more on microtechs

[spyken]

pls help...
(1) finish on blade - what's the difference between stonewash, beadblast and satin finish on the blades? did microtech do away with the satin finish for its 2002 models? (I'm referring to MT Vectors, my current "want"...)
(2) history of the MT Vector - can someone share? who's the designer, which year?
(3) cutting ability of the Vector's unique hawksbill blade?
any other info....
(4) oh, and the best (read: cheapest and reliable) place to get MT Vectors online
thanks y'all!!!
spyken

 

[AlphalphaPB]

You should check out the Microtech official forum at KnifeForums and also the Microholic forum.

You can find all the info at those places. I'd been searching around a bit myself, as I had previously wanted to buy a Vector.

I've seen Vectors for a good price ($165) at www.knivesusa.com. I don't know anything about their reliability. I've searched GBU, no mention of them.

I think that all the finishes are currently available at Knivesusa. The designer is Joel Pirela, I'm not sure of the year. I've heard that the design of the knife is such that it's "adequate" for cutting all sorts of things, but I can envision cutting situations where the hawkbill type blade would be a hindrance. But as always, the right knife for the right job. The Vector would seem to be more of the self-defensive or knife fighting sort of knife, though the short 3" blade length is the major complaint of current Microholics. They're all clamoring for "Hawk-sized Kestrals and Vectors" (the Hawk is a 4" knife, I believe).

On a semi-related note, I decided not to buy the Vector just because I wouldn't find much use for it, especially with the short blade length (the "tanto tip" makes it even shorter for cutting purposes). I must admit now that I wanted it primarily to use at steakhouses to see what kind of reaction I'd get . It's cool and all, but I'd rather save up to buy a Strider so I can cut up concrete blocks, table legs, and car doors.

 

[Allen E. Treat]

Don't have the "skinny" on Microtech's current factory trend(s). But for BEST PRICE you can do NO BETTER than :

www.1SKS.com

For instance, they have the Krestal
manual action for $129 plus $6 shipping ( and, in my case, at least, 6% Florida sales tax )

Hope this helps.


AET

 

[Tracer-san]

Originally posted by spyken
pls help...
(1) finish on blade - what's the difference between stonewash, beadblast and satin finish on the blades? did microtech do away with the satin finish for its 2002 models? (I'm referring to MT Vectors, my current "want"...)

Bead Blasting is a process in which you use relatively soft glass beads to cover a mirror polished blade, resulting in a soft frosted finish that provides a non reflective /glare blade. Some liquids (specially sugared ones) will leave marks in there, and the blasted will go away with the use. Another con is that this finish leaves the blade somewhat prone to rust, but if you take care of your blade you'd be ok.
I like this finish for looks over any other, but not for a user, unless you don't care for the blade to be left without the blasted in some areas.

The Stone Wash process is done using a tumble deburr machine or a vibratory tumbler most often. It uses several types of media. There are ceramics, steel and pastes that are combind to make the blade surface change with the action of the machine, polishing the blade in every direction. This process will leave a blade with some little marks that makes harder to notice the usual scratches resulting from use. It also provides a blade more resistent to corrosion.

Satin finish is like a regular blade, no coatings or treatment, plain silver one, with different levels of brightness (measured on "grits" I believe)

Here's a pic so you can compare the finishes (the BM is the Satin one -although it looks black-, the Vector is Stonewashed and the Socom is Beadblasted)

Microtech neved produced a Beadblasted Vector and I'd LOVE a 4" model.

You can check out more designs from Joel Pirela on his own website

Bye!


NsB

PS: I used several sources for some stuff I didn't know how to explain.

 

[spyken]

thanks y'all. I'm off to KF to check out the MT forum. be back soon
spyken