Spyderco Fans: Your opinions about MOD/Microtech knives

I

Ian11

Joined
May 15, 2003
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I'm pretty new to this knife collecting thing. I've been using inexpensive (though highly effective) FRN handled Spyderco's for years and always thought any knife costing over $100 was "ridiculous". Now, things are a little different.:p After getting my first $100 knife I've learned there is a difference.

In the next tier in price range there are the Masters of Defense and Microtechs. Are they really that much better? Aesthetically, they don't really appeal to me. Too high tech looking. Too "tactical". Too Star Trekkie looking come to mind. And are their liner locks that much better than a Spyderco Military? I'm not knocking them at all. I've never handled one. I like Spyderco's and Benchmades but if these are really THAT much better in terms of quality to justify the price I may serously consider them. There is also of course the now classic Emerson Commander which looks like a very well made knife.
 
Ian11, Mods and Microtechs are a "different animal" in my opinion. I have 1 Master of Defense knife and 1 Microtech knife (both really good knives) and probably 25 Spyderco's plus or minus one or two either way. You may like them, many people do. I do not feel they are better quality or worse quality. They are made differently. Try to see as many knives in person before you part with your hard earned money.
 
Originally posted by Ian11
And are their liner locks that much better than a Spyderco Military? I'm not knocking them at all.
Click to expand...

Spyderco Military is a great working linerlock. Microtech is just different... a fine example of manual MT is Amphibian. Please, take a look at the Microtech's variant of linerlock called MicroBar. Any more questions about the strenght of this lock? And yes, I'm Microholic...

amphibian_m_1.jpg


amphibian_m_2.jpg
 
Aesthetics aside what I'm asking is, this knife costs twice as much as a well built Spyderco or Benchmade. Is it because this knife is "more suitable" for defense because they have locks more suitable for self defense? For example Spyderco's 'Lil Temperance is a small 3" folder but it costs well over $100. Was it because of its sturdy lock? The Microtech Amphibian looks like a very well built high quality knife. The liner lock looks very well protected from accidental release. And that handle holds a lot 'o blade. Good design.
 
Hi Ian. Tony Marfioni is a custom maker and designer that is making production knives. His knives, like Chris Reeve's still have a great deal of "cusom" in them and it is evident in the knives. The machining, the hand operations, the limited quantities, etc. just cost more to do, so the knives cost more. They also make autos, which usually cost more as well.

With regards for linerlocks, when a linerlock defeats, it blows the handles apart. A thicker liner keeps the lock from flexing, but in the end, it is not the liner but the pins/rivets/screws that hold the knife together that determine the strength of the linerlock. In that area, we'll stack our Military up against any of the linerlock competition.

The lil' Temperance is expensive because of the machining costs on the G-10 handle and the exotic steels (CPM).

sal
 
Originally posted by Sal Glesser
With regards for linerlocks, when a linerlock defeats, it blows the handles apart. A thicker liner keeps the lock from flexing, but in the end, it is not the liner but the pins/rivets/screws that hold the knife together that determine the strength of the linerlock. In that area, we'll stack our Military up against any of the linerlock competition.
Click to expand...

Sal, one more issue about linerlock (and any other lock as well). For me a very important issue is to ensure that locking liner engags perfectly. It's determined by: a) lock design, b) materials and c) manufacturing quality. I assume you've taken it for granted as your knives show excellence in all these issues, but with other brands it's not always that good. And I can confirm the strenght of Military - it's really hard to imagine the use of this knife that could break it's linerlock!
 
It was stated in another thread, and I agree, the linerlocks on the Military and Starmate were the only linerlocks I ever liked. That includes some customs in the $500 range. MOD's and MT's, as stated above, are not better, just different. Depends on what you want. If you don't love the looks, then don't fork over the money for what you may think will be better performance. I have come full circle back to the plain old lockback. It's "reliable high performance" as Spyderco says. Can't beat it. I've never had to send a factory-made lockback in for repairs. But, I have returned three custom made liner/framelocks to the makers for repairs. You do the math. I will never ever buy another linerlock sight unseen. I may never buy another linerlock period. The compression lock is something I have researched recently and am liking the concept, though at first it seemed "gimmicky" to me. But, I believe it was introduced in 2000, and here we are in 2003 with minimal complaints about it. The aluminum Salsa with the compression lock was very solid. Sorry to ramble so, but I like this topic. Your best bet is to handle anything before you buy it. Or at the very least, buy it from a dealer with a return policy. Then if you're not absolutely satisfied, just return it. You do get what you pay for, but "new and improved isn't always". You can search for "linerlock reliability". Joe Talmadge (thanks Joe!) has a lot to say on the subject. The Sebenza is the only 100% reliable "linerlock" (framelock I know, I know) made. But it's not for everybody either. Hope some of this helps.

Leo G.
 
LAG3:

I'm leaning more everyday to your thinking as well. Have some nice linerlocks tucked away but lately I prefer the lockback knives for their utter dependability in not releasing the blade until I want it to.

Carrying a Tarani lockback Karambit now but by the end of the week I'll be toting a Matriarch, Merlin, or Spyderhawk in lockback as the EDC fro defense.

One less thing to worry about in the lockup dept. and it's becoming more of a concern for me after 20 years of carrying linerlocks.

I like the military very much, one of sals better attempts and sales show why I'm sure. The only problem I have with it now is that it is a linerlock and I have made the decision to not carry one further.

I like my MODS and MT's a lot. They are rugged, well built knives that will likely outlast the one using it. One is tip up and a linerlock so I won't carry that one as I've been bit for the last time with tip up reaching into the pocket.

Brownie
 
I'm hoping to check out the Tarani Karambit myself. Does it have dual liners, or are the screws tapped into the G-10? I am picking up a custom linerlock at the Blade Show, and it will be my last. I just can't justify spending $300 or more on a knife that is not 100% reliable. I could buy 3-5 lockbacks from Spyderco or others for that kind of money. Hell, for just over $300, I could get the Gunting Drone, the Lil' Temperance and the Gunting video set that I'm currently drooling over! Or I could get at least one or two custom fixed blades from top makers. An R.W. Clark japanese-style is on top of my list of things to check out at the Blade Show too. I will be picking up a Temperance fixed blade to go with my trainer too.

brownie, shoot me an email, I'm in NY, where are you in the NE?

Thanks,

Leo
 
I had a MT Lightfoot and would have loved it if it was a little thinner.The Military has the best liner lock I have ever seen.I hated liner locks until I handled a milli for the first time.
 
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