Microtech socom and whaleshark quality

Y

yanks4433

Joined
Jul 15, 2009
Messages
91
Hey bladeforums

So I have always collected older microtech OTFs. Recently at my microtech dealer I have seen their new manuals with the titanium sub frame lock and they seem really well built. The socom especially seems to rival my midtechs (sebenzas, striders, hinderers)in just about every way especially in price. What do you guys think of these newer manual microtechs?

Please keep this discussion away from bashing microtechs ethical standards.
 
I had a Socom elite that was basically flawless. I loved it but sold it to get something I love more lol
 
I like their knives a lot except for the stupid proprietary screws.

I have a SOCOM Elite in S35VN, Select Fire in S35VN, Mini Matrix in ATS-34 and DOC in Elmax. All have great fit and finish with sharp blades.

If you can fathom the "ethics" and screws you'll be fine.
 
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As RamZar said, everything is awesome except for the screws. My Mini Matrix is probably my favorite knife.
 
I have 35+- from the Vero Beach days and in my opinion they are the finest built factory knives ever made. And I have several Sebezas to compare them to. Just my opinion
 
I just purchased 4 microtechs... The delta, elite, whale shark, and a lightfoot (although still waiting for that to come).

I am very impressed, and think they might be my favourite company at this stage...

will post some pics of mine
 
IMG_20131120_200035_zps5e9ef9d8.jpg
 
Please don't let the politicians influence your decision on these knifes, they are amazing, and very high quality. You are just at a loss if you let politics prevent you from getting one.
 
Microtech is now my favorite knife manufacturer. I used to be a hard core Benchmade fan, but Microtech is in a whole other league. The build quality and finish are excellent. Their blade steel is excellent and they are some of the sharpest knives out of the box I have ever handled. My first Microtech was the LUDT with carbon fiber inserts. This is an amazing everyday carry knife due to its size and shape. The S35-VN steel holds its edge remarkably well yet resharpens incredibly easily. I was so impressed I kind of went on a Microtech binge and bought a select fire in S35-VN, a SOCOM Elite in S-35VN, and the Mini Matrix Katana in ATS-34. I am not sure how well the Mini Matrix will hold up with the "older" ATS-34, but I love the design. I have not used any of their Elmax blades, but I sure hope they are better than Zero Tolerance's blades. I have a ZT 560 with Elmax and am less than impressed. While ZT makes decent knives, I believe their heat treat is far inferior to Microtech's. As a comparison, I also have a couple of Chris Reeve's, a bunch of Benchmades, and a few Spydercos. They make a lot of higher end customized knives, but I more interested in using them than collecting them.

Jason G, are all of those knives yours??? I'm jealous! Very nice collection man!
 
i have a socom elite and socom delta. they are quickly becoming my favorites. the quality of them is amazing. but just like everyone has said the screws they use are stupid in terms of function but they look nice in my opinion. socom delta at least has a normal pivot screw so you can adjust that. Also the sharpness of all the microtechs i have had straight out of the box is absolutely ridiculous. thinking of selling my sebenza after getting my socoms.
 
I had a Whaleshark, but the blade was not centered closed, which really wouldn't have been a huge deal, but they use that V shaped (on the inside) back spacer. It called attention to the fact it wasn't centered in a way no other spacer would have, because it seemed to me to be the point of the V shape. (to show it was precisely aligned) So, I returned it. Is that common, or did I just get an odd one?
 
I've had a DOC and currently have a Whaleshark - as you can see by my sig, not trying to hold on to that one either. My main issue with both knives has been how unnecessarily uncomfortable the locks are to disengage. Build quality, sharpness, pivot action, lockup, fit and finish... All perfect. The newer ones (like the one I have) even have adjustable T30 pivots. That tiny and kinda pointy amount of lockbar, coupled with the high tension on it, makes for a sad thumb.

Honestly, though, if I had the 204P version instead of S35VN, I'd probably keep it. The shape of the blade is very functional, and it's a good-looking knife. Microtech tends to do amazing heat treatments - but, given the old DOCs pocket clip, the new DOCs lockbar, and the Whaleshark's lockbar, I get the feeling these were not really designed for use. A knife made with that much precision and attention to detail everywhere but in regards to ease of disengagement.
 
I have 3 Microtechs. Mini Matrix was perfect out of the box. Whaleshark was slightly off center and hard to disengage. Select Fire had blade play. Bummer, but... sent Whaleshark and S/F back to Microtech. The Whaleshark is now the smoothest knife I own (including CRK, Strider, Hinderer). The repair they made was incredible. Perfect centering, opens like glass, and zero play. S/F is great also; no blade play, easy to disengage. Both came back super sharp. So, getting them right was annoying but both are now really high performance. I carry the Mini Matrix more than any knife I own.
 
I have a socom elite in s90v, and it is one of my all time favorites--of course, it's not a newer one, being about 10 years old. Have one of the higher end DOC's, as well. Nothing not to like, IMO.
 
The Socom is a excellent knife.. All of them going back to the Vero days. my EDC is a Socom elite . S35V steel this current one I have has the traction tape , I have one with the carbon fiber but I like the tape it does help keep the blade in you hand. I was at a gun show a couple weeks ago and found one with a clip point just sitting there with my name on it.

As far as my opinion on the Whaleshark..I didn't care for it. It was very good quality but I sold it off. I would give you a thumbs up with most everything they offer right now. It seems they trying to take care of people again. based on the fact I did have a warranty claim on a S/F I have and it got home safe and sound within the time they told me. I don't care for any politics in the knife world so the beef that ZT had with them regarding the Matrix had no bearing on my newer purchases from them.
 
I have owned both the Socom Elite and the Whaleshark and I loved both. Eventually I sold both to fund other projects, but I enjoyed the Socom so much I am now looking for another one! I would definitely say that the Socom is far more practical for EDC use though.
 
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