Everyone's latest acquisitions!

[Danny Linguini]

After a less-than-satisfactory experience with a UTX, I had written off the Microtech brand forever. That is, until I saw the Socom Bravo Mini series. For several months I hemmed and hawed, wondering just how badly they could screw up a manual folder, and I finally caved in last week and ordered one, knowing full well that it could lead to another disappointment.

One of my biggest peeves - if not the biggest - with folding knives is the impeding of the ability to operate them one-handed because of their design, particularly putting any pressure on the frame lock while trying to open - a very common complaint with this line. Nonetheless, I went ahead and threw caution to the wind. This one just arrived today, and those complaints are indeed well deserved - out of the box, this thing is impossible to hold without touching the lock bar, and therefore impossible to flick open one-handed by the thumbstud. On the positive side, it does lock up solid, has zero blade wobble, and the lock does release smoothly with minimal effort.

I had a similar issue with a ZT flipper awhile back, and just worked the hell out of it for a couple of days, putting excess pressure on the lock bar until it was comfortably operable. I’m gonna try the same approach on this thing before writing it off as another overpriced POS from this overrated POS knife maker. It’s a nice looking knife, the size and weight should make for a decent carry, but the #1 aspect of a knife’s usefulness in my book is YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO OPERATE IT EASILY AND COMFORTABLY. And so far, Microtech has not won over any new fans in that regard in this house of Pasta.

Honestly, I cannot understand why this company has the reputation it has, because the two knives I’ve bought from them are shit, and generally out-built and out-performed by many others costing much less. If anybody has one of these Socom Bravo Mini models, I’m open to suggestions on how to make it actually usable.

 

[SharpBits]

After a less-than-satisfactory experience with a UTX, I had written off the Microtech brand forever. That is, until I saw the Socom Bravo Mini series. For several months I hemmed and hawed, wondering just how badly they could screw up a manual folder, and I finally caved in last week and ordered one, knowing full well that it could lead to another disappointment.

One of my biggest peeves - if not the biggest - with folding knives is the impeding of the ability to operate them one-handed because of their design, particularly putting any pressure on the frame lock while trying to open - a very common complaint with this line. Nonetheless, I went ahead and threw caution to the wind. This one just arrived today, and those complaints are indeed well deserved - out of the box, this thing is impossible to hold without touching the lock bar, and therefore impossible to flick open one-handed by the thumbstud. On the positive side, it does lock up solid, has zero blade wobble, and the lock does release smoothly with minimal effort.

I had a similar issue with a ZT flipper awhile back, and just worked the hell out of it for a couple of days, putting excess pressure on the lock bar until it was comfortably operable. I’m gonna try the same approach on this thing before writing it off as another overpriced POS from this overrated POS knife maker. It’s a nice looking knife, the size and weight should make for a decent carry, but the #1 aspect of a knife’s usefulness in my book is YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO OPERATE IT EASILY AND COMFORTABLY. And so far, Microtech has not won over any new fans in that regard in this house of Pasta.

Honestly, I cannot understand why this company has the reputation it has, because the two knives I’ve bought from them are shit, and generally out-built and out-performed by many others costing much less. If anybody has one of these Socom Bravo Mini models, I’m open to suggestions on how to make it actually usable.

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There are methods to adjust the detent and/or the lock bar engagement. I have done it on a couple of higher end frame locks, but I don't post the steps because it is easy to over do it and mess up the knife. One method requires a small soft-faced hammer, so you can see why I don't talk about it. These should be tuned at the factory, but I assume it would add too much to the cost of the knife to the end user.

 

[rockyl87]

This just came In the mail, from recent drop this week, first M.strider for me. It came in with a plastic ziplock baggie, nothing. Else

 

[Danny Linguini]

There are methods to adjust the detent and/or the lock bar engagement. I have done it on a couple of higher end frame locks, but I don't post the steps because it is easy to over do it and mess up the knife. One method requires a small soft-faced hammer, so you can see why I don't talk about it. These should be tuned at the factory, but I assume it would add too much to the cost of the knife to the end user.

The lock bar engagement is actually good. It’s the detent that’s horrible, and that’s just inexcusable for a knife at this price point. As I noted, I’ve had success in the past with the same issue on a ZT 0990 - it could absolutely not be flipped open, until I spent a couple of days brute-forcing it. Hopefully this one will respond as well to that treatment. Otherwise somebody will be getting a good deal on the exchange very soon.

 

[SharpBits]

The lock bar engagement is actually good. It’s the detent that’s horrible, and that’s just inexcusable for a knife at this price point. As I noted, I’ve had success in the past with the same issue on a ZT 0990 - it could absolutely not be flipped open, until I spent a couple of days brute-forcing it. Hopefully this one will respond as well to that treatment. Otherwise somebody will be getting a good deal on the exchange very soon.

