Microtech MSI Folding Knife Overview

Microtech makes some critically rugged knives, manufactured within the USA. Nonetheless, the model is arguably not as massive within the outside world because the tactical one. That is largely owed to a majority of its knives being computerized, and thus, not as accessible to most of the people.

However in 2023, Microtech launched the MSI (Microtech Customary Subject). It’s not the model’s first handbook folding knife, however it definitely turned its hottest. Not solely is it the primary Microtech knife with the model’s proprietary model of M390 metal, M390MF, however it’s additionally the primary to hold the re-engineered Ram-Lok.

Consequently, the MSI appealed to the outside crowd on account of its total practicality and adaptableness. The place the majority of Microtech’s product providing errs towards tactical, the MSI additionally appeals to the outside crowd on account of its total practicality and adaptableness.

Nonetheless, the place the model has made a reputation for itself by knives like its LUTD and Fight Troodon, Microtech certain as hell is aware of tips on how to design and execute a reliable and fascinating folding knife.

Quick ahead to 2026 and Microtech affords the MSI in additional than 50 completely different variations. The place this might sound absurd, even overwhelming, these variations come from buyer demand. Folks love their Microtech knives. So it’s excessive time to offer it a correct assessment.

Briefly: Whereas some folks would possibly discover the Microtech MSI too massive for on a regular basis carry, individuals who spend loads of time open air will recognize it. It has a burly construct however has distinctive steadiness. Together with its use of premium supplies, this knife can deal with any surroundings and requires minimal upkeep.

Microtech MSI Folding Knife Overview

Deal with Design

A completely ambidextrous knife, this model of the MSI comes with textured G10 deal with scales, which hold the knife good and grippy, and supply a basis that’s robust and dependable. They’re strengthened with stainless-steel partial liners by the pivot for sturdiness.

Together with the form of the handles, MSI put loads of consideration into the contact factors, too. There’s an ample finger choil with scalloping, in addition to texturing that begins in the course of the deal with scale face and extends towards the butt. That is what’s known as a “frag” sample, and it retains this massive knife from feeling too cumbersome in your palm. It additionally helps hold it in place, whether or not your palms are moist or dry.

Metal

The M390MK blade metal marks a joint effort between Microtech and Bohler, which created the unique M390 metal. M390 is thought for its corrosion and abrasion resistance. Nevertheless it’s additionally recognized for not being exceptionally robust; as a substitute, it boasts the next hardness. Because of this M390 isn’t nice for prying or chopping, however it excels at chopping, slicing, shaving, and drawing. 

From what I can inform, Bohler left this side unchanged when working with Microtech to make the M390MK. As a substitute, they boosted each the corrosion resistance and edge retention.

Ultimately, the place M390MK isn’t a brand new alloy at its root, it’s the purest and highest-performing model of M390 available on the market.

Lock and Clip

In designing this knife, Microtech additionally designed a brand new crossbar-style lock mechanism, the Ram-Lok. I’ll go into extra depth within the subsequent part concerning the lock’s talents, however it’s reported as being the strongest cross-bar fashion lock available on the market. 

Rounding out the options of the MSI is a reversible deep-carry pocket clip, a pivot bearing, and a blade end known as “Apocalyptic,” which resembles a extra heavy-duty stonewashing. There’s additionally a big thumb hole within the blade for opening. 

Ram-Lok Points

You might have requested why it took 2 years for me to get my palms on this knife. Effectively, in late 2023, complaints began to develop concerning the lock sticking. This has turn out to be extra of a difficulty on crossbar-style locks as extra producers have carried out them, however it’s not a security challenge.

That mentioned, the lock failing altogether is. Customers discovered that beneath duress, the Ram-Lok may unlock, doubtlessly resulting in severe harm. 

Microtech reacted and on the tail finish of 2023, it introduced the Ram-Lok again to the drafting board. 

In April 2024, it launched an replace to the MSI with an improved model of the Ram-Lok, together with adjustments to the blade geometry that higher accommodated the mechanism.

Since then, there have been no reported points with the lock failing. Moreover, Microtech has expanded its mannequin vary through which the mechanism is featured. 

