Does the 2018 and newer Socom Elites use 7075 or 6061 aluminum for the handles?

[jeepin]

I’ve been searching everywhere for this answer.
I’ve heard the newer Socoms use the 7075 aluminum for the handles but I have also noticed different knife websites say 7075 while others say 6061. Even Microtechs own website says 6061 so you would think that is correct.

Can someone confirm if the 2018 or newer Socom Elites do in fact use the 7075 aluminum or just the standard 6061 aluminum?

 

[insta9ves]

Heard they started out with 7075 then switched to 6061 later. Microtech should clarify that, since some place still calls it 7075. This is a significant change, more significant than changing the blade from S30V to 440C.
I think the handle needed 7075 given the external stop pin is hitting the handle all the time. The older socom uses 6061 but with steel liners exposed on the area where the stop pin contact.
This is a downgrade from the old design.

 

[TheFactor]

M390 blade steel on my example and not sure about the aluminum handles wether it’s 7075 or 6061 but what a well made knife with lightning fast and smooth action !

 

[jeepin]

Heard they started out with 7075 then switched to 6061 later. Microtech should clarify that, since some place still calls it 7075. This is a significant change, more significant than changing the blade from S30V to 440C.
I think the handle needed 7075 given the external stop pin is hitting the handle all the time. The older socom uses 6061 but with steel liners exposed on the area where the stop pin contact.
This is a downgrade from the old design.

Do you happen to have a link where you read that? That’s a little disappointing if true.

 

[TheFactor]

Do you happen to have a link where you read that? That’s a little disappointing if true.

X2 and if it’s true still no worries with the lifetime warranty
Personally I don’t think it would be a issue either way. Folks are assuming it would be a issue yet there has been no reported problems that I’m aware of with the above topic and I’ve done more then a little research with reviews/testing on this model.
Microtech has a reputation for the high standards and produce knives to back that up imo.

 

[jeepin]

X2 and if it’s true still no worries with the lifetime warranty
Personally I don’t think it would be a issue either way. Folks are assuming it would be a issue yet there has been no reported problems that I’m aware of with the above topic and I’ve done more then a little research with reviews/testing on this model.
Microtech has a reputation for the high standards and produce knives to back that up imo.

I know there would never be a problem but it’s nice to have more premium materials

 

[TheFactor]

I know there would never be a problem but it’s nice to have more premium materials

It also seems like some folks look for problems that don’t exist
Just saying and on a side note that premium material you speak of 7075 aluminum vs 6061 I’m sure will look and feel so much better in hand and make up for not being a issue of durability and no known reported issues.

 

[marrenmiller]

Heard they started out with 7075 then switched to 6061 later. Microtech should clarify that, since some place still calls it 7075. This is a significant change, more significant than changing the blade from S30V to 440C.
I think the handle needed 7075 given the external stop pin is hitting the handle all the time. The older socom uses 6061 but with steel liners exposed on the area where the stop pin contact.
This is a downgrade from the old design.

First ones of the new runs started as 7075 then switched to 6061, as confirmed by Microtech. This is not a significant change for a knife handle, nor is it a downgrade from how they used to be made; all prior Socom/Socom Elite models since the 90s used 6061 for their handles and none of them have any sort of steel liner contacting the stop pin. The only Socom with a steel liner was the Socom Delta, a knife which wasn't around for very long and also had a thinner frame.

You don't need the strength of 7075 for a knife handle, nor the added hardness of 7075 over 6061. The bearing surface of the stop pin on the Socom Elite is so large that you're not ever going to indent the aluminum no matter what you do to the knife.

BTW: this knife has a 6061 frame. Watch it then tell me the handle being made of 6061 is a problem.

 

[Danke42]

They definitely taught us in Scientician classes in school that more bigger numbers = better. I will only use 8081 alloy.

 

[evilgreg]

They definitely taught us in Scientician classes in school that more bigger numbers = better. I will only use 8081 alloy.

My sciencification classes were more sciency than yours because I've already moved on to the far superior 9091 alloy. It's not rocket appliances, really.

 

[jeepin]

First ones of the new runs started as 7075 then switched to 6061, as confirmed by Microtech. This is not a significant change for a knife handle, nor is it a downgrade from how they used to be made; all prior Socom/Socom Elite models since the 90s used 6061 for their handles and none of them have any sort of steel liner contacting the stop pin. The only Socom with a steel liner was the Socom Delta, a knife which wasn't around for very long and also had a thinner frame.

You don't need the strength of 7075 for a knife handle, nor the added hardness of 7075 over 6061. The bearing surface of the stop pin on the Socom Elite is so large that you're not ever going to indent the aluminum no matter what you do to the knife.

BTW: this knife has a 6061 frame. Watch it then tell me the handle being made of 6061 is a problem.

Like I mentioned before. I KNOW there won’t be a problem with the 6061 aluminum handles. It’s just a want thing.
It’s like having a choice of AUS-8 or Elmax. They both do the same thing but of course I would rather have the elmax.

I got my answer so I’m gonna go ahead and close this thread.