Microtech socom elite - cracked scales?

Stang Bladeworks

Stang Bladeworks

Joined
Feb 19, 2018
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I have a fairly new socom elite with basically no use on it. Yesterday i noticed 2 cracks on the lock side scale. These were not there when I got the knife. It has not been dropped or subjected to any impacts or stresses. I have contacted microtech and i hope to hear back soon. Has anyone seen this before? I assume the scales are machined from one billet so I cant understand why the cracking is occuring. Maybe its just the coating but it seems like a thin coating. Im assuming its anodized. It has worn through in some areas from rubbing on other stuff in my pocket and it seems very thin in those areas. If i do send it in im hoping they will allow just the handle to be sent in. I live in canada and I dont want to have customs steal my knife. It was purchased brand new from pvk vegas and they held it at customs for a week but ultimately let it through. Im not sure I would be so lucky twice. Any input is greatly appreciated. This is a first for me.
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My understanding is that these marks are a byproduct of Microtech's anodization process. My 2018 Socom Elite came with the same two marks on it, maybe a bit less pronounced than they are on yours; I bought it new, it's never been dropped, etc. I've also seen similar marks on other Socom Elites.

Grabbed you a quick photo of mine (unprocessed, straight from my phone camera in natural light). The top one is easier to spot in my crappy photo, but you can make out the bottom one as well.

IdbFrZu.jpg


I carry and use mine regularly, and these marks have had zero impact on my usage. It's one of my favorite knives. Personally I say you're good to go, just keep enjoying a great knife. :thumbsup:
 
Dadpool said:
My understanding is that these marks are a byproduct of Microtech's anodization process. My 2018 Socom Elite came with the same two marks on it, maybe a bit less pronounced than they are on yours; I bought it new, it's never been dropped, etc. I've also seen similar marks on other Socom Elites.

Grabbed you a quick photo of mine (unprocessed, straight from my phone camera in natural light). The top one is easier to spot in my crappy photo, but you can make out the bottom one as well.

IdbFrZu.jpg


I carry and use mine regularly, and these marks have had zero impact on my usage. It's one of my favorite knives. Personally I say you're good to go, just keep enjoying a great knife. :thumbsup:
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Thanks for the reply. Glad to hear. Im suprised i couldnt find any info on this when i searched.
 
So microtech got back to me today. This was their reply:
Thank you for reaching out to us. I would be happy to address your concern. If you are referring to what appears to be a crack on the back side of the knife close to the thumb stud on the handle or down towards the lanyard hole on the back side near the handle screws, these are tool markings that are made during the machining process. Unfortunately this is a feature that cannot be avoided when we machine the chassis. I am told that path the tool travels does not allow for this to be corrected with the current design. This mark does not compromise the functional integrity of the knife in any way. All of the Socom Elite manuals contain these marks.

I sent in some pics just to sure and they verified its from the machining. I must have not noticed them before. Glad to hear its not an issue.
 
Hahahahaha it’s the old “feature” not a bug answer. I don’t know what it is about Microtech but they’ve always just slightly rubbed me the wrong way. If memory serves, it wasn’t always that you’d even get a response. They seem to have put a bit more emphasis on their customer service. That’s certainly a good thing.
 
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Dadpool said:
I don't see it that way. They're acknowledging that it's a bug, just not a bug that affects the functionality of the knife. But they're not trying to spin it as a feature.
Click to expand...

They literally used the word “feature” in their reply. I think that’s what he was referring to. They did admit it’s a machining mark present on all the knives, and nothing can be done to avoid it, so nothing to worry about.
 
"Feature" ...ha , he , ha . :p

PR folks are everywhere always full of the same BS ! :poop:

At best , it's a cosmetic flaw . I have plenty of very cheap knives without this "feature " . :rolleyes:

In fact NONE of my knives have it ! :)

Must be a Microtech exclusive ? o_O
 
Dadpool said:
I don't see it that way. They're acknowledging that it's a bug, just not a bug that affects the functionality of the knife. But they're not trying to spin it as a feature.
Click to expand...
In the world of computer aided design, you would call anything that makes a design deviate from a basic 3D shape a "feature". It's not the same definition that the word carries when used colloquially. That is probably what they mean here.
 
Hello,
Anybody have experience with custom socom elite.? Are they worth 1000 usd more then production. Are there any difference other then blade grind/finish.

Thanks
 
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