Cold Steel R-1 or SOG Trident II?

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ndterminator

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Feb 1, 2006
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Thought I would throw this out and see what others think. I'm going to be getting a new fixed blade ordered in the next week or so. This will be used for big game hunting, regular outdoors use, and general everyday use around my farmstead.

I've narrowed it down to either the Cold Steel R-1, SOG Trident II. I would say that for various reasons, the R-1 has the edge by about a 60%-40% margin. If the SOG Bowie was available with a micarta handle, it would be in a dead heat with the R-1.

These are the only knives I'm interested in, as laying out the cash for a Randall or other custom isn't an option.

I'm interested in the opinions both pro & con, of those who have actually owned & used these knives...
 
My buddy used an R1 throughout his tour in South America, he ended up leaving it with a guide and brought another for himself. Don't forget, the R1 is a bit longer than the SOG.
Try to handle them both
 
Sure wished I could handle them, GB. Unfortunately, no one in ND carries these knives. Too many pro-con factors running through my head to write them all down here, but here are a couple I keep coming back too...

Not sure I want a 7" blade, but the R-1 has a ton going for it. If the R-1 had the same length blade as the SOG, it would win hands down...

SOG has a longer warranty in case something goes to hell, but the stories of multi-month turnaround and less than customer friendly customer service abound...

Sure do wish either one had a left-right hand carry sheath, like a Sullivan Model C. The R-1's sheath looks to be a little more lefty friendly (I'm left handed). I can have a left hand carry sheath made, but that's another $90 minimum, and 8 weeks waiting while the knife is at the shop.

Decisions, decisions....
 
I'm sure other guys here can make sheaths for less. Well, both are really nice knives, and it basically boils down to preference
 
GarageBoy said:
My buddy used an R1 throughout his tour in South America, he ended up leaving it with a guide and brought another for himself. Don't forget, the R1 is a bit longer than the SOG.
Try to handle them both
Click to expand...

Is that me you're referring to?
If so, it's a vacation tour and not a military tour... I think it's important to differentiate.

THe problems are as follows...
Both sheaths suck, but for the R1, you can contact Sullivan's holster shop and have them make a OEM Randall Sheath for it. There's nothing you can really do for a SOG sheath except get a custom one made.

The blade geometry on the SOG makes it for a better chopper, but a little too short for that, but a bad slicer. The R1 is not as good a chopper, but a much better slicer.

The steel is about the same, but I feel like I cut better with the R1. Both are made of AUS8 which isn't great at holding an edge, but takes on a wickedly sharp edge quickly. I feel as if the R1's blade geometry takes on a sharper edge while the SOG seemed to take a less sharp but more durable edge. The R1 included stone is a nice Fine Norton India stone while the SOG gives you what seems to be a small chunk of fine concrete. I looked at mine and immediately used it to modify the R1 handle and after that, tossed it in the garbage.

Both handles are slippery when wet, but I took the rough stone from the SOG and using a corner edge, rubbed the smooth edge of the R1 till the entire surface area of the handle was roughed up and gave a good grip. The SOG handle felt too small in the hand and I eventually found a arkansas stone that would fit in the stone pouch and gave the entire knife away to a friend. It's not a bad knife... it just wasn't for me.

Overall, my choice goes to the R1 on almost every level and reason.

Now, if you don't need the 7 inch blade, you might as well go with a well made folder. If you're gonna take the effort to heft a fixed blade and sheath around, you might as well have it be big enough for everything you might need it for. On the same line of thought, you should not take something so big that it will start doing the work of the hachet or small axe that you should bring into the woods with you.

Have you thought about a Kabar or one of the contract maker's versions and putting money away for a Randall? or better yet, an Ek?
 
Appreciate all the opinions...

I have scads of folders. I carry a folder of one type or another both on & off duty every day of my life. Right now I'm on duty, my backup is a concealed Gerber EZ Out and the working knife in my front pocket is a Buck modeled after a Swiss Army Knife. I've had a love affair with the Gerbor Gator and Gator Mate since the day they came out...

Essentially, I'm filling a hole in my line up. I have small fixed blades (Seal Pup, Gator Fixed Blade, Sharp Fingers, and a Mini-Mentor), medium fixed blades (a Kyber drop point hunter with burgundy micarta handle, A custom elk antler handled skinner I lucked into for a song, and my favorite, a Hattori HA6-2 Medium Fighting Bowie (currently being customized by Jay Maines), and one big fixed blade (a Camillus I got in 79' when I was in the Army which, between the service & hunting, has seen 6 or 7 different countries, as well as better days). Note that all these knifes are decent quality but medium-low end types (with the notable exception of the Hattori and the custom skinner).

Much as I covet a Randall, I don't see waiting about 25% of the probable time I have left on Earth for a new one, and get the shakes when I see what they're going for on eBay. I would at least like actually handle & pet one before I die...

Thus I'm left with the high end production models, and that essentially comes down to the R-1 and SOG lineup in a military bowie design.

Thanks again for the input. The R-1 it will be...

BTW MM, do you or anyone else have a contact number for Sullivan's? I can't find anything on the internet...
 
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