Microtech mini-socom?

Joined
Nov 14, 2000
Messages
10
What are your opinions on the Microtech mini
folder ? I currently have a BM705 and was told that the Microtech was a better knife.
Which is really the better ? I am new to knives and would really like to hear from people who have some expierence with these knives.

Thanks,
labtec
 
In my opinion, Microtech is better than Benchmade, except in very rare cases. 705 is a great knife (though some people dislike it because they think the lock is oversized for the knife), but I would prefer having a M-SOCOM. I have owned neither, but have handled both, and I must say that the Microtech is a far better knife, despite the liner lock (Axis lock is stronger and better IMHO). I own the full sized SOCOM and have owned BM Axis locks, though not the 705. The SOCOM beats my BM's any day of the week. That said, I still carry a BM-940BT regularily because it is a lightweight comfortable knife to carry. I switch off between that and the SOCOM.

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Chang and the Rebels of the East
(Southern Taiwan Shall Rise Again!)
 
Oh, and before I forget... the reason why I feel MT's are better than BM's almost always is quality control. BM brags about it's .0005" tolerances or something, but I really haven't seen that much in terms of quality control. A lot of their knives still have a good amount of blade play (my MT has no play vertically or horizontally). Also, I've seen a lot of miscentered BM's. I've also returned some to the factory because of uneven grinding (the grooves on the thumb ramp for my Stryker were not even straight). The rear stop pin on my Stryker rattled inside the handle (it obviously was not the right length for the knife). When I checked at a store to see if this was normal, I found that half the Stryker's had rattling rear stop pins. Not too cool! My 730BT was not only miscentered and would scrape the liner if you pushed the stud hard with your thumb when opening, but it struck the G-10 spacers when closed at a moderately fast speed. I solved this by disassembly and then with the file on my Gerber tool (give to me by Max Burnett to carry at school in my backpack because pocket knives were no longer allowed... thanks again Max), I filed down the spacer so it no longer hits itself when I close the knife. The 730 is now perfect now except for a few cosmetic marks from disassembly, no big deal. My brother is loaning the knife from me since he lost the EDI Genesis II that I gave him. It is working real well for him. Expect to possibly have to make modifications to the knife if you don't want to send it to the factory (paying $5 shipping, plus $5 back is too much, especially after the second or third screw up).

Compare to my Microtech's, I've owned two. My UDT got traded. I still own one though. A full sized SOCOM, which is the pride and joy of my collection. It came perfect in everyway. It was worth every penny of that $160 or so dollars that I paid for it. There were absolutely no centering problems. The lock up was solid... in fact... more solid than I would have liked (too strong, hard to disengage). After working it for a couple days, the lock was easier to disengage. Microtech knives are stiff out of the box, but become more perfect as you use them.

I'm a Microtech convert now. When I order other brands, I always ask that they inspect the knife for me before shipping. When I order Microtech, I know I'm getting a quality product.

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Chang and the Rebels of the East
(Southern Taiwan Shall Rise Again!)
 
I like that, "...more perfect..." I think you said it exactly Comrade.

Daniel D.
 
I own both of them and I like them both a lot.If you like your 705,I think you would also like the mini-socom.You got tip up vs.tip down clip,axis lock vs.liner lock or auto,the MT is a little longer but a little thinner so they weigh about the same.Either one would be an easy resell if you could not live with it.Better is in the eye of the beholder.
 
Labtec welcome to the forums, since my arrival here, do to the raving about MT I have been aching to get one. I have examined them and there QC and everything about them is excellent.
Don't dismiss the BM's, they are an excellent knife and you can usually find them for a good price. MT's hold there value more from what I have seen, but IMHO both are quality strong knives with the cosmetics being better on the MT's. When I get the MT, my BM Sentinel will still get used. I have 6 BM's, and it is true they are not perfect the grinds have been slightly off on each. I have never had a problem with lock up though, each have been as solid as the MT's that I have looked at. I know there has been bad lock up cases with the BM's, I personally have not seen these, but I would inspect the knives closely needless as to who makes them.
I think the best knife is based on what you use it for. Recently I posted the question asking which was better for my daily tactical carry. The comparision was a 710 over the MT LCC. The 710 was suggested in my case, but most said they would still choose the LCC for personal reasons.
 
Thanks for all the great pros and cons on both knives. I am a serious watch collector and it seems that knife collectors think the same way as watch collectors. When it comes to quality you have the standards, but it all comes down to personal taste. In watch collecting you have people who think Rolex is the KING of watches and you have people who think they are nothing but a status symbol with poor quality. I have always enjoyed knives and currently have about 10 knives, but the benchmade is my first "toy".
I say "toy" because lets face it, how many of us actually use expensive combat knives in "combat" or deep sea diving with a "navy seal tactical"? In the watch collecting forums, we go crazy over divers watches that are "used" by special forces and navy seals ! when in reality, navy seals are using whatever is cheap ! casio g-shocks... ha ha! Please, dont think I am making fun of anyone more then I am of myself ! I wear a Rolex Submainer and I dont even dive deeper then my bath tub !! You guys are nutts and I think it's contagious !! I killed a couple of envelopes with my Benchmade today !! Sorry, for making it long, but for the past 3 days I have been reading post here and on benchmade and find it funny how crazy we are about our "Toys", but I quess that's the difference between men and boys !!
Once again guys, thanks for all the responces and I hope they keep coming. I will keep learning from these forums because like watch collecting, if you dont know your stuff, you are doing to get stuck with a bunch of junk that some collector convinced you was GOLD !

Thanks,
Labtec

P.S. I love my Benchmade, but will probably still buy a Microtech just because I HAVE TO HAVE ONE !!!!! @#%T I'm infected !!!



[This message has been edited by labtec (edited 11-15-2000).]
 
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