First Impressions

I like my folding pocket knives to return in beneath 8 inches in whole size. The MSI is sort of 9 inches lengthy. On the earth of knives, one inch can change the way you carry and use a knife.

However the MSI isn’t a cumbersome knife, and, at solely 4.7 ounces, it’s not a heavy knife. That mentioned, it is perhaps too massive for most individuals to contemplate it an on a regular basis carry knife, or perhaps a backpacking/mountain climbing knife.

Effectively, I say to heck with conference! I’ll carry this knife each day and use it in every single place. After just some hours with it, I used to be impressed with its construct and easy opening and shutting motion. Moreover, the Ram-Lok is simpler to activate than a few of the normal crossbar locks I’ve skilled these days. 

Addressing the elephant within the room, I haven’t had any points with the Ram-Lok in all of the flicking I’ve accomplished with it to date. There’s no preliminary lock-up or lock-stick, and nil failure. My solely concern is that its spring is uncovered, and that might result in somewhat additional upkeep right here and there. 

Whereas most crossbar locks use a flat, Omega-style spring, the spring on the MSI is a coiled pen-style spring. On the very least, I feel I’ll want some canned air to blow into it on occasion. The trade-off is that Microtech claims this fashion of spring is way stronger and subsequently extra dependable.

Within the Area

Even at its bigger measurement, I had loads of enjoyable utilizing the MSI within the woods, by the river, and digging up noticed wintergreen. It was additionally a breeze to hold and hardly a burden in my again pocket.

Positive, Tony Marfione, the founding father of Microtech, would possibly flinch on the thought of me utilizing one in every of his prize pupils to dig within the filth, however right here we’re. No less than I’m not batoning with it like a few of the YouTube personalities who declare their Ram-Loks nonetheless don’t work.

You don’t baton with a folder generally. These clowns are simply poking the bear — that’s not a assessment, that’s knife abuse.

After 2 weeks of chopping cardboard, rope, and meat, and retrieving vegetation from the frozen floor, the M390MK metal didn’t boring. The efforts Bohler and Microtech put in to purify core M390 metal and create M390MK labored. Supporting that declare is the truth that there aren’t any indicators of wear and tear and tear on the blade total.

Moreover, there’s zero inkling of corrosion, anyplace.

What’s extra, the Ram-Lok is an actual famous person. In comparison with the spherical button form of most different cross-bar locks at present, the Ram-Lok’s parallelogram-shaped button supplies extra space in your thumb to drag again. This makes for easy actuation and enhances each engagement and disengagement.

Additionally, the spring hasn’t but gummed up. This can be due partly to the truth that there is no such thing as a lubrication on the pivot (being that it has ball bearings) and subsequently doesn’t entice grit and dirt that might migrate to the spring.

The MSI Mini

Late final yr, Microtech launched a small batch of a smaller model of the MSI, the MSI Mini. With a complete size of seven.38 inches, the Mini has the proprietary M390MK metal, aluminum deal with scales, Ram-Lok, and a thumb stud as a substitute of a thumb gap. These offered out inside a few days of launch. 

Microtech confirmed it’ll develop the MSI Mini line this yr. Understanding {that a} 9-inch folding knife will be polarizing, there’s no denying how well-built, useful, and reliable the MSI is. In a smaller kind, it may discover a bigger attraction and turn out to be a high knife for 2026.

Conclusion: Who’s It For?

With the MSI, Microtech proves that it may well construct a handbook folder for arduous use and demanding environments simply in addition to its well-regarded automatics. As famous, this isn’t the primary handbook folder, however it has turn out to be its hottest.

Moreover, with costs starting from $175 to $300, this American-made dynamo isn’t priced too excessive.

I’ve by no means been one to depend ounces, although I’m specific concerning the total size and blade size of the folding knife I EDC. I broke from these conventions to offer the MSI a shot, and I’m glad I did.

Because it stands, that is the biggest folding knife I’ve ever carried, examined, or reviewed. And the place I doubt I’ll be as smitten with different knives this measurement, the MSI is spectacular from each angle.

So, when you’re somebody in search of a hard-use knife that may adapt to any surroundings to get myriad duties accomplished, the MSI is perhaps simply best for you.