What do you think of MicroTech knives

"SIFU1A"
Must have been overwhelming experience for MT to be able to build something larger than the palm of a hand.
The very first SOCOM model (the manual opening tanto-tip SOCOM) was what that caused me to think that perhaps not all tactical knives had to be made ugly afterall.
And then, they had to come out with that plaything the Kestral and turn my tactical world upside down. The LCC was an amazing knife that it was a shock to see it go away, only to be copied off-shore and sold as something else, elsewhere.
 
MT was at the forefront of the modern auto surge that took off in the 90's. They brought us the LUDT and the Socom and the mini versions of both. The LCC revolutionized the D/A hidden release auto knife. They did the same with the S/A OTF's, Halo's and CTII, and later they really moved things along with the many models of the D/A OTF. A first for modern quality auto knives. I don't believe that any maker even came close to what MT gave to those of us that collect and/or use auto knives.
They also raised the bar quality wise. I have EDC'd one MT or another for many years and plan on continuing. I think we will see more models as the MSAR fades away with the AWB that will come next year.
 
Microtech knives are well executed and well made, but their suggested retail prices are a bit high.

Also, as they are known for their OTF knives, many potential customers would have to take legality into consideration. They make a great fixed blade---the Curahee (love the slight recurve and D2) as well as some nice manuals, but I think automatics are their forte. It depends on your preference; for an automatic, I'd go with MicroTech. For an EDC, I'd stick with Benchmade or Spyderco.
 
GIRLYmann said:
"SIFU1A"
Must have been overwhelming experience for MT to be able to build something larger than the palm of a hand.
The very first SOCOM model (the manual opening tanto-tip SOCOM) was what that caused me to think that perhaps not all tactical knives had to be made ugly afterall.
And then, they had to come out with that plaything the Kestral and turn my tactical world upside down. The LCC was an amazing knife that it was a shock to see it go away, only to be copied off-shore and sold as something else, elsewhere.
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i agree, i collected MT for a while, if ya like the SOCOM check out the SOCOM elite, i like it a lot better FWIW, but anyway i quit collecting them when everything they made started being a limited edition this or special run that, but i really liked the LCC's and have had several, autos and manuals, it was imho one of the better folders around, IIRC the MSRP on the manuals was less than $150 and it had very very good F&F, as good as anything, but i swapped them all, wish i woulda kept one manual and one auto FWIW, i sold the last one to a bud, a 3rd gen LCC with the micarta handles, combo edge and stone wash finish, he still has it but has put a lotta miles on it since then, & its held up well.

as far as price i agree they are high but its all relative i suppose, the autos hold there value well imho, some of the manuals do too, some dont like the kestral, didnt care for that one very much either, and took me a while to swap it off, no one wanted it lol,

i wouldnt pay MSRP for any of them FWIW, but that goes for MT, BM, spydie, EKI, etc, ya gotta find a deal & usually ya can,
 
Having JUST dealt with Microtech customer service, I was very pleased with the punctuality and quality of that service I was given. I dealt with Denise at the customer service dept and she was very professional and a pleasure to deal with. I received a voicemail and email from her upon receipt of my knife and upon it's departure. The repair was completed faster than originally promised.

My experience with Microtech was VERY positive. They not only fixed my knife, but gave it a general once-over, replaced a part on the linerlock and gave it a full sharpen without even a request for it. You can tell they take quality to the obsessive level.

BTW, I own the Mini Socom in manual and have been happy with it. It is quite compact, light weight, and a great EDC. I would say that the quality of build is as good as my spyderco military CFS90V.
 
The older microtechs are really fine knives,some of the finest factory knives made,i think,I find the only problem with current microtechs is the finish they are using. i had a socom elite in urban camo,the knife was great,perfect in every way,but the finish they are using seems to be sprayed on,& it wears off real quick,just from being in the pocket. as soon as i saw the finish starting to wear just from being in my pocket, i sold it.for that kind of money it should be tougher than that. i have a socom elite from 2000, & that handle finish is so much better,black anodized.i wonder if that currahee finish wears out quick,too.....
 
Old topic, I know, but I like my Microtech QD Scarab from 05/2003 -- at least, I mostly like it. It is my Every Day Carry knife. I don't see the "bronze" color available anymore.

I have had a lot of problems with it not fully engaging on deployment. Fully 1 in 20 deployments fail, and I have to pull the blade out the rest of the way. I've sent it in to Microtech, and they did whatever they do, but it changed nothing. I put in some Rem Oil occasionally, but I'm still disappointed with that aspect of the knife.

