I thought it didnt live up to the hype when i first opened my new socom (most expensive knife i ever bought) but within a couple days when i put it to some light "work" i fell in love with it. Once you have had it in your hand long enough you start seeing why it was designed the way it is. Now its been my edc for 2 months! Cool vid. subbed!
Jake...what an honest and straight forward review, great video ❤️😍❗ please don't loose that. Totally get it. Nonetheless, I do find the geometry of the blade is amazing and that's why I keep it around mostly. Thanks.😁👍
Thanks for the review. I have heard so much good things about the Socom Elite and was curious, but for some reason there was nothing really drawing me to it either. Definitely a great knife though.
One thing that might help your pocket issue is get pants with mag pockets at the 4 and 8 o’clock position. Vertex and 5.11. Yes they are more expensive but I wait for sales and have switched over and glad I did. Now I have a place for a knife and flashlight without taking up my front pockets. And they are not far back enough to notice when sitting down. I’m never going back.
5.11 defender flex straight pants pretty much replaced all my regular pants. My local sporting goods store sometimes has a 20% off sale. They are expensive but will last forever and totally worth it for carrying Edc gear.
Had one twenty years ago in clip point, which was the original. Was sought after then, but not with the hype we see today. Sold it because I'm not a big fan of aluminum handled folders - they mark up, are cold in winter and just don't bond to the hand the way that G10 does. Still a solid classic. Thanks for the perspective! 👍🔪👍
Nothing at all against the Marine Corps, seriously, but there are a plethora of knife fighting styles that center around the reverse grip. The fact that they don’t teach it doesn’t make it an invalid way to use a knife.
I removed the glass breaker from my sig series spear point. That was the only thing that bothered me about the design. I however back pocket carry mine. I definitely can't do tip down in the front pocket. Just doesn't feel natural. But other than that I love both of my socoms. Thank God there's plenty of options out there huh🤣 that's the beauty of the knife game at the moment.
Indeed! I’m glad to keep finding designs out there that don’t totally fit my preference, the diversity is a good sign! And I’m glad to know you were able to remove the glass breaker 🙌🏻
The whole `purview’ of `tactical’, is in itself something that leaves me a little flat. Don’t get me wrong, there’s a place for them but not in my collection. That sounds a bit snobbish but `hey’, I’m just saying. Jake, `great’ breakdown 😄👍
Nice review, dude. The Benchmade Contego and the Microtech SOCOM Elite are my two favorite large, hard use/EDC folders. I agree with you about the unsightly “chicken’s foot” branding on the blades of these two knives. IMHO, they’d both be nearly perfect without that silly marking. Cheers! ⚔️🥃😎
I find the socom elite way more comfortable in hand than the contego. I love the blade on the contego, but they went nuts on the jimping, it's everywhere! I can only use it for any extended period of time wearing a glove. But the socom fits my hand LIKE a glove.
mr. jinks I hear you loud and clear, man! FWIW, I lucked up and got one of the KnifeWorks Edition Contegos with blue/black G10 handle scales and M390 blade steel back in 2014. Aside from the different steel, Benchmade also tamped down the jimping on those Knifeworks Editions (they’re much more comfortable in an ungloved hand). They also don’t have a glass breaker like the standard model. I’ll say this, the standard Contego fits great in your hands *if* you’re wearing gloves! 🔪🧤😁
For some of my knives, such as the Benchmade SOCP folder and the Microtech SOCOM Elite, I prefer tip down. Tip down allows me to have the glass breaker (persuader) immediately available.
Agree with u man especially when you were talking about being tactical and all I always thought they were the coolest looking and badass must be the 80s kid in me lmao. Also like u im kind of going away from that example Para3 in Maxamet. I don't think 15 years a go I'd be carrying that knife. Good shit man👍
I don't know why I am one of the only ones pointing things like this out and noticing things that nobody is mentioning? Everyone raves about this knife. I just got one. I cannot stand the deployment. It literally sucks and you have to practice. The handle has so little real estate, especially at the bottom where it needs more width, that you have to get used to really keeping your fingers away from the blade so you are not accidentally holding back deployment with an edge of your finger. I find the knife way too 'petite' for a 4" blade. This never happens on the Spyderco Para 2 or Military models, where opening is as smooth as butter and there is more real estate on the handles so you don't even think about where your fingers are. I find the handle on this knife to be way too small, too petite, and not beefy or wide enough, especially at the bottom. Sure it is well made. Once you get used to opening the knife the flipping action is great. All I know is after owning and handling Medfords, Hobacks, Microtech and other classics, I just keep going back to my Spyderco Military and Paramilitary 2 for EDC!
