Got a new catalog today, with a new twist - C.S. has a version of the SOG knife! Now, this was a tactical/military knife, but how would it hold up/serve for a survival role today (i.e. without the combative aspect)? How would it compare to the other C.S. knife I've wanted but never bought, the Recon Scout? Are these pretty, but not so useful knives? Or are they functional outdoor tools?
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Cold Steel
- Thread starter Virg
- Start date
- Joined
- Jul 2, 2000
- Messages
- 1,667
Either the SOG, the Recon Scout, or the SRK should suit you fine,however, the Recon Scout is basically a smaller version of the Trailmaster. A lot of folks don't care for the way Lynn Thompson brags about his knives but I have found that they are a lot of bang for the buck.
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Ron,
Bremerton, Washington
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Ron,
Bremerton, Washington
I'm wit ya Muzzleup.
Ya gotta do a little bragging if you want folks to take a look
Lynn has always been fair with me and I've known him since about 84'. He can share my fire anytime. We've used his blades under some pretty nasty conditions and find that they performed as advertised. I am still surprised that those inexpensive little bushmasters lived a full year with the shapra indians and looked real good for blades that had been used hard daily for all that time.
I think they are well worth the price. People aren't buying Lynn after all... just his knives.
My .02
Ron
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Learn Life Extension at:
http://www.survival.com ]
Ya gotta do a little bragging if you want folks to take a look
Lynn has always been fair with me and I've known him since about 84'. He can share my fire anytime. We've used his blades under some pretty nasty conditions and find that they performed as advertised. I am still surprised that those inexpensive little bushmasters lived a full year with the shapra indians and looked real good for blades that had been used hard daily for all that time.
I think they are well worth the price. People aren't buying Lynn after all... just his knives.
My .02
Ron
------------------
Learn Life Extension at:
http://www.survival.com ]
I have some high-end knives ($300-$500 and worth every penny), and I also have a few Cold Steel blades. IMO, the Cold Steel knives made with Carbon V are very high in performance for the money. They are meant for hard use, and while there are better knives out there, you'd be hard pressed to find one that will perform as well as Carbon V in the same price range. Bottom line: you can't go wrong with any Carbon V knife from Cold Steel. And at those prices, you aren't afraid to use them hard either.
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2001
- Messages
- 1,981
How do the sheaths hold up in relatively dry climates? Jeff Randall in a relatively recent magazine review of a couple CS fixed blades liked the knives, but said the sheaths fell apart in 3 and 5 days, respectively, in the SA jungle.
Seems to me I also remember a post some weeks ago, where some forumite called CS with questions or problems re a sheath and was told, "real knife people get custom sheaths for their knives." -- or something very similar to that.
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Asi es la vida
Bugs
Seems to me I also remember a post some weeks ago, where some forumite called CS with questions or problems re a sheath and was told, "real knife people get custom sheaths for their knives." -- or something very similar to that.
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Asi es la vida
Bugs
Something that should be mentioned here is it's not just CS sheaths, it's leather sheaths in general. Another point to be made is one of the CS pieces I reviewed down there spent 3 weeks in the jungle during the wet season and most of this was foot travel through swamps. The sheath actually held up better than the leather in our issue Altama jungle boots. This was sort of an extreme trip as far as wet conditions go. Just to give you an idea of the conditions, a couple of our team members had severe foot problems after this trip due to the constant water. We also witnessed high-end, name brand outdoor gear fail completely and fall apart
Now, on the brighter side, I think CS now makes a kydex sheath for the SRK.
Personally I have no problems with anything I have ever used from Cold Steel.
Jeff
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Randall's Adventure & Training
jeff@jungletraining.com
Now, on the brighter side, I think CS now makes a kydex sheath for the SRK.
Personally I have no problems with anything I have ever used from Cold Steel.
Jeff
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Randall's Adventure & Training
jeff@jungletraining.com
Not knives, instead the "failed" list consisted of a couple of name brand water filters, several variations of dry sacks, and some North Face gear.
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Randall's Adventure & Training
jeff@jungletraining.com
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Randall's Adventure & Training
jeff@jungletraining.com
I've got one of SOG's Bowies, the clip point version in SK-5 steel. It's a very good field knife. It's only "failing" is that it isn't a terrific chopper, but what can you expect from a 6 inch blade? It's incredibly thick, made from a great steel (although a little hard to sharpen). I replaced it with a Campanion because I wanted a better chopper for a belt knife, and got it with the wider blade and blade-forward balance of the Campanion.
