MT LCC questions

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shanghaied

Joined
Jan 21, 2004
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Hi people, I'm considering buying a Microtech LCC (my first high-end knife). From what I've read, it seems people only have good things to say about them.

The trouble is I can't decide between the DA and the MA. The MA is cheaper, but the DA looks so trick! Money and legal-issues aside, which would make a better EDC utility knife? And which scale, micarta or carbon fibre?

Let me hear your thoughts!

300 USD seemed to be the most common price for a DA, am I right? What's a good price otherwise and where may I find it?

ps anyone had any experiences with 888 Knives R Us or pvknife.com?

pps there seemed to be two verisons of the knife, one with ti bolsters, the other with alu ones. Am I right?

Sorry about asking so many questions at once, but help a new guy out!

Thanks
 
Shanghaied, I just got a manual LCC last week from KnivesUSA.com for less than $200. (They list autos for $284.) My local dealer here on Long Island quoted me $288 for a DA, so your $300 is probably accurate.
 
I would definitely get the DA over the manual, as was said, getting the MA is sort of like getting a neutered LCC. :) The DA mechanism is beautifully done and makes the knife extremely cool and impressive, something about a hidden release really appeals to me. It could also help you avoid legal troubles if you were to be carrying it in a place which prohibits it. Here in FL, we are free to carry almost anything, but then again, many other states arent as trusting of their subjects. :)

Also, it wasnt so long ago you could easily pick one up for around $200 in the forums, since MT is no longer making them, theyre beginning to get a little more expensive, but $300 is far too much. You shouldnt pay more than $225-$250 in the forums, or from a dealer.

Editied to add...

I just tried to email you privately, but you aren't set up to receive email, so, if you want a flawless, NIB DA LCC with carbon fiber/S30V black blade for $200 shipped, email me at:

mammothivory2000@yahoo.com
 
Megalobyte, I don't live in the US, so as far as I know the laws are not a problem for me.

I'm also a bit concerned about the safety of carrying a DA in my pocket, it seems that the bolster release only have to move a tiny bit to open the blade, could this be an issue? Not long ago I think I read about someone who was badly cut in the leg by a LCC that had opened in his pocket, not sure if it was a DA, but don't want to end up that way.

Again don't mean to be pushy but anyone know about the alu vs. ti bolster thing?

Edited: Megalobyte, email sent!
 
Originally posted by shanghaied

I'm also a bit concerned about the safety of carrying a DA in my pocket, it seems that the bolster release only have to move a tiny bit to open the blade, could this be an issue? Not long ago I think I read about someone who was badly cut in the leg by a LCC that had opened in his pocket, not sure if it was a DA, but don't want to end up that way.
Again don't mean to be pushy but anyone know about the alu vs. ti bolster thing?
Click to expand...

Shang, I would buy manual one. D/A is with additional auto mechanism with no real purposes, just to play. If you want a knife to work either in city or all-terrain situations, take M/A. The less complicity, the less probability of screwing sth up. You wanna play with it while waching tv - take D/A. And D/A requires quite much force to release bolster so no possibilities of acctidently pushing it during wear. Safety is 100%, at least in 100% functional LCC. :D Both micarta and carbon fiber versions are too tough to beat in normal applications. I didn't hear about aluminium bolsters :confused: but bolsters are not part of liners so I do not think it is a big diffrence if you got alu or ti.
 
Go with the carbon scales and Ti bolsters...both mine are DA's but I can POP them open faster than using the auto so I would be just as happy with a MA. I have no fear of them opening on DA on accident, it is hard enough to do on purpose, but if there is one "problem" with the knife it is a weak detent ball. Keep your eyes on the classified section...I bought both mine "used", but these knife freaks baby their blades so much they look brand new and run a couple hundred bucks.

Have fun, it is a fine knife, and was my first high quality knife as well...and so the disease progresses, more and more knives, more and more expensive...
 
glorfindel, thanks for the reply, I do agree with the reliability issue, but I also want to play :D (mostly during long boring phone calls, sometimes I try to open up a SAK with only one hand or tossing it.)

Most of the times people say the bolsters are ti but there are dealers who claim the bolsters are aluminium, examples:

http://www.tadgear.com/edged tools/lcc_da.htm ("TYPE III HARD COAT T6 BOLSTERS" as they claim, T6 is a grade of tempering for alu, if I'm not mistaken)

http://www.888knivesrus.com/product/MTLCCDA ("Black Aluminum bolsters
Carbon Fiber scales")

Whereas http://pvk.com/microtech/ claim the bolsters are ti. Weird stuff, :rolleyes: but great knives nonetheless.

BTW anyone know what kind of warranty is behind the LCC?

Added:

Bruz

I can see how it get more and more expensive.... And I don't think I can afford all this as a student:grumpy: . Expensive hobby, a LCC costs as much as my first serious bike! And I just spent three nights in paris for about the same price (280 USD)!
 
