Benchmade SOCP® by Greg Thompson
Tactical Knives from the Special Operations Combatives Program
The Benchmade SOCP® series was developed in collaboration with Greg Thompson, founder of the Special Operations Combatives Program. SOCP® is a reality-based, task-specific combatives system created to meet the unique requirements of modern Special Operations units. On March 23, 2010, SOCP® was established as the Combatives Program of Record for U.S. Army Special Operations Forces.
The program and its instructors have been implemented across units and organizations including the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th and 10th Special Forces Groups, the 75th Ranger Regiment, the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, MARSOC, Marine Force Recon, Air Force Pararescue and SERE, as well as elements of Navy Special Warfare. SOCP instructors have also worked with federal law enforcement organizations and units including the FBI, ATF, U.S. Marshals/SOG and Border Patrol BORTAC.
The development of the SOCP® Dagger grew directly out of Greg Thompson's work with military Special Operations personnel. The objective was to create a knife that could be rapidly accessed with the support hand in extremely close quarters, securely retained and kept in hand while transitioning to other equipment or a primary weapon.
Thompson developed the design around this requirement, working from the distinctive finger ring through the skeletonized handle to the narrow dagger blade. In 2007, the SOCP® program and the original SOCP® Dagger fully materialized.
The finger ring is a central element of the design. It supports secure retention, rapid access and controlled transitions between different pieces of equipment. The slim, skeletonized construction reduces both weight and bulk, allowing the knife to be efficiently integrated into a professional tactical loadout. The SOCP® Dagger is designed for compact carry and immediate accessibility. Depending on the model, the sheath can be mounted on plate carriers, MOLLE systems, tactical vests or belts. Its narrow profile minimizes the space required within an operator's equipment while allowing rapid access in confined environments.
Over time, the original SOCP® Dagger concept developed into a broader family of tactical knives and tools. Benchmade carries the core principles of the original design – rapid access, secure retention, compact carry and integration with tactical equipment – across the current SOCP® collection.
The Benchmade SOCP® series combines the practical experience behind an established military combatives program with Benchmade's knife design and manufacturing expertise.
Discover the current Benchmade SOCP® models designed by Greg Thompson.
