Umnumzaan vs Socom Delta?

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oXObsidianXo

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Looking for my next knife, and recently a dealer got a stock of Tanto Umnumzaan's. The Umnumzaan has been on my list for a while, though I already have a Large Sebenza 21. So I can't decide if I should get the Zaan now, or wait (who knows how long) till a Canadian dealer gets a stock of Microtech Socom Delta in the steel I want? I love my Sebenza and the quality of CRK's, how does microtech compare in that field?

Opinions? Anybody have both, what do you carry more?

Thanks in advance, all opinions are welcome.
 
I just ordered the Socom Delta. I could only find it partially serrated, but I mainly want to try out the legendary quality. I'll keep you posted. I've handled the Umnumzan, and I hated the thumb stud. It's slippery and smooth, making it difficult to open.
 
How does the quality of Microtech compare to CRK, RevDevil? Also, a Socom Delta is available in ATS-34, a steel I know nothing about. Anyone got experience with ATS-34?
 
I would say in terms of out of the box fit and finish, Chris Reeve wins. He's won truck loads of awards for manufacturing quality for years. Some folks have reported issues with Microtech detent and blade centering and recently with warranty issues and timeframes. As for the CR knives, warranty is still up and running, very few lemons get out the door.
In terms of blade material, the winner might be Microtech, they do use a ton of different steels and from whatI see the heat treating is done spot on. ATS-34 is similar to 154CM and was used for a long time by various production companies as well as custom makers. Is it a good steel? Hells yeas it's a good steel. It's not M390 or S90V but it does a great job as a blade steel.
If you have CRK knives, you know the quality is there. But if you are curious about a Microtech then give it a shot.
 
I think I'll probably go with the Umnumzaan for now. I'd prefer a Microtech in S30V/S35VN so I don't mind waiting. And God only knows when Zero Tolerance will release their 0392 Factory Custom (2015?).
 
Imo id go with microtech socom elite over the delta, I like my elite just a little more then the delta but delta has a better/rarer steel, cpm d2. Fit and finish is great on both knives but id give crk a slight advantage there. Steel choice and more importantly heat treat goes to microtech without a doubt. Their s35vn is the best I ever tried out of 12 or so knives I have in that steel, ran nice and hard and holds a great edge which I cant say the same for the sebie my buddie let me test. Socom hass a longer blade and handle which can be a good or bad thing buf it carries great in pocket. Anothef thing I love about microtech is they are the only company making tacticool knives that actually cut well. Out of 4 mt that I have, all are ground nice and thin, .2 to .3 mm tops. And since their tanto has a slight belly, it makes it a great slicer. Only thing I dont like about mt is the proprietary hardware that requires special expensive bits. Big props to crk there, his knives are ment to ve taken apart and put back together no problem. In the end id still go with microrech due to better choice of steels, better heat treat, amazing cutting geometry, nice and smooth on bearings especially the delta.
 
I would go with the Socom Elite, except they discontinued it a while back. I do plan on getting a Microtech eventually but none of the Canadian dealers have them in stock. Only option is a Delta in aluminum and ATS-34. So I'll probably go with the CRK for now, and when a Delta (or Elite) shows up in a steel I like, I'll jump on it. Unless ATS-34 is actually quite a good steel (comparable to S30V/35VN).
 
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I would try out the Socom Delta over the Zaan. Diversity is a good thing.

one thing guaranteed with Microtech is that their heat treat is top notch. They don't run their stuff soft to help the user sharpen the knife...
 
It depends on how much money you can throw at this. If budget is limited and mistakes unaffordable (ie, you will be stuck with the purchase and cannot do an additional purchase) a CRK is the better option for sure. However if the budget is there to try things out then you may be better off going for something different. CRK is the zero risk option. Microtech is the risky option. With CRK you can sell and get your money back if you change your mind later on.
 
Just ordered a Microtech Socom Delta Plain Edge Tanto (In ATS-34 w/ Aluminium Handle). This video is what convinced me, I was shocked at how long it held an edge. Still cutting what looks like phonebook paper after 300 cuts of 5/8th sisal rope! Was a little scared because of some of the warranty and CS stories, but it sounds like they are changing/changed that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wa2z9ibw03s

Ya, it's in Russian, but there are no ATS-34 tests in English.
 
Also, apparently I bought the last one. "Out of stock" when I check now. Hopefully that means I got the last one.
 
Thanks shqxk, but I already ordered the Delta. Umnumzaan will come later. If anyone's interested, I'll post pics of the Microtech when it gets here (if I remember).
 
Id say good choice. Ats 34 is a good steel, its exactly like 154cm, maybe just slightly better and with microtechs heat treat it will perform excellent. I have s35vn, cpm d2 and elmax from them and all are the best performance wise, even over my beloved spyderco. Plus the way they grind their knives make them great cutters, all 4 of mine are 0.2mm to 0.3 mm, half to 3 times as thin as spyderco and crk. Crk has excellent fit and finish, I just don't like their s35vn, its ran too soft imo. He says its to make it easier to sharpen but my mts and another knife I have in s35 which is at almost 62 hrc arent that much harder to maintain. I congratulate on your purchase and im sure you are going to be happy with it. If not microtechs hold their value just as well as crk and in some cases even better. It took me a lot of searching to find the select fire and socom elite that I wanted and they cost a pretty penny(someone out bid me on rip bay on the sf and payed $450 for it, lucky for me I found the exact same one here for $260) so if you don't like it you'll have no problem getting your money back. Congrats again and let us know how you like the knife.
 
I've owned both (non-tanto on the Zaan)...Umnumzaan all the way for a user. Plus, if you ever need service, you aren't playing a game of Russian Roulette as common with MT, and a turnaround time measured in multiple months or even years is much less likely with CRK. Another frame lock I really like the Project VECP. I like the Umnumzaan and XM-18, but the VECP is just kick ass. The El Patron is a pretty badass folder too.
 
Ats34 is a great steel. Hitachis version of 154cm. I've had very good results with it.
 
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