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The Special Operations Combative (SOCP) Knife

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Posted By: Brandon Webb January 1, 2012

Kit Up socp

Kit Up SOCP combat knife

Kit Up: The SOCP Combat Knife

I did a recent post on the Special Operations Combatives Program (SOCP) developed by Greg Thompson a while back and wanted to expand on his SOCP combat knife.

I want to point out that this blade is purely a combat blade.  While I would prefer a little more heft to the knife, I can see the advantage of having a light knife that you could wield with swift and deadly accuracy.

The knife is designed to be used in tight quarter situations where firearms may not be an option.  The purpose is to draw the knife and create “space” to get back in the gun fight.  The SOCP blade is designed to draw a secondary weapon without dropping the blade (as pictured).

For those of you that are scratching your head and going Whiskey Tango Foxtrot Over?…Here’s an example of one such case I’ve discussed before.

Situation:  Somalia Anti Piracy Ops
Team: DEVGRU Assault Team
Mission: Pirate intervention regarding an American couple
Outcome: All pirates KIA.  One pirate killed by knife by Heath Robinson (a friend of mine that died in the recent Afghan Helo crash).
Knife Kill:  Two Team members in tight quarters enter a room and one is jumped from behind.  Number two man enters and can’t engage with primary without risking injury to number one man.  Result, primary slung and knife used to finish the pirate off (sorry gents, I can’t disclose anything more in detail).
This is a rare but good example of when a knife becomes a good option.
Conclusion: I understand that the knife option (used as a weapon) is a rare event but it does happen.  It’s like a shark attack, rare but happens sometimes and you may as well know the game.

Kit Up SOCP Dagger

The SOCP knife is a good option in my opinion.  You can integrate it into MOLLE or wear it on the belt line and think of it as insurance.

I’d like to personally thank Greg for giving Kit Up his prototype SOCP blade by Benchmade to evaluate.  He’s a good dude doing great things for the SOF community with his program.

Brandon Out.

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Kit Up SOCP Dagger

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  • Ian

    It’s the lack of knife training that’s the central failing of the current Army Combatives program.

    Everyone goes to war with a knife and that’s the first thing to come out if your weapon goes down, but it’s never trained until level 4.

    If i’m clearing and my m4 goes click instead of boom, I’m ramming my helmet into his face and then reaching for my knife long before I do some gracie arm bar, because I know his battle buddy will kick me in the head or run me through if I’m on rolling on the ground

    If your combatives training does not include confined spaces,battle rattle, knives and multiple enemies, it’s a MMA sport, not a warrior’s art.

    If your risk assessment won’t let you train right,then get the right PPE

  • Ian

    The lack of knife training is the central failing of the current army combative training.
    Everyone goes to war with a knife but it’s not trained until level 4

    If I’m room clearing and my M4 goes click instead of boom, I’m ramming my helmet into his face and reaching for my cold steel. I’m not going to do some Gracie takedown and arm bar because I know his battle buddy will kick me in the head or run me though while I’m rolling.

    Not only that but have your rolled with 60 Lb of kit on? Joe vs. Taliban will look like upturned turtle vs. spider monkey.

    If you combatives training doesn’t include confined spaces, battle rattle, knives, and multiple opponents, then it’s a MMA sport, not a warrior’s art.

  • OPR

    >Result, primary slung and knife used to finish the pirate off (sorry gents, I can’t disclose anything more in detail).

    Holy ****.

    I couldn’t even lie about being this ******.

  • OPR

    Comment was censored. First word was more vulgar equivalent of “doodoo”, second was “badbutt”.

    RIP to that hero.

  • I’m on board with the concept, I even trained Iraqi soldiers to go to knives if one of us or one of their own was going hand to hand with the bad guys. This knife however looks more like a letter opener. Was this the knife your friend used during the ship boarding you described?

    • Brandon Webb

      Not sure Jack. I’m looking into it though. -Brandon

  • TAB

    Sweet write-up and sexy blade. I like how you integrated the real-life situation in the post.

    My gratitude to your fellow SEAL, sounds like he was a solid guy. BA at the least. A great new years resolution for us civilians would be to get involved with organizations or charities that benefit vets and families of those that gave it all. Least we can do

  • Carl Milkowski

    The effective use of a knife in close quarter combat is very much the ability to grasp it so it rests comfortably in the palm of your hand. If its not stable, the blade will not penetrate your target well and you may loose your grip on the weapon.

    This knife does not seem to fit nicely in the average sized man’s hand?!

  • lightfighter

    It’s interesting that the photo shows the knife in the shooters gun hand and not his support hand. There are plusses and minuses in this.

    One thing that has concerned me about ring type knives is that if there is a struggle for the knife and the bad guy gets a hold of it, he might also take your finger with it .

    • Dhunt aus

      I think the concept is you can hold it whilst holding your secondary , meaning you can hold your knife
      in your strong hand and switch to guns easily with little f@&king around .

  • SleepyDave

    I think I brought this up in another post. I really like this idea, but I think its really important to stress that this is something that takes a bit of training. I’m pretty sure there’s more than a few folks who would try it, go to do a reload, and wind up stabbing themselves in the gut.

