Microtech Strange problem with my Socom Elite

Monofletch said:
My knife OCD would highlight those marks every time I pulled it out of my pocket. It would bother me to no end! Just like deep carry clips that don’t have counter sunk clip screws! It’s a deal breaker for me!

From what I understand the auto version doesn’t have those marks. I am searching for one to buy now.
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Okay, but... shouldn't a knife dealbreaker be something pertaining to how the knife functions as a knife?

I mean the marks are so faint on mine that I have to actively look for them...
 
kylemiller said:
How long would you have to think about choosing between the ZT 0308 and the Microtech Socom if you were grabbing one knife to leave the house with for a while?
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I think I would prefer my 0308, as it cuts significantly better than the Socom. With that being said, I have also reprofiled it, anodized/dyed it, and replaced the awful stock bearings with better aftermarket ceramic bearings, so it's not like I'm talking about a stock 0308.

I still love my Socoms though, and I still have a collection of them.
 
marrenmiller said:
I think I would prefer my 0308, as it cuts significantly better than the Socom. With that being said, I have also reprofiled it, anodized/dyed it, and replaced the awful stock bearings with better aftermarket ceramic bearings, so it's not like I'm talking about a stock 0308.

I still love my Socoms though, and I still have a collection of them.
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Interesting. I only got to flip one at Cabela's for a few minutes, and using the ol finger calipers it did feel thinner BTE than most big ZT's. My experience with the lock slip kept me away from considering a purchase for what they're asking. Still good to know that you found value in their new design.
 
marrenmiller said:
Okay, but... shouldn't a knife dealbreaker be something pertaining to how the knife functions as a knife?

I mean the marks are so faint on mine that I have to actively look for them...
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At this point it does matter. I have become sort of a snob. It’s the dumbest thing, I know. I care less about centering or “drop shutty” but that bugs me.
 
I just noticed that I also have these on my Signature Series from 10/2019. I would probably have never noticed them before if it weren't for this thread. I can't get myself to care at all about it. I would imagine that if this is on the higher end of what you're comfortable paying for a knife, it might have more of a negative feel to it.
 
I have three Socom Elites purchased in 2018 and 2019. All three have identical marks and they are very uniform from one knife to the other. Never would have noticed until this thread. I examined each knife under a loupe and they are definitely marks and not cracks. I've been using the first for well over a year for camping and general outdoor recreation, mostly for processing wood for fires and camp craft. It has performed flawlessly and the marks don't bother me the least bit. Fabulous knife.
 
kylemiller said:
Interesting. I only got to flip one at Cabela's for a few minutes, and using the ol finger calipers it did feel thinner BTE than most big ZT's. My experience with the lock slip kept me away from considering a purchase for what they're asking. Still good to know that you found value in their new design.
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They're a bit thinner than some models, though my 0303 was thinner at the belly than my 0308 is.
 
I have a Socom Elite with these same marks. They are not cracks they are machine marks or casting marks. I believe these handles are die cast and the marks are in the dies from when they were machined. If you truly believe that they are cracks then your only choice is to send it back to Microtech. If they are defects in the material or workmanship they will replace the parts or the knife. But I am not concerned because they are not cracks. I ran the maintenance department in a large machine shop and other manufacturing facilities with machine shops for many years and know what I am looking at. Microtech will tell you the same thing.
 
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Blues Bender said:
Are there other types I’m not aware of? Because I’m pretty sure every Socom Elite has its lockbar attached that way.

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Personally, I just put the knife right to work and ignored the machining marks. I didn’t buy it to admire and post filtered Instagram pics. However, I can see how this would be an issue for some.
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The older models do have a different lock bar mechanism I gave my older one from the 1990's to my Son and asked him to send pictures of it. The old style lock bar was more of a hinged design IIRC. I don't. think there was a 'hump' on the outside of the scale. At any rate a lot of guys are getting their panties in way too big of a bunch over this. I never even noticed this before and don't care about it now. Microtech makes great knives like them or not.
 
vjb.knife said:
The older models do have a different lock bar mechanism I gave my older one from the 1990's to my Son and asked him to send pictures of it. The old style lock bar was more of a hinged design IIRC. I don't. think there was a 'hump' on the outside of the scale. At any rate a lot of guys are getting their panties in way too big of a bunch over this. I never even noticed this before and don't care about it now. Microtech makes great knives like them or not.
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One of the older variants actually has a coiled spring between the aluminum scale and the lockbar.
 
Just noticed these on my Socom. Still like it. Still cuts the same.

If they were on the show side or more obvious maybe it would annoy me. As it stands I'm fine with them.

I can understand if people are upset, but I'll take this over messed up blade grinds or sloppy lockup.

Different strokes for different folks.
 
kylemiller said:
One of the older variants actually has a coiled spring between the aluminum scale and the lockbar.
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That is what the 1990's model that I gave my Son is like the bar is hinged and the spring behind it makes it engage. He will possibly send me a picture of it.
 
This is my Son's 1999 Socom Folder. I gave it to him when he was a Boy Scout in about 2005. He says it still locks up solid as a rock and cuts well. I have sharpened it a couple of times on my Wicked Edge sharpener. I am surprised that he has not destroyed it over these years; He could break anything. The man (he is now a 30 yo) has always been very tough on equipment.

I put the skate tape on it when I was using it, and it needs replacement. I am sending him a new piece of it. I think I still have the clip somewhere but he does not want it.

The lock side handle is flat in this version and the lock bar is hinged with a spring to engage it. I would not have thought that to be exceptionally reliable but if it has lasted this long under the deplorable conditions that it probably has seen it is reliable.

I believe that the original mold for these older models may have been modified to make the new version rather than make a complete new die which would be much more expensive. So, a milling machine would have been used to come in and cut out the space for the 'bump out' found on the latest model handle which accommodates the new style one piece lockbar.

IMO the marks noted by the OP are cosmetic in nature and while they probably could have been cleaned up in the mold prior to making the handles they are very superficial and hard to notice on my newer model.

1999SocomA-XL.jpg

1999SocomB-XL.jpg

1999SocomC-XL.jpg

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1999SocomE-XL.jpg
 
For god’s sake’s :rolleyes:... I have a 12/18 production Socom and while these marks are present I still consider the machining on the knife to be fairly excellent overall. You’ve got to remember the machining on one of these models is significantly more complicated than for instance a Sebenza. I find the attention to detail on these fantastic with every small detail given thought. A lot of people will crucify MT for the most insignificant imperfections but then praise ZTs that have non-functioning locks. Just use the knife and don’t worry about it.
 
patrickguignot said:
I don't think it's an issue at all.
You can see the exact same "problem" here on my SOCOM Elite :
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But when you look from another perspective you see these are not cracks at all. That's just the edges of the two bumps in the handle.

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I was about to come in hot and say folks are making excuses for poor Aluminum quality but from this angle, yes does seem to be just a rough edge from the CNC. Not cracks.

Btw, these newer socoms have the removable liner? Is that what those 2 extra screws are for?
 
I'm certainly no expert on this, but it "looks" pretty poor to me. I have blades that have some flaws in them that I am prepared to accept (as i didn't really pay a great deal for them sub $50-ish) ... but on the other hand (in a similar way that somone mentioned a sebenza) if I bought a Bentley and the stitching on the seats was not 'aligned', I'd be going back to the dealer asking them to correct/replace it.

Everyones mileage differs of course.
 
I don’t know which is worse, the theory that it’s just crappy machining work or that the handles are cast aluminum. If you hold yourself out as an elite machining company, and charge a premium price, you need to back it up.
 
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