Reliability of the MICROBAR lock?

Horus -- There have been reports of failures in microbar locks, mostly typical liner lock type failures: blade got stuck and torqued a bit, lock slipped off. In the last round of discussions, I think opinions ranged from "not that much improvement over a liner lock, reliability-wise", to "it's an improvement over liner lock reliability, but not by that much" (i.e., it's not a leapfrog technology like the axis lock).

I love the SOCOM Elite's design. The microbar is the only reason I don't (and won't) own one. As soon as Microtech starts using a lock format I trust, I will definitely start buying some.

Note that different forums have different character. Here on bladeforums, you'll get responses from many people who agree with me, and some who disagree. If you had asked this same question on knifeforums, my response would have been drowned out by positive responses about Microtech and the microbar. It's worth posting on other forums if only to increase your pool of responses ( I clench my teeth while I write that, because I don't want you led astray by the microtech crowd at knifeforums, but it's only fair :) ).

Joe
 
Horus, I don't know how you use your knives but will comment based on how I use my knives. I find the microbar lock satisfactory for my "normal" uses of the knife (a MT Socom Elite). My normal uses are opening boxes, shaving wood chips, cutting fruit/food in the field, whittling, cleaning fish, etc. Frankly, I don't see how others can induce this lock to fail under these normal uses. If you use a knife as a crowbar or for splitting timbers, I think you're using the wrong tool. ;)

The only concern I have for these liner locks is that small particles may get lodged between the frame and liner lock and prevent the lock from disengaging when I need to close the blade quickly. (I also have concerns about this with the Axis lock). I should note, however, that this has never happened to me with either lock.
 
Just get one and use it.
If it fails send it back to Microtech.
I've had SOCOM Elites and never had a lock failure.
I personally believe people put down the microbar just because it's not anything fancy.
It's as good as any liner lock, probably better because there's more contact surface between the bar and tang. That means a little more wear resistence.
I also personally believe SOCOM Elites are more resistent to torque.
The microbar itself will not bend like thinner liner locks, thus there's less movement.
People will stab the knife into something then try to pull it out and torque the handles letting their fingers run accross the lock.
That's just stupid and almost any liner style lock will give under that type or handling.

That's just what I think, if anyoen thinks differently (or the same than I) then please, express your thoughts.:)
 
toothed: to clarify here, the failures I know about were not "splitting timbers" or any other such use. They are typical liner lock failures: getting the knife stuck in cardboard and having to torque it out a bit, for example. Or, in one example, a guy was pruning some plants, the edge got a little stuck in the plant, and when he levered it out, the lock disengaged. This doesn't mean every microbar in the world will fail due to such mild use ... it just means that, just like with liner locks, there's more failures than I find acceptable. I'm surprised you don't see how "others can induce this lock to fail" under what you call normal use. Let's face it, even in moderate use, you can always get the blade a little stuck and have to lever or torque it out a bit, and unless you haven't paid attention, you've heard lots of stories of certain kinds of locks failing when subjected to this moderate usage.

These are advertised as heavy-use folders. Personally, I feel they should be evaluated that way.

Anyway, I just wanted to clarify: the failures I've heard about were just moderate-use failures, not even hard use. And, I'm not saying they will all fail like that ... this is always a percentage game, I'm sure there are plenty out there that will take very hard use no problem. I feel my chances of getting a sound knife like that will increase if I look at other lock formats.



Joe
 
I have a couple of Socom Elites and have not had any problems with lock failure. I have not subjected them to "spine wacking" as I do not consider that to be a realistic test of knives that are to be used for "normal" knife tasks. I simply use my knives under normal conditions for tasks that knives are normally used for.

I also feel that "spine wacking" , if aggressively done, can constitute "abuse" and may void your warranty.

Just my opinion. The microbar appears to be a fairly solid, reliable system. These are tools, and any tool, no matter how well made , will have a failure here and there.
 
I'm sure this microbar works well. I have 3 liner locks, and never have I had lock failure. though I have never wedged my knife into anything either.

I think Joe's points are the following:

1) If Horus is wanting a knife with lock reliability being a promary criterion for choosing, microbars and loner locks shouldn't be considered. Mechanically speaking, an axis lock is much more reliable than a liner or a microbar. And,

2) If a knife is advertised as a hard use knife, it should be evaluated as such. Yep, Joe EXPLICITLY stated that one. Hard use knives get wedged into things. You should be able to get your HARD USE knife out of whatever it is stuck in, withoug the lock failing. As far as I am concerned, if a company advertises a product to do xyz, the product should do xyz.

Horus, if you are not prone to using a knife where it mught have to be twisted, a liner lock or microbar lock will serve you well. Mine have for a while now. If you are primarily concerned with lock failure, there are more reliable locks than liners and microbars.





Just get one and use it. If it fails, send it back to Microtech
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Knife Fumbler, this statement reminds me of a statement that is on the web page for Eagle Industries:

"What good is a guarantee 4000 miles from the factory?" This statement, made by an aviator in the 160th Aviation Regiment, prior to Desert Storm, sums up what we are all about. Equipment failure at 10 feet AGL, in a hot LZ, or two seconds after you enter a hostage filled room, is not acceptable. Eagle Industries has been giving the professional operator the edge since 1982. The challenges of the Twenty-First Century will be just as real. That is why we work hard every day to develop solutions that have given this generation, and will give the professionals of tomorrow, the confidence that their equipment will not fail them.
Click to expand...

I'd recommend not buying anything with the assurance that if it breaks, you can just send it back. Set out you rcriteria, do your research, and make a purchase. What good is any knife if it fails a user when he or she has some important HARD USE for it. Especially when a knife is advertised as being a hard use knife, but can't deliver. This goes for any product, not any particular product mentioned here.
 
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