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Comrade

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Mar 20, 2007
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I'm interested in the Microtech SOCOM Elite. I've been looking for a new folder for quite some time and finally found a SOCOM I was looking for. However, it it the mini version and I was wondering two things:

1.) can anyone compare it to the full sized one?

2.) does the mini Elite version feature the Micro-bar system? If so, does anyone have any experience with it. I intend to use the knife a lot and don't want to endanger my fingers. :)

Edit: I just ran into a mini Socom Elite with a frame-lock?! :confused: Can someone enlighten me about this. Cos' I really like frame-locks and I would like to get a Socom with a tough frame-lock instead of a liner-lock. (BTW, Axis is the best!)

Thx
 
the mini SOCOM elites are framelocks, ya might be thinking of a mini SOCOM which IIRC is a std liner lock not the microbar lock. the full size SOCOM elites have the microbar lock FWIW.

the mini elite is larger than the mini SOCOM, the mini elite is probably 3/4's or 4/5's the size of the full size SOCOM elites, anyway point being its a little larger knife than the old mini SOCOM.

both the SOCOM elite and the mini elite are great knives, if i wanted a smaller knife i might carry a mini elite, my wife had one and loved it,

i have had a few SOCOMs, SOCOM elites, min i SOCOMs and mini SOCOM elites FWIW, and all have been good knives.
 
Do a good inspection of those framelock Mini Socom Elite before you buy.
I have sold quite a few Microtechs, and some of these particular versions have a nasty habit of not having the detent ball lined up with the hole in the blade.
The result is the possible opening of the blade in your pocket, and some of our clients had that misfortune with cuts to prove it.
The older Mini Socoms with their liner locks are of better overall quality imo.
I just bought myself this tanto version from 1999,









 
I would only trust the lock on the mini elite. I've had two mt knives (06 or 07 socom elite and an amphibian from 04?) both with the thick liner type lock and both failed spine tests every time I tried. Others say thiers are fine, but not the ones I had. The full size socom elite does feel like almost like a fixed blade in the hand, and I loved it, but absolutly did not trust the lock. The mini elite on the other hand is one of the finest knives I've ever owned. I've had two and highly recomend buying one. One was perfect in "every" way, the other, however, did develope some slight play. It is be much smaller than the full size elite though. And likely harder to find.
 
kwackster said:
Do a good inspection of those framelock Mini Socom Elite before you buy.
I have sold quite a few Microtechs, and some of these particular versions have a nasty habit of not having the detent ball lined up with the hole in the blade.
The result is the possible opening of the blade in your pocket, and some of our clients had that misfortune with cuts to prove it.
The older Mini Socoms with their liner locks are of better overall quality imo.
I just bought myself this tanto version from 1999,









Click to expand...

gotta disagree about the older minis being superior in F&F to the mini elites, that hasnt been my experience, though i dont know its any better than the mini SOCOM the elites F&F is every bit as good, i have had a couple of mi ni elites and havent had any detent probs either FWIW.

i very much prefer the mini elite to the min i socom myself.
 
Here are a few pics of the MT Mini SOCOM Elite Frame Lock. It's one of my
favorite folders. The blade is about 3.4 inches long. Locks up tight. No
problem with the spine whack test. Also, no problem with the ball and detent.
The blade is held nicely in place. I hope MT makes another run of them.



knivesmtminisocomfls001ml3.jpg


knivesmtminisocomfls002kl1.jpg
 
Of my seven MT Mini SOCOM Elite Frame Locks, five have virtually the same resistance to opening (just right IMHO). One takes a bit more effort to open (a bit more than I prefer), and one opens with a little less resistance than the others. But, even the one that opens the easiest takes virutally the same effort to move the blade out of the handle as my new BM 710D2 and my EDC Small Classic Sebenza.

I've had no problem with any of them opening in my pocket, or opening as I'm pulling them from my pocket.

Mine all have aluminum handles, however I'd heard that MT made a run with Ti handles. It would be outstanding if MT made another run of the Ti handled Mini SOCOM Elite Frame Locks.
 
i have never seen nor heard of any ti mini SOCOM elites but MT makes so many different variations its hard to keep up with them all lol, i wouldnt mind having of of those either if the price wasnt too high vs the aluminum frame ones.

if i had to carry a smallish knife for legal reasons (or whatever reasons) the frame lock mini SOCOM elite would be one of my 1st choices, it is a good one imho.

i wish they made a full size frame lock tip up carry SOCOM elite, now that imho would be a winner in both auto and manual configurations, put me down for 1 of each.
 
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