Microtech Socom Elite Review

C

creativeoutlethobbie

Joined
Apr 9, 2009
Messages
196
This is my first Microtech and I'm pretty impressed so far. This is a big knife, menacing looking, and it may not be the best for EDC, but it looks cool.

S35-vn steel
4 inch Blade
Aluminum handles
Manual - Liner lock

Great design and ergonomically very nice.

Peer knives would be the Spyderco Military and the Benchmade 710


[video=youtube_share;uyuAOfBNfN0]http://youtu.be/uyuAOfBNfN0[/video]
 
I have bought one a couple of years back. Did not like the handle at all. Many people complain about Griptilian handle feeling cheap... Well, I think they just did not have a chance to held that knife in their hands - they would know how cheap feels! The blade is nice and thick. But the handle - both the shape and the material! So I just got rid of it quite quickly.
 
Handles are a very personal thing. Everyone's hand is different. I got a SOCOM Elite years ago, and I loved it. Right after that, I got a Sebenza, and the SOCOM went back in the box. But it's still a favorite for a big, tough knife that holds a great edge, and the handle is perfect ... for me.
 
Bought one of these many years ago. As a matter of fact, it was probably my first real venture into higher quality blades. A little big for EDC, but still own mine. It's a great knife. Very well made. Even though I always go afield with a fixed blade, my Socom is usually my folder choice to take along.
 
Is the youtube link showing up okay for everyone? Any way this knife definitely isn't a Sebenza replacer but as far as tactical knives go this one is pretty cool. The use of aluminum handles is interesting, and could be perceived as lower quality. Aluminum is light and at times noisy.
 
The video came out all right. I didn't watch long, no patience for them. :)

But you did good. Unlike too many amateur videos, you spoke well, clearly and slowly, so my tired old hearing could actually make it out without any trouble. For what I saw, you showed the knife well, holding it steady and not fidgeting with it constantly.
 
The video is not working for me... All I see is a big black rectangle. I'll look up your channel in the morning and have a look.
 
A question for the reviewer...I have been thinking about ordering this particular knife and I got as far as placing an order with a online retailer. Soon after the seller contacted me and said he didn't think I should go through with the order because the blade was flickable (opened to easily) and Canadian customs (which the knife would have to pass through to get to me here in Toronto) would probably confiscate it. Canadian laws allow assisted openers but not autos. The seller claimed that they had tried to tighten the action but couldn't and in his experience it might not get through. I just has me scratching my head because the videos I have seen show the socom deploying rather normally and I have received folders from the states before without issue. I don't expect you to know anything about Canadian knife legislation but I wonder if you feel that the knife deploys any differently then other manual action folders? Thanks for the vid!
 
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Interesting question. Its no more flickable than any other modern knife from benchmade, kershaw or spyderco as an example. In this particular knife you have to use some wrist action to fully flick it out as the blade is heavy. A benchmade with axis lock is smoother and easier to flick in my opinion as a reference. You can flick this knife open in summary.

unclerod said:
A question for the reviewer...I have been thinking about ordering this particular knife and I got as far as placing an order with a online retailer. Soon after the seller contacted me and said he didn't think I should go through with the order because the blade was flickable (opened to easily) and Canadian customs (which the knife would have to pass through to get to me here in Toronto) would probably confiscate it. Canadian laws allow assisted openers but not autos. The seller claimed that they had tried to tighten the action but couldn't and in his experience it might not get through. I just has me scratching my head because the videos I have seen show the socom deploying rather normally and I have received folders from the states before without issue. I don't expect you to know anything about Canadian knife legislation but I wonder if you feel that the knife deploys any differently then other manual action folders? Thanks for the vid!
Click to expand...
 
creativeoutlethobbie said:
Interesting question. Its no more flickable than any other modern knife from benchmade, kershaw or spyderco as an example. In this particular knife you have to use some wrist action to fully flick it out as the blade is heavy. A benchmade with axis lock is smoother and easier to flick in my opinion as a reference. You can flick this knife open in summary.
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thanks for the reply, so when you say it is flickable do you mean with or without using the thumb stud? I have manuals (smf/zt551) that can be "waved" open without using the thumb studs but the pivots are tight enough that it takes a fairly aggressive wave to open them, I don't think I can flick open any of my manuals without the thumb stud???
 
