped and the fit and finish is infinitely better then my new $310, made in the usa, microtech it really pisses me off. It just shows how much they're price gouging us.
 
coldblooded357 said:
Yeah I think their quality control is really slipping. They sent me my number for service so I'm sending it back. I have no idea how they could fix an uneven grind. I'm guessing new blade or not at all. Unfortunately the horrible pocket clip was done on purpose so no fixing that:mad:
I'm going to bend it down and if that doesnt work I'll have to cut it. But I'm gonna wait because I'm sure I'll void my warrenty.

As far as your issues go I'd say send it back too! As a community we have to make it known that we won't accept a a second rate product. Most of these companies are already jerking us around by charging $300 or more per knife. I pay it because I really like some of the designs even though I know it's overpriced. The least they can do is make sure the knife is damn well near perfect!
Recently I bought one of those chinese KO knives for $70. It has a 5mm thick d2 tanto blade, titanium framelock with both handle slabs 4mm thick titanium. It has a steel insert, lock bar stabilizer, strider style pivot, flipper, phosphor bronze washers. All for $70. Fit and finish is excellent. The only issue was stiff action. I polished the contact points added a bit of tough glide and now it's smooth as butter. When I can get all that for $70 shipped and the fit and finish is infinitely better then my new $310, made in the usa, microtech it really pisses me off. It just shows how much they're price gouging us.
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As far as the pocket clip, is it something that is felt ergonomic wise or is it just that you don't like how it looks? I had a microtech LCC and the pocket clip would dig into my hand when I used it.
 
Fit and finish were rough on the ones I checked out at Blade. That alone was the reason why I didn't bother picking one up especially for that price. Dunno if I'm constantly getting lemons, but the more MTs I check out the less I like MT.
 
Am I the only person who could care less about microtech?? The whole 777/matrix debacle was the last straw for me.
The DOC almost got me to be an owner, but after fingerbanging it a bit I decided against it.

Its just that IMO there are better buys, from better companies, at equal or lesser price.
 
vdub5818 said:
Am I the only person who could care less about microtech?? The whole 777/matrix debacle was the last straw for me.
The DOC almost got me to be an owner, but after fingerbanging it a bit I decided against it.

Its just that IMO there are better buys, from better companies, at equal or lesser price.
Click to expand...

I feel the same way you do about Microtech.
 
vdub5818 said:
Am I the only person who could care less about microtech?? The whole 777/matrix debacle was the last straw for me.
The DOC almost got me to be an owner, but after fingerbanging it a bit I decided against it.

Its just that IMO there are better buys, from better companies, at equal or lesser price.
Click to expand...

I'm on the other side of the fence. My very first $100+ knife was a Microtech and I've owned quite a few since. As a production knife company, yeah there prices run a little high, but personally I've never come across the fit and finish issues y'all are describing.

Now if we're talking about the Microtech "customs," they're really amazing knives. I pretty much avoid production Microtechs and pick up the customs with CF scales. I've got a custom DOC flipper on its way pretty soon. I'll let y'all know if it lives up to my expectations, which are pretty damn high
 
The DOC is a collab between the two knife companies I have no desire to even own a product from. It's like doubly repulsive to me haha.

That being said, I hope everything works out for you.
 
coldblooded357 said:
Yeah I think their quality control is really slipping. They sent me my number for service so I'm sending it back. I have no idea how they could fix an uneven grind. I'm guessing new blade or not at all. Unfortunately the horrible pocket clip was done on purpose so no fixing that:mad:
I'm going to bend it down and if that doesnt work I'll have to cut it. But I'm gonna wait because I'm sure I'll void my warrenty.



As far as your issues go I'd say send it back too! As a community we have to make it known that we won't accept a a second rate product. Most of these companies are already jerking us around by charging $300 or more per knife. I pay it because I really like some of the designs even though I know it's overpriced. The least they can do is make sure the knife is damn well near perfect!
Recently I bought one of those chinese KO knives for $70. It has a 5mm thick d2 tanto blade, titanium framelock with both handle slabs 4mm thick titanium. It has a steel insert, lock bar stabilizer, strider style pivot, flipper, phosphor bronze washers. All for $70. Fit and finish is excellent. The only issue was stiff action. I polished the contact points added a bit of tough glide and now it's smooth as butter. When I can get all that for $70 shipped and the fit and finish is infinitely better then my new $310, made in the usa, microtech it really pisses me off. It just shows how much they're price gouging us.
Click to expand...

I just can't believe they would let something with so many imperfections leave the shop and go on shelves for sale. I would NEVER sell one of my knives that I make without looking it over and holding it for a while. I like my benchmades a heck of a lot better than these crappy microtechs I just bought. I own two microtechs.. The doc and a socom elite which I like but it has issues that I just don't get when I buy benchmade knives. I will not buy any more microtech knives. I also heard the owner "Anthony" is a total asshat.
 
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coldblooded357 said:
Ok so now that I've had time to look it over better I noticed some pretty glaring issues. The grind on my knife is completely uneven on each side. The swedge grind is awful. It goes past the centerline on one side and is what i assume is correct on the other side. So when looking down on the spine it's extremely uneven. I measured the front line of the swedge near the tip and one side is .40" while the other side is .54". That's a pretty huge difference. The blade is not centered in the handle. And the lockup is like 80% or more. Between all this and the crappy finish im pretty pissed off. This knife never should have left the factory like this. We're talking a $300+ knife here with errors that wouldn't be on a $100 benchmade or spydie. Needless to say it's going back to the factory. I just read my warrenty card and I am supposed to send them $15 for return shipping. WTF! So I'm supposed to pay shipping a total of three times because they sent out an inferior product? Thats some BS! I hope microtech fixes this issue.
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I just felt like I was reading about my black DLC- DOC. Mine is exactly like yours. The grind is just awful! No way in hell is this acceptable. This makes me angry to no end!! This company is making cash hand over foot and putting out knives that are total garbage. Never!! would a knife leave my shop like this... & at 310$$ what a joke! Mine is almost impossible for me to flip open & literally twice as hard to close. The clip, of course, plain sucks!! The grind is.... Puke!! When you spend over $300.00 on a knife it should be perfecto right outta the box. You shouldn't have to spend 5 hours on it to fix the p.o.s.
This is unacceptable Microtech!
1SG Patterson. U.S.Army (Abn.) Combat Veteran.
1st./506-RCT 2. 101st.Abn-Div (Air-Assault)
 
I'm interested to hear how the warranty process goes. I have had no luck, but I haven't tried lately and I hear they have improved.
Return to dealer if possible.
 
I have two DOC's. One requires two hands to unlock while the other has almost no engagement and can be closed without touching the lock bar.
 
I fixed mine but still.. I'm very disappointed with all their off center grinds. I checked several of my microtech knives in my collection and all of them have lop-sided grinds. Dunno why I never noticed before, guess I really wanted to love my socom & my doc.
 
The clip is just uncomfortable. The end sticks straight up into my hand. But that I can fix myself at the cost of finish.

I also own an ultratec and a combat troodon and both have excelent fit and finish. So the qc issues seems to be model specific or at the least a recent problem.
 
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