I confirmed with microtech that they do make there hardware in-house. And the only pats Microtech doesn't make in house are the pocket clips, and springs, but they're still made in the us. I wanted to find out because it's very impressive hardware. The closed blade stop also acts as a positive point of location, as well as the glass breaker. Edit 5-13-19 this socom is 7075 aluminum. Later in the year they switched back to 6061.
How do you think they could've sleeved the female screw bits inside the Aluminium stand-offs? Assuming that the handle scales were CNC'd from one chunk of Aluminium, to begin with?
I’m a US guy now as well - I have always had a big Chris Reeve collection but wasn’t able to get OTF’s until PA laws were changed by Doug Ritter - I bought a Bunch of Ultratechs and was so impressed, I bought a stonewash Socom and wow! Great, great video!
Appreciate this detailed look including the “oops” with the screws. Makes us feel less incompetent when we do similar things. Have the identical knife and have been quite impressed with it. Getting ready to give it a little TLC tomorrow and this is my second time watching your vid. The first time was the tipping point to buy it! I hope Microtech, Hogue and other US companies weather the CCP Virus storm and are able to step up their game at the end of things because I have a feeling that Chinese made knives aren’t going to be as popular as they were. Great video as always.
I took apart my Stitch recently and was equally impressed. Microtech knows what they're doing. I just wish they'd use that beefy torx hardware on all their knives.
Great video!! I learned more from your mistake portion thank any other knife reviewers dissassembly video, seriously. I also will remember about rolling the bearing cage in your fingers, another great tip. Thank you sir!
I got a 204p tanto manual and mine has a number 2 stamped on the inside of the scales and it appears yours doesn’t do u know what that means. You’re videos on the socom is what sold me and ive learned so much from you keep up the great vids
I watched this video and the luwdt video and learned more about knives than previous 50years. I recently bought a UTX 85 and developed an interest since I made that purchase. If you could only have one would it be the LUWDT or the socom elite. Thanks and have a good one 👍
This is a very impressive folder with high quality construction. The only thing I don't like is the lip of the pocket clip. It's not flat enough and It poke my hand when I strongly press the handle. But apart this, this knife is nearly perfect.
I love the new tougher aluminum MT used for the handle and the new Torx hardware...I bought 3 2018 SCEs...two drop point Stonewashed and one Signature Series drop pt....I do wish the standard Drop pt and Tanto grinds were more slim, more in keeping with past Elites and earlier Late 90s/early 2000s Socom model’s...the Elite has always had a wider handle but the grinds were more elegant....in the past runs you didn’t have to buy a custom ground model to get a beautiful blade... The 1997 double bevel Tanto 1998 Clip point 1999 Tanto, on the original Socom were ground from thinner blade stock BUT were and are the most sought after models because of the blade grinds..the distinct drop point we see on the new 2018 Sig. Series was designed for MT by Walter Brend and issued on 1000 (500m/a & 500auto) production Socom Elites in 2000...but without Walters expressed permission 🤨...so MT came up with the drop point to use for the remainder of 2000 and into 2001...they continued to use it on the 2006 and 2011/2012 runs ...those non-Brend drop points from 2000/2001 in m/a and Auto are rare and beautiful with the grey anodized body, Torx hardware and rubber handle inserts...the Tanto that was sold along side the drop point in 2011 began the trend of beefier grinds on what was always a visually symmetrical, light and balanced folder. Not that it bothers me...and I really don’t think about it much 🤪
I didnt realise the bearings are different in the Elite vs the Bravo. The Bravo is staggered row. I wonder why they switched back to 6061? Love your videos man! Only potential room for improvement is better lighting like you mentioned. Subscribed!
That is a very nice knife! That hardware is pretty amazing. Now I want to buy one grrrr. I'm already waiting for 3 knives to come in the mail. Yeah I have a knife problem lol.
I agree that the Socom Elite is built really well with good materials and alot of attention to detail. I think it will prove to be as durable of a user as a Hinderer or Strider. Although the Socom Elite deploys really well, it does seem that the detent is a little light. The blade can be shaken out, but does not present a problem. Have you found this to be the case as well?
