Recently TFB reviewed the New Benchmade Mini SOCP Dagger. Today it’s time to review a brand new and somewhat similar product from Microtech Knives.

Microtech are most famous for their automatic knives, and their R&D department seems to have a strong imagination and the possibility to introduce new products, finishes, serrations and blades.

The Microtech knives are known to be in the higher price region. Their automatic knives start at over $200, and can easily reach $500-700 if you go for one of the larger and more special ones. If you go for a custom Marfione then your starting point is $1,000.

It is therefore nice to review what must be one of Microtech’s least expensive products ever; the Microtech TAC-P Self-Defense Emergency Tool.

What is the TAC-P and how is it used?

But is it a knife? No, not really.

What can it be used for? Well, in all honesty, it all boils down to self-defense. And if you ever need to break a window.

Of course, with some sense of humor and imagination, you can use the TAC-P for stabbing a maple tree and collect the sap for free, use it as a tactical Capri Sun straw or collect DNA samples. You could buy two and use them as chopsticks. Make sure you fill in your own ideas in the comments below, we love to read them.

Below: In times of Corona – stay safe out there and take care!

The TAC-P has some of the features of a Kubotan. Essentially it’s a 410 Stainless Steel tube with a friction grip pattern around the handle. You can’t really use it as a straw, as there are drilled holes in the tube.

One end has a glass breaker (hence why you can call it an emergency tool), the other end is sharpened. Yes, it’s quite sharp and not to be toyed with. That would be the dangerous side of the TAC-P, unless you’re a window.

I haven’t seen a full list of surface finishes for the TAC-P yet, and Microtech usually has great creativity on this side. The one in this review is the one I own, and it has DLC – short for Diamond-Like Carbon, which gives it a nice black-grey half-shiny surface. This surface finishing is also used on expensive watches.

I bought mine at a list price from PVK in Vegas for $95. It seems the DLC version is about $10 more than the normal finishes, but I was lucky to get the version I wanted. The first batch sold out in minutes, and I managed to get serial number 17.

Apart from the “tube” itself, you get a Kydex sheath in a Carbon Fiber-looking surface and an UltiClip, which is one of the best holster clips on the market.

I’m sure there are many ways to carry the TAC-P, but I found the traditional ones around the belt quite uncomfortable (as in I wouldn’t like to sit, drive or carry it as an EDC for longer periods).

Below: The Benchmade Mini SOCP (and large, partly outside), the Bastinelli Picoeur and the Microtech TAC-P on a Snigel Design plate carrier.

Below: To compare the sizes between various solutions. The left is a G10 “sharp thing”, but I forgot the manufacturer.

Below: The TAC-P is like a thick straw in metal for Milkshakes, but the sheath makes it fairly flat and wide.

Below: The TAC-P is the longest of them all, and lacks the ring of the Benchmade and the Bastinelli.

Below: Here’s how I’d like to carry and EDC the TAC-P, in a Tourniquet (TQ). You can do harm in self-defense, but also break a window of a car and save someone with the TQ.

This was just a quick solution to see if it was possible. Unfortunately, depending on how you carry the Tourniquet they TAC-P may fall out.

Below: The TAC-P in its CF Kydex sheath. The folder on the right is a Marfione Custom SOCOM Elite Warcom Stonewash with blue titanium hardware.

Below: A very well-made backpack from Mystery Ranch, and the TAC-P.

Below: A close-up of the glass breaker.

Below: Real carbon fiber on a Microtech Ultratech (top) versus Kydex look-alike. They both look really good.

A video was made to show how the TAC-P can work.

Watch as Jason Mccoy and Ray of X-RING demonstrate the all-new Microtech TAC-P.

Below: The official photo from Microtech Knives and their Instagram channel.

Size: I couldn’t find any official dimensions, so these are my own approximate measurements.

TAC-P Length: 19.5 cm / 7.7″. Diameter: 1.1 cm / .43″

TAC-P Length with sheath: 21.5 cm / 8.5″. Width: 3.5 cm / 1.38″. Thickness: 2.2 cm / .86″.

I didn’t have a scale, but it is very light.

An alternative could be the Microtech Jagdkommando, but it’s another thing completely and at about ten times the price.

The closest competitor is most likely the Titanium Straw ($45) from Titanium Survival.

Conclusion

As with the Benchmade Mini SOCP, there is “a little blade and a lot of sheath and clip“.

Perhaps this is the only way to design today, with the materials available? But I would really like to have an ultra-slim sheath and a clip. Like a straw-in-a-straw. Just something to keep the sharp edge from the skin and something to retain the sheath when you pull out the TAC-P.

Now we have a 1.1 cm / .43” tube that takes up a lot of space for it to stay where you want it.

I can’t legally carry the TAC-P where I live, and I would in most cases prefer to carry a knife or some other multi-tool. I would have a lot more use of a real knife than this tool, but something is better than nothing.

However, I could have it in my car readily available if needed for self-defense or if I needed to get out through a window that won’t open.

As described above, I could also consider using it with a Tourniquet as a “sheath”. I could do harm but also fix someone up. Probably not worn on me, but in a pocket or somewhere on or in a bag.

The Kydex Tourniquet TACO pouch from High Speed Gear could be such a solution. Note the DLC TAC-P in there.

You could also wear the TAC-P on your carrier, the Ulti-Clip will allow you to attach the sheath on virtually anything. I think the TAC-P would stay in its place carried upside down, but I’m not sure as I haven’t tried it.

Below: Microtech Exocet “money clip” in tan and the new TAC-P. Innovative ways to carry sharp objects, but you wouldn’t really use the TAC-P to open a box.

This purchase had more to do with collecting than self-defense, and I was curious what the TAC-P looked like and how it could work. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still very happy with the purchase and would buy it again. I’m happy that Microtech had the guts to let this tool leave the drawing board and hit the market.

If I wanted to EDC a Microtech my choice would be the Exocet, UTX-70, UTX-85 or the new Dirac in a pocket clip or in my pocket.

To summarize this review of the Microtech tac-p:

Pros

• Very easy to conceal.
• Not much that can break.
• The UltiClip can be attached to almost anything.
• You can say you own a Microtech for as low as $75.

Cons

• It’s just a metal straw, some may need a real knife more.
• With the sheath, it’s 21 cm / 8,3″ long and slightly uncomfortable for EDC.
• Some may argue that $75+ is a lot for a tool like this.

 

For more on the subject: The Best Premium Blades: EDC Knives For Gun Owners.

Below: In these times of Corona and quarantine I found a new way to EDC the Microtech TAC-P! Note how soft the toilet paper is.

Now you know what I think, even though it is fairly early times between me and my TAC-P tool.

What’s your opinion? I’m sure there are a lot of ways you can use the TAC-P that I haven’t thought about?

Let us know in the comments below.