That's the Chinese made model. I'm surprised they are not tuned at the factory.

 

[SACBALLZ]

After a less-than-satisfactory experience with a UTX, I had written off the Microtech brand forever. That is, until I saw the Socom Bravo Mini series. For several months I hemmed and hawed, wondering just how badly they could screw up a manual folder, and I finally caved in last week and ordered one, knowing full well that it could lead to another disappointment.

One of my biggest peeves - if not the biggest - with folding knives is the impeding of the ability to operate them one-handed because of their design, particularly putting any pressure on the frame lock while trying to open - a very common complaint with this line. Nonetheless, I went ahead and threw caution to the wind. This one just arrived today, and those complaints are indeed well deserved - out of the box, this thing is impossible to hold without touching the lock bar, and therefore impossible to flick open one-handed by the thumbstud. On the positive side, it does lock up solid, has zero blade wobble, and the lock does release smoothly with minimal effort.

I had a similar issue with a ZT flipper awhile back, and just worked the hell out of it for a couple of days, putting excess pressure on the lock bar until it was comfortably operable. I’m gonna try the same approach on this thing before writing it off as another overpriced POS from this overrated POS knife maker. It’s a nice looking knife, the size and weight should make for a decent carry, but the #1 aspect of a knife’s usefulness in my book is YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO OPERATE IT EASILY AND COMFORTABLY. And so far, Microtech has not won over any new fans in that regard in this house of Pasta.

Honestly, I cannot understand why this company has the reputation it has, because the two knives I’ve bought from them are shit, and generally out-built and out-performed by many others costing much less. If anybody has one of these Socom Bravo Mini models, I’m open to suggestions on how to make it actually usable.

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These are also not made by Microtech, if you didn't already know that. These are oem'd by a Chinese company, Rike. That's why these have a Chinese motif on the box. Rike does make pretty good quality knives though. Probably equal to MT's manufacturing, and could potentially even have a better heat treat which is just *chefs kiss*. This hand resting on the lockbar is somewhat of a subjective preference. It's not uncommon and many, if not most, frame locks are going to require a learning curve in how exactly to most comfortably and effectively grip the handle to prevent this. Some models are worse than others, some people are more sensitive to it than others. It sounds like this one has particularly poor ergonomics though. I've always been attracted to this model, I think it looks good, but just never pulled the trigger. The super high riding clip is bothersome but not necessarily a deal breaker. At the end of the day, in my opinion, I just think Microtech is overly hyped.

I gravitate towards bolster style frame locks, with an overlay/inlay scale that obscures most of the lockbar, making it all but impossible to put pressure on it. We Nitro/Nitro Mini is a great example. I love the classic/traditional style they have, and in practice they are just really great to use.

 

[Danny Linguini]

That's the Chinese made model. I'm surprised they are not tuned at the factory.

Yeah, I knew that - made by Rike. I have another Rike knife (Tulay) that’s pretty nice, so I’m a bit surprised that this one was delivered like this.

Everything I’m seeing about this Socom model says the stiff detent is a common issue, but it seems that in most cases it resolves itself with lots of repeated use - I’m seeing anywhere from a few days to a few months. So we’ll see. I don’t want to loosen the tension on the lock bar, because that part is working nicely as it is and it probably wouldn’t take much to mess it up. It just aggravates the hell out of me, because I have so many others (that are much cheaper) that operate flawlessly out of the box.

 

[SACBALLZ]

Yeah, I knew that - made by Rike. I have another Rike knife (Tulay) that’s pretty nice, so I’m a bit surprised that this one was delivered like this.

Everything I’m seeing about this Socom model says the stiff detent is a common issue, but it seems that in most cases it resolves itself with lots of repeated use - I’m seeing anywhere from a few days to a few months. So we’ll see. I don’t want to loosen the tension on the lock bar, because that part is working nicely as it is and it probably wouldn’t take much to mess it up. It just aggravates the hell out of me, because I have so many others (that are much cheaper) that operate flawlessly out of the box.

You can try putting firm pressure on the lockbar intentionally, and using your other hand to force the blade open and closed. It can help wear the track in and make the release a little better. Realistically the best thing you can do, is disassemble the knife and remove the lockbar insert or whatever is the over travel protection. Then you can carefully bend the lockbar outward, which will reduce the amount of pressure it puts on the detent. I've done this a few times, it's not that scary for me but it might be for someone who has never done it. Very small changes have a large effect, I measure it and make changes smaller than 1mm at a time, maybe half a mm. It should only require 1 to maximum 2mm of change. 2mm would be extreme, the last knife I did only needed half a millimeter to be ideal. There are guides on YouTube if you search for "frame lock lockbar tuning" or something to that effect. I do this for strong detents or knives that I want a more free swinging action.

