Benchmade SOCP Knives
The Benchmade SOCP series was not designed in a boardroom. It was built by Greg Thompson - the founder of the Special Operations Combatives Program and one of the most respected close-quarters combat instructors in the US military. Thompson holds a Master's Degree in Industrial Design from North Carolina State University and has taken dozens of products to market, most of them focused on self-defense and combative training. He currently holds six patents, one of which is on the SOCP Dagger itself, which carries NSN # 1095-01-609-1246. On March 23, 2010, SOCP became the first officially designated combatives program for all US Army Special Operations Forces - and the knife Greg Thompson designed to go with that program became one of the most purpose-specific tactical fixed blade designs Benchmade has ever produced.
KnifeArt.com is an authorized Benchmade dealer and has been in business since 1998. Every Benchmade SOCP knife we stock ships free within the US on orders over $150, is backed by Benchmade's LifeSharp lifetime guarantee, and includes our 7-day inspection period. Call us at 800-564-3327 if you need help choosing the right model.
What SOCP Means - and Why It Matters
SOCP stands for Special Operations Combatives Program - a hand-to-hand combat and edged weapon curriculum developed by Greg Thompson specifically for US Army Special Forces. Thompson has trained Special Operations Units since 1998, and that experience shapes every detail of the SOCP knife. His industrial design background is unusual for a combatives instructor, and it shows: the finger ring is not decorative - it is the answer to a specific tactical problem. How do you hold a knife while also operating a firearm, opening a door, or controlling a threat with your other hand? The ring keeps the blade retained without requiring a full grip, freeing your fingers for other tasks. The skeletonized handle keeps weight down to 2.12 oz on the full-size dagger. The MOLLE-compatible sheath keeps a low profile on a plate carrier, belt, or inside the waistband. Every feature traces back to a decision Greg Thompson made based on what actually happens in close-quarters situations - not what looks good on a spec sheet.
Benchmade SOCP Models at KnifeArt
Benchmade 176BK SOCP Dagger - Full Size Tactical Fixed Blade
The 176BK is the original SOCP dagger and the model that defined the series. A double-edged dagger blade in 440C stainless steel with a black oxide finish, full skeletonized handle, ribbed finger ring for instant retention and control, and an injection-molded MOLLE-compatible sheath that covers the blade up to the ring - making it nearly impossible for anyone other than the user to draw it. The 176BK is the choice for operators, first responders, and serious defensive carry users who want a tactical fixed blade that integrates seamlessly with existing gear without adding bulk. Made in Oregon City, Oregon, USA in Benchmade's 144,000-square-foot manufacturing facility.
176BK Specs · Blade: 3.22" double-edge dagger · Overall: 7.25" · Blade thickness: .175" · Steel: 440C stainless, black oxide · Rockwell: 58-60 · Weight: 2.12 oz · Handle: Full skeletonized with finger ring · Sheath: MOLLE-compatible, clip and lanyard · Made in USA · $125.00
Benchmade 177BK Mini SOCP - Compact Tactical Fixed Blade
The 177BK Mini SOCP is the compact version of the original dagger - purpose-built for self-defense and tactical use where a lower-profile carry is needed. Designed by Greg Thompson with the same attention to detail that defines the full-size model, the Mini SOCP is a top choice for law enforcement and military personnel who need a reliable backup blade in a smaller package. The compact size makes it ideal for inside-the-waistband carry, ankle carry, or any situation where discretion matters without sacrificing the proven SOCP design geometry. At 3 oz, it carries lighter than it performs. Made in the USA.
177BK Specs · Weight: 3 oz · Steel: 440C stainless · Handle: Skeletonized with finger ring · Sheath: MOLLE-compatible · Made in USA
Benchmade 391BK SOCP Folder - Tactical Folding Knife
The 391BK brings the SOCP design philosophy to a tactical folding knife for users who need a deployable blade in environments where a fixed dagger is not the right carry option. Greg Thompson designed this folder specifically for the hand-to-hand combat training he conducts for US Army Special Forces, and his industrial design background is evident in every detail. The blade is a spear-point dagger profile in D2 tool steel at Rockwell 60-62 - a high-carbon tool steel chosen for exceptional edge retention under hard use. The .42" CF-Elite handle includes a glass breaker feature, three index divots that let you find your grip instantly under stress without looking, and a tip-down reversible belt clip for ambidextrous carry. Benchmade's patented AXIS lock delivers solid, ambidextrous lockup that operates with either hand. At 10.15" overall with a 4.47" blade, this is a serious SOCP folder that earns its place alongside the fixed blade models. Also available in a partially serrated version (391SBK) for users who want a combination edge.
391BK Specs · Blade: 4.47" spear-point dagger · Overall open: 10.15" · Closed: 5.68" · Blade thickness: .121" · Steel: D2 tool steel · Rockwell: 60-62 · Handle: .42" CF-Elite carbon fiber reinforced, glass breaker · Lock: AXIS ambidextrous · Clip: Tip-down reversible · Made in USA · From $199.00
Who the SOCP Series Is For
The SOCP series is purpose-specific in a way that few production knife lines are. It is not a utility knife, a camp knife, or a general EDC slicer. It is a defensive fixed blade and tactical tool designed around what actually happens in close-quarters situations where a firearm is either transitioning, not yet drawn, or not available. That specificity is what makes it so effective for its intended audience - military and law enforcement professionals, first responders, and serious defensive carry users who have thought carefully about what a blade needs to do on their kit.
For plate carrier MOLLE carry, belt carry, or inside-the-waistband backup, the 176BK SOCP dagger is the standard. For a lower-profile carry option with the same proven design geometry, the 177BK Mini SOCP is the answer. For everyday carry in environments where a fixed blade is not practical, the 391BK SOCP folder - with its D2 blade, AXIS lock, and CF-Elite handle - delivers the same combatives-informed design in a pocketable format.
Why Buy Benchmade SOCP from KnifeArt?
KnifeArt.com is an authorized Benchmade dealer and has been in business since 1998. That means every knife we ship is genuine Benchmade product covered by Benchmade's lifetime LifeSharp guarantee - free cleaning, oiling, adjustments, and factory-edge re-sharpening for the life of the knife. Buying from an authorized dealer also means your warranty is valid and your product is not grey market inventory. We carry a wide selection of Benchmade knives across all categories, and our team has handled and carried the products we sell. Call us at 800-564-3327 for a recommendation. All orders over $150 ship free within the US and include a 7-day inspection period - if the knife is not right for you, return or exchange it hassle-free.
