Microtech QD Scarab 2003 Complete No.0291

Status
Not open for further replies.
capnsutton

capnsutton

Feedback: +11 / =0 / -0
Joined
Feb 23, 2009
Messages
283
Update October 20, 2015: I did some research on why there are no skid tape inserts with this knife. Yes, I could find no evidence that the grip tape was a factory option. I have found no other QD Scarab without the skid tape. This knife was brand new when I purchased it, and it has never had these grip inserts. i.e. I have not had them removed. I suspect that the inserts, if they are a tape application, can be installed at Microtech for a fee–although I have not confirmed this option. Since the knife has not been used or carried, I cannot testify to the utility of grip tape.

For sale is a Vero Beach, February 2003 QD Scarab. I purchased this before I deployed in 2004, but did not receive it before I shipped out. It has been a safe queen since. Never used or sharpened. Complete standard and original items:

1. January 22, 2003 Operations and Maintenance Manual
2. Warranty Cards X 2
3. Sheath with Gold Scarab, Sharpener, and tool/wrench
4. Packing tube and label

In 2003, the Scarab was in great demand among us on active duty. The small company production numbers, and their hallmark hand finished craftsmanship for each knife makes this earlier knife desirable.

Many more images available for review. Will entertain reasonable offers.

Start at $699
 
Last edited:
didn't these originally come with twin skull crushers?? i only see one in the pic but maybe it's just the way the pic was taken? Thanks for clearing that up..
 
Last edited:
bigmark408 said:
No inserts ?
Click to expand...

I was wondering about that too. I don't recall ever seeing a scarab without the skate tape inserts.


piksto said:
didn't these originally come with twin skull crushers?? i only see one in the pic but maybe it's just the way the pic was taken?
Click to expand...

Some came with twin and some came with a single glass breaker and screw head where the 2nd glass breaker would be. I had an early scarab with twin glass breakers and noticed the majority of early production had the single glass breaker set up.
 
This is the knife configuration as it came brand new. One end of the wrench removes the glass breaker and other end is to remove the second screw. The operations and maintenance manual also offered a tridium deployment switch as a factory installed option via requesting an RMA #.
 
robcelani said:
I was wondering about that too. I don't recall ever seeing a scarab without the skate tape inserts.




Some came with twin and some came with a single glass breaker and screw head where the 2nd glass breaker would be. I had an early scarab with twin glass breakers and noticed the majority of early production had the single glass breaker set up.
Click to expand...

This^^

RobC has it right...
 
This is a history of the QD Scarab that was posted in a forum by "LRRP Master Knifenut!". This post was when the QD Scarab first came out February 2003. It will perhaps explain the absence of skate tape as it was an add-on by Anthony Marifone, and was not part of the military specification mentioned in the thread.

http://www.knifeforums.com/forums/printpost.php?tid/231882/

02-22-03 01:32.51 - Post#232255

"There is a story behind why the QD Scarab came out. Last fall, I gave a budy of mine a special laser etched black serrated L-UDT after completing his tour at USSOCOM. He took it to his new unit and showed it off a little and then his commander wanted to see more.
He had seen my personal Warren Thomas carbon fiber non mag knife and wanted to know if MT could make an auto nonmag knife for a quantity military sale. We started talking about the specific requirements and then I sent them a UT6 to play with.
Several line drawings, faxes, and phone calls later with Micro Tech and this unit, the Scarab was born [under a different name] with only two differences from what you have in your hand. Both minor and not conducive for sales to the public.

I ended up taking off for a while and couldn't discuss this stuff with MT any more for many months. Tony ran with the idea and decided to try this on the public, hence the QD Scarab. I didn't even know that the knife had been proto'ed until I saw a production run version at the SHOT Show on my first day saturday.

Several things are on the QD Scarab for a reason:
+Lanyard hole for retention during airborne operations and in use in wet enviroments.
+"Glass Breaker" [yeah right] was developed actually to be used as a skull crusher. No deployment of the blade is required to still be able to use the knife in a lethal manner.
+The big switch was developed for use with troops wearing gloves. They needed a switch that could be used in cold or wet environments with gloves. Tritium was thrown out there as needed by some and not wanted by others so it was made an option to the QD Scarab. **Tony has already told me that he is very willing to change the switch for the public sales in future runs.**
+The grip tape was Tony's idea to try instead of Krayton inserts. This is a trial idea since MT hasn't tested this before on really hard use knives.
+The clip had to be reversible or removed.
+The sheath and tools were Tony's ideas too. The military gust wanted a tool to take the clip off or switch it around.

Now MT has a cage code to sell to the U.S. Govt [both civil service and military] and is doing so. It won't be much longer and the QD Scarab and U.M.S will have a NSN assigned to each. The UT6 may even get one as well. Federal Law Enforcement, as well as other federal agencies, and the U.S. military are both in line waiting for more U.M.S. 'es and QD Scarabs to roll out for purchases.
The slightly different version of the QD Scarab may or may not get built now that the commercial version has been recieved so well in the U.S. Govt.
So there you are, you've got a high speed knife that many in the military and cool federal agencies are now carrying in some very hot spots around the world.
Again, great review!"
 
Last edited:
The posting was compromised by ignorant comments made by viewers. If you have a question for the seller, ask. There is no place for amateur commentary from speculators.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top