Microtech Blade Finish Question

G

Guy Vanderveken

Joined
Nov 16, 2010
Messages
274
Microtech Blade Finish Question:

Hi Guys,

My questions pertain to the Durability of the finish of the Microtech SOCOM Elite and Delta Blades, as an EDC knife.
I see there are a few options if you can get them:
  • Black Coating - I do not want this
  • Satin - I like this and am concerned about the scratching
  • Bead Blast - I like this, I am concerned about the possibility of the onset of rust(should I get the CPM D2 blade), but I love the non glare and the worn look over time
  • Stonewash - I like the durabitiy factor and somewhat dull, low glare look

Please those of you who have The Socom Elite or Delta, I would like to hear what you have to say from experience if you rotate your knives into EDC

All the Pro's and Con's, please do not hold back

Thanks in advance,
Cheers,
Guy
 
Last edited:
Just got the socom delta satin finish...what can I say? Only had it a few hours and I am in awe. I am not much help with your question but it has to be the nicest knife I have handled. The satin finish is immaculate. It is D2 with alum. handles. My heart is still thumping.
More to come
Cheers
 
Guy,

Whatever finish you choose, it will show wear over time as it gets used to cut things. There is no way around it. If you really like a knife, my advice would be to buy a spare. Use one and keep the other pristine.
 
Stonewashed will show the least wear. The Delta is also G10 which will show less wear than the anodized aluminum. But the Delta so far only comes in a Tanto blade which is pretty shitty for EDC. I'd wait for the drop point delta to come out if you plan to use it. The Socom Elite is a nice knife but it's kind of antiquated still being tip down only. The drop point is an amazing slicer though since it's ground extremely thin.
 
RevDevil said:
Guy,

Whatever finish you choose, it will show wear over time as it gets used to cut things. There is no way around it. If you really like a knife, my advice would be to buy a spare. Use one and keep the other pristine.
Click to expand...

Cheers for that Rev, sometimes a little perspective helps - I suppose I would just prefer a stonewash or bead blast finish.

Thanks

macknife12 said:
Just got the socom delta satin finish...what can I say? Only had it a few hours and I am in awe. I am not much help with your question but it has to be the nicest knife I have handled. The satin finish is immaculate. It is D2 with alum. handles. My heart is still thumping.
More to come
Cheers
Click to expand...

Thanks for the response macknife12, I would like to know how it holds up though.
 
Guy, the stonewashed finish knives I use (ZT0560, Kershaw Blur, Sebenza) do somewhat hide wear marks better than say a pure satin finish. Some material that is abrasive will leave fine scratches on the blade. It doesn't bother me much, but they are noticeable depending on the light and angle.
 
Free2game said:
Stonewashed will show the least wear. The Delta is also G10 which will show less wear than the anodized aluminum. But the Delta so far only comes in a Tanto blade which is pretty shitty for EDC. I'd wait for the drop point delta to come out if you plan to use it. The Socom Elite is a nice knife but it's kind of antiquated still being tip down only. The drop point is an amazing slicer though since it's ground extremely thin.
Click to expand...

Free2game,

This will show you how well I read, throughout the first 3 times I read your reply, all I read was: drop point Delta - there is one coming????????? do you know something????

The SOCOM ELITE, I like as it comes with a drop point(my fave)/ old school cool/ TIP DOWN - which I like, as I carry in IWB/// Yes I would prefer G10 here over Alu but I have to way up that I will only get tip down with the ELITE. Plus you have to appreciate the price point difference.

The Delta I like the G10, and as a tanto, it is one of the more usable tanto's that I have seen, I will have to get it, as lord knows what will stop been made if they brought out a drop point, I will look at it if and when it comes out, for now they have to kick out the Milie XHP.

Thanks for your input
 
RevDevil said:
Guy, the stonewashed finish knives I use (ZT0560, Kershaw Blur, Sebenza) do somewhat hide wear marks better than say a pure satin finish. Some material that is abrasive will leave fine scratches on the blade. It doesn't bother me much, but they are noticeable depending on the light and angle.
Click to expand...

I hear you, I suppose once you have decided to carry it, you accept that it will happen, even my Brown G10 XHP milie scales are turning Levi Blue in places but the XHP is rather resilient with just a few marks on the spine, with IWB you do have to clean out the jimping though, I coat my knives with a metal pollish hand rub to ward off most nonsense to the blade.
 
Guy Vanderveken said:
I hear you, I suppose once you have decided to carry it, you accept that it will happen, even my Brown G10 XHP milie scales are turning Levi Blue in places but the XHP is rather resilient with just a few marks on the spine, with IWB you do have to clean out the jimping though, I coat my knives with a metal pollish hand rub to ward off most nonsense to the blade.
Click to expand...

One thing to note, the bead blasted finish will show "work scars" the quickest. In the end, it all depends on your taste. I don't like for my knives to look like they've been tossed out a window on the highway and left for dead. :D

To clean up your G10, some folks recommend Ballistol (green can). Spray the handles, and work it in with an old tooth brush, and wipe off the excess. I too have had knives take on the denim blue tone. The Mr. Clean Magic Eraser also works very well with no mess.
 
I have a Whaleshark with the beadblast finish and it appears to be quite resilient actually, at least in the cardboard cutting I have done with it. Haven't really had any rust issues with it either, but that might be because CTS-204P is pretty rust resistant. That being said, aesthetically it's my least preferred finish.
 
Misanthropia said:
I have a Whaleshark with the beadblast finish and it appears to be quite resilient actually, at least in the cardboard cutting I have done with it. Haven't really had any rust issues with it either, but that might be because CTS-204P is pretty rust resistant. That being said, aesthetically it's my least preferred finish.
Click to expand...

Good to know, I'm just glad there are several finishes offered at the end of the day.
 
Misanthropia said:
I have a Whaleshark with the beadblast finish and it appears to be quite resilient actually, at least in the cardboard cutting I have done with it. Haven't really had any rust issues with it either, but that might be because CTS-204P is pretty rust resistant. That being said, aesthetically it's my least preferred finish.
Click to expand...

Thank you,

I do believe 204P would probably shrug most off though, good to know about the Bead Blast- I also like the old school appeal/ as cardboard cutting can make it's mark.

Here is a blade that was GunKoted, then bead blasted off.
The alloy was D2, then scuffing from pollishing and Kydex, Rc was at 60.5 I recall- I actually liked the worn look, but I did notice that you had to keep dry and wipe down- that is when I stated rubbing the metal pollish into the blade.

Geoffskydexsheaths042.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top