Opinions on Microtech Socom Elite

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Zookie

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Jan 26, 2012
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Im seriously considering buying the socom elite. The blade size and weight seem superb and I love the blade shape and look of the knife. Only thing is I've noticed that no one really talks about these knives and I haven't really seen anyone rock one for edc/defense puposes, which is what I'm looking at using it for.

Anyone own one that can tell me how they like it and if it's worth the 271$ price tag?

Thanks
 
I had one of the full-size autos and one of the minis. Both were very well made. Personally I felt that they were a little blade-heavy and was always afraid of scuffing the aluminum handles.
At this point my feelings about a designated SD folder is that it must be waved. If you really need to defend yourself with a knife then speed is key, and you will need to depend on gross motor skills rather than fumbling for a thumbstud. SOCOMs can't be waved. But that's just my preference.
 
Look elsewhere. I was interested in that knife at one time, too, but Microtech's customer service and quality are terrible. You'll find positive reviews for Microtech knives, but almost all of them are from a long time ago or in reference to knives that were made a long time ago. The past few years, Microtech has moved factories a few times, decided to ignore customers, and let quality slip. They've even started making knockoffs of other knives.
 
http://www.thehollowgrind.com/hollow-grind-microtech-socom-elite/cat_34.html

im military and carry a makora ii. I've had a few other MT's and i love them. the above is where i get mine from Dave the owner is on the boards here and is a great guy. if you find you don't like it you'll certainly be able to sell it for the retail price. and i fully agree w muscle memory. for self defense a fixed blade is always faster but my MC is my edc.

and if you do have CS issues you can send back to Dave and he has the MC customer service hookup. MC is a very high end tight nit community but you won't find a better quality auto. just my .02
 
Tsujigiri said:
Look elsewhere. I was interested in that knife at one time, too, but Microtech's customer service and quality are terrible. You'll find positive reviews for Microtech knives, but almost all of them are from a long time ago or in reference to knives that were made a long time ago. The past few years, Microtech has moved factories a few times, decided to ignore customers, and let quality slip. They've even started making knockoffs of other knives.
Click to expand...

The quality of the Socom Eite is pretty consistent across the board. I own 3 of them and, there is nothing wrong with any of them, and I looked closely. The blade grinds, lockup, blade centering, and smoothness is as perfect as it gets. For a large folder, I have to say that They are every bit as impressive as any 4" bladed folder can be. With that said, I have not read any negative reviews on the manual Socom Elite.
 
I don't have an Elite but I do have a regular vintage Socom. After buying the Socom years ago I decided I did not like the all aluminum handles. They look great of course when they are new but they are slick and just feel hollow for some reason. The slickness and thumb stub location make the knife difficult to open quickly and securely, IMO. The clip location and design also did not work for me. I know the elite is a little different but not by much, the overall setup is the same.

My impression is they look great but actual handling is clumsy and slow. This is just my Opinion, but I thought I would share because like you they looked great to me from the outside but a little time manipulating the knife and I knew this was not something that was going to work for me and once again I stuck with the Spyderco.
 
I'd much rather spend the money on a ZT 0560, particularly since Microtech has had some issues with the finer points of intellectual property.
 
There are better blades to be had for less money. You can't go wrong with Kershaw, ZT, or Spyderco. They also offer actual Customer Service.
 
Thanks for the info cane08 ill check that out forsure.

I currently own a few spydercos, kershaw, emerson, and benchmade as of right nowand wanted something a little different. I love the way the Socom elite looks and im having a hard time finding a 4 inch folder with a weight of 4.6 oz. These Zero tolerances are great knives, but the weight is rediculous on them. Some have only a 3.5' blade and weight more than 5 oz which is a lot!

Any suggestions out there of something close to the socom elite manual folder but a different brand? A 4' blade thats under 5oz? I still have my sights on the microtech but would consider other options similar.
 
My primary self-defense tool will always be my .45 first. That said, a 'no fail' backup in the form of at least a
4" blade is something I always carry. On patrol, that has been a Spyderco Police tucked behind my pistol mag pouch for over 20 years. It is too hard to keep a pocket clip on my dominant side as the pistol holder blocks it so the very thin Spyderco with the 'unconventional' opener works out well. The problem with the Spyderco though is that I have to reposition my hand after deployment for a good fighting grip and that grip is very 'thin'. Still perfect for that task though.

For off duty and concealed carry I wanted better. I have bought one auto (Benchmade) but never trust those fully that they will ALWAYS work, so for me it is going to have to be a folder. I have another Benchmade and did not like the slow deployment of the too light blade (although to be fair it was only a 3" blade but still not smooth). So, I went with a Coldsteel Recon Tanto. Good blade deloyment and sharp but very, very heavy and would still prefer a thumb stud for deployment (they have made an updated version that improves those issues).

Enter my new Microtech Socom Elite Tanto. For me it is the perfect backup fighting knife for concealed plain clothes or off duty carry in a pocketclip where you don't have a holster blocking your pocket. Came to me scary sharp, as sharp as any of my Dovo straight razors that I shave with every morning. Perfectly centered in the handle, great Tanto shape for hard thrust duty (lots of bad guys we encounter these days are wearing body armor too) and very light handle but thick enough for a much more comfortable grip than my Spyderco. Good jimping and flares enough to prevent the hand from moving forward onto the blade in a hard thrust. Point down carry for my preferred draw out of the pocket in a plucking motion with a flick of the thumb to start the blade open with a flick of the wrist to finish the motion for a hard fast snap open with good lock up ending with a good strong grip without a need to reposition my hand like with the Spyderco. I can't say enough good things about this knife at any price as there is not a single thing more that I could ask for or improve on. Love it!
 
