Microtech Socom Elite : Auto or Manual?

Microtech Socom Elite : Auto or Maual?

  • Auto

    Votes: 16 27.1%

  • Manual

    Votes: 43 72.9%
  • Total voters
    59
Wolverine666

Wolverine666

Gold Member
Joined
Dec 7, 2009
Messages
6,642
I want to get one of these beauties. Not sure to go with the auto or manual.

Which would you get?
 
I have both models and my normal answer would be auto in Microtech. In this case manual would be my choice.

Reason why is you gain basically nothing with this model in auto as the manual is so ball bearing smooth and lighting fast.

I personally find the auto button location more awkard on the Socom it kind of slows
me down feeling for it to fire.

That all said both are awesome knives really like them.
 
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Pinnacle64 said:
I have both models and my normal answer would be auto in Microtech. In this case manual would be my choice.

Reason why is you gain basically nothing with this model in auto as the manual is so ball bearing smooth and lighting fast.

I personally find the auto button location more award on the Socom it kind of slows
me down feeling for it to fire.

That all said both are awesome knives really like them.
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Good answer. I was looking at both and I may just get one of each.
 
On autos I never liked how you have to fight the spring tension to close; slows me down. I chose manual and extremely pleased with it, so much so I'm buying another. The blade flicks out with authority and feels as if it were spring assisted. Took about five days to break-in and now is a free dropper.
 
Option C: the Socom Delta. I much prefer the G10 frame over aluminum, and I also much prefer tip up.

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just got one in manual,it really fires open hard ,the thumb lugs are huge and its definitely easier to close ,it just drops when the detent ball is overcome
 
C6E3D37D-4BA8-4B80-805F-330C8456D7EC.jpeg Yep the manuals are silky smooth and fire like they are a auto once you apply pressure to thumb stub.
 
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Officer's Match said:
Option C: the Socom Delta. I much prefer the G10 frame over aluminum, and I also much prefer tip up.

Hcf68dhh.jpg


iScDtQoh.jpg


Y0jtUy3h.jpg


f2FDtQEh.jpg
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*If you can find one with a good lock... The Deltas have a bit of a reputation among some for lock rock and slip. I don't think they ever were consistently nailing the lock geometry on those before discontinuing them.

I even sent one in to warranty service for that issue, and it returned slightly better but still not with a reliable lock.
 
I would say manual action. I've never been wanting for deployment ease or speed on any of my Socom Elites.
 
marrenmiller said:
*If you can find one with a good lock... The Deltas have a bit of a reputation among some for lock rock and slip. I don't think they ever were consistently nailing the lock geometry on those before discontinuing them.

I even sent one in to warranty service for that issue, and it returned slightly better but still not with a reliable lock.
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Mine is dead perfect in lockup. Great detent too.
 
Officer's Match said:
Mine is dead perfect in lockup. Great detent too.
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You lucked out. I had two, one from an early run and one from a later run, and both had what I would say were defective locks. They felt solid but static pressure would cause their lock inserts to slip. Detent on both were soft to the point of being easily able to shake out the blades. Someone on here last year mentioned working on a bunch of them, and he said he never saw one that worked right.

A shame, because the overall design is great. Needed more time in the oven, I think.
 
If I HAD to change my detent one way or the other, it would be towards weaker; but I actually like it just where it is. I don't intend to damage the lock, but pressure or mild spine tapping shows solid lockup on mine.
 
Officer's Match said:
If I HAD to change my detent one way or the other, it would be towards weaker; but I actually like it just where it is. I don't intend to damage the lock, but pressure or mild spine tapping shows solid lockup on mine.
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Rock on. I wish I had found one that worked. I loved how slim they were compared to the Elites. I still need one for my Socom collection one of these days...
 
I like the tanto blade on the Socom Elite. Can’t find a manual satin or stonewashed tanto blade in stock anywhere. So I may get the tanto auto (which I think looks great too).
 
The auto Socom Elite II is still on my "to buy" list.

7 of the 9 Benchmades that I own are autos or balisongs and all of the 8 ProTechs and MicroTechs that I own are strictly autos or balis. I've got more than enough standard manual folders made by Kershaw, ZT, CRKT, Spyderco and others. The autos and balis are what distinguish Benchmade, ProTech and MicroTech to me.
 
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