Yes, I like the knife. No, I can't trust it. That's unfortunate but works for me since, let's face it, mostly my knife just opens boxes for my kids.

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PS: Yes, it's a pretty expensive box cutter.
 
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This is my 98 mini socom:D.
Fit and finish is great and everything is flawless:).
Very nice blade grinds and good grippy finish on the handles:thumbup:.


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Heard some horror stories about their CS. I will not buy a knife that expensive unless it's backed by a good warranty and CS.
 
I used to collect them back in the Vero Beach days, and their quality at that time was top of the line for production knives, but the quality and reliability have been slipping over the years. I still buy an occasional D/A OTF for their novelty, and all of mine have proven to be reliable (knock wood) but Microtech's side openers no longer hold any appeal for me.

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Mini Socom was a great knife when it was available. I wish I could have kept the one I had. I do not like their auto knives, although they have the cool factor (switchblade) - the ergos leave a lot to be desired.

Some people think little about Microtech because of the owner, they say he is not a very plesant person. I never met him, so I do not know. Mini Socom was the best manual knife I saw from them.

Edit: I agree that they are extremely expensive, and can have a "mall ninja" type of feel.
 
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They are not too bad but not that great either. not my first choice ever but something I do consider when I'm looking for a new knife.
 
It's the "double" in double action out the front that I like best -- the retracting. Even without assistance, you can pop a blade out plenty quick, but for me, as I say always opening boxes for my kids, being able to make the knife disappear quickly is great. It's like the whole, "A sharp knife is safer than a dull knife," thing: "No blade is safer than blade."
 
I am sure I probably received a rare unfinished blade from Microtech but they have the worst customer service ever, it is so bad I told them to keep my brand new never used Scarab just so I don't have to listen to Laurel (person I get when I call support) on the phone ever again. Granted I am pissed off and I lost all that money but I was so mad I just blurted out keep the knife i never want to hear from you again as I was so enraged by that wonderful lady on the phone. Now it is just a matter of principle, I will not come back begging for my money, they can Gulf Foxtrot Themselves for all I care.

Microtech can "Sierra Mike Delta"..... I do not recommend this product and if you want details please PM me.
 
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Byrom Hermo said:
Their OTFs are second to none. Their auto side openers are awesome as well. Look at the Terz. I owned 3 of them and they were 'custom' level in quality/fit and finish. Some even said that they were nicer than knives made by Terzuola himself. Never had a manual MT. Sorry Benchmade(luv em) and Spyderco(I'll pass) but IMO you're not up to MT level.
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I second that!!!
 
MreeceC said:
Love mine. EDC it's perfect. Customer service was great for me.
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I am sure a lot of people have not had any issues with support since Microtech has been around for some 20+ years. Unfortunately I was not as lucky as you and am now sharing this experience here with the Bladeforums community so that possibly this gets back to MT and they fix what I would call a broken support or someone reads this and decides to go with another company that does not have as many post on CS complaints. I have a nice start up collections of knifes and I have only had to send two back, my Barrett Custom that the handle was to small for my hand and the second my Scarab that now lives at MT support and can stay there for all I care.

The Barrett was no questions ask credit to may account at BladeHQ that i used to get my MT knife, you can not go wrong buying anything from BladeHQ great people there very easy to deal with.

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If you care to hear more about my details see below and make your own determination as to if you even want to have to deal with this support for your MT knives.

Brief Chronological Order of Events
1. Called in spoke to someone probably Laurel and transferred to Wendell (was told to fill out web site RMA form).
2. After initial call I sent in emails with pictures showing the unfinished blade asking if this was normal of not and was told to send the knife in.
3. 1 week no RMA, though I did get an email saying the information was entered a few minutes after I entered it but still no RMA so I called back and asked for Wendell again.
4. Wendell informed me to just ship the knife to him and put direction about the unfinished blade in the packaging.
5. Overnighted the knife and called in to verify it was received where I was YELLED at by Laruel about not following directions. I explained that I was told to send in the knife in like i did by Wendell and if she was going to get pissy with anyone she should train her internal resources and not scold me for doing what I was told. It makes no sense to tell me how the process is supposed to work when I had direction that I followed to the letter from another employee.
6. Was told knife needed to go to repair center where I voiced my concern that the knife was to go to Wendell per instruction and again the verbal chastising about company policy blah blah blah " all repairs need to go to our facility"
7. Knife was shipped and of course a week later Wendell is back at his location and when I finally get in touch with him and he is having the knife shipped back to him and another week goes bye just like that.

Thats my experience though I would like to be more like you MreeceC and be able to say customer service was great for me to. Thanks you again for reading my experience and contributing with your own accounts.
 
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