Personally, I dont like microtech but I want a Microtech Socom Elite Tanto D/A There isnt a knife that shape or size thats D/A that I can find/= microtech is a minus but the design of blade with d/a interests me
 
I have a 2012 model in S35VN and carbon fiber inlay, and it's an extremely impressive folder. All custom hardware, locks up like a vault with no hint of play, fit and finish miles better than anything I've own short of my Sebenza. I'm head over heals for my SE.

That said, I recently came across some unfortunate news regarding the intentional theft of intellectual property from another high quality manufacturer. While the motives behind this are bizarre, to put it mildly, it's still not right, and it makes it difficult to continue to support Microtech.
 
I look at it like firearms. Every manufacturer now makes or has made a .45 1911 pistol. So the question is who makes the best quality one? For me that is Colt so I own 3 of those (Government Series 70 stainless, Commander lightweight stainless, Defender lightweight stainless). I have not seen a better made one by the other admittedly great firearms manufacturers in a 1911 design. How many have copied the Mauser bolt design? All the decent ones have. So I look at knives the same way. Who makes the lightest handle in a folder with the best flares so your hand has no chance of moving forward on the blade? The sandpaper like surface on the scales is a plus to me as well with the Microtech over the fancier inlays that look pretty but are less practical that are on other manufacturers and even other Socoms. Who makes a good Tanto style blade shape for penetration and strong tip on a maximum thrust? Again I liked the Socom shape over my ColdSteel. As for positive lock up and zero blade play or movement and just an overall sense of quality, the Microtech beats all of the other knives I own and have held at dealers to test for weight, action, centering, lock up, blade length and style. Yes there are tons of other lock blades out there and many that have copied an originally Japanese Tanto shape, but thinking there can only be one maker of lock blade knives makes competition for who makes the best one difficult. I would hate to only have to pick from one firearm company for a 1911, or one knife maker for a Bowie design blade, lock blade, etc.. Let all the manufacturers compete for the best one just like firearms and then you have more choices such as steel types, weights, tip up or down preference, finishes, handle material, workmanship, and on and on. There will always be breakaway designs like Brownings 1911 or Glock making a polymer frame that now all the reputable companies have a model in as well and we have more to choose from (however I still think Glock is the best rugged daily carry polymer frame and have carried a Glock 21 in .45 with night sights on my right hip in uniform patrol everyday for over 20 years, along with that tucked away Spyderco Police).

I did a lot of careful research and bought many other knives on my path to find the perfect lock blade 4" tanto carry for ME and I have not found one that will beat my Microtech Socom Elite Tanto yet or I would have bought it instead. So, like my Colts or my Glock, until something better comes along (and I doubt it even though I own a Sig P220 and Beretta 92FS and Benchmades, Coldsteels, etc.) this Socom Elite Tanto folder is the one for me for daily off duty or plain clothes carry.

Now when I am out hiking in the boonies (once nearly every week) I prefer my Falkniven F1 pilot survival knife with custom African Blackwood handles on my (under the shirt neck) neck sheath (as opposed to my plainclothes or off duty daily carry HEST fixed blade in kydex sheath with my law enforcement badge ranger banded to the sheath under my shirt) and my Blackbird SK5 fixed blade on my belt. So I do have varied tastes in blades but research and experiment to find the best for each purpose (btw, I also always carry a Victorinox Swiss Army Champ knife in my pocket for utility use and a little SAK night manager with white LED and pen on my key chain).
 
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I have had Socom Elite a few years back. I liked its blade shape and feel. Not particularly practical from my point of view (I do not care about all this SD thing), but still quite nice all the same. The handle on another hand was probably the worst I have ever seen. I do not see any point in explaining or arguing about it because it is nothing more than my personal opinion: I am sure there are plenty of people there who have exactly opposite view. I have sold the knife and never looked back.
I did not have any quality issues with it by the way: it was well used before I have got it, but bearing it quite well.
 
They have produced the Socom Elite in Duratech 20 CV, which jdavis882 on YouTube thought was a great cutting steel. Looks like most of their stock now is S35VN.
Sonny
 
The knives are good. The company steals designs and gives the worst service i've ever experienced.

I will NEVER do business with them again after the ZT 0777 incident
 
i don't like it.
i don't like microtech designs overall!
i reckon they make a good product but i don't like autos and the socom is too "tactical" looking for me!
however if you like it go for it;)
 
Don't know about the Socom Elite, but after stealing the design of the Zero Tolerance 0777, after all the reports of non-existant customer service, and after Tony's posts on the Microtech forum denigrating Microtech fans and his gypping of Walter Brend and his daughter I would never consider buying a knife from them...
 
I love this design & have had my eye out for one of these for some time. I was very happy to see the Socom Elite back in production recently. Unfortunately, the whole issue of stealing the ZT 0777 design has tainted any joy I'd get from this knife with bad feelings over the issue. I'd buy it in a second if they'd issue a public apology & make appropriate compensation. Please do this, Microtech. Get the bad karma off of this knife so I can finally own one.
 
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