    The ring idea makes sense, helps with weapon retention. Again, going to do that reload, it reduces the chance you drop your knife.

    I’ve seen this done in movies and videogames. Never knew there had been a real-world effort to try it out. Two good examples would be Modern Warfare 2, and Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater.

    In Snake Eater, the main character kept the knife in his left hand, in a reverse hammer grip, point down. Seemed like a smaller knife, probably 4-5″ in length, double-edged. It was only equipped and used on one weapon, the 1911. Apparently he modified the wood grips to make it easier to carry the knife, basically carving a groove on the left panel.

    In MW2, you can equip a combat knife to your handgun. On the model for the USP .45, its a Blackhawk Tatang (basically a tactical butchers knife. Huge freakin’ blade), carried in the left hand, Harris-stance, crossing under the weapon hand, blade out and parallel with the pistol, point forward.

    Both of these seemed like really good ideas, at least within the game, probably after a visit by the Good Idea Fairy, but again, I’d be worried about going to reload, and either stabbing yourself in the gut, dropping the mag, or dropping the knife. It seems like it would compromise a lot of your grip.

  • GeR

    Thanks Brandon you always seem to come up with the most interesting stuff.

    An operator could go his whole service life without having to use a knife in combat, but if you ever need, you’re REALLY going to need it. It could be a life saver, your life. That’s as bottom line as you’re ever going to get.

    On a side note are there any SOF guys out there who have used the XSF-1, a special forces knife designed and made for operators by former JTF2 operator Brent Beshara? I mean one made by Beshara himself not the MOD mass produced copy.

  • Reloads are gonna suck with that thing in your hand like the first photo…

  • decon brody

    I’d suggest looking at the cold steel bird&trout knife. It’s what I carry in my bag every day. It’s not scary looking so people don’t freak out if you take it out. It’s WAY cheaper (15$ vs 75$) and in my opinion is a better design….
    http://www.amazon.com/Cold-Steel-Handle-Concealex…

  • Pat Kilbane

    How much training do SEALs do with knives?

    • Brandon

      It’s in our training and available to explore at will. Most guys focus on hand to hand MMA but don’t under estimate a fired up killer with a sharp knife. Will=Way Pat! -BW

      • Pat Kilbane

        I don’t underestimate ANYONE with a sharp knife… And I’d love to see the course description book that covers the various subjects you guys could “explore at will.” Such an interesting world…

      • lightfighter

        Don’t underestimate a guy with a dull knife either !

  • Dan

    Can’t go wrong with the Shinbu from CRKT and James Williams.

  • Brent

    I love that you referenced both of these games :D

    I agree though. It would be really tricky. Not something to mess around with.

    • SleepyDave

      What can I say, this is what happens with video game geeks grow up to be gun geeks who still play video games. Add a healthy dose of trivia and quotes, douse liberally with sand and salt water, and stand back.

    • SleepyDave

      Also, it would appear that Benchmade thought of the whole “not stabbing yourself in the gut” training thing. Going to the BM website, they sell combo packs of the knife, sheath, and a training knife in either Sand or Black, for about $130. Let us know when these are going to hit the market, Brandon, because I think I want one.

  • Adrian

    Definitely a ****** story, and proper knife utilization is just something that’s not taught. While this knife is sweet, its unavailable, I have yet to see it in stock anywhere, going on 4 months now.

  • Lance

    Interesting but not wanted for duty.

  • steelcobra

    Interesting knife, but I can’t see that grip doing anything but screwing up the grip on your secondary. I agree that a knife is a damn good item to keep on your kit, but having it somewhere you can quick-draw effectively is much better than the above for quite a few reasons.

    I carried a push knife on my left shoulder strap, for example, where I could easily draw with either hand and cause injury as soon as it was unsheathed. Sometimes the old school works.

  • I like the Hissatsu for a knife. It is a knife designed for stabbing or slashing, and based on the older Japanese style blades. Keep this thing on your gun hand side, either on the belt or vest, and that way you have a weapon to get to other than the pistol or your long gun. You can also protect and manage the knife/gun easier, if they are on one side, and use your free hand to push away or strike or whatever when confronting another combatant. Either way, here is Jame’s Williams write up on the design and his intent with this knife.
    ——————
    James Williams, the designer of the Hissatsu™, is a former Army officer and martial arts practitioner/instructor with over 45 years of experience. He knows cutlery as President of Bugei Trading Company, producer of fine Samurai swords. As one who has trained tactical law enforcement and military forces for the SureFire Institute, he has developed a unique and powerful approach to unarmed combatives. His system of defensive tactics, known as The System of Tactical Strategy, has its origins in the ancient Samurai military systems as well as the Russian military art of Systema.

    A key part of this system is the Hissatsu based on an old Japanese design. The unique shape of the blade, made famous by the legendary Samurai warlord Takeda Shingen, provides enormous penetrating power and superior slashing capability in one blade, which works with the natural motion of the body. James arrived at this modern version as a backup weapon for close-quarters combat. This is a focused single-purpose knife for use in anti-terrorist/close-quarters battle (CQB) environments, either as a primary or a secondary weapon to augment the handgun in the hands of trained professionals.

