CRK Large Inkosi vs. Microtech Socom Elite

OK, so everyone says Inkosi and he buys the Socom:rolleyes:. So much for advice.

And, since several people mentioned it, why oh why is tip down carry so despised? I just don't get it and guess I never will.
 
bobobama said:
OK, so everyone says Inkosi and he buys the Socom:rolleyes:. So much for advice.

And, since several people mentioned it, why oh why is tip down carry so despised? I just don't get it and guess I never will.
Click to expand...
I mentioned it, so, I just hate having to turn the knife around to open it. I think it's awkward and I can't for the life of me understand it.
 
bobobama said:
OK, so everyone says Inkosi and he buys the Socom:rolleyes:. So much for advice.

And, since several people mentioned it, why oh why is tip down carry so despised? I just don't get it and guess I never will.
Click to expand...

I'm not ignoring the advice, lol. I've had a few Umnum's and Sebenza's over the years...just not the Inkosi yet. Plan is to get the WC Inkosi next :). Just had to try a Custom Socom Elite first since I haven't tried yet.
 
HikingIsLife said:
I'm not ignoring the advice, lol. I've had a few Umnum's and Sebenza's over the years...just not the Inkosi yet. Plan is to get the WC Inkosi next :). Just had to try a Custom Socom Elite first since I haven't tried yet.
Click to expand...

...so how do you like the Socom? Interested in learning your first impressions.
 
BellaBlades said:
Inkosi is a well rounded do it all knife.

The socom is great. Tip down kills it for me
Click to expand...

Couldn't agree more with the tip down only. Never again. It's not worth the time and effort, and money to tap a knife for tip up.

Edit: After being stabbed in the leg a few times, tip down became a big no-no.
 
I have both and I carry the Inkosi far more often because it's smaller. Though the Socom Elite is pretty badass.
 
The Custom Socom arrives tomorrow. I will update you all with my thoughts having already owned Sebenzas/Umnums/Brown Servo/Norseman/Curtiss F3/etc. after I get a little pocket time with it and my first impressions
 
Just received this gem of a folder. Marfione’s hand compound grind on it is perfect. Lockup is fantastic and centering is dead on. There is actually no movement even when I force it on the blade when it’s closed inside of the handle. No movement whatsoever in the pivot or when locked up. This thing is more of a bank vault than any Reeve I’ve owned and would trust this more under heavy use.

Regarding tip down carry I would generally agree with everyone’s assessment in the thread, however, when deploying and putting back in the pocket it seems almost more natural with the Socom due to its ergonomics. No worry about opening in pocket at all the detent is terrific.

It is really thin behind the edge which makes for an awesome slicer given its blade stock. Only used it on my lunch today though (apples, tomatoes, cheese and sandwich). Build quality is exceptional with the only possible qwerk I see so far being a touch of lock stick from the lock bar insert that will likely go away with use. All in all it’s amazing and would put this example up against the best of them. Then again this is a custom shop variant.
 
Last edited:
Never had an issue with any of my Socoms and/or Spyderco Militaries opening in my pocket. For 4" folders, I can appreciate tip down carry making knife access easy. The new 2018 Socom Elites are some of the fastest and easiest knives to deploy that I've ever had, tip up or tip down. The Socom Delta was tip down and was more cumbersome to deploy.
 
HikingIsLife said:
Just received this gem of a folder. Marfione’s hand compound grind on it is perfect. Lockup is fantastic and centering is dead on. There is actually no movement even when I force it on the blade when it’s closed inside of the handle. No movement whatsoever in the pivot or when locked up. This thing is more of a bank vault than any Reeve I’ve owned and would trust this more under heavy use.

Regarding tip down carry I would generally agree with everyone’s assessment in the thread, however, when deploying and putting back in the pocket it seems almost more natural with the Socom due to its ergonomics. No worry about opening in pocket at all the detent is terrific.

It is really thin behind the edge which makes for an awesome slicer given its blade stock. Only used it on my lunch today though (apples, tomatoes, cheese and sandwich). Build quality is exceptional with the only possible qwerk I see so far being a touch of lock stick from the lock bar insert that will likely go away with use. All in all it’s amazing and would put this example up against the best of them. Then again this is a custom shop variant.
Click to expand...
The production ones are fantastic too. I'd take one of those over a CRK any day.
 
bobobama said:
OK, so everyone says Inkosi and he buys the Socom:rolleyes:. So much for advice.

And, since several people mentioned it, why oh why is tip down carry so despised? I just don't get it and guess I never will.
Click to expand...
HikingIsLife said:
Just received this gem of a folder. Marfione’s hand compound grind on it is perfect. Lockup is fantastic and centering is dead on. There is actually no movement even when I force it on the blade when it’s closed inside of the handle. No movement whatsoever in the pivot or when locked up. This thing is more of a bank vault than any Reeve I’ve owned and would trust this more under heavy use.