The CS version, though, is only 3/16" thick, which is considerably thinner and lighter than the "original". Also, it's amde of 420 stainless with a cryo quench, a steel I've never used, so I don't know anything about it. But, the price isn't bad. Certainly cheaper than getting one from SOG.
The CS version, though, is only 3/16" thick, which is considerably thinner and lighter than the "original". Also, it's amde of 420 stainless with a cryo quench, a steel I've never used, so I don't know anything about it. But, the price isn't bad. Certainly cheaper than getting one from SOG.
- Joined
- Jul 14, 2000
- Messages
- 3,278
ive got the sog bowie (7 in blade on it). doesnt have a great edge on it, course i got it used and havent bothered with sharpening it yet.(shrugs)
v shrake- sk5 is similar to o-1. dont ask me how,i wouldnt know how to explain it, and frankly, all that jazz about all the elements in a blade is boring to me. i just want a knife that will hold an edge.
its a good knife from what i have seen. I havent had a chance to actually work with it yet,but summer is near
v shrake- sk5 is similar to o-1. dont ask me how,i wouldnt know how to explain it, and frankly, all that jazz about all the elements in a blade is boring to me. i just want a knife that will hold an edge.
its a good knife from what i have seen. I havent had a chance to actually work with it yet,but summer is near
Maurice, thanks for the info on the steel. The only other SK-5 blade I've got is a CS Bushman, and it's easier to sharpen, since the RC is lower. Once I get my SOG Bowie sharp, it stays that way a good long time. The problem I have with sharpening it is that it's a hit-or-miss proposition. Sometimes I can get a really scary-sharp edge on it, and sometimes I just get a good working edge. I'ts never been really dull, but when I consider the edge I can sometimes get on it, I wish I could sharpen it to that degree all the time. With my other knives, I'm much more consistent, so I don't know what the deal is. But it is a really nice knife, the first really good knife I ever owned, in fact.
RokJok
Gold Member
- Joined
- Oct 6, 2000
- Messages
- 4,087
Re: CS sheaths. A couple years ago the SRK & Recon Tanto came with Concealex (Kydex? Plastic!) skins & the TrailMaster with leather. Not sure what CS is currently issuing for sheaths on their belt knives. They get good marks for the installed drain holes in their plastic sheaths to get water out after a dunking. The TM will eventually go to Eric at On-Scene Tactical for one of his Kydex units because I don't like long-term storage in leather of carbon steel, even with Tuf-Cloth treatment. His sheaths seem to get consistently good reviews & the price is reasonable.
For the lefties in the crowd, the CS SRK sheath was ambidextrous, while the Recon Tanto sheath was not.
For the lefties in the crowd, the CS SRK sheath was ambidextrous, while the Recon Tanto sheath was not.
- Joined
- Sep 7, 2000
- Messages
- 29
I have a Carbon V Gurka Kukri.
The Carbon V is excellent working metal.
The kukri will chop off many a 4 inch vines in one swoop and still slice paper like butter. Been there done that !!!! Little hard to sharpen the curved edge is all.
Worth every penny in fun factor alone let alone work factor. "Carbon V good"
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Baddogdave says "Life is
hard,so carry a good knife"
The Carbon V is excellent working metal.
The kukri will chop off many a 4 inch vines in one swoop and still slice paper like butter. Been there done that !!!! Little hard to sharpen the curved edge is all.
Worth every penny in fun factor alone let alone work factor. "Carbon V good"
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Baddogdave says "Life is
hard,so carry a good knife"
Hey, Virg
Yes, I have the first model of the SOG Bowie, the 6" (or so) clip point. Actually, it's a great knife. In fact, just for grins, I took it out the other day to test it's chopping, and it chopped better than I had remembered. It could be that I just used the excuse of needing a better chopper to justify getting my Campanion. :~}
When I first got the knife, I thought the tip might be too fragile. So, I stabbed it into some pine boards, as hard as I could. Sank it into a 2x4 at least 1/4", possibly more. I then "snapped" it out to the side, seeing if the tip would bend or break. No problems, even after doing it numerous times. If you sharpen the swedge, it's great for using it as a "steel" with a ferrocerium rod; throws mondo sparks. And I guess it would improve the combative nature of the knife, but I don't do that sort of thing. Also, it's one of the best knives I have for skinning. The only blade that is better at skinning is a Schrade 4.5 inch, very thin, skinning knife with a VERY upswept point.