 

[Danny Linguini]

You can try putting firm pressure on the lockbar intentionally, and using your other hand to force the blade open and closed. It can help wear the track in and make the release a little better.

That’s exactly what I’m doing now. No noticeable change yet, but the last time I did this on a ZT it took a few days.

disassemble the knife and remove the lockbar insert or whatever is the over travel protection. Then you can carefully bend the lockbar outward, which will reduce the amount of pressure it puts on the detent.

I did this also on a Monterey Bay Wolverine. The problem with that one was the lock bar, an awful case of lock stick; this little operation totally cured that. I’m hesitant to try this on this knife because the locking mechanism itself is about perfect. But I’ll try it as a last resort if it comes to that.

 

[SACBALLZ]

I

That’s exactly what I’m doing now. No noticeable change yet, but the last time I did this on a ZT it took a few days.


I did this also on a Monterey Bay Wolverine. The problem with that one was the lock bar, an awful case of lock stick; this little operation totally cured that. I’m hesitant to try this on this knife because the locking mechanism itself is about perfect. But I’ll try it as a last resort if it comes to that.

I would give it a shot, I think it's just putting too much pressure on the detent ball making it hard to release. I'm sure a different depth, or diameter of the detent ball, could be tuned better. But relieving some lockbar pressure is also a good way to achieve similar results. But you are right, you also want to be mindful of the engagement on the lock face. For such simple devices, they sure can get complicated when you start to focus in on the details. Just make sure to measure well, take a picture as reference, and you can always go back to "stock" if needed.

 

[unwisefool]

Just got this. Very easy one handed operation.


Danny Linguini you could always try one of these, there is no lockbar to worry about

 

[BOHAWG]

 

[jfk1110]

After a less-than-satisfactory experience with a UTX, I had written off the Microtech brand forever. That is, until I saw the Socom Bravo Mini series. For several months I hemmed and hawed, wondering just how badly they could screw up a manual folder, and I finally caved in last week and ordered one, knowing full well that it could lead to another disappointment.

One of my biggest peeves - if not the biggest - with folding knives is the impeding of the ability to operate them one-handed because of their design, particularly putting any pressure on the frame lock while trying to open - a very common complaint with this line. Nonetheless, I went ahead and threw caution to the wind. This one just arrived today, and those complaints are indeed well deserved - out of the box, this thing is impossible to hold without touching the lock bar, and therefore impossible to flick open one-handed by the thumbstud. On the positive side, it does lock up solid, has zero blade wobble, and the lock does release smoothly with minimal effort.

I had a similar issue with a ZT flipper awhile back, and just worked the hell out of it for a couple of days, putting excess pressure on the lock bar until it was comfortably operable. I’m gonna try the same approach on this thing before writing it off as another overpriced POS from this overrated POS knife maker. It’s a nice looking knife, the size and weight should make for a decent carry, but the #1 aspect of a knife’s usefulness in my book is YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO OPERATE IT EASILY AND COMFORTABLY. And so far, Microtech has not won over any new fans in that regard in this house of Pasta.

Honestly, I cannot understand why this company has the reputation it has, because the two knives I’ve bought from them are shit, and generally out-built and out-performed by many others costing much less. If anybody has one of these Socom Bravo Mini models, I’m open to suggestions on how to make it actually usable.

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I was disappointed as well..... I have to hold.as far back as possible n try not to pressure the damn lock bar..
Linerlocks. I love em....

 

[cutchu]

Only the NCC is new.

 

[Danny Linguini]

I was disappointed as well..... I have to hold.as far back as possible n try not to pressure the damn lock bar..
Linerlocks. I love em....

Yep, for exactly this reason I greatly prefer liner locks. I do have a bunch of other frame locks, some require similar ‘adjustments’ on the grip, but none are as picky as this one, though I still think there’s too much pressure on the detent from the lock bar. I also have some that don’t require any forethought at all - just pick ‘em up and flick ‘em open, as it should be, especially for a brand as snooty as Microtech. Anyway, I ended up returning it to BHQ. It’s just not worth the headache. And no more Microtech’s for me.

 

[Quiet]

Man, my knife purchases have been a Blur lately.

The new Desert Warrior Blur limited run SFO, though I will say in real life, in natural light, the knife is much more a spring green, than an OD green. I love it!

 

[sharp_edge]

That's the Chinese made model. I'm surprised they are not tuned at the factory.

I'm very surprised as well. I have the full version of Microtech Socom Bravo and it is the best non-flipper that I have ever owned (RHK, CRK, etc.). Doesn't matter whether I put my fingers on the lockbar or not

 

[crow2025]

 

[jlauffer]

Manual only version