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Posted: 12/7/2015 1:51:20 PM EDT
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I am not new to MT OTFs. I have owned several dual actions, and I rotate through a 2009 Ultratech, a 2009 Scarab and most recently a 2015 Tri-Grip Ultratech as EDC knives. I love them all, they each have a place/use - and they do get used. I don't like "safe queens", if I'm spending that kind of money on a tool, I intend to use it!
I found a great deal on a Halo V on cyber Monday, and having wanted one for years, I dropped the $ and got it! Picked it up this morning and all I can say is WOAH! This thing is amazing! This being my first single action OTF, I was giving it a thorough once-over. It fires like a rocket, locks up tighter than a vault and just looks and feels so damn good! But, there is one small imperfection that i noticed. Anyone with more experience with these knives, please let me know if this is normal. When I look into the blade opening, there is a small spot on the end of the charging handle. It almost looks as if the stop pin in the blade has displaced a small amount of material, presumably when the blade slams to a halt upon firing. It could also be (and I hope this is the case), just a spot of poor anodizing. As mush as I love my MTs, I know there have been some QC issues in the past. I can deal with a defect in the finish, as it is internal and barely perceptible, and I intend to use this knife heavily. But, if there is a problem with internal dimensions that is causing the stop pin to deform the charging handle, that will pose a problem. I have included a macro shot of the spot in question, albeit a cell phone pic. Added pic of charging handle retracted about 1 or 2 mm.... 
Thanks in advance for any comments/advice. I really don't want to not like this knife!! |
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It looks like chipped anodizing to me, but I would need to see it in brighter light and different angles to be sure it's not a dent.
You can always call their customer service line and email in a picture of it. It is probably nothing. I have lots of Dalton Single Actions and most of them have some finish wear inside the knife body, as well as scratch the blade lightly over time where it rubs the release. |
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I'm leaning towards that conclusion too Covert. I've been looking at all kinds of reviews and videos on youtube and have noticed what appears to be the same "blemish" on some other knives. I think I just got a little anxious about a spot on my new $500+ knife and started worrying lol! I've fired it several times and have been looking closely to see if there is any change and haven't noticed it getting worse or different, so I think all is well. Could be that whoever assemble the knife dropped the charging handle and it landed on the end, who knows!
This thing is awesome, here she is next to one of my Ultratechs!! 
Parker |
| My HALO III started out small like what you're showing and eventually, a piece broke off. I sent it in to Microtech and they avoided repairing it and switched out my tritium trigger with a standard one. Anthony might make a hell of a tactical knife but he's an asshole when it comes to customer service. Good luck. |
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Quoted:
My HALO III started out small like what you're showing and eventually, a piece broke off..... That sucks! What exactly broke off? Did the end if the charging handle just opened up so it would no longer retract the blade? Or was it something else/worse? I'm still keeping a very close eye on it for changes, but I really don't want to send it in after hearing so many stories about long waits and poor service. If worse comes to worse I may return it for an exchange, bit I'll cross that bridge if I come to it. Thanks for sharing your experience, I really hope mine is better... Parker |
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Quoted:
That sucks! What exactly broke off? Did the end if the charging handle just opened up so it would no longer retract the blade? Or was it something else/worse? I'm still keeping a very close eye on it for changes, but I really don't want to send it in after hearing so many stories about long waits and poor service. If worse comes to worse I may return it for an exchange, bit I'll cross that bridge if I come to it. Thanks for sharing your experience, I really hope mine is better... Parker Quoted:
Quoted:
My HALO III started out small like what you're showing and eventually, a piece broke off..... That sucks! What exactly broke off? Did the end if the charging handle just opened up so it would no longer retract the blade? Or was it something else/worse? I'm still keeping a very close eye on it for changes, but I really don't want to send it in after hearing so many stories about long waits and poor service. If worse comes to worse I may return it for an exchange, bit I'll cross that bridge if I come to it. Thanks for sharing your experience, I really hope mine is better... Parker A small but problematic piece of the handle broke off. After firing, the guide rod would wedge itself in to the charging handle, locking the blade in the open position. In order to store the blade, I had to push it in with the help of a wooden cutting board. I ended up selling it at a huge loss. Mike Sweeney and Anthony Marifone were incredibly unhelpful about the whole ordeal. |
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I was in Tn this past weekend, and stopped in Smokey Mountain Knife Works. They have started selling automatics, and have quite a large selection of MT knives. There were three Halo Vs in the case, and I looked at them all. All three had a very similar spot on the end of the charging handle...along with some powder that is most likely anodizing that has been scuffed from the blade as it moves in/out. The tolerances are tight on these.
I feel confident now that there is nothing to worry about...but I will still keep an eye on it for a while... and I really hope that I don't have your experience, 11bravo! Parker |
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Best case scenario is it remains that way but try and keep any debris out of the inside track that could potentially make the situation worse. Considering how bad Microtech treated me, I'm still a devoted fan and enjoy a lot of their blades.
I forgot to mention that I carried the blade overseas and I used the knife a lot. The dust was incredibly fine from being pulverized by the tracked vehicles. I don't foresee you recreating those conditions but keep in mind what I said above. I wouldn't consider the HALO an EDC knife by any means but it certainly impresses other blade hounds, so I can understand why so many people still do. I would recommend an ultratech as a daily carry or the SOCOM. Keep an eye on that beauty and glad I could help. |
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I don't plan on carrying it very much, but I do plan to put it to use. I have two Ultratechs and Scarab that I EDC, alternating between them depending on the situation, and a UTx70 from way back that sometimes acts as a money clip. I also have a Dragonfly (pre-cursor to the Tachyon) that I even used once to field dress a deer!!
All three of the otfs have been stellar performers; if they ever get a little pissy, I just flush them with WD-40 and let them drain dry. This Halo will likely see more use around the house than it will out anywhere, but I do plan to keep it handy just in case. I really like the double actions for EDC - I work in an office at a college and I can have it out, open a box and have it back in my pocket before anyone ever knows any different ;) The Halo is a little less "office friendly" lol Thanks again bravo :) |
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