Recommendation? Micro tech Socom Elite vs Freeman 451

Therom

Therom

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Nov 13, 2013
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Considering a Manual Microtech socom elite and a freeman outdoor in CPM-D2.

anyone has both?
How do they compare ?
What are you recommandations?

i would use them has work knives in the house and in the backyard.

i like the look of both and IMO they will make good beater knives.

No self-defense, no EDC consideration here
 
Okay, I've had a 451 flipper and I've had lots of Socoms. The Socom Elite is better, in my opinion.

The 451 flipper is just ground too poorly to cut things. It's like .050" thick at the edge, has scalloping all over the bevels as a result of the blade machining, and has a very obtuse primary grind. It just does not slice well. It's also listed as being D2, not CPM-D2, and while steel isn't everything I don't know why you'd pick ingot D2 over a PM stainless steel like 204p for regular knife use. I also don't understand why the sharpened prybar blade on the 451 is paired with tiny stainless bearings.

The Socom has thick blade stock and an obtuse grind, but at least it's thinner at the edge and better at cutting than the 451. I also would suggest that the Socom Elite's large, ceramic bearings are superior to the bearings on the 451.

Action, ergonomics, and build quality on both are excellent, so you won't go wrong there.
 
451 also comes in s35vn, not just D2. I've never had a problem with my D2 451, but they are very different knives. I personally like the button lock and I use mine around my cabin all the time, but it is a thick blade. It's sharp so it does cut, but it's not a slicing type blade. Great flipping action.
 
Yeah, the 451 is a great knife but it is a pry bar unfortunately.
And with a coated blade it looks way goofy with that milling when the edge is thinned out to make it slicier.
Ask me how I know.:rolleyes:
With a regrind I would take the 451though, but that's pricey.
 
Barman1 said:
Yeah, the 451 is a great knife but it is a pry bar unfortunately.
And with a coated blade it looks way goofy with that milling when the edge is thinned out to make it slicier.
Ask me how I know.:rolleyes:
With a regrind I would take the 451though, but that's pricey.
Click to expand...
Let's see it!
 
Barman1 said:
If I were to do it again I'd get the S45VN he's offering, have it bead blasted and reground.
Again, too much expense unless it's something you really want.
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With mine in S35VN, it was just a major PITA to reprofile to a reasonable edge angle. People suggested that I get it professionally reground, but then it would become a 6 month project (given the lead time of someone like Josh at REK) and a $550 knife for no good reason. At that point, why not just buy something that was always good at cutting, like a Koenig Arius?
 
I got my D2 451 for a steal, otherwise I don't think the D2 is worth it. I'd definitely go s45vn if I was paying normal prices
 
marrenmiller said:
Okay, I've had a 451 flipper and I've had lots of Socoms. The Socom Elite is better, in my opinion.

The 451 flipper is just ground too poorly to cut things. It's like .050" thick at the edge, has scalloping all over the bevels as a result of the blade machining, and has a very obtuse primary grind. It just does not slice well. It's also listed as being D2, not CPM-D2, and while steel isn't everything I don't know why you'd pick ingot D2 over a PM stainless steel like 204p for regular knife use. I also don't understand why the sharpened prybar blade on the 451 is paired with tiny stainless bearings.

The Socom has thick blade stock and an obtuse grind, but at least it's thinner at the edge and better at cutting than the 451. I also would suggest that the Socom Elite's large, ceramic bearings are superior to the bearings on the 451.

Action, ergonomics, and build quality on both are excellent, so you won't go wrong there.
Click to expand...

I agree. I've owned several Socoms and sharpened/handled a couple 451s. I'd pick the Socom every time.

If you're after a fidget toy the 451 wins hands down, but it cuts about as well as a sharp axe. The socom is just as thick, but it's much thinner behind the edge and will perform better in most situations.
 
Ive had both knives,too i also think the socom is better.And w the socom, if you have it and dont like it, its an easy resell, not so much wth the freeman.The biggest thing i didnt like about the freeman was the coated black blade and handles. too bad it wasnt all stonewashed, wouldve looked much nicer .
 
T.L.E. Sharp said:
I agree. I've owned several Socoms and sharpened/handled a couple 451s. I'd pick the Socom every time.

If you're after a fidget toy the 451 wins hands down, but it cuts about as well as a sharp axe. The socom is just as thick, but it's much thinner behind the edge and will perform better in most situations.
Click to expand...
It's sad, because the 451 used to be ground thinner but Jeff Freeman changed the bevel design for some reason. If it had a reasonable blade, I'd likely still own mine.
 
marrenmiller said:
It's sad, because the 451 used to be ground thinner but Jeff Freeman changed the bevel design for some reason. If it had a reasonable blade, I'd likely still own mine.
Click to expand...

He made the scallops on the blade much wider, right? I'm guessing it was to reduce machining time. It's too bad because those older ones looked really unique and more functional than these new ones.
 
Silent H said:
He made the scallops on the blade much wider, right? I'm guessing it was to reduce machining time. It's too bad because those older ones looked really unique and more functional than these new ones.
Click to expand...
He made the scallops wider, but also made the entire bevel a lot more obtuse. The original models had a high "flat" grind, whereas all the more recent models are very "low" saber grinds.
 
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