review: MICROTECH SCARAB

Joined
Jul 2, 2000
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Hi all, I just thought I would share my thoughts on my new Scarab, just in case any of you out there are thinking of picking one of these up. Pic is from Tadgear.com
mt-scarab.jpg


Packaging: The Scarab comes in a rubber and plastic tube that is a bit bigger than a soda can. It has rubber caps on both ends, and looks as it could serve as a travel case. within the tube is the usual MT paperwork with the addition of an operation and maintenance manual that is written in army field manual fashion. It is very informative and well written.

Handle: The handle is at about 4" in length and is coated black as the other Microtech offerings. There is a sandpaper-like grip tape pattern inlayed on both sides of the knife, and it definately yeilds great non-slip gripping. The Scarab is put together with the new styly Microtech anti-tamper fastener screws (so us nuts can't dissasemble them). The handle, although squared off is rather ergonomic and comfortable. On the top is the firing button which is the perfet size for use with gloved hands. I have heard some complaints about the large size, however if you can try to remember the groupe that Microtech is trying to capture (SF, LE) they often wear gloves at work. There is definately no worry about accidental deployment with this firing button. You have to want to open this knife.

Clip: The clip is bead blasted and has the Scarab logo on it. It is fastened to the top of the knife and is reversable for right, or left hand use. I am a lefty and love this fact. There are two types of fastene screws. one is of hte Torx design and the other is a GBD (Glass breaking device) or as I like to think of it a "Skull crusher":D Microtech provides a tool to take the clip off, within the sheath. There is also a lanyard hole attached to the clip.

Blade: The blade is 3.4 inches long and is made of S30V (Great stuff!) The one I got is stonwashed and without serrations. There are blood grooves on both sides as well as on top of the blade. The blade is some type of modified spear point with a swedge on top. Very nicely done. The marking on the blade are usual Microtech markings. the only difference I see off the top is next to the serial number is a U.S. Mine is U.S.- 0553.

Action: As I stated earlier, you have to want this knife to open to activate the blade. It's not just a simple nudge on the firing button. You can feel the tension getting tighter as you push on the button all the way till it snaps out with authority. There is just a tiny bit of side to side blade play, but it's hardly noticable. Retracting the blade is just the reverse of opening it. Pull back on the firing button and "SNAP!" it's closed. I almost needed twon hands to pull back on the button at first till I adapeted my dexterity to this range of motion. I don't think accidental firing, or closing will be an issue here.

Overall this is a very nice knife and I think it is worth the price tag. QC is top notch! I'm thining it will end up comming down in price in the future, but who knows if that's the cae. Or if Microtech will just discontinue it all together. As I said I am glad I got mine while I could. I will be carrying this an my primary EDC, on and off duty.
 
Nice review, but I do have one problem with it.


within the tube is the usual MT paperwork with the addition of an operation and maintenance manual that is written in army field manual fashion. It is very informative and well written.

Army field manual fashion and informative and well written? One or the other, because it can't be both. ;) JK, really, very nice review.
 
... it is just beyond my price range and I can't justify another auto. Good guys like you would just confiscate it from me and use it for EDC. I like to keep my knives, thank you very much. ;)
 
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