Microtech Kestrel first pics!

KestrEl, KestrIl, KestrAl... Come on, guys! Make up you mind(s)!

The question about *dimensions* (Dan Hibiki) has not yet been answered, at least on this forum, though some of you seem to know something about the actual size of the thumb stud, etc. So, DIMENSIONS, please?

Another thing: If the CLIP, a nice profile, indeed, for a change, is going to be so bright, how about, perhaps as an aftermarket item, a BLINKING BLUE LIGHT clip? That would surely get even more attention. (Anyone with a bright clip must have a way too restricted vision of the potential users, IMHO?)

Of the *Harpy* blade design I've expressed my (mostly positive) observations elsewhere, so this really isn't a surprise (though Sal Glesser made a very valid qualification with respect to the handle shape).

DEPENDING on the (a) empirically verified lock perfection (I really could hit someone with the *spine* of such a knife), (b) the actual dimensions of the knife, and (c) the color(s) of the alternative clip(s), I might be interested. OTHERWISE, I guess this is just a part of the (desperate) marketing hype that we encounter daily. OUR only option might be, in WHICH way we adhere to that.

Markku

 
I *really* want one, considering I *seem* to be the designer of the lock!?

See also "Lock design for comment, free to a good home" in Shop Talk.

Kewl! Mike, can you by chance see if they'll acknowledge seeing my "Linerbar" design published 11/9/98 as being an influence?!

Jim March
 
Technical Data:
Blade: 154-CM .148" Thick, rc 60
Overall length: 7.14"
Length closed: 4.20"
Handle Thickness: .53" tapered to .40"
Handle 6061-T6 aluminum hard coat anodized with rubber insert.
Pocket clip: 301 full hard stainless steel
Action: Manual action constant thrust load with wave spring, Micro-Bar® lock
Weight: 3.0 oz
Options: Color spacers & auto versions available.

------------------
Joel Pirela
Graphic & Knife Designer



 
Will do Jim,

I will take the drawing to the show.

------------------
Best Regards,
Mike Turber
BladeForums Site Owner and Administrator
Do it! Do it right! Do it right NOW!
www.wowinc.com





 
Microtech responded to my EMail with the following:
------------
From: Microtech <microtech@giol.net>
To: jmarch@ricochet.net <jmarch@ricochet.net>
Date: Tuesday, January 26, 1999 3:52 PM
Subject: BAR LOCK

Dear Jim,

In reference to the e-mail you sent us on January 26,1999, the Kestrel's blade locking mechanism was originated from the Excalibur made for a customer and sent out in mid February 1997. This is our history of the MICROBAR TM, Tony Marfione designed the locking mechanism for the new out the front opener, Excalibur soon to become the custom model Dragon Slayer, to provide positive optimal locking on the blade for rugged usage on this model, as well as other models he had in mind. Then the Dragon Slayer was produced for the 1997 Blade Show in May, which at that time Tony began working on incorporating the bar lock in the folders and the production model of the Dragon Slayer called the Nemesis III. Now that brings us back to the Kestrel, this is the first folder to inherit the third generation bar lock called the MICROBAR TM.

I hope that we answered your questions about the MICROBAR TM. We have never seen your proposed lock design published anywhere before. Today was the first time Tony and I saw your layout and design which is, I believe, very different than any locking mechanism's that we use here at Micro Technology, including the MICROBAR TM.

If you have any questions regarding this matter please contact us by phone or e-mail.

Thank You,

Wayne Viscusi
-----------------

So it looks like there's no relationship. Mike (or anybody else), can you confirm that the Excaliber and Dragon Slayer use this lockwork?

Jim March
 
Mr. Pirela or anyone else that knows,
This may make me look like an idiot(which isn't too hard to do anyways) but what is a "manual action constant thrust load with wave spring". I know what a manual action is, but the "constant thrust load with wave spring" I don't know. Is this knife going to be a manual and auto?? Just wondering. Maybe its too early in the morning for me.
smile.gif

Blades
 
I *really* want one, considering I *seem* to be the designer of the lock!?

See also "Lock design for comment, free to a good home" in Shop Talk.

Kewl! Mike, can you by chance see if they'll acknowledge seeing my "Linerbar" design published 11/9/98 as being an influence?!

Jim March
 
Blades:

The manuals will be manuals and the auto only auto.

I copied the text comming from the Spec sheet of the Kestrel. the constant thrust load with wave spring, I think that it's related to the concave notches like the Sebenza in the integral lock that make the lock spring forward against the tang when the leaf have not a pivot area...

The Micro Bar® it's loaded by two? springs and a hinge type pivot and it's not user adjustable, the screw is there for manufacturing reasons...

I hope I help and I hope I'm right, if not, at least it sounds great!
smile.gif


------------------
Joel Pirela
Graphic & Knife Designer



 
Ive never really wanted any microtech ive seen, that has changed-
I really like this one.

Good Job.
 
I feel sorry I bough a Cobra now! I should have saved the cash for one of these! A great knife, I'm sure I'll get an auto version when available. Microtech is something else. Does anyone other than me think the blade is a little thick for the length given (.143 and a 3.06" length)?

------------------
 
It is a thick substantial blade, but I can tell you that it shaves like nobody's business!
wink.gif


I have a prototype of the manual action with blue spacers. (The spacers are not cylindrical like the very first sterile prototype I saw, but rather like a butterfly yo-yo seen from the edge.)

Blues

------------------
Live Free or Die




[This message has been edited by Blues (edited 19 February 1999).]
 
Is it just me or do those pretty blue spacers look a lot like the minature pullys you find on high end fishing gear?

------------------
Best Regards,
Mike Turber
BladeForums Site Owner and Administrator
Do it! Do it right! Do it right NOW!
www.wowinc.com




[This message has been edited by Mike Turber (edited 19 February 1999).]
 
For more info on the Vector go to:

http://knifeforums.com/vector.htm

Enjoy!

------------------
Jan Dirk Wijbenga

Gold is for the mistress - silver for the maid
Copper for the craftsman cunning in his trade.
"Good!" said the Baron, sitting in his hall
But iron - cold iron is master of them all.

Rudyard Kipling
 
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