The Benchmade 176 SOCP Dagger was designed by Greg Thompson to Team ROC specifically to address the needs of our nation's most elite warfighters for an immediately available, reactive, emergency fighting knife during the rapid intensity that is Close Quarters Battle (CQB) or Direct Action (DA) operations. The knife is intended to be utilized as an integral part of the Special Operations Combatives Program, also designed by Mr. Thompson.
Personally... I dig this blade. A LOT.... so much so that it is part of my EDC and is NEVER left at home.
Personally... I dig this blade. A LOT.... so much so that it is part of my EDC and is NEVER left at home.
As with any review, there are pros and cons to this piece of gear.
Let me say again, I LOVE this knife but it's not without its shortcomings, which admittedly are few. Most are very minor things but one is a big problem for a lot of people.... but we'll get to that directly.
Let me say again, I LOVE this knife but it's not without its shortcomings, which admittedly are few. Most are very minor things but one is a big problem for a lot of people.... but we'll get to that directly.
Per Benchmade's website, the knife is made out of 440C stainless steel, which is not my favorite steel in the world but using a higher grade of steel would drive the cost of the blade up considerably... On that note I think I paid $80 bucks or so for it. There are trainer versions, the double-edge spear point I personally purchased, and a partially serrated single-edge variant as well. A combo with a trainer and a live blade is also available and if I were buying this knife again (I actually want a couple more so that WILL happen) I would opt for the combo package. The blade is 3.22 inches long and is 0.175 inches thick while the handle is 4.03 inches long making for an overall length of 7.25 inches.. The knife doesn't weigh much at all, the website states the knife itself weighs 2.2oz and the sheath 1.04oz for a total of 3.24oz. At less than a quarter pound of weight, this is A LOT of knife!