ZT 0640 vs Microtech SOCOM Elite

T

tbailey0193

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Jan 16, 2019
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Which do you prefer, the Zero Tolerance 0640 or the Microtech SOCOM Elite? Being more specific, I would like to know people's opinion on:

1. Ergonomics
2. Fit and finish
3. Durability
4. Ease of maintenance
5. Customer support
 
Category 5 is a lol when it comes to microtech. Honestly their aftermarket support is so bad I can’t even consider buying one of their knives regardless of if they even won categories 1-4
 
Given only these 2 choices, I prefer the Socom Elite for a reason that is NOT included in #1-5.

I'm sure it's a fine knife in the way most ZT are fine knives; I own 28 of them. However, I refuse to buy any Emerson designed knife that doesn't have a wave tab on it. It's not that the knife isn't any good but the fact that there are SO MANY other knives like the 0640, why bother buying this one?

The wave tab is what makes Emerson's unique and w/o that feature, it's like buying a Syderco w/o a Spydie hole and Spyderco puts that hole on every knife it makes even if its entirely nonfunctional. I don't think any Emerson should be made w/o a wave tab too.

The only Socom Elite that I have is an auto, which from its appearance looks just like a manual. I have NO problems w/#1-4 w/the Socom Elite Auto or any of the other 5 MTs that I own. except for the UTX-85 D/E that (along w/some other similarly sized knives in my collection) I am planning on selling because I think that they are too small.

As for #5, I cannot comment about MT because I have no experience requesting any CS from them. My experience with ZT/KAI is ok but I didn't ask much of them. I needed a new clip and a pivot screw for a 0562. Placed an "order" for the clip online and got one in the mail w/o any direct interaction w/ZT CS. Placed a separate order for the pivot screw and got a call from ZT CS only because they had to charge me $10 for it and needed my CC. That's the entire extent of my CS w/ZT. I got what I wanted/needed but it certainly wasn't anything I'd rave about. My experience w/Spyderco's and Benchmade's CS has been satisfactory but not outstanding.

Lack of communication has been the major failing of the CS deptartments of all mfgs that I have dealt with.
 
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I'm a ZT and Microtech fan. I somewhat agree with BiginBoca's opinion on Microtech's CS. I'll add that they can be a bit controlling and stingy. I requested an extra pocket clip for my Elite but they would only do it if I send in the knife and have them install it, and for $40. I found ZT's customer service a little bit more amenable to work with when I requested clips and other parts from them. They wouldn't sell certain parts, but they were ok with clips. At least they didn't require me to send in the knife and the charge was considerably less.

That said, I like the SOCOM Elite far more than the ZT0640. Regarding the OP's points 1-4 they are nearly comparable. Where the two knives differ is in function and blade grind.

FUNCTION: Both good, but the action of SOCOM is so much more dynamic. I.e. the blade flies out with great ease and authority, as if it were a spring assist. It elicits the "WOW" factor to whomever I hand the knife to. It's also a free dropper, but that took about two weeks to break-in. One of my Elites (I have two manuals) had a bit of lock stick, but it worked itself out after a few days as well.

BLADE GRIND: The SOCOM Elite has thick M390 blade stock, but its ground so that the bevel behind the edge is thinner than the ZT. In other words, it's the best of both worlds, strong thick blade stock that's a beautiful slicer. The ZT0640 I handled was sharp out of the box and ground just like all my other ZTs. Sharp, but not as slicy as the SOCOM.
 
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ZT was good to me about replacing a totdtor bar, but that was five years ago. Benchmade was terrible to work with. Spyderco has been the best. Though I've only ordered new screws and a g-clip.

I would buy the ZT, but not necessarily that model. I've had several, but my favorite and only one is an 0095BLK. My only CS experience was good. I bought a used, deassisted 0350 as my first ZT, and they hooked me up no problem. Same with one that broke in my blur. Fit and finish has been good with every knife I've owned; Kai, Kershaw, and ZT.

I had an acquaintance who swore by his Microtechs. Then one of his OTFs broke, wouldn't open. 3 weeks to get a callback. Two months before he got it back. Last I heard he sold all his MT's.

I no longer buy assisted knives, and have never owned an auto. But based on my experience, ZT is a better bet. KAI generally puts out quality products. I've owned 3 Kershaw's, 6 ZT's, and a KAI kitchen knife.
 
Buy the ZT (though I like the 0850 better than the 0640) because of:

6. The pleasure of not buying from a litigious design stealing scumbag
 
I have a SOCOM Elite and it’s a great knife. Very good fit and finish.

But the 0640 looks outstanding. I like the fact that it has 20CV , Ti and CF.

I vote ZT.
 
They are very different knives
I own none of them but had the opportunity to handle both in a shop.

The Socom is larger, thicker and heavier.

In comparison the 0640 feels like a gentleman carry knife :)

My vote would be for the 0640.

1. Ergonomics : ZT
In hand and in pocket I had a better feeling with the 0640

2. Fit and finish : ZT
I have been impressed by the quality of the 0640 and by its action

3. Durability: Microtech
Even if I don’t like the aluminum handle the Socom feels like a real tank

4. Ease of maintenance: ZT?
Never have disassembled any of them but from my experience with ZT assembly and disassembly are easy. As the 0640 is on washers I expect it to be very easy to maintain

5. Customer support:ZT
Never experienced Microtech but I only have good things to say about ZT CS
 
Nmm having both...if you need a tank / something that says dont tread on me,go with the socom. It Is light for the size and amazing. If you need a smaller and less threatening knife go with zt.
The socom elite manual Is something you deploy and people would just run away. If you need it for outdoor and plan not to use in public go for It.
 
I'd say Microtech Socom Elite.

For what it's worth, I've used Microtech's warranty support twice in the last year, and it was good both times. Fast return, quick responses to my inquiries, and good service. Better than my experiences with KAI or Benchmade, who didn't fix my knives before sending them back to me a long time later. I heard that Microtech set up an actual warranty department recently, which might account for their service not being legendarily bad anymore. I think the trick is to follow their advice to the letter by using the RMA system, and to email them rather than call.

I'd expect the Socom Elite to be made better, but the 0640 to be simpler to disassemble and maintain (not that the Socom is that bad to take apart). Ergonomically, I love the Socom Elite. The answers to your other questions will be too subjective for me to speak on.
 
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I’ve handled but don’t own a Socom. I own a 0640 and it has replaced just about everything for pocket time for the past month or so that I’ve had it. I used to carry ZT flippers most of the time and a Sebenza Insingo occasionally, but this 0640 is extremely smooth on the PB washers and the shape makes it comfortable to use and it carries fantastic in the pocket as well. I replaced the clip with a deep carry from MXG, and bought some marbled cf scales on eBay to replace the green. The deep carry was necessary for me as the factory clip left way too much knife sticking out of the pocket.

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Since I own the ZT 0640 and my exp with ZT/Kai CS and i only own one Microtech...ill take the ZT again and again.
 
I recently added a Gray Precision monster thumb disk to my 0640 and it made the knife even better. Slightly larger than the factory disk but still doesn’t go past the scales. It also has much better depth to the knurling than factory with three options of knurling style.
 
How is the 640 opening left handed? is there enough room to get your thumb in there ? that gray precision thumb lug might be good in that case...
 
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