Microtech warranties all their knives for life. Just don't disassemble it or use it as a pry bar or something and you'll be ok. The only catch is that they won't send the knife back to you unless you meet some criteria. So you either have to find someone who is police or military, have it shipped to a dealer, or have it shipped to someone in Florida (I have family in FL).

I just bought the LCC D/A from 888 Knives. I've bought a few other knives from them, and service has always been prompt and professional. It's a great knife that is now my EDC. I carry it in a belt holster so I'm not too worried about it popping open, however I'm inclined to think that this isn't much of a worry for pocket carry. Some people on the auto forum have mentioned it popping open in their pockets, but I think this was mostly the earlier versions.

I say go for the D/A (well duh I bought it :D ). It's really neat how discrete the feature is. Most people will never know it's an auto unless you show them. I like using the auto feature in front of my friends, and then having them try to figure out how it did that. The M/A will be a nice knife too, but the D/A gives it that something extra that makes it such a cool knife.

One thing to be aware of is that the auto feature can be difficult at first. There is definitely a break in period which is a combination of getting a callus (sp.) on your thumb, figuring out the "sweet spot" for activating the mechanism, and for the mechanism to loosen up. When I first got the knife I couldn't do the auto with one hand. However after a few days of very sore thumbs it became quite easy.
 
Welcome to the forums--you think this is expensive, wait until you get to customs ;) .

As far as the aluminum vs. ti--there are like 4 generations of LCC. I believe that the first three gens were ti bolsters whereas the last one was aluminum.

For me I wanted the gadget factor so I got a DA. If I had to do it all over again I'd probably go MA just because of restrictions down here. That and the fact that the DA gets clogged up with pocket lint all the time so I have to open it up and clean it out all the time or the mechanism only fires about halfway. Either one is a great choice and 300 is just too much to pay for either version. As mentioned above, keep an eye out in the sale forums (in fact, I think there's a couple in there now). The LCC is pretty much the best slicer that I own and I just went through a whole bunch of cardboard boxes and foam today. Get both :p .
 
I vote for the D/A because that is what makes the knife. If you want a manual knife, take a look at the Al Mar Sere 2000.
Like Zen mentioned, the first three models of the LCC had Ti bolsters. Most of the ones available today are the fourth generation with the aluminum. The latter being black in color.
 
The LCC is definatly one of my favorites. This is going to be my next MT. I have a bronze UT6, but I definatly had to get one of these as the blue appeals to me. Does this fit in with your thread?? Probably not, but I just had to share this with someone as I am excited LOL :)

150_5061%7E0.JPG
 
Nice pics! Are you by any chance interested in digital photography as well? (Remember my dad buying a hideously expensive Olympus several years ago, but he was in no way that good at taking photos :rolleyes: )

Is that a custom or did they come anodised in that jolly green?

As for a OTF auto? I'm not too sure... I can't justify spending that much money on what's essentially a toy to me... at least I can pretend I'd use the LCC for real, :p

No offence TheBadGuy, but don't get me even started on the colour.... (I know I know, it takes a big man to carry something in baby-blue.....)
 
I love my LCC D/A. It's a Gen II with Ti bolsters, and Carbon fiber handles. The best combination, in my opinion. Have Zenghost show you a pic of his customized LCC. It's a beauty!

I actually am looking to trade (other knives, not my D/A) for a M/A, as I like the open back, and colored spacers. The D/A is actually more easily opened in the manual mode, so if use is an issue, save the $$. But, as you said, you like to play with your toys, so maybe you really do need the D/A. It IS fun to watch others try to figure it out. If you have the extra $$, then go for the D/A, but if money is a factor, you won't be settling for the M/A, as they are both near-custom quality, and will take a beating.

If you can find one with Titanium bolsters, do, and the Carbon fiber is way cool! And, don't spend more than $225-250, if you can help it. I remember about a year ago, many were on clearance for under $200. I guess I should have stocked up on extras, and turned them for a profit. Nah! I would have used them, and kept them for myself!

DD
 
o offence TheBadGuy, but don't get me even started on the colour.... (I know I know, it takes a big man to carry something in baby-blue.....)
Click to expand...

LOL :D Yeah, I am just not "bad" enough to carry the camo versions. Non Seal/Speical forces here :p
 
As far as I am informed only the 1st gen had Ti bolsters, they were also cut some smaller.

I can also recommend the UT6, it is by far smaller and maybe "real-one-handed".
 
Here in Belgium I paid over 600 euro for a Combo edge, carbonfiber/titanium 154CM LCC so you guys can't complain :) a damn endura costs 97 euro over here.
 
I live in Europe as well, that's why I'm looking to buy it from the US. Still end up saving a lot of money even after shipping and custom fees!

Wonder why there aren't any cool companies here in Europe, the kind that makes the North Americans jealous :rolleyes: ....
 
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