Regarding tip down carry I would generally agree with everyone’s assessment in the thread, however, when deploying and putting back in the pocket it seems almost more natural with the Socom due to its ergonomics. No worry about opening in pocket at all the detent is terrific.

It is really thin behind the edge which makes for an awesome slicer given its blade stock. Only used it on my lunch today though (apples, tomatoes, cheese and sandwich). Build quality is exceptional with the only possible qwerk I see so far being a touch of lock stick from the lock bar insert that will likely go away with use. All in all it’s amazing and would put this example up against the best of them. Then again this is a custom shop variant.
Click to expand...

Sounds like he is putting out industry leading stuff again lately. Good for him.

Maybe its time for a socom mini.
 
HikingIsLife said:
Just received this gem of a folder. Marfione’s hand compound grind on it is perfect. Lockup is fantastic and centering is dead on. There is actually no movement even when I force it on the blade when it’s closed inside of the handle. No movement whatsoever in the pivot or when locked up. This thing is more of a bank vault than any Reeve I’ve owned and would trust this more under heavy use.

Regarding tip down carry I would generally agree with everyone’s assessment in the thread, however, when deploying and putting back in the pocket it seems almost more natural with the Socom due to its ergonomics. No worry about opening in pocket at all the detent is terrific.

It is really thin behind the edge which makes for an awesome slicer given its blade stock. Only used it on my lunch today though (apples, tomatoes, cheese and sandwich). Build quality is exceptional with the only possible qwerk I see so far being a touch of lock stick from the lock bar insert that will likely go away with use. All in all it’s amazing and would put this example up against the best of them. Then again this is a custom shop variant.
Click to expand...

Congrats on the knife.
Pretty much all I've carried since last August has been a signature Socom Elite. I'll be getting a Mafrione Custom eventually, just waiting until Bladeshow in case I see one there in person I like.

And let's see some pics of the new knife!
 
HikingIsLife said:
Just received this gem of a folder. Marfione’s hand compound grind on it is perfect. Lockup is fantastic and centering is dead on. There is actually no movement even when I force it on the blade when it’s closed inside of the handle. No movement whatsoever in the pivot or when locked up. This thing is more of a bank vault than any Reeve I’ve owned and would trust this more under heavy use.

Regarding tip down carry I would generally agree with everyone’s assessment in the thread, however, when deploying and putting back in the pocket it seems almost more natural with the Socom due to its ergonomics. No worry about opening in pocket at all the detent is terrific.

It is really thin behind the edge which makes for an awesome slicer given its blade stock. Only used it on my lunch today though (apples, tomatoes, cheese and sandwich). Build quality is exceptional with the only possible qwerk I see so far being a touch of lock stick from the lock bar insert that will likely go away with use. All in all it’s amazing and would put this example up against the best of them. Then again this is a custom shop variant.
Click to expand...

I've handled/owned a number high end folders and can appreciate the quality of CRK. I enjoyed owning the Inkosi and especially loved the blade shape. However, I wasn't in love with the whole package (or as my millennial kids would say, "It didn't spark joy each time I picked it up"). I think it's the conventional look which has remained essentially unchanged for a hundred years which has me jaded (the handle shape), plus the ubiquitous and time honored PB washer pivot system which, in my eyes, pales a bit in light of the fast and hard firing setups that have since followed.

Compared to the Socom Elite, wow, the Socom is on a different plane. Not necessarily a higher plane, but very close to being on par if you can accept some tradeoffs. I own two manual action, both drop points. One word I use to describe the Socom Elite is "dynamic". I concur with everything described by Hikingislife, this thing is a slicer. I would add that the thumb stud, ball bearing pivot action performs as if it's a spring assist...WOW. My SOCOM Elites have pushed all other 4" blades out of my pocket.

Another way of looking at it (IMHO):
CRK Large Inkosi = Mercedes GLS
Microtech SOCOM Elite = Mercedes G-Class, maybe even the venerable UniMog
 
Let me know if that album link worked! Between this Custom Socom Elite and my custom Curtiss Medium Wharnie all flamed out and milled with his new HX mill pattern I don't see carrying much else. In love with this compound grind and the stonewash vs. satin flats!
 
Last edited:
Blues Bender said:
My Socom has kicked way more than CRKs outta my pocket.
Click to expand...
If I’m happy with the Ultratech that will be here tomorrow I am seriously thinking about getting a Socom. Is yours the manual or auto?

That thing looks badass Hiking. Congrats!
 
Murphjd25 said:
If I’m happy with the Ultratech that will be here tomorrow I am seriously thinking about getting a Socom. Is yours the manual or auto?

That thing looks badass Hiking. Congrats!
Click to expand...

Mine is the manual version. Just drop me a line to test drive mine, it's not like I don't know you LOL
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top