    The Hissatsu’s dual grind Tanto blade is 440A stainless steel, high satin finished. For those who prefer a non-reflective finish, the Hissatsu is available with a black EDP blade or in Desert Tan dress with titanium nitride blade coating.

    To aid in law enforcement and military training, a Hissatsu Trainer is now available with a blue handle and aluminum blade with a rounded trainer edge.

    The handle is in a traditional Japanese pattern, but is Twin-Fused™, double injection-molded with a high-impact polypropylene core, butt and hilt, and a non-slip soft textured rubber grip handle surface. Oyatsubo, the emperor node on the omote (outside/public side) of the tuska (handle), allows you to know which direction the blade is facing, even in compromised lighting conditions, by touch.

    The custom injection-molded glass filled nylon sheaths (in matching black, Desert Tan or blue) grip the knife firmly, and have removable belt clips which can be attached high or low, vertical or horizontal with the black two-piece screws provided. There are also holes and slots for carry on belts, webbing or equipment.

    The Hissatsu is intended for use only by trained law enforcement and military tactical team professionals. Enormous power in a light, flat package makes for easy carry with many options for placement on tactical gear.

  • Hammer27

    Its not intended to be carried around while the pistol is in your hand. The picture is just showing that you can use the knife and then quickly pick something up without having to sheath the knife.

    • lightfighter

      Hammer27 – That’s not entirely accurate. if you go to his site and look at some of the imagery it shows the knife being deliberately accessed before and in conjunction with the pistol.

      I think we always have to take a step back when we see these things. Mr Thompson can’t relay his entire sensibility in a website or especially a third party blog post. What we see is the tip of the iceberg – I’m sure he has an entire program for how, why and when his blade design should be used. Like any tool it has it’s advantages and disadvantages.

  • Bear

    Ahhh, but “tacticool” sells better than function. ; ) I agree with an earlier comment on mag drop and reload with the pointy end of the blade right there at the mag-well, and I also think that trigger control has to be disrupted with this tactic.

    Bear…Honorary CSM 9th Inf. Regiment

  • Slag Trustone

    uhm, I’d think the “I’m here & he’s not” would be sufficient…

  • T-9

    A wise man once said: “no one leave the bedroom, let alone the house, without a knife.”

  • Will

    I think the point everyone is missing is that this is another tool for your aresenal. While it may not be the most intuitive tool on the market, when used by a trained professional I’m sure it can be extremely effective. Any respectable LEO or military personnel owe it to themselves to train with their tools so they can be proficient when the time comes. It’s all to easy to buy something cool, and stick it on your belt, and hope you remember you have it when you have some cracked out parollee trying to stomp you into the ground and take your weapon.

    It’s been my experience that there are two kinds of people. Gear ****** who have every piece of gear ever made, and God forbid they need to use any of the stuff in real life.(Airsoft comes to mind) And the second is the quiet professional who can get the job done with any tool at hand. No matter what gear you have, train with it. When it actually is life and death, your training is all you can really count on.

    I’m always amazed at how every product is supposed to be everyting to everyone. Can’t we just accept the fact that this is a specialty knife, built for a specific purpose. If you don’t want to use it, then don’t. However don’t be critical of the person who knows how to use this weapon.

    In any case, this seems to be a decent last resort weapon. Such as if you are trying to retain a weapon. I don’t have much knife training so I’ll reserve judgement. But I could see attaching this inside a duty belt, or behind a pouch on a vest. If you end up on the ground with someone bigger, or stronger, this may be the only way to get up.

    Semper Fi,
    Stay Safe.

  • anthony

    If you like this design check out Spartan blades they have one similar to this but larger. They even have a plastic training version. Pretty cool.

  • bbb

    …Knife kills aren’t rare, I have 70 in BF3 :D

    Is there any actual knife/sheath carry options and training that would let a person draw and engage with a knife, sheath it, and then transfer back to primary weapon over the course of just a few seconds? Just curious if the melee attacks in recent game even comes with sniper range of realistic… I would guess ‘no,’ though.

    Seems like it would just faster to just thrust with the muzzle, except for stealth takedowns, though. Not to mention keeping the gun pointed at them gives you options.

    If you think about it, wouldn’t carrying a stun gun give you some options? It’s not lethal and is almost 100% effective against any human being, no matter how ****** they think they are.

  • straps

    Probably necroposting; I’m re-visiting this thing as these blades hit market. There are a lot of downsides to this knife, but an ADVERSARY attempting any serious joint manipulation with a blade as sharp as I know BM’s to be is gonna lose a finger or two of his own. Goes without saying that this is a knife for That One Fight, not prying ammo crates open.

    But yeah, the Trainer package is definitely the way to go.

    Benchmade–and the BTDT dudes they’re working with–are executing some interesting ideas. Time will tell whether this one advances the art or just gets people sued.