microtech socom (manual) or BM 750 pinnacle?

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bladez68

Joined
Nov 16, 2001
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ok im comparing microtech socom manual and bm 750 pinnacle, which one is the better and why? bm is cheaper.

bm750 is
blade: 3,6 inches. open: 8.35 inches. closed: 4.75 inches. weight 4.4 oz.

mt socom is

blade: 4.06 inches. open: 9.11 inches. closed: 5.11 inches. weight: 5.1 oz

im concerned with a too bulky knife for carrying. but the difference doesnt seem that big here (4.75 vs 5.11 inches, 4.4oz vs 5.1 oz)

any other noticable differences? which one has a stronger lock? mt socom has a "wave" feature, is this comparable to the wave on emerson's commander?

i've seen a lot of people loving mt and their products, dont know much about bm (know it's a quality company though) like to know how you would compare the two! thanks.
 
Ive handled the pinnacle extensively as my dad has it, he loves it. I dont think you could find a stronger lockup in a folding knife. He descreibes it like a 'safe closing'. I dont personally know about bulkyness but I do know it isnt that heavy becuase of the titanium. I dont think you can go wrong with a Benchmade.
 
If thinness is your thing, the BM 750 Pinnacle is THE way to go.

In fact, I happen to find it too thin for comfort, although the lock is certainly strong (despite all the hype, the great and glorious MONO-LOCK isn't any different from a generic frame lock, such as those found on many Darrel Ralph and Chris Reeve designs)

As far as this "Microtech wave" feature I heavily doubt that it is comparable to the Emerson wave since
A. the Microtech's blade lacks the protrusion that causes the wave "effect" on the appropriate Emerson models
and B. the Emerson Wave is patented

IMHO whatever this Microtech "wave" is, it aint much more than marketing bull.

Also, in case you weren't aware - the Microtech is a liner lock, so it isn't as strong as the BM in the locking area... it's also my opinion that most Microtechs are overpriced.

To be honest, the BM 750 and Microtech SOCOM are really apples and oranges in almost every way, and are hard to logically compare, so i'll break it down:

If you want strength: Benchmade 750
If you want thinness: Benchmade 750
If you want comfort: Microtech SOCOM
If you want a robust tactical knife: Microtech SOCOM
If you wanna pay more than it's worth: EITHER

(prepares his flameguard)

Sorry, but i've tried various Benchmades and Microtechs, and they are just plain overpriced for what they are.

Also, you never stated what purpose you intended this knife to serve...
 
I own a Pinnacle and have handled the SOCOM at shows. I think the Pinnacle is a nice knife but lacks aesthetic grace. It is very light and locks up solidly but it's pretty ugly to my eye. Mine doesn't sit quite on center within the frame. I read a post a while back that said that the stop pin is made of plastic. I can't tell on mine for sure, but that does not inspire confidence in a heavy duty folder to me.

Microtech products on the other hand, are first class from what I have seen. My LCC that I sold a few months ago was a very high quality knife and the sharpest factory knife that I have owned aside from Chris Reeves. The Socoms I handled seemed to be in that same class.

I would go with the Microtech. If you want Benchmade, stick with the axis locks.
 
thanks for the replies so far!

i've read in past threads that some people have experienced bladeplay on the bm750 and that it doesn't come that sharp out of the box, for the mt socom i've read the opposite that they have a great quality control and comes razorsharp out of the box?

im ordering from the net so i will not be able to check this myself, so it's pretty important.

i've read the test/review on the bm750 from Sergiusz Mitin (thanks!) is there a test like that available for the mt socom manual?
 
I've possessed both. The Pinnacle doesn't even fair in comparison to the SOCOM. The fit, finish, quality, capability and endurance of the SOCOM put's it in a league "way above" the Pinnacle.

You won't even notice the size and weight difference and the SOCOM isn't bulky. The SOCOM is a very easy knife to carry ~ either in the pouch or slipped in a pocket or on the inside of your waist band.

Personally. . .the SOCOM has a stronger lock.

Yeah, the Pinnacle is cheaper. And, IMHO, if you puchase a Pinnacle you'll get what you paid for - - a cheap wanna-be "Sebenza."

Early in my knife gathering I purchased a Pinnacle. . .and got rid of the Pinnacle with several weeks of purchasing it. Still regret that purchase !

I still have the SOCOM's (clip points and tanto's ~ auto's and manuals) that I purchased years ago. They have seen very hard use and haven't had a single problem with any. . . In fact, I purchased duplicates of my SOCOM's (clip points and tanto's ~ auto's and manuals) thinking that they wouldn't withstand the abuse that I put my work knives through. To date. . .my SOCOM duplicates are still unused and are stored in fur lined storage pouches !

Simply, the SOCOM takes a beating and still performs like the true tool that it is !