I actually like the chicken foot logo lol. But I 100% agree there should never be a billboard like that on the blade. I picked up the apocalyptic finish drop point a while back and its been great.
How dare you insult the chicken talon logo….it is a symbol steeped in lore from the golden glory days of Microtech’s humble beginnings….. I hear ya…I personally don’t mind, but I do love….really really like when Microtech puts a bunch of info (including the round logo in mini) on the pocket clip…. I have the “dagger” ground clip point SCE Signature Series..and I would like to add these two variations to my collection
I feel ya, I was disappointed when I received mine and had it in hand when compared to the hype, especially because of the price. However, I have yet to find a harder use knife than this knife. You can put it through hell, if I was going to choose any knife, other than a fixed blade, for hard use, it would have to be this knife. I would not recommend this knife for everyday carry opening letters and just cutting boxes...
I don’t mind the logo on the blade lol, I like the look of the signature series. I’ve been looking for a manual socom elite for a bit, but not the signature series. Part of the fun in the knife for me is hunting down the version you want lol. They seem like they’ll be good all around knives. For EDC, I’d guess most people would prefer an LUDT, though. Microtech should make a manual LUDT lol.
Bearded Gear I would like a sigil, but all of the good versions that I’d like to buy are extremely expensive currently. I saw that version in your sigil review for like $1100 on pvk Vegas. I got my socom partially serrated, and to me being tip down isn’t a bad thing, especially on the socom, for me. To me it’s like the Spyderco military, with such a long handle being tip up would not be great for the purpose the knife is built for, and you have to ‘scooch’ up on the handle when pulling out of the pocket to deploy the knife. That being said, I do get that like most of the community cannot even with tip down knives, so it is what it is. I can appreciate the argument that you generally carry tip down. For my use, I almost never use a reverse grip, so it’s not really an issue. For people who use reverse grip, I’ve seen a glass breaker remover on eBay.
I like the knife so much I bought both versions
I thought it didnt live up to the hype when i first opened my new socom (most expensive knife i ever bought) but within a couple days when i put it to some light "work" i fell in love with it. Once you have had it in your hand long enough you start seeing why it was designed the way it is. Now its been my edc for 2 months! Cool vid. subbed!
best production folder ever made period! love mine its the most solid piece i have so far!
Yes.
Do you have the auto or manual? Which blade does yours have?
@@brandong2142 manual with the normal drop point 2 tone full blacked out! i would suggest manual always for sure!
Watching you swat at flies with a socom in each hand had me rolling.
That’s what the Internet is for 🤓🤘🏻😂
Just a tip, dont wear white outdoors. flies are attracted to light colors(especially white) great review!
I honestly didn’t know that, thanks man!
When you talked about the chicken foot billboarded on the blade, I immediately paused the video to give a thumbs up and to write this comment.
Enjoyed your review.
Jake...what an honest and straight forward review, great video ❤️😍❗ please don't loose that. Totally get it. Nonetheless, I do find the geometry of the blade is amazing and that's why I keep it around mostly. Thanks.😁👍
Thanks man, glad you enjoyed it!
Appreciate the honesty.
These knives are used for cutting apples... in your enemy's stomach. The rooster foot let's them know you mean business.
🤣🤣🤣
Yes
I'm sorry Man. I laughed my Ass off the whole time , watching you swat Flies! Haha! It was Dinner time for them.
Dude they were seriously out to get me haha. I think the bugs are actually worse than the heat lately 😂😂
Ha your whole expectation thing you spoke about totally happend today with me and olight 😂
Thanks for the review. I have heard so much good things about the Socom Elite and was curious, but for some reason there was nothing really drawing me to it either. Definitely a great knife though.
One thing that might help your pocket issue is get pants with mag pockets at the 4 and 8 o’clock position. Vertex and 5.11. Yes they are more expensive but I wait for sales and have switched over and glad I did. Now I have a place for a knife and flashlight without taking up my front pockets. And they are not far back enough to notice when sitting down. I’m never going back.
I’ve been getting a lot of recommendations to try some of those out. I’ll have to give them a shot 👍🏻
5.11 defender flex straight pants pretty much replaced all my regular pants. My local sporting goods store sometimes has a 20% off sale. They are expensive but will last forever and totally worth it for carrying Edc gear.
