Niall88
Gold Member
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2022
- Messages
- 390
5/29/23 QUICK UPDATE: HOW TO FALL BACK IN LOVE WITH YOUR MICROTECH MSI
Alright, you can read what I wrote below, or maybe you have already read it. As many of us know, who own the Microtech MSI, it is not the most comfortable knife to hold. It certainly does not melt into one's hand. Today I had a most brilliant idea, at least brilliant for me since I only have a few brain cells left. And I did this type of polishing on my Emerson G10 so it was not a pocket shredder. I got myself a very small piece of 400 grit wet or dry sandpaper, this is rather 'fine' grade. I wiped a coat of nontoxic CLP onto the sandpaper and very gently scrubbed/sanded just the outside and inside edges of the dip in the handle where your first two fingers fit in. If I showed you a photo you would barely be able to tell I took off any material. However, I tell you loud and clear it makes all the difference in the world! It literally alleviates some of the subtle irritation that comes from those sharp edges in that area. I barely smoothed it out and it is just a world of difference. You cannot even tell I did anything to the knife upon close inspection. The secret, just in case you need me to say it, is using the CLP, olive or coconut oil, as a lube while you are sanding with the wet/dry sand paper. This 'lube' literally polishes while you are taking down some material. Way more comfortable now!
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Was curious about the new Microtech MSI. So I bought one here on BF. Like many of you, I watch the knives that come up for sale. I noticed there was an obviously large number of MSI going up for sale immediately after the person had it in their hands. This again peaked my curiosity. Although I have seen knives come up for sale after a drop, these MSI numbers appeared quite large to me. Why were so many people selling them? I read explanations such as: "wanted different color scales", "a bit large for me", etc. But nobody was of course saying anything bad about the knife.
I am keeping the knife, I kind of like it. However, I want share some thoughts. And forgive me, these are not totally objective and factual, it is mostly subjective what I am sharing here. However, I am guessing that others had the same 'subjective' experience I have had, but were not saying anything (if this all makes sense?).
Like I say, a bit subjective. When my M3 Tactical Tech Marine Raider goes into my hand, it is an immediate love affair in terms of instant fit and comfort and melting into the hand. One of my favorites, my Hinderer Project X, comfortable and an immediate, subjective, nonverbal "yes" for the fit and feel. This is the same for my Spartan Blades Pallas and Emerson CQC8. And other knives as well, just an immediate good feeling and fit when they go into the hand, as well as opening and closing.
The first thing I noticed with the Microtech MSI is that something just did not feel like it was matching between the ratio/heft/weight of the blade compared to the handle. I cannot put it into words, maybe the handle/scale side is too light compared to the heavy blade. I like large knives, this does not feel like a large knife to me for some reason. In addition, I noticed that never, never, never, will holding the knife feel comfortable and like a nice "yes" fit. It won't happen. That was the most obvious subjective experience to me. The handle, I cannot say why, I feel is a stupid design, not well thought out. How thin the cut away ramps are on the G10 where your thumb slides into the opening hole is a total hot spot, not in any way comfortable. I don't think I have ever picked up a knife that has felt so foreign in my hand. Again, I apologize for how subjective I am being.
The point being is that I can fully understand why so many of these knives are getting resold immediately after people purchase them, even if the seller is not complaining in any way about the knife. There is just an overall "feel" about the knife that just does not land well subjectively. I wonder if anyone else agrees with me, or can be more intelligently articulate than I am being here with my subjective rambling?
I will keep the knife. In a strange way, I kind of like how unique it is. I will turn it into a user for sure. But again, falling in love with the knife, as I did immediately with my Marine Raider, Spartan Blades Pallas or Hinderer Project X, that is not going to happen with the MSI.
UPDATE 5/29/23
Although I still agree with all that I said above, after carrying using the knife a bit, I have come to like it. Again, it is not the most comfortable knife, does not melt into one's hand in any way. But for some reason I do like it. Deploys nicely and can be closed by just using the thumb on one side of the ram lock to unlock and snap closed. Kinda cool. I will keep it.
