How's the Mini Socom

[L_Kann]

I just ordered a Microtech mini socom from this site's shop. How does the knife fare as a defensive/everyday work knife? I was carrying a Spyderco Mil 440v, but it's just too big for comfort. Also how does the black coated blade stand up to corrosion? I'm still in search for my life long parter. ( not replace my wife of course ).

 

[Simon Yu]

I've read reports of problems with a Mini-SOCOM's liner lock. I've also read reports that with some breaking in, the liner ends up being secure, possibly something like the liner going more towards the center with time. So you don't want to do anything that would put a lot of pressure on the back of the blade. If you do have to use it for defense, that means that you might be limited to slashes and not stabs.

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Simon Yu

"I look at it this way. If things get much worse I'll be too dead to care."

 

[Roger Blake]

I have read post about them not passing the linerlock tests but the ones I have owned all passed. I like the blade but handle is not comfortable for extended use. I also do not like aluminum handles as they eventually get scratched up, minor nit, but they also feel cold. On the plus side they are very well made, a step up from Benchmade and Spyderco. Service from the manufacture if needed is also good. They also have a good blade to handle ratio. I would say go for it if you don't think you will cutting with it for an extended time otherwise the handle being uncomfortable will get to you.

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Roger Blake

 

[Jadis]

I currently own 2 mini socoms. They are great, while the last user may have found the handle uncomfortable, I think it is very comfortable. It is a small knife, and some complain too small, but for my smallish/average hands, they are fine. One of my minis fails the spine whack test, but my other one never fails. The coating is titanium carbonitride, it is very effective vs corrosion. Fit and finish doesn't get better in factory products than this (or any microtech). I guess it would be suitable for self defense, although personally i believe the bigger the knife, the better it is at self defense, so i don't know why one would choose the mini socom over the military in that area. however the military is a tad big for chores, the mini is a great working knife too. In my life, I have not yet seen a socom or mini socom whose liner had EVEN gotten to the center of the tang yet. remember that the liner on the socoms is quite thick compared to other knives, so it would take much longer for it to wear "in" towards the right. My first mini is about 2 years old, and it is still on the left of the center side...

great stuff, and if it fails the spine whack test, return and get one that doesn't...