what about microtechs?

I'm not going to dispute anything that has been said, but my limited experience has been somewhat different. I had an LCC that was every bit as good as people say.

Then I bought a Medallion neck knife. The design and manufacturing are superb, but the sheath leaves a lot to be desired. And the edge was dull out of the box. I mean seriously dull; it tore a paper bag instead of cutting.

So I think Microtech produces some great knives, but I am not all that impressed with the QC. :rolleyes:

--Bob Q
 
Microtech has a checkered history. Without question Tony Marfione is a brilliant knife designer and craftsman, but his past business practices with both distribution and his lack of concern for the opinions of the Microtech buying public shows that he has a lot to learn about running a successful company. Remember the black-bladed Nemesis in which a large percentage of the blades had flaking problems? Did Microtech stand behind their product? NO! Customers paid premiums for the black finish, and if they returned the knife to Microtech, they would get the blade back with finish removed. Not a solution, but the blade problem was "not their problem"!
Ernie Emmerson is the same way. He accepted 100 years worth of pre-orders for custom knives with $25 deposits, with delivery estimates of 1-2 years. He will NEVER be able to fulfill his commitments. He has NEVER acknowledged to those who he accepted deposits that they may never receive their knife. I will NEVER buy any of his products because in my opinion he is totally unethical.
OK, I feel better now.
 
Originally posted by jki
Microtech has a checkered history. Without question Tony Marfione is a brilliant knife designer and craftsman, but his past business practices with both distribution and his lack of concern for the opinions of the Microtech buying public shows that he has a lot to learn about running a successful company. Remember the black-bladed Nemesis in which a large percentage of the blades had flaking problems? Did Microtech stand behind their product? NO! Customers paid premiums for the black finish, and if they returned the knife to Microtech, they would get the blade back with finish removed. Not a solution, but the blade problem was "not their problem"!
Ernie Emmerson is the same way. He accepted 100 years worth of pre-orders for custom knives with $25 deposits, with delivery estimates of 1-2 years. He will NEVER be able to fulfill his commitments. He has NEVER acknowledged to those who he accepted deposits that they may never receive their knife. I will NEVER buy any of his products because in my opinion he is totally unethical.
OK, I feel better now.
Click to expand...

But tell us, how do you really feel?

Just kidding. ;)

As someone who is interested in buying both Microtech and Emerson knives, I appreciate your frankness. It's often good to hear things we should know as consumers. Thanks for passing that info along. :)
 
I think jki is hiding his Emerson rant here where it won't be spotted or answered. I bet he is grossly exaggerating. He is also trying to discourage people from buying good knives that he has decided not to like -- notice he didn't say anything about Emerson quality, just tried to tar both Microtech and Emerson by juxtaposition by citing different problems he sees with each.

That sort of dishonesty keeps me from believing his claims of poor practice on Tony Marfione's and Ernie Emerson's part. Consider the source.
 
Originally posted by bquinlan
Then I bought a Medallion neck knife. The design and manufacturing are superb, but the sheath leaves a lot to be desired. And the edge was dull out of the box. I mean seriously dull; it tore a paper bag instead of cutting. --Bob Q
Click to expand...
Bob, I can't speak for your Medallion, but mine (secondhand) was a razor. I used it in the kitchen, where it was very easy to keep clean, being a skeletonized handle. It did a great job on fruits and vegetables. The problem I had was the handle being just as little too short for my paw :) I wasn't comfortable gripping something that short, especially when wet.

Oh, yeah. The sheath could have been better! :)
 
Originally posted by Esav Benyamin
Bob, I can't speak for your Medallion, but mine (secondhand) was a razor.
Click to expand...

I suspect mine was a fluke, but it was still disappointing. At least it has done well by me since I got it sharpened up. I still love the design.

The problem I had was the handle being just as little too short for my paw :) I wasn't comfortable gripping something that short, especially when wet.
Click to expand...

Have you tried adding a lanyard tied like the ones CRK provides? An inch or two of coil makes a huge difference to the way the Medallion feels in use.

--Bob Q
 
Originally posted by Esav Benyamin
I think jki is hiding his Emerson rant here where it won't be spotted or answered. I bet he is grossly exaggerating. He is also trying to discourage people from buying good knives that he has decided not to like -- notice he didn't say anything about Emerson quality, just tried to tar both Microtech and Emerson by juxtaposition by citing different problems he sees with each.

That sort of dishonesty keeps me from believing his claims of poor practice on Tony Marfione's and Ernie Emerson's part. Consider the source.
Click to expand...

