Looking for a knife of MicroTech Quality level

[regal]

I've been collecting knives on/off for 30 years but never seriously . My first decent knife was a case sharktooth . But case knives like the sharktooth just weren't machined to tolerances like we get now. I also like the new tactical trend.

Back in 2002 I bought a Microtech mini-UDT auto and gave it to my wife at the time. I never even touched it because I bought a Dalton Jackal at the same time and just assumed the Dalton was better. Well the wife became an ex and I got the UDT back. Upon closer inspection I realize this UDT is the nicest knife I have ever seen.

The lock on the UDT is just plain incredible, I have never seen a folder lock so tight that it is indistiguisheable from a fixed blade. The "fit" is amazing.

I understand that manufacturing (CNC) has advanced things a lot since the Case Sharketooth. I recently bought a Kershaw Cyclone which is the perfect design I have in mind, but there is a bit of side to side play. I also bought a SOG Flash 1 and the play on this one is just terrible. I have been told that MicroTech isn't what they once were.

Basicaly I am looking for a Kershaw Cyclone tactical type design with a machined fit and lockup like my 2002 MicroTech.

 

[hso]

Since you've paid for a MT and a Dalton in the past you already know that you'll be paying a good bit more for the quality involved.

I don't know of any higher end manufacturer that makes something just like the Cyclone. You could get Ken to make one for you that would be perfect, but you already know that would take an arm and a leg and a several year wait to be built. It would be unique and have a huge resale value, though.

You could ask Tony to make one for you. It would be less expensive than Ken doing it and would be done much quicker.

You could ask any of the other custom folder makers to do one. There are plenty of good young makers who can do this for under $300. You could also ask one to customize a Cyclone so that it would have the lockup you're looking for. Some makers are willing to cut new scales and rebuild a factory knife that has a quality blade. You might get that done for ~$100- $200.

You could also hop over to www.knifekits.com and get a kit to build your own and have a completely self made custom to your specs.

Button locks, when properly fitted, lock up very tight.

 

[regal]

Don't need a knife exactly like the Cyclone, just of the same "style", i.e. tactical. But with a world class lock-up.

 

[mdao]

The ZT300/301/302 might be up your alley if you're looking for a production blade. Both of mine have solid lockups with zero vertical/horizontal blade play. No issues with spine whacks either. It's a large folder though and is rather similar to the P3AT in both size and weight. About the same public friendliness as well.

Images of the lockups on my ZT300s are below.