Problem with Microtech Manual LCC

If your unhappy with the knife you should return it for a replacement instead of taking it apart and voiding the warranty. now your stuck with a lemon.
 
Blackrazor,

The washer you are looking at is actually called a wave washer, and the intent is to act as a continuous spring to maintain tension on the blade without having to tighten down the handles to the point where they inhibit the smoothness of the knife. While I don't own an LCC, I do own two Socom's and both have that in them. In the SOCOM's the wave washer is used to maintain the tension, because the back of the handle is closed (not an open frame) so there is a distinct limit to how far you can tighten the handles down at the pivot, so the washer maintains the tension on the blade.

I'm not sure if the back of the LCC is open or closed frame on the back, but I am quite sure that it should not have side to side play when locked open. (In the SOCOM the thumbstuds are used to help stabilize the blade) Therefore, I suggest you carefully put it back together exactly as it came apart and send it back to Microtech to see what can be done. Even if you voided the warranty, generally fixing something like this should be relatively easy to do (slightly thicker bronze washer, slightly shorter blade stop pin, etc ...) for them and the cost shouldn't be prohibitive. I also get pretty wanked over side to side play in folders so I understand your irritation.
 
I know what you mean, there's this extra wavy washer that fits into a recess in the blade. I too like to disassemble my knives, it's a man or boy thing that makes us want to learn how things work. :)

Anyway, don't worry about the wavy washer, i don't think it's the cause of the blade play. Check the pivot screw and experiment on positioning the pivot screw while slowly tigthening it.
 
That zero blade play thing can be a tricky proposition. I have personally seen VERY few production knives that exhibit the ability to function smoothly while maintaining a level of zero blade play, especially in the unlocked position. You can usually detect at least a little shucking as the blade is wiggled. The only ones I have seen that are capable of this are the Sebenza and my BM 710. My LCC's obtain this at varying degrees, My early (#359) model has enough play that it can be heard clicking as you wiggle it, while my Tactical has just enough movement to be felt. Both open smoothly with no play evident and the lock up very solid with no play when open. I guess what I am trying to say is that if blade play can only be felt if I go looking for it, and not during the actual using of the knife, then I consider the knife acceptable. However, if you do find a simple solution to this please let me know as perfection is always preferred :)
 
BlackRazor, I reached into my pocket to look at the blade on my MT LCC...09/2000, guess yours was put together before the assembler had his second cup of coffee. All kidding aside I haven't noticed any blade play in mine and I carry it practically every day (I even bought a second one in case anything ever happens to this one). While I can't offer any advice on how to correct the play in your knife I can offer this...no matter how high the quality is on your MT it's still a production knife..not a custom. Manufacturers work with a tolerance range, a few thousands here and there. You can't make things perfect every time, it would be too cost prohibitive.
The surest way to drive a machinist crazy is to give him a part print with a dimension like.....2.375 +.000 / -.000. I was a Cad designer for eight years...trust me.
 
I would very much doubt that you have voided the warranty on your knife. Most of the good manufacturers will understand the disassembly of a knife as long as you did not damage it or send them a bag of loose parts- even Benchmade!

I own two LCC's and neither exhibit the blade play that you are describing. There have been some shoddy ones around that folks have described, but Microtech is a great company and they stand behind their product unless it is obvious that you have torn it up.

Send it back for a tune up or replacement.

Daniel:
 
My suggestion would be to call Microtech. I never had a problem with my LCC and it was made around the same time. Microtech has pretty good customer service and they should take care of you. Good luck.
Matthew
 
BlackRazor,
Sorry to hear about that......
I sent one of my LCC's back (I forgot about that until just a few minutes ago) a couple of months ago to have the pocket clip replaced. Your comment about getting an R.A. # jogged my memory....to say I didn't get a warm fuzzy feeling from the woman I spoke to on the phone would be a major understatement. On the positive side I will say this...they replaced the bent clip on my knife and charged me nothing...all it cost me was postage and two weeks without my knife (yes, I was having major withdrawls). I say send your knife back to them anyway....after getting an R.A. # of course...maybe they'll be nice about the whole thing and fix your knife for free. Can't hurt to try.
 
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