Microtech: Socom Elite or LCC

catmath 1911

catmath 1911

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Nov 18, 2001
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Hello All,

which one of these knives, in manual action, would be better for EDC/Utility/Defense? Also could you give pros and cons of each?

Thanks,

catmath 1911
 
I can't speak for the LCC, not owning one, but my SOCOM Elite is a beautiful, elegant, graceful, tough, sharp, and comfortable piece of cutting equipment. The microbar lock mechanism is a bit tight, which is good. The fit and finish is every bit as good as I've heard about the LCC. If I didn't own all these Sebenzas, I think I would carry the SOCOM E every day myself.

If you get a chance to compare them, be sure to try which is most comfortable in your hand. This is a very personal and individual preference, and the best knife in the world can't suit everyone as far as grip is concerned, although a few do come close.

Check out the weight, too. It may not seem like a big point, but that slighly heavier knife may get tiresome, dragging down a corner of your pocket, or pulling your belt out of line.
 
The LCC doesn't have a guard or choil to prevent your hand from sliding up on the blade. It is also a little slow to open, a simple flick of the thumb won't do it. It is well built and attractive.
 
I tried the LCC twice because the blade shape is so perfect, but I couldn't seem to get it together with the handle (just personal preference). Picking up a SOCOM Elite was love at first sight. A little big for my needs so I went and got a Mini SOCOM. It's currently my favorite production knife and the same can be said for the SOCOM Elite as well - same thing just bigger.
 
A timely question as I made this very same decision while getting dressed this morning. I chose the LCC (m/a, sw). Here's why:

Blade shape and grind: The LCC offers a more useable blade shape, the grind is higher and the edge is consequently thinner. It offers better cutting performance. The SOCOM has a stonger profile for extreme uses and probably better penetration.

Ease of carry: The LCC is tip-up, which I prefer, the SOCOM is tip down, which I don't. The LCC is heavier (and I wish it were lighter). I find that despite its greater weight the LCC carries in the pocket better. The SOCOM is more accessible for a quicker draw.

Looks: I like the carbon fiber and Ti of the LCC (I really need to get a micarta one as well) better than the SOCOM.

Fit and finish: both are perfect. period.

Handle ergonomics: for utility chores (which is what I use a knife for) I find that the LCC fits MY hand better than the socom. It offers a fuller grip and presents the blade at a nice angle relative to the cutting surface, which is good for slicing and push cutting. The SOCOM offers a higher level of security during stabs and slashes, and is better suited for those tasks (which I hope never to have to use a knife for).

Edge durability: Both use 154CM at the same heat treat. Both perform awesome. Both take and hold an edge better than any other 154C</ ATS34 knife that I own. I don't know the specifics of MT's heat treat but for 154CM it performs as well as 154Cm treated by Paul Bos, high praise indeed.

Lock strength: Both have strong locks, but I think that the Microbar is a stronger and more secure lock. The LCC has a thick steel liner, which locks up tight, very secure for a liner lock. The microbar is like a vault, I would rate it as being almost as strong as the frame lock on my Sebenza and equal to the AXIS lock on my 710HS. But I really don't use a folding knife for any tasks which realy strain the lock. In fact most of my daily cutting tasks are done with a SAK, usually a non-locking model like the recruit or tinkerer.

Bottom line: Both are great knives. I find the LCC better suited for utility tasks and consequently my EDC needs. The SOCOM is probably better suited for defensive purposes, but as I have a Sig Sauer 9mm, OC spray and an ASP on my belt, and a shotgun in my patrol car I have tools better suited for a serious social interactions readily at hand, a knife would be my last choice......

For me the LCC is better. Which is better suited for you is a choice that only you can make. Handle both if you can.... either way you'll be making a good choice.

stay sharp,
Chad
 
having owned both knives,i prefer the LCC over the Socom Elite, they are both nice knives...
but i think for the money, you get more knife with the LCC,nicer materials like ti bolsters and carbon fiber scales,full liners and a great lock up also,
i think the newer LCC's have aluminum bolsters, but that shouldn't take away from the knive, having said that, the Socom also was a very stout made knife...
more tactical than the Lcc, 154cm blade,aluminum handles,with an inlayed lock,(micro bar?) i had never had a prob with that lock before,but i remember a few forum members having some difficulty with them...
i still have and use my LCC...its probably my favorite production knife :)
 
Whichever you choose, jump in fast, since both knives have been discontinued. Both were only in production for about a year.

I fail to understand the corporate philosophy of a company that will turn out a first-rate product, together with serial numbers and dates of manufacture and then dump it. It speaks poorly for the kind of warranty protection the ultimate purchaser will have. A "lifetime" warranty is only worth the paper it is written on if the company has replacement parts available. If they don't, it's a knife "of comparable value".

The products are totally top notch, but I have serious misgivings about the company policies. If I'm going to spend top dollar, I want to know that my knife will be supported by the manufacturer at least for a reasonable amount of time.
 
I don't know how worried you should be about Microtech not continuing these lines. The knife business today is highly competitive. Staying with a few basic designs is a risk in itself. Think about automobile models and how often they change.

Does anyone know of an instance in which Microtech was unable to support a discontinued standard model? Of course, many of these knives (like mine!) aren't in heavy daily use.
 
I'd choose the mini version of the socom.
However, a Small Wood Sebenza is my EDC.

Eric
 
Thanks to all for their expedient and informative replies. One does wonder about the logic of removing a product from the market not long after it was introduced. On a different note, www.888knivesrus.com lists the LCC for $145. Does anyone know of a more competitive price online? Also, does anyone know if the LCC's at 888knivesrus have titanium or aluminum bolsters?

thanks,

catmath 1911
 
I have had both the Socom Elite and LCC in MA and i have to say go with the Socom, it's way lighter and i like it's clip point blade better!

The LCC is very well made but it's way too heavy and cumbersome for me as a EDC, i tried it for a while but as RickMaster would say "the LCC makes a good boat anchor". If you don't mind a heavy knife then i see no problem with a LCC. LOL hehe


James
 
My usual EDC is a large plain Sebenza, I carry a different knife about one day per week, usually rotating between the LCC, SOCOM, Spydie Military and Calypso and a BM710HS.
The fit and finish of the Microtech products is right up there with CRK. I have owned three Sebbies, and can honestly say that the fit and finish of the MT's has been jsut as good.
I like the deeply hollow ground, drop point, BG42 blade and the integral lock of the Sebenza. It is what I find most useful for everday tasks. But it is not a far superior knife to my Microtechs.
In fact if the LCC had Ti liners (making it lighter) it would surpass the Sebenza IMHO.
Chad
 
Originally posted by catmath 1911
Does anyone know of a more competitive price online?
Click to expand...

I have picked up some great knives at nice prices on our own Exchange Forums. I got my SOCOM Elite in all-but-untouched condition from a fellow forumite. But you won't find many of those for sale. You will find a few LCC offered, though. Hmmm ... (I'm kidding, I'm kidding!)

Go to the individual production knives for sale and do a search for the SE or LCC and see what's available. If you can wait a bit, the exact configuration you like should come up, it will be cheaper than retail, and it will have been checked out by a knowledgeable knifeknut already!
 
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