MT LCC...As Good as a Custom???

Megalobyte

Megalobyte

Joined
Jun 5, 2002
Messages
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I had the chance today to closely examine a newly manufactured Microtech LCC D/A auto, with carbon fiber handles, and a bolster, the composition of which im not sure, It's either aluminum or Ti, i dont know which. In any case, i was very impressed by its design, and very solid engineering, and maybe this one was especially well put together, but it had fantastic fit and finish, as good, or even better than many high-dollar handmade knives i have owned or seen. In fact, i couldnt find a single flaw in the fit or finish, and i am a consumate perfectionist. Add the neat bolster release and the S90-v blade, and you have what appeared to me to be a really great knife for the price of about $300.

So, my question is, to any of you, who owns and loves the fancy, high dollar customs, does this knife approach custom quality, is the design, fit and finish comparable, or is it merely a decent production folder, and a "pretender" custom. Realizing that its hard to compare a handmade knife with a production knife, still, how would you compare an LCC to, let's say, a Larry Chew Covert DA folder? Same ballpark, or night and day?
 
I no longer have an LCC, but I have owned two at one time or another. In short, the LCC is probably about 90% as good as a custom in that it has the same parts, but the overall level of finish is less than that on knife made by a great maker like Kit Carson, Bob Lum, John W. Smith, A.T. Barr, Tom Mayo, etc. Futhermore, the LCC is much less smooth operating than a well made tactical custom. The LCC is not a bad knife, in fact it is a great buy and it will do whatever a custom will do. It does not, however, have a custom's level of fit and finish.
 
When the LCC was first introduced, it had Ti bolsters and a list price of $150. It was probably the best bargain-for-dollar out there and it created a big stir in the knife world.

Since then, the price has gone up, but the quality has remained, with the exception of aluminum bolsters (which, by the way, are very nice). There have been some variations such as the olive micarta scales.

BTW, when it was first offered, the LCC was available at various internet sites at $139.95! This was truly extraordinary. It was, of course, too good to be true. It was likely that MT was taking a beating financially, so the price went up. It's still, IMHO, an excellent knife at the price and the quality has always been and still is very close to custom in quality.
 
Funny you should ask. Cuz right now I have one of the early ones on my workbench getting a makover for a member. (He'll probably show it off sometime soon)

Anyway, its COMPLETELY apart, and like you guys have said, it's very impressive quality. Mostly I'm impressed by the engineering and the careful machining of it's parts. It's a marvel...

The parts, although well-matched don't have the super-precise fitment that a folder that was sanded and formed as a unit would be. It's pre-punched out and any scale will fit any knife. No, I can't say it meets the finish requirement--if that's important to you.

But I would expect that from something that has jigs and CNC for probably EVERY single part. A little fitting here, some assembly there, and there you go.... Same as it ever was. ;)

My Spyderco is also a marvel of fitment at less than $100 bucks and it's the same deal.

If someone asked me for the best quality D/A folder for the money, here it is! If that same person wanted some 'soul' in their knife, I'd direct them to a private maker.

Maybe that's why I'm doing the little remodeling of this one--the fellow wants to personalize it. Get it out of the masses.

In the end it's way above average on any front. Good knife. Good question.

Coop
 
Might as well throw in my two cents worth although I agree with Coop and knifenerd.

I do not buy many factory knives at all, but the LCC/DA is still one of my favorite factory knives (as long as we are not talking multiblades).

Both of the ones that I have extensively used have held up very well. Even picked one up for dad who still owns and runs a parts store and his knife sees quite a few related tasks all day. Dad likes his too, but not nearly as much as his small DA Apogee.

Thing is, it does not compare to any of the handmade user DA's that I have hanging around (Chew, Vallotton, Ralph). To top it off like Coop said, there ain't much "soul" there.

If I were not a knife nut. I would be thrilled with the LCC/DA and not even need to look owning another knife for a while. Feel the sam way about the older SOCOMs and Chameleons too. MT makes a good DA at a reasonable cost, but you can get great hand-made DA's at a reasonable cost too.
 
OK, i agree there are nicer, true handmade DA autos out there, my Dake is beautiful and clearly superior to the MT in just about every way, mostly though i think its the higher quality materials used, like super premium MOP and multi-bar damascus, the extensive filework, and of course, the fit and finish is flawless, so yes, i know well the way a good custom feels in the hand, the exceptional fit and finish and beautiful materials are a joy to see, BUT, i looked at that LCC closely, the fit and finish was flawless, as in without flaw, every part mated perfectly with the others, there were no parts that didnt fit flush and seamlessly, no gaps between the handles, liners, spacer, bolsters, and the liner lock was especially impressive, it was perfectly fitted to, and fully engaged the blade's base, its very think and robust.

Yes, i certainly agree that there are any number of customs out there that are nicer looking, and better made, with far prettier materials, but, i dont think youll find any for $300! Id guess that you wont find a DA auto as well made and designed as the LCC until you reach at least $600, maybe more. As a point of curiousity, anybody recommend a good custom DA auto for under $600?

The LCC may be the closest that many people will get to a custom DA auto, since most people think spending thousands on a knife is absurd, i know my wife does. :) I keep telling her: "Rent Shment! Why do we NEED electricity anyway..." :D
 
I have owned several LCC DA's, and lots of custom DA's. You will not find a nicer DA FOR LESS anywhere. I have numerous custom DA's that are nicer than the LCC, but they are all $600-$800 dollar knives. The fit and finish on every LCC I have ever owned was fantastic, and IMHO, this may be the most reasonably priced production auto out there.
 
What Brandon said..., absolutely no question....


"Hunters seek what they [WANT].., Seekers hunt what they [NEED]"
 
What you pay for is the time and talent to make a knife. A knife-maker needs to be able to live too.

As far as DA in that price range. When Rainey Vallotton's side-winders came out you could get them for 375.00.
 
A Microtech LCC was the first "good" production knife I purchased. The quality fit and finish (value vs. cost) simply blew me away. Now, many custom knives and many thousands of dollars later, that impression has not been diminished.
 
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