Had one twenty years ago in clip point, which was the original. Was sought after then, but not with the hype we see today. Sold it because I'm not a big fan of aluminum handled folders - they mark up, are cold in winter and just don't bond to the hand the way that G10 does. Still a solid classic. Thanks for the perspective!
👍🔪👍
Thanks man! Aluminum isn’t my handle material of choice either but it works alright on some knives for me.
in the marine corps they teach you to have blade up in your hand.. reverse grip isn’t a thing..
Nothing at all against the Marine Corps, seriously, but there are a plethora of knife fighting styles that center around the reverse grip. The fact that they don’t teach it doesn’t make it an invalid way to use a knife.
You loose inches of overall reach in reverse grip. Not practical for an untrained individual.
I think the point of the tip down is that your thumb and palm is already buy the pivot snd the thumb studs when you draw from the pocket
I love the mini socom elite. I had three at one point. I really wish they would make more.
I’d love it if they made more minis 🙌🏻
Loves mine, dont mind the faults you mentioned.
Totally fair, many of the faults I perceived with the knife are personal preference for sure 👍🏻
I removed the glass breaker from my sig series spear point. That was the only thing that bothered me about the design.
I however back pocket carry mine.
I definitely can't do tip down in the front pocket. Just doesn't feel natural.
But other than that I love both of my socoms.
Thank God there's plenty of options out there huh🤣 that's the beauty of the knife game at the moment.
Indeed! I’m glad to keep finding designs out there that don’t totally fit my preference, the diversity is a good sign! And I’m glad to know you were able to remove the glass breaker 🙌🏻
1 and done, Sebenza
The whole `purview’ of `tactical’, is in itself something that leaves me a little flat. Don’t get me wrong, there’s a place for them but not in my collection. That sounds a bit snobbish but `hey’, I’m just saying. Jake, `great’ breakdown 😄👍
Thanks buddy! Always appreciate your comments, you’re a great one! 🙌🏻
Its easy to take out the glass breaker.
These knives are perfect. I have much more expensive knives but socom is in my pocket most of the time. I considering to buy few more including custom
Nice review, dude. The Benchmade Contego and the Microtech SOCOM Elite are my two favorite large, hard use/EDC folders. I agree with you about the unsightly “chicken’s foot” branding on the blades of these two knives. IMHO, they’d both be nearly perfect without that silly marking. Cheers! ⚔️🥃😎
I find the socom elite way more comfortable in hand than the contego. I love the blade on the contego, but they went nuts on the jimping, it's everywhere! I can only use it for any extended period of time wearing a glove. But the socom fits my hand LIKE a glove.
mr. jinks I hear you loud and clear, man! FWIW, I lucked up and got one of the KnifeWorks Edition Contegos with blue/black G10 handle scales and M390 blade steel back in 2014. Aside from the different steel, Benchmade also tamped down the jimping on those Knifeworks Editions (they’re much more comfortable in an ungloved hand). They also don’t have a glass breaker like the standard model. I’ll say this, the standard Contego fits great in your hands *if* you’re wearing gloves! 🔪🧤😁
@@mcj5644 I have the same one. It's still over jimped for me. And it's not that it has a lot of it, it's sharp as well.
mr. jinks Cool. It’s definitely on the “grabby side,” that’s for sure. Great knife though, especially with that M390 blade steel. 👍
@@mcj5644 I don't like the jimping but I still love the knife. It's drop smooth too.
Spray the inside outer bill and top of your hat with a Deet repellent. Nice review.
I just found one new in the elite, got it now I want a partial serrated one in tanto!
For some of my knives, such as the Benchmade SOCP folder and the Microtech SOCOM Elite, I prefer tip down. Tip down allows me to have the glass breaker (persuader) immediately available.
Agree with u man especially when you were talking about being tactical and all I always thought they were the coolest looking and badass must be the 80s kid in me lmao. Also like u im kind of going away from that example Para3 in Maxamet. I don't think 15 years a go I'd be carrying that knife. Good shit man👍
Glad you enjoyed it buddy!
