are all SOG folders like this?

I have a Trident and an Aegis both have developed tons of blade play in all directions and rust like crazy they haven't seen the light of day in quite some time. I'm really dissapointed in SOG for producing subpar folders at a high quality price.
 
As mentioned, I have a lot of SOG folders that have not developed blade play. Maybe I don't use them enough? The Vulcans stay in my field bag for heavier (big knife) uses. Most of the others hang around my desk a lot, but I used to carry the Twitch II all the time, but went back to a SAK and a Spyderco Delica as my primary EDC blades.
 
I have a Aegis that has up-&-down blade play out of the box that I can't fix. I took it apart to have a look. Way too many parts. They aren't making these flashy folder designs work with the labor saving manufacturers they're using. I had an old Tomcat lockback way back in the 90's. That was a rock-solid, no BS piece of work. They need to either tighten up on their tolerances or come up with folder designs their manufacturers can pull off without blade play. They've always had some truly gorgeous folder designs & I hate to see the company's reputation & potential being ruined like this over fixable issues. I hope someone from the company reads this thread & reacts because plenty of us knife nerds want those sweet designs of theirs in a well-made form.
 
I must respond. I dislike sog fixed blades that i've used so far. Most off there folders feel like a corner store knife even ones that cost over 100 bucks. That being said for the last 2 years my edc knife is a sog pocket knife. although I think it is there most expensive one.the sog vision zero blade play vg10 steel and titanium handle with the arc lock. I've used it for everything and still locks up perfect and is still centered.
 
I agree that sog folders looks cheap and some of them the handle bends when you grip hard :(

But I have SOG VULCAN TANTO SANMAI left in my collections because this is not like other sog folders Ive seen.

It still not looks expensive but not too cheap ether. Blades are thick enough and handle dosent bend easliy. The arc lock works fine. I love this arc lock because it can open and close the blade without fingers on the bladeway.

I didnt like other sog folders ive seen... But in my opinion, vlucan is diffrent form others. :) it can be a good choice if you want a sog folders
 
You get what u pay for. I have a Twitch II that has been excellent! It has been abused a lot and taken it and still performs great! Have a few other SOG knives that I like! I feel for the most part they get a bad rap here! People just love bashing them! What about Gerber? They are crap! I dont see countless threads about them?
 
Are there any knives similar to the trident look s and price wise, but stronger and more durable with little to no blade play? Looking for a nice assisted or automatic knife, thought the trident looked good but that's about all it seems to be good for.
 
I had a Blink that I liked. I have handled several of the FRN models in knife shops and they felt pretty cheap, so I passed. As mentioned, the folders seem to have a bad reputation here.
 
Are there any knives similar to the trident look s and price wise, but stronger and more durable with little to no blade play? Looking for a nice assisted or automatic knife, thought the trident looked good but that's about all it seems to be good for.

Go for a Ka-Bar Mule. Several different styles, all really heavy-duty. They come with pocket clips now. Best belt pouch I've ever gotten with a folder, too.
 
I went through two Tridents and a Flash II in a matter of weeks. The assisted spring is weaksauce and if you don't store it in a felt case, the action gets so gunked up you can't open the blade. I'm POed I wasted my money like that... too bad really, because like you said, their fixed blades are great. The MULE is about the most solid recommendation you can be given.
 
I've been using my SOG Trident for training against a 8" thick "slab" of cardboard and the worst that has happened is that the pivot loosened up a bit. I just haven't had a chance to run to Lowe's to get some Loctite.
 
I have had a few SOG folders and still own two (a Mini x-ray vision, and a Pentagon Elite). They are nice blades for the price, well made, and I like their Arc lock, very well thought out and prob as strong as the Benchmade Axis lock IMO. However, they do have QC problems, ESPECIALLY on their lower end folders including the Trident. I got burned successively on a Flash, and a Trident. After that, I got rid of those and I've not had as many problems with the higher end ones.

SOG is pretty good about honoring their warranty; they'll fix an issue for you if you send it back.

However, I think you've been given good advice and I agree with it: in general, I'd avoid SOG folders. They tend to be more trouble than they are worth. They have some decent mid-priced fixed blades, but I don't even look at their folders anymore.
 
I have their Vulcan (two years old) and a year-old Trident that feel very sturdy. Maybe you got a bad one, because both of my SOG folders open smoothly, quickly and with little to no vertical/horizontal blade play. You might want to swing by the SOG subforum over yonder and see if you can get a hold of the moderator there so he can offer some advice. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/729-SOG-Specialty-Knives

Have you tried making any adjustments?
 
Last edited:
I only have one SOG folder, a Flash 1, it has vertical blade play as well, though its not gritty opening.
 
every sog i have felt is like that...... the flash 2 was the worst. it litteraly felt like a $2 knife that is sold at the gas station. you can flex the handles by gripping the knife hard. i could never buy a sog folder
 
The last SOG folder I had was the Spec Elite II. It is the large one with a 5" blade. The Arc-Lock worked really well on the knife, the blade was well shaped and thick enough at .160" to handle what you would think a 5" blade should handle. But, the liners on this knife are paper thin, and you could squeeze in the middle and get all kinds of flex. I don't see how SOG doesn't know this about their knives. Instead of fixing them they hire a spokesman that they must hope will make people overlook the problems the knives have. Like many others, I don't even consider SOG anymore.

PS. I would be amiss if I didn't include this. Several years ago I had an Arcitech with the red bone handles. This is/was a very well built knife that was as solid as they come. I would have another if they dropped the price about a $150.
 
I will never own another sog product. Using lower end steels but charging high prices for them. Copying other companies designs, and also writing there name all over the knife. They cant just put the name sog on the blade, they also have to put it on the handles as well:rolleyes:.
 
Back
Top