I don't mean to be negitive, but I had one of these a few years ago when they were around last time and I had a few problems with it. It failed spine-whacks. I know lots of people don't care about that though. I also struck a phone book with the glass breaker and the hardened pellet fell out. It wasn't too tough the remove the rest of the glassbreaker as it's only sandwiched in the handle. It left a small hole at the butt, but that didn't bother me.
Other than that, it was a well designed knife in my opinion. I loved the handle and the blade shape. I wouldn't change either. The knife has a fixed-blade feel to it. It's solid. It had no play. I believe mine was D2. -It's not really a liner-lock, it more of a spring loaded bar that pops into place. I believe the spring is totally separate from the lock bar, but don't quote me.
The Mini Socom Elite is a great knife and I'd like to see them make more of those.

I've watch a few of the OPs reviews before and like em by the way.
 
unclerod said:
thanks for the reply, so when you say it is flickable do you mean with or without using the thumb stud? I have manuals (smf/zt551) that can be "waved" open without using the thumb studs but the pivots are tight enough that it takes a fairly aggressive wave to open them, I don't think I can flick open any of my manuals without the thumb stud???
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I believe Microtech uses a pivot bushing system like on the CRK Sebenza. So if you tighten the pivot all the way down it will still open smoothly. Kinda sucks for Canadians but that's probably why the seller told you it wouldn't tighten.
 
mongomondo said:
I believe Microtech uses a pivot bushing system like on the CRK Sebenza. So if you tighten the pivot all the way down it will still open smoothly. Kinda sucks for Canadians but that's probably why the seller told you it wouldn't tighten.
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Ok, thanks for the info. Still not sure whether I am going to risk ordering one.
 
Well, I have watched all the posts on this knife and the videos from Nutnfancy and JDavis etc...
Finally sprung for the Socom Elite. Arrived a few days ago. Some thoughts: nice materials, a great design and feels good in the hand. Mine was built in April 2012. Right out of the box, a loose rattling glass breaker. Since this is the shorter, round one, I thought this was fixed by Microtech. Not so! Also, the color is Tan but it is hardly Tan; sort of an army, brownish green. I don't dislike the color- it's just not Tan
The bottom line is this knife is way overpriced. I have Spydercos (even the Manix 2 XL) ,
some ZT's ( I.e. The 0560) and a few Benchmades (Contego and Triage) that are equal to or better at WAY less $$. The mystique of this knife and brand is unwarranted. Too much Coolaid being consumed out there.
Just sayin'
 
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Unlike quite a few people on this thread; I happen to really enjoy this knife. I think the steel is great and competitive with other options in the price range. The handle is milled out and contoured very well. The knife has more milling than people give it credit for. The proprietary hardware makes it more special to me (A lot of knives come with this now a days.) I like the traction tape and the glass breaker I have is not wobbly. The knife feels ergonomic, has a great action, and simple looks badass. There are many reasons why I like this knife, I would easily recommend it to other people, but I do respect others opinions and understand if this knife is not everyones cup of tea. There seems to be people that love and hate Microtech. I like the company and their products however there are a few things I disagree with that the company does when it comes to products. Overall the products of theirs I have had the chance to own or handle have all been very high quality and expect for what you pay for.
 
AddictedToGear said:
Unlike quite a few people on this thread; I happen to really enjoy this knife. I think the steel is great and competitive with other options in the price range. The handle is milled out and contoured very well. The knife has more milling than people give it credit for. The proprietary hardware makes it more special to me (A lot of knives come with this now a days.) I like the traction tape and the glass breaker I have is not wobbly. The knife feels ergonomic, has a great action, and simple looks badass. There are many reasons why I like this knife, I would easily recommend it to other people, but I do respect others opinions and understand if this knife is not everyones cup of tea. There seems to be people that love and hate Microtech. I like the company and their products however there are a few things I disagree with that the company does when it comes to products. Overall the products of theirs I have had the chance to own or handle have all been very high quality and expect for what you pay for.
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Well, I suspect we are all "addicted" .....to blades, that is! Time will tell, as I use this knife. It will be interesting to see if Microtech even responds to the message I sent them on their website. I'm not holding my breath. I really am disappointed that they didn't fix the glass breaker defect after all the years this knife has been in the marketplace. That is inexcusable. I'm not ruling out another Microtech purchase- just a bit wary. I really like the look of the Delta but I'll wait for a while on that.
 
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