I think i am going to buy you bug zapper that hangs around your neck. 🤣🤣
Dude I need it 😂😂
I don't know why I am one of the only ones pointing things like this out and noticing things that nobody is mentioning? Everyone raves about this knife. I just got one. I cannot stand the deployment. It literally sucks and you have to practice. The handle has so little real estate, especially at the bottom where it needs more width, that you have to get used to really keeping your fingers away from the blade so you are not accidentally holding back deployment with an edge of your finger. I find the knife way too 'petite' for a 4" blade. This never happens on the Spyderco Para 2 or Military models, where opening is as smooth as butter and there is more real estate on the handles so you don't even think about where your fingers are. I find the handle on this knife to be way too small, too petite, and not beefy or wide enough, especially at the bottom. Sure it is well made. Once you get used to opening the knife the flipping action is great. All I know is after owning and handling Medfords, Hobacks, Microtech and other classics, I just keep going back to my Spyderco Military and Paramilitary 2 for EDC!
I actually like the chicken foot logo lol. But I 100% agree there should never be a billboard like that on the blade. I picked up the apocalyptic finish drop point a while back and its been great.
It's a bad ass knife. I'm not, but when I carry it, I can pretend I am...lol.
I feel like I'm doing the socom a disservice by not cutting people at least sometimes
@@THExDUDEx8624 Haha. They don't know how fortunate they are that you spared them the wrath of the socom elite!
@@abc456f lol. 😁
How dare you insult the chicken talon logo….it is a symbol steeped in lore from the golden glory days of Microtech’s humble beginnings…..
I hear ya…I personally don’t mind, but I do love….really really like when Microtech puts a bunch of info (including the round logo in mini) on the pocket clip….
I have the “dagger” ground clip point SCE Signature Series..and I would like to add these two variations to my collection
Had the same thing happen to me with the flies before l forgot and sprayed some acqua di gio on me before l went out LOL 👊
🤣🤣
How do you feel about the glass breaker on the Umnumzaan? Seems like the best implementation out there.
Wouldn’t it be cool if microtech made an edc card wallet, i mean in addition to the Exocet “money clip.”
I feel ya, I was disappointed when I received mine and had it in hand when compared to the hype, especially because of the price.
However, I have yet to find a harder use knife than this knife. You can put it through hell, if I was going to choose any knife, other than a fixed blade, for hard use, it would have to be this knife.
I would not recommend this knife for everyday carry opening letters and just cutting boxes...
I don’t mind the logo on the blade lol, I like the look of the signature series. I’ve been looking for a manual socom elite for a bit, but not the signature series. Part of the fun in the knife for me is hunting down the version you want lol. They seem like they’ll be good all around knives. For EDC, I’d guess most people would prefer an LUDT, though. Microtech should make a manual LUDT lol.
You’ll see when my Sigil video goes live, but I think that’s the best manual folder from Microtech by a mile
Bearded Gear I would like a sigil, but all of the good versions that I’d like to buy are extremely expensive currently. I saw that version in your sigil review for like $1100 on pvk Vegas. I got my socom partially serrated, and to me being tip down isn’t a bad thing, especially on the socom, for me. To me it’s like the Spyderco military, with such a long handle being tip up would not be great for the purpose the knife is built for, and you have to ‘scooch’ up on the handle when pulling out of the pocket to deploy the knife. That being said, I do get that like most of the community cannot even with tip down knives, so it is what it is. I can appreciate the argument that you generally carry tip down. For my use, I almost never use a reverse grip, so it’s not really an issue. For people who use reverse grip, I’ve seen a glass breaker remover on eBay.
What part of AZ you in?
He lives in Cali
I have the automatic version of the Socom
I need one (or 12) of these lol great video as always brother 🤙🏼
Thanks man!
I have the same knives. The only problem I have is they’re not sharp.
So, ...borrowed, prestine samples from a friend...barely dares to cut with them....then at 18:59 and 19:30 proceeds to twirl knife like a baton...
Those are huge knives, it looks so much smaller in the pics
Reverse grip does not bring any advantage in self defense. It is a movie thing. When SHTF you want that tip front facing
There are entire knife fighting martial arts disciplines that would disagree.
@@beardedgear they would be wrong. Cool review...you should have sliced a fly in half!😄
Reverse grip is an extremely common grip in historical knife fighting styles from around the world. Seems like you are confusing knives and swords.
...But you "bought" into it.
Better be careful marfinoe might actually sue u!!! Lol he's been known to sue ask his son!
🤣🤣🤣 If I get sued for making fun of the chicken foot that’ll be the most 2020 thing ever
First