Gets 6 stars (on a 5 star scale) from me ! :D
 
JMHO, but I think the 750 is the best knife BM has offered to date. Mine had (it's either lost or stolen :mad: ) the coated blade and contrasted nicely with the gray Ti scales. Along with the gently recurved blade, it made a very nice presentation. Mine had NO QC issues whatsoever, save that it was not very sharp OOTB - like all the BM's I've owned, including two of the axis models (710 & 720). The MT will come hair-poppin' sharp OOTB. Both knives are great cutters and good values, I'm just not crazy about the SOCOM's handle: it's pretty comfortable but totally lacks eye appeal which, for an EDC, is important to me. If you like serrations MT's are more aggressive and therefore better suited for tough tasks. Oh, and I believe you'll have to buy an Emerson to get the "wave" feature. Glad to see you're considering two QUALITY knives.
 
I too have owned both, and the SOCOM MA is the only one that remains in my collection. I was so taken by the SOCOM in 1998, that I used my tax refund check to purchase it! This was in college and I could have used the money elsewhere, however, I knew I had to have the SOCOM. The Pinnacle is okay for what it is. I like recurve blades, but I rather put my money towards a Walter Brend recurve if thats what I wanted. The blade on the SOCOM is thick and tough, with a constant belly in the blade, like a parang (sp?). As far as lock toughness, the mono-lock is strong, due to the very nature of a frame lock design (the index and middle finger supplement the locks strength), but the SOCOM has one of the thickest liner locks I've ever seen. Don't forget, this model is discontinued, and the new "Elite" models have the constant load, spring actuated lock. I can not speak for this new lock, I have never owned one for testing. There's my opinion. In conclusion, go with MT, they are worth the extra bucks in the long run. :D
 
Silly poopoo head :)

the SOCOM on the MT website IS the SOCOM Elite, which is different from yer standard SOCOM, and isn't discontinued.

it's kind of like the difference between a Sebenza and a Sebenza 2000, easy to be confused...
 
I own a 750 as well as two Senenza's and a Mirotech LCC D/A ect.

IMHO the 750 is one of the best BM knives made, however I would 110% go for the SOCOM over a Sebenza rip off. ANY DAY!

The 750 is a good knife, just not and never will be a Microtech.:rolleyes:
 
Had both models and traded them off, neither can hold a candle to a Buck 880 Strider in BG42..a knife with balls!
 
bladez68,

The main differences, while comparing the web site to my own model, are few. However, they are as follow: (1) The pocket clip on the Elite is positioned higher and the clip itself is skeletonized. The older SOCOM has a solid clip and about 3/4 of an inch sticks out of the pocket. I might add that my clip was actually an improvement over the precurser. That clip was positioned about halfway down the handle!!!!! (2) The Elite model has a small amount of "fluting" done to the handle to help the thumb find the stud. This is much like what Bob Kasper had designed into his folding fighter. The groove, in turn, causes the Kraton inserts to be a different shape as well. Nothing major here. (3) The Elite has the trademark "Micro-bar" locking system. This is basically a liner lock that is attached to the handle slab via a hinge and the "constant thrust load" is supplied with a jet wire (basically a coiled piano wire, very small and not very suseptable to loss of "memory") The older SOCOM had a very thick bent liner lock that was attached by a torx head screw. It could be taken out and replaced if damage was done. (4) The blade on the Elite is nearly the same as the older models. The swedge on the top portion is different somehow. Maybe steeper if anything.

The steel on both models is 154-CM and is excellant. Some don't like the handle style, but I find it to be excellant in every respect. I expecially like the pointed butt end for "blunt trauma" blows to bony areas and nerve centers on the body. The option to have less than lethal counter attacks is a major plus. Hope all of this helps you a bit!:D
 
Go with the SOCOM. Microtech's will not fail you. While the 750 is a fine knife, it doesn't compare to the excellent craftsmanship on the SOCOM.
 
I have SOCOM elite manual, and never had BM 750, just handled it few times on the shows.
Personally I like 750 blade geometry better, but apparently MT has superior edge holding, even though both are made of the same steel, ATS-34/154CM.
I haven't compared edge holding myself, as I don't really use SOCOM, but earlier, both here and on BM forum as well, several people said that MT 154CM blades held the edge better than BM 154CM blades.
I myself, had some problems with BM 154CM blades chipping.
Fit and finish are much better on MT.
For a user knife I'd take 750 if it was made in M2, which unfortunately never happened. For 154CM MT would be a better choice, if you are ok with the handle.

As of the locks, BM is a frame lock, SOCOM jas MT proprietary MicroBar® lock, which is made of hardened steel, and looks and feels very strong. Solid lockup and all that stuff, though several people had MT MicroBar® failures.
 
The Socom does wave. To wave it, you need to drill and tap new clip holes to make it carry tip-up. Try waving a BM710... works just like that.
 
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