It whittles pretty good, too, giving you nice long curls off of a fuzz stick. With a good wrist snap, it can easily sever small (under 3/4" to 1") branches in a single swipe. Nice, clean cuts, as well.
The only modifications I made was to cut and file the top quillon off; it got in the way of choking up on the blade for skinning. Also, there's a perfectly placed spot for putting your thumb on the back of the blade, after you get rid of the quillon; you can place your finger into the choil and really get some fine work done, too. I also added a lanyard, mainly because it aids in chopping with such a small blade. The Campanion actually IS a better chopper than my SOG, but that's because the blade is wider, heavier, and the balance is further forward; being designed as a fighter/utility, the SOG is pretty neutrally balanced. Also, with the Campanion's tip being so thick, I have to carry a folder or neck knife to make the belly cut when skinning game; the SOG tip is much sharper. If I could *only* have one belt knife, I would pick the SOG for the extra versatility.
One minor concern is that the bluing wears off really quickly on the blade, buttcap, and quillon. After countless times of re-bluing, I decided to just spray paint the metal with flat black. Holds up pretty well, even chopping, and is easy to re-do, when needed. And the SK-5 steel *can* be a little tricky to sharpen, as I said in a previous post. But, I use a medium Arkansas, and finish the blade with a Lansky triangular ceramic pocket stone. This knife has never been "dull", and is easy to resharpen to a working edge. And when you get everything right, you can get an absolutely wicked edge on it.
So, all in all, it's definitely worth the money, and would make an excelent field knife. Whatever the company means by a "soft core" heat treat, this is a tough knife. Even the leather washer handle is amazingly tough, and shows no signs of drying out. I just put some 3-in-1 oil on the handle when I oil the metal.
Oops. Edited to add:
Looking at a recent A.G. Russel catalog, the SOG Bowie is going for $225.00, which is $25.00 more than I paid for mine back in '85 or'86. The new Recon model, which has a 7 inch blade, is going for $200.00. Either would be a good choice, since they both use the same steel and heat treat. The Recon has a brass quillon and buttcap, and a really neat blade shape that should be a workhorse. Also, I bet it would fit in a Blackhawk sheath made for the Kabar. Being left handed, I replaced the sheath on my SOG with a Cordura sheath for the old Gerber LMF. Tough sheath, with some great features. The "issue" sheath my SOG came with looked nice, but a stich broke just in the limited time I used it before getting the new sheath. Good leather, bad stitching. I may just get one of the Recon Bowies and a Blackhawk sheath, just as soon as I win the lottery. :~}
[This message has been edited by V Shrake (edited 05-03-2001).]
Yes, I have the first model of the SOG Bowie, the 6" (or so) clip point. Actually, it's a great knife. In fact, just for grins, I took it out the other day to test it's chopping, and it chopped better than I had remembered. It could be that I just used the excuse of needing a better chopper to justify getting my Campanion. :~}
When I first got the knife, I thought the tip might be too fragile. So, I stabbed it into some pine boards, as hard as I could. Sank it into a 2x4 at least 1/4", possibly more. I then "snapped" it out to the side, seeing if the tip would bend or break. No problems, even after doing it numerous times. If you sharpen the swedge, it's great for using it as a "steel" with a ferrocerium rod; throws mondo sparks. And I guess it would improve the combative nature of the knife, but I don't do that sort of thing. Also, it's one of the best knives I have for skinning. The only blade that is better at skinning is a Schrade 4.5 inch, very thin, skinning knife with a VERY upswept point.
It whittles pretty good, too, giving you nice long curls off of a fuzz stick. With a good wrist snap, it can easily sever small (under 3/4" to 1") branches in a single swipe. Nice, clean cuts, as well.
The only modifications I made was to cut and file the top quillon off; it got in the way of choking up on the blade for skinning. Also, there's a perfectly placed spot for putting your thumb on the back of the blade, after you get rid of the quillon; you can place your finger into the choil and really get some