View attachment 2190982
Alright, you can read what I wrote below, or maybe you have already read it. As many of us know, who own the Microtech MSI, it is not the most comfortable knife to hold. It certainly does not melt into one's hand. Today I had a most brilliant idea, at least brilliant for me since I only have a few brain cells left. And I did this type of polishing on my Emerson G10 so it was not a pocket shredder. I got myself a very small piece of 400 grit wet or dry sandpaper, this is rather 'fine' grade. I wiped a coat of nontoxic CLP onto the sandpaper and very gently scrubbed/sanded just the outside and inside edges of the dip in the handle where your first two fingers fit in. If I showed you a photo you would barely be able to tell I took off any material. However, I tell you loud and clear it makes all the difference in the world! It literally alleviates some of the subtle irritation that comes from those sharp edges in that area. I barely smoothed it out and it is just a world of difference. You cannot even tell I did anything to the knife upon close inspection. The secret, just in case you need me to say it, is using the CLP, olive or coconut oil, as a lube while you are sanding with the wet/dry sand paper. This 'lube' literally polishes while you are taking down some material. Way more comfortable now!
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Was curious about the new Microtech MSI. So I bought one here on BF. Like many of you, I watch the knives that come up for sale. I noticed there was an obviously large number of MSI going up for sale immediately after the person had it in their hands. This again peaked my curiosity. Although I have seen knives come up for sale after a drop, these MSI numbers appeared quite large to me. Why were so many people selling them? I read explanations such as: "wanted different color scales", "a bit large for me", etc. But nobody was of course saying anything bad about the knife.
I am keeping the knife, I kind of like it. However, I want share some thoughts. And forgive me, these are not totally objective and factual, it is mostly subjective what I am sharing here. However, I am guessing that others had the same 'subjective' experience I have had, but were not saying anything (if this all makes sense?).
Like I say, a bit subjective. When my M3 Tactical Tech Marine Raider goes into my hand, it is an immediate love affair in terms of instant fit and comfort and melting into the hand. One of my favorites, my Hinderer Project X, comfortable and an immediate, subjective, nonverbal "yes" for the fit and feel. This is the same for my Spartan Blades Pallas and Emerson CQC8. And other knives as well, just an immediate good feeling and fit when they go into the hand, as well as opening and closing.
The first thing I noticed with the Microtech MSI is that something just did not feel like it was matching between the ratio/heft/weight of the blade compared to the handle. I cannot put it into words, maybe the handle/scale side is too light compared to the heavy blade. I like large knives, this does not feel like a large knife to me for some reason. In addition, I noticed that never, never, never, will holding the knife feel comfortable and like a nice "yes" fit. It won't happen. That was the most obvious subjective experience to me. The handle, I cannot say why, I feel is a stupid design, not well thought out. How thin the cut away ramps are on the G10 where your thumb slides into the opening hole is a total hot spot, not in any way comfortable. I don't think I have ever picked up a knife that has felt so foreign in my hand. Again, I apologize for how subjective I am being.
The point being is that I can fully understand why so many of these knives are getting resold immediately after people purchase them, even if the seller is not complaining in any way about the knife. There is just an overall "feel" about the knife that just does not land well subjectively. I wonder if anyone else agrees with me, or can be more intelligently articulate than I am being here with my subjective rambling?
I will keep the knife. In a strange way, I kind of like how unique it is. I will turn it into a user for sure. But again, falling in love with the knife, as I did immediately with my Marine Raider, Spartan Blades Pallas or Hinderer Project X, that is not going to happen with the MSI.
UPDATE 5/29/23
Although I still agree with all that I said above, after carrying using the knife a bit, I have come to like it. Again, it is not the most comfortable knife, does not melt into one's hand in any way. But for some reason I do like it. Deploys nicely and can be closed by just using the thumb on one side of the ram lock to unlock and snap closed. Kinda cool. I will keep it.
View attachment 2190982
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