Microtech SOCOM's

C

Comrade

Joined
Mar 20, 2007
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54
I see Microtech is returning to knife production. I've been interested in their SOCOM folder for quite some time but don't know much about them and I didn't want to buy it since they halted their knife line in favor of small arms.

Which steels are used? Is D2 only option or can I get it in 154CM? How strong is the lock? I'm not sure if it's plunge lock or st else so I would like someone to elaborate on this please.

What I really want to know is if they plan to make mini versions. The regular size is too big, too expensive and IIRC the mini SOCOM had a framelock, right?

Thanks!
 
I've had a full sized socom elite and two mini elites. The minis were frame-locks from 2004 and 154-cm. The full sized was d-2 w/ liner type lock and made in 2007 I believe. The full sized version failed spine whack tests as did my amphibian with similar lock. Both had a very thick lock and locked without play though. Felt like a fixedblade in hand. Tip down only. The minis were both great knives and I highly recomend them. One developed slight blade blade over time. The mini is very light and pocketable. Feels good in hand and has very good blade/handle ratio and a good thin grind. Both sizes are great designs in my opinion, but I personally wouldn't put too much faith in thier liner styled locks if you're doing anything but cutting with the edge. The mini elite I consider a near perfect knife in every way. -Not sure if they'll be making more or of what type. They also offered a full sized version in s90v. I think both auto versions use plung locks.
Also, the mini elite has a pivot brushing (think that's what it's called) similar to a Sebenza. I'm not sure about the full sized version.
Also, a tip for taking apart thier screws is to use a fine tipped need-nose pliers. You'll only have two points of contact instead of three, but it still works.
 
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Can't say about new production. With Microtech, it appears you get what they make.

Why waite, still plenty of NIB ones out there (they seem to show up regularly at various sources).

I would look for the 154cm versions, but the D2 versions are newer and therefore easier to find.

As to the "micro-bar" lock reliability, I just went and pulled out 2 full-size Socoms and 4 Amphibians (gotta get some more plain edged versions) and none of them failed mildly heavy single blow spine tap tests nor failed the rapid series of light taps spine test. So mine have reliable locks. I do note that only the one Amphibian has seen any real significant use, though.

No experience with "mini" versions of the manual operated knives.

The autos use "plunger-locks" and I've never heard of any issues with them (simple, robust design - which is why the lock is popular).

Personally, I hope to see some new Amphibians (plain edge) made. S30V steel is OK by me.
 
I've got two of the S90V socom elites from the 2006 run. I've used one, kept one NIB. My user has a rock solid lockup, perfect alignment ( both on the alignment, never "spine whacked " the safe queen). Grinds are excellent, and came very sharp , which to me means at least easy shaving, or "hair popping" sharp.

The action came sort of stiff and needed lubing & breaking in. Not real tight, but not loose, but just about right where I like it

No visible flaws of any kind on them. I consider them to be very high quality production knives, very tough also.

It's about time they started making knives again. Joe
 
they make (or made) SOCOM and SOCOM elites, the small frame lock one is a mini SOCOM elite, the plain mini SOCOM 's were liner locks.

most of them were 154CM too.

but anyway the SOCOMs and elites are a little different, the elite has a little thicker handle, the microbar lock, rubber/skateboard tape on both sides of the handle vs just on one, and possibly a couple of other things io have forgotten now, oh and the mini elite has the frame lock too vs the liner lock, and is a little larger than the min i SOCOM was.

also they are all available auto or manual and the SOCOM had a couple different blades, one was a tanto, the other a drop point,

i used to collect them and have had a few thru the yrs, still have a SOCOM elite with a brend grind blade, an auto elite and a manual mini elite.

the auto elite is imho the very best side opening auto around, its my fav anyway, and the auto SOCOM is also pretty good, but not quite an elite.

great knives too, they used to be a lot more popular than they are now for whatever reason, i stopped collecting them because they came out with so many special this and limited that that it seemed like they were trying to make everything some kinda collector item and in doing so made none special or limited, also the folks who run the customer service were at one time not the best or easiest to deal with, i have recently dealt with them and they seemed a little better in that regard, but i still dont have my knife back yet, at least they werent rude on the phone lol, thats a start, a few yrs back i wanted a cord for one of my socoms that didnt come with one, you know the lanyard cord, probably less than a dollar worth of mini para cord, they wanted like $20 or $25 for it lol, i called to ask why so much and the CS rep just went off on me, told me they didnt make enuff money, long hours, the job sucked, etc i almost felt sorry for the guy, i did find it odd the guy would tell me all this lol, after it was all said and done he sent me the cord for free lol, go figure.
 
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Can anyone explain all the advantages/disadvantages of tanto vs drop point blade style? I mean I know what they would be used for and that tanto tips are really strong but is there anything else?
 
Drop point blades are generally more general purpose, to include use for gutting/skinning game. Microtech has reinforced their drop point blades a bit.
 
Man I hope MT comes back into full prod.. Their knives are just GREAT! I would LOVE to get a Socom Elite MA in 154cm... But I just figured they are just for collectors now.. woooo hoooo!
 
i dont know about just for collectors, i see manual elites for sale every now and again for not that much more than a BM or spydie, just depends on what ya wanna spend.

MT does make some good albeit expensive knives, the best of the bunch was imho the LCC, a really well made and finished knife that when it was in production wasnt that high IIRC ~ $140 or so MSRP, it was really a good one, now they are pretty high $$ though.
 
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