Microtech Knives

Microtech Knives, Inc. is a knife manufacturing company, famous for its automatic knives,[2] that was founded in Vero Beach, Florida in 1994, and operated there until relocating to Bradford, Pennsylvania in 2005 and to Fletcher, North Carolina in 2009. In 2007 the company began manufacturing an American-made version of the Steyr AUG under the subsidiary name of Microtech Small Arms Research (MSAR).[1]

a Microtech Hawk and OTF Scarab
Microtech Knives, Inc.
TypePrivately held company
IndustryManufacturing[1]
FoundedVero Beach, Florida (1994 (1994))
HeadquartersFletcher, North Carolina
Key people
Tony and Susan Marfione[2]
ProductsKnives
Number of employees
100+[3]
Websitewww.microtechknives.com

The company has long promoted itself as stressing quality with regard to tight machining tolerances, to within one thousandth of an inch (0.001").[2][4] Microtech has designed knives for use by the US Military such as the HALO, UDT, SOCOM and Currahee models.[2][5] Custom knifemakers, such as Greg Lightfoot have remarked that these tolerances are what makes the factory knives so close to the custom design: "It has the same quality as a handmade custom."[6]

Although Microtech has produced many styles of blades such as kitchen knives, fishing knives, arrow heads, and balisong knives; Microtech is most famous for its tactical automatic knives.[7] The most popular designs among collectors are the "Out The Front" (OTF) and the "Double Action" (D/A) automatics.[8] Microtech along with Benchmade Knives was responsible for the resurgence in the popularity of tactical automatic knives in the 1990s.[8] These knives were seen more as a precision made tool utilizing powerful springs and high grade bushings as opposed to a cheap import.[8]

Microtech has collaborated with famous knifemakers and designers such as Ernest Emerson, Bob Terzuola, Mick Strider, Walter Brend, Mike Turber, Greg Lightfoot, and Reese Weiland on exclusive designs.[6] A Microtech Knives "HALO" was featured on the television series 24.[9]

Microtech Small Arms Research
Microtech Small Arms Research (MSAR)
TypePrivately held company
IndustryFirearms
FoundedVero Beach, FL (1994 (1994))
DefunctMarch 2015 (2015-03)
HeadquartersFletcher, NC
Key people
Tony Marfione[2]
ProductsFirearms and firearms accessories
Number of employees
30[10]
Websitewww.msarinc.com (defunct)

Microtech Small Arms Research (MSAR) was a subsidiary of Microtech Knives which manufactures an American-made version of the Steyr AUG known as the MSAR STG-556.[1] Introduced at the 2007 SHOT Show, the MSAR STG-556 is an AUG A1 clone available in either civilian, semi-automatic only and military/LE, select-fire variants. MSAR marketed accessories for its rifles until Microtech Knives Inc. closed down the division in March 2015.[11]

References
  1. Choat, Chris (March 2008), "Microtech's STG-556 An Exclusive First Look", Small Arms Review, 11 (6): 43–50
  2. Walker, Greg (September 1995). "Magnum Autos From Microtech". Fighting Knives Magazine. 8 (3): 12–13, 32, 52.
  3. "Microtech Knives, Inc". Bradford Office of Economic and Community Development (OECD). Archived from the original on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2007-06-22.
  4. "Microtech Knives - About Microtech". Archived from the original on 2007-02-13. Retrieved 2007-06-22.
  5. "Microtech Knives: the Currahee", Shooting Industry, September 2007, retrieved 2008-02-06
  6. Hopkins, Cameron (September 2000), "These Hot Profit-Makers Are The Knife Industry's Best Kept Secret For Gun Dealers", Shooting Industry, retrieved 2008-02-06
  7. Rhea, David (2005), "Butterfly Knives: Flippin' and Flyin'", Blade Magazine, 32 (9): 66–71
  8. Karwan, Chuck (March 2005), "Microtech's X-Files: Fast & Furious", Tactical Knives Magazine, 11 (2): 10–14
  9. Cerasini, Mark; Alfonsi, Alice (2003), 24: The House Special Subcommittee's Findings at CTU, Harper, pp. 224, ISBN 978-0-06-053550-6
  10. "Microtech Knives, Inc". Bradford Office of Economic and Community Development (OECD). Archived from the original on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2007-06-22.
  11. "MICROTECH SMALL ARMS RESEARCH (MSAR) CLOSES ITS DOORS". Retrieved 2016-05-22.
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