Love the knife, but they could have nested the liner lock without having that hump and being able to utilize a tip up carry option. I’m still going to get one, I really like the bronzed spear point Socom Elite.
I just bought the Socom Elite in the clip point. The detent is really stiff, actually difficult to deploy, has anyone else had this experience. I contacted the dealer and there response was the summer of 2018 run all basically had this issue. What is the best way to try and loosen the detent, just adjust it or will it break in eventually. Kind of disappointing as I was really excited the buy this blade, and the action is less than desirable...
Cark Nelson - what I did was heat up the loctite on the pivot and loosen it slightly. Did it completely solve the problem, no- but made it slightly easier to deploy. I flicked this knife open at least a 1000 times, and it's still kind of tough to open. I thought about returning it, but they are sold out everywhere now. So I'm kinda stuck, you could return it to Microtech, but you won't see it back for approximately 8 weeks. Between a rock and a hard place with this knife. No matter how you slice it, the knife should not have been allowed to leave the factory with a detent that stiff. Really a bummer because I was really looking forward to,this model, I'll keep trying to break it in for now. Let me know what you decided to do.
Just an FYI...I just used a hair dryer, and heated it until it was too hot to touch, also loosen the pivot on the clip side. The pivot is a T20 bit...good luck.
Nero, I have a question for you Brother. Do you know what the Socom Elite Automatic runs on, whether it's Bearings or not? Thanks a lot and be safe out there. 🤝🏽
The detent on my microtech socom elite is so strong that I don't like to carry it. After I flip it a few times I have to stop because my thumb hurts. Any ideas on how to make it 10% weaker?
i just got a soccom elite and the detent is so darn strong i separated the skin under my fingernail on my thumb deploying it. i think i like my spyderco military better!
On round hardened steel bearing inserts you can flip them. With ceramic bearings if u drop it th the bearing race will. Deform. It has happened to me multiple times! :(
@@skycorrigan6511 im saying the scales taper down in width from the pivot down to the lanyard hole. it takes two seconds to look at a socom in hand and see the tapered machined scales. longer screws go in closer to the pivot, medium length in the middle, and shortest screws go in closer to the lanyard hole and glass breaker. i literally mean EXACTLY what i said.
They're all 6061 now. I don't think there's any distinction between the two. The only way to know would be to know the date they made the switch. They switched a cuple months after this video came out.
Jovonn Trujillo the only way the blade was able to stay centered is because it has positive location point in the knife even without screws. Most people have seen a knife that the blade starts to move off center if the pivot starts to come loose, then if you tighten the pivot back up the blade Naturally centers again. I was showing that without the pivot screw or body screws this knife still managed to say centered.
Might be getting a reading off the lock bar incert. I don't think they would change it to steel. If they did change to steel the would ditch the incert.
@@neroknives1828 just double checked the website and it says 6061 T6 maybe they changed something? but ill take your word on it. great breakdown video on the knife by the way.
Demo7IIRider interesting. I heard they had some issues with the 7075. Apparently a little cracking in the manufacturing process. They must of switched back to 6061. I know for a fact the ones I own are 7075.
I still don't understand why liner locks these days come with the ballbearing, it drops shuts and increase the chances you get cut because your thumb is in the way...
DOITNOW00 because reviewers say that it’s a sign of quality, even tho it doesn’t really show quality in anyway. A knife can be fit so loose it can drop free. And a maker can spend the same amount of time, and effort to make a with an action they like. That doesn’t drop free.
jdmbeaner182 your name had me rolling on the ground, glad to see people still have a sense of humor in this fucked up political climate..:My half sister that I grew up with are Hispanic and I grew up in a Spanish speaking household and Mexicans really do have the best ability to laugh at themselves and be proud of who they are.
@@neroknives1828 Do you know how to find out witch aluminium is there? I have 2 option of this knife in online store. One is 11/2018, another is 2/2019.
