Recommendation? Hinderer or Microtech

Therom

Therom

Joined
Nov 13, 2013
Messages
2,569
Hello

Hinderer has released the fire tac with the triway pivot
It looks like a nice setting and I am considering it
I am also interested I. The Microtech socom elite manual

both are manual, run on bearing and seem to be made to be users

out of the two, which one would you recommend?
 
I don't have a Firetac, but I do have the socom and an xm-18. I don't think you can go wrong with a knife from either company. Both are very high quality. If you like aluminum handles/liner locks/tip down carry only the Socom Elite is a beast and cheaper. If you have to have titanium/tip up or down/customization the Firetac looks like an awesome option.
 
I don't have either but hear great things from both. If it were my choice, I'd go for the firetac. Mostly because the socom is aluminum and tip down. If they made a tip up mini socom I'd be all over it. Good luck with your choice.
 
Both are fantastic blades. It’s so hard finding a reasonably price manual Socom elite so I wish you the best of luck with that. Unfortunately microtech only does batches of those once in a blue moon.
 
I have a manual Socom and a bunch of Hinderers but not a Firetac (yet).

As mentioned both are quality tools, I only have 1 Microtech and 8 Hinderers and really don't carry the Socom that often. It's really big, bigger than an XM-18 3.5. I should probably carry it more, it's a nice knife. The finish doesn't hold up very well to a lot of use but that's just aesthetics. I like how simple and clean Hinderers are and prefer frame locks. Hinderers seem easier to disassemble and clean when needed though you do need a special tool or 'tactical pennies' (my preference) on the pivot. They are customizable which is nice, lots of parts available.

Pick one, eventually you'll get the other anyway :D
 
Hinderer are robust, hard working, no frills knives, easy to maintain. Not much hype but lots of knife for your money. You won't be disappointed with a Firetac - a model I'm looking forward to purchase as soon as it hits Canada :)
 
I have a 20 some year old SOCOM - manual.
Fabulous knife, but, a bit large for an EDC for me.
The Mini SOCOM would have been ideal - but - I never pulled the trigger on one.
 
Basp2005 said:
Considering Rick doesn't steal other makers designs, I'd go with him. Integrity gets my money.
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Microtech is a stand up company with hard working USA staff. I don't see why you have to bash one company to point out your preferences for another. This thread shouldn't be hijacked.
 
Personally I think Hinderers are boring, nearly everyone makes a framelock flipper these days. The Socom is more of a nested liner lock, and yeah it is aluminum but the handle is also tapered which you don’t see often. I wouldn’t own a Hinderer, I’m sure they are nice but flippers are so yesterday.
 
The Aflac Duck said:
Personally I think Hinderers are boring, nearly everyone makes a framelock flipper these days. The Socom is more of a nested liner lock, and yeah it is aluminum but the handle is also tapered which you don’t see often. I wouldn’t own a Hinderer, I’m sure they are nice but flippers are so yesterday.
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I agree, titanium flippers have been overdone for quite some time now, and I got bored and let most go, various makers, but I’ve always kept an XM in my collection simply because it’s my favorite example of “that kind” of knife.
Just my .02
 
Lee D said:
I agree, titanium flippers have been overdone for quite some time now, and I got bored and let most go, various makers, but I’ve always kept an XM in my collection simply because it’s my favorite example of “that kind” of knife.
Just my .02
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I just sold my last flipper the other day :D Also have handled a ton of Hinderers FWIW and they are no different than the hundreds of others I’ve owned or handled.
 
The Aflac Duck said:
they are no different than the hundreds of others I’ve owned or handled.
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The thing, i like from RHK, is they have alot but alot of OEM customized part to swap to make your folders a bit more special. It’s like legos for adults. Other folders, you need to go aftermarket... not a bad thing but nevertheless.
 
The Aflac Duck said:
I just sold my last flipper the other day :D Also have handled a ton of Hinderers FWIW and they are no different than the hundreds of others I’ve owned or handled.
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I expected a reply like that from you. I get it, John Wick is your favorite flick :D:D;)
 
The Aflac Duck said:
I just sold my last flipper the other day :D Also have handled a ton of Hinderers FWIW and they are no different than the hundreds of others I’ve owned or handled.
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I ve never liked using a flipper to open a folder. I ve never owned a folder that could only be opened one handed with a flipper. All of my flippers had to have a thumb stud/hole that I could use to open the knife.

I have two xm18 s from 8-9 years ago that opened well with the thumb studs, but were sluggish flippers. They were fine for me. In the last 6 months, a slicer grind, skinny xm18 3.5 inch model became available and I got it. On receiving it I found that I could only use the thumb studs or blade stops to open the knife with extreme effort. After talking to the vendor, apparently all Hinderer flippers are made that way now. Unless I can find a non flipper skinny xm18, 3.5 blade, I m out of the market for future Hinderer purchases.

I think flippers appeal to folks who like to play with their knives. I don t play with my knives (and I don t play with my food). I guess I m a pretty boring person!!
 
Not all of us W whp , flippers are just like any knife, no need to open them unless you’re going to use it. These two plus a BM51 I own would be most likely to be fidgeted with, and I feel no need. In fact, that XM and the Morpho spend 99% of the time in a drawer.

 
Honestly I prefer studs and holes also. All my Hinderer's open easily w/the studs using thumb or fingers (except 1/2 tracks, no studs and fullers don't work unless detent is super light). I used to think they wouldn't and even complained about my MP-1, there's a technique to it, once you figure it out they fly open w/little effort, all of them. The early gen's, pre bearings, are hit or miss and work much better w/studs than the flippers.

I have scads of knives and Hinderers consistently lock up hard w/no movement, are easily tweakable and can take abuse and still look great IMO. Personally I'm on an Olamic kick lately, they cost more than Hinderers but are not nearly as solid or as consistent in build quality. I've never sent a Hinderer back but have a relationship w/the guys at Olamic, they build great knives but you may have to work with them a bit to get them the way you want and I would never use one as hard as I use a Hinderer. Just my .02. I don't see my Hinderers and 'pretty' knives, they're built to work, lot's of other knives are 'pretty'.

I still think the Socom is a great knife, the super light detent isn't my fav, sort of like a Pallus, shakes out w/little effort.
 
My XM-24 is one of my weakest detent action among my RHK but that is like a blessing in disguise because the action is so satisfying with the thumbstud that makes it one of the greatest action among my RHK. But personally, RHK functionality wise is similar to any framelocks out there and if i had the choice, i’d also prefer thumbstuds or holes/fullers over flippers. I always think that thumbstuds flicking are the most satisfying action out there, that it reverberated in your hand with autorities. Can't go wrong with either, tbh.

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That’s a great matchup. I’m interested in both. I have a SOCOM Elite and it’s flawless. I’ve been thinking about getting another one.

And the Firetac is on my “to buy” list. I hate flippers so I need to grab a Firetac while they’re available.
 
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