To be fair Esav, it is jki's personal opinion to which he is entitled and those experiences may be quite true. Of course, not everyone has a positive experience with even the most well reputed companies.

EXAMPLE: Everyone says DELL computers have great customer service, but I got the runaround from them so I'll never buy a DELL and have nothing but bad things to say about them. But it doesn't mean they're bad and evil to other people who had positive experiences with them.

Still, there are many others like yourself who are satisfied customers. Therefore, I don't think one "thumbs down" will deter me from considering a Microtech or Emerson, but I do appreciate hearing both sides before I jump in and buy an expensive knife.

BTW, is it "for sure" that the SOCOM Elites are back in production? I recall they were out of production for a while and I've been away from the knife scene for about a year.
 
Mr. Benyamin, I am not trying to hide a flame here about Emerson. I just was on my soapbox about Microtech, and my experience with Emerson custom knives just came to mind. Also, I am not trying to discourage anyone to buy any products. The fact that Microtech had an issue in the past with what I consider a poor response to a problem does not make Microtech knives any less outstanding from a design standpoint, and they are typically very well executed and of excellent quality. I have many of them myself. But for the record, Microtech has not always had a completely stellar customer service record.
As far as Emerson, here are the facts: Emerson has taken orders for hundreds of custom handmade knives for which a $25 deposit was required. I placed my order in 1997 for a CQC7, and my custom order number is somewhere around 1100-1200. The stated estimated delivery in 1997 was "approximately 1 year." Emerson stopped taking additional custom orders a year or so ago. The highest invoice number I have seen was in the mid 1400's, and that order was also placed in 1997. Ernie Emerson was quoted several years ago as saying he had over "3000 custom knife orders." There is reported a sign in the Emerson Knife Company office that says if a customer calls about custom order delivery, tell them that the wait is over three years.
The facts are that Ernie Emerson is a very busy man, with a successful knife business. The rarity of his custom knives indicates to me that he doesn't make a whole lot of them. 100 knives a year, max? So if he has 3000 orders, that is 30 years of backlog at a reasonable rate of production for handmade custom quality knives.
My particular knife is now 4 years past stated delivery estimate, but given the above facts and estimates, I don't expect to see a knife for many, many years. And yet, Ernie continues to have handmades available for sale at custom knife shows for those with cash in hand. Ethical business? You decide. Again, I am saying nothing bad about Emerson knives, and making no judgement on their quality or customer service. They apparently are extremely popular, and so must be making a decent product. I for one, however, choose not to support his business based upon personal experience and knowledge of his custom knife practices, which in my opinion are unethical.
 
jki - thanks for sharing. sorry about your position. if the facts are accurate, then it doesn't sound like a good business practice by Emerson. before I get flamed, I am an emerson owner, and I'm going to get the folding kerambit...when it makes its way to prodo.:D

ok, back to microtech...I posted this in the WTB section but since everyone's (ok, almost) raving about them, I have to have a Microtech Vector satin finish PE. Pls, pls - I can't afford to buy a new one (cos I'm saving for the kerambit) so anyone care to help me out?

cheers,
spyken:cool:
 
I've owned many, and I've kept the UT6 and have just gotten a Tachyon. Awesome knives, although QC seems a bit off at times. They are still one of my favorite production companies, problems and all.
 
MT's are the only knives I have ever owned with consistantly perfect Quality Control. I have owned quite a few and have since traded and sold them, just cause I know I will get what I want when I offer them up. They are well worth the money. I know there has been talk about their choice of blade steels and whatnot, but I truly believe MT is just experimenting with all options. Great knives. Go out and get some. I know I am about to get another few. PS. Dr Lathe, I spotted a small smudge on that blade, if you send the knife to me I will clean it for you free of charge. Plus I will get you a DA SOCOM without writing on the box.:rolleyes: :D ;)
 
Sharp, they don't come any sharper and they have a good heat treat so they keep a great edge for a long time, like it's been said, MT makes the very best there is in production autos on the planet, Bar None, PERIOD!

Cheers!
James
 
I own a Brend blade designed Combat Talon II with bead blasted blade, an Ultratech D/E with satin finished double edged nemisis dagger blade and an LCC with stonwashed blade and gray carbon fiber scales. I love them, but will be parting with the Ultratech and LCC for dirt cheap, in order to fund more customs, per the previous post further above.

The Combat Talon will stay, due to my love for it's cool blade design. It is one of the best OTFs in my opinon, due to it's totally solid lockout. It is also farily ambidextrous, due to how the button is located. The sound it makes indicaes it means business!! :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top