Microtech Socom Elite - 2006 vs 2018 Comparison

marrenmiller said:
The closed position stop pin is different, and it's internal within the knife. The thumb studs aren't contacting the handle in the closed position, but only when the knife is open.
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It looks to me like the same internal pin on the 2018 versions stops the blade in the open and closed position. There is another pin besides the internal one?

With the blade closed, you can see a portion of the tang (above the blade section where the lockface makes contact) that is ground down - that internal pin makes contact with that section of the tang when open.

The internal pin also makes contact with the section of the blade just behind the plunge grind / choil when closed. It is the area immediately below the detent hole.
 
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seeverscpa said:
It looks to me like the same internal pin on the 2018 versions stops the blade in the open and closed position. There is another pin besides the internal one?

With the blade closed, you can see a portion of the tang (above the blade section where the lockface makes contact) that is ground down - that internal pin makes contact with that section of the tang when open.

The internal pin also makes contact with the section of the blade just behind the plunge grind / choil when closed. It is the area immediately below the detent hole.
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The internal pin doesn't contact the tang of the blade. The thumb studs act as the open position stop pin. That area is just ground that way to make clearance for the pin while the knife is open.
 
great review and great pictures! I recently bought a MT Stitch and was blown away by how well it was made. Now its time for one of these!
 
Pinnacle64 said:
GH7FIQ.jpg
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Is that two tone Socom painted or DLC coated? Also if painted how well is it or will it hold up over time? Thank you.
 
marrenmiller said:
there is a semi-infamous video on YouTube of some drunk people trying to break an old socom elite that you should watch.
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I searched for the video and it's this one :


It's incredible how tough this knife is. I would never have guessed this but apparently an aluminum handle is a very good solution.

Thank you for the very nice write up.
And here is my 2018 Socom Elite version (with my 2014 Socom Delta model).

dfyghUI.jpg
 
Drudge said:
The Microtech website says painted and only has DLC for the full black blade.
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It's absolutely DLC, it said on the box. Also you can tell by looking at it.

Edit: sorry, I thought you meant the black one I posted. The new two tone ones are painted.
 
patrickguignot said:
I searched for the video and it's this one :


It's incredible how tough this knife is. I would never have guessed this but apparently an aluminum handle is a very good solution.

Thank you for the very nice write up.
And here is my 2018 Socom Elite version (with my 2014 Socom Delta model).

dfyghUI.jpg
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That's the one. The old knives were incredibly tough. Not sure how well the new ones would hold up, but probably pretty well.
 
The site I bought it from, GPKnives, says it's black DLC on the two tone. It doesn't make sense that they would do a cheaper finish on these. It's easier to just do full DLC and then grind it off on some of the models.
 
Great write up:thumbsup: I collect Socom Elites. And I feel there are pros and cons with the old and new versions but love them all:)
 
mongomondo said:
The site I bought it from, GPKnives, says it's black DLC on the two tone. It doesn't make sense that they would do a cheaper finish on these. It's easier to just do full DLC and then grind it off on some of the models.
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They got it wrong. Microtech says on their website that the two tone finish is a paint, which is distinct from their DLC offering where the whole blade is coated. Knife retailers love to call coatings "DLC" even when they're not, it seems.

It may not make sense to you but it appears that it's the same coating they use on their two-tone ultratechs, which is not DLC.

Also it wouldn't make sense to grind off DLC. It's designed to be difficult to wear off of materials, and would make producing a 2 tone blade a hellish task.
 
Never again. There are many others out there with better quality and customer service. This is just unacceptable!
STICK WITH BENCHMADE!

Emails from Microtech:

Me: On a close to $300 dollar knife, these tooling marks are unacceptable. The black pocket clip should be free.



Them: I looked into it, and the marks are on all Socoms. Unfortunately it is not something we are able to address. It is a result of the machining process for this particular design. If you are unsatisfied we encourage you to reach out to your dealer and see if they can make an exchange or help you out in an alternative way. As far as the pocket clip, since it is just an additional one, pocket clips are available for purchase at $25. You can mail in a check or money order and once received I would be happy to send a clip your way.

Me:
Brittney,

Thanks, that’s what I expected from Microtech after reading all of your reviews.

UNFORTUNATELY, this will be my first and last Microtech.

It is not the dealers fault, why would they be responsible for exchanging or helping out in an alternative way?

Jokers!

Them:
I understand your frustration with this. As the manufacturer we did not sell you the knife so we can’t work with you the same way a dealer can on an exchange or getting you something more suitable for you so that is why we advise you to discuss with your dealer what can be done since you are their direct customer. I wish there was more I could offer in the way of a solution. Regarding the pocket clip, if your clip was bent or faulty then there is some warranty I can work with, but any requests for additional parts are handled as just that and are available at an additional cost.


Thank you for your understanding,


Brittney


So there you have it. Why would anyone do business with this company. They know they have an issue but continue to produce knives and overcharge for them, then blame the dealer and says it’s their fault. Fuck Microtech!

S/F USMC
 
Are you referring to the tooling marks inside the lanyard hole? I’f so, only some dealers had those and supposedly clearly pointed it out on the website. I actually couldn’t see the marks. Can you post a pic?
 
It’s not the marks at lanyard hole, way worse than that, I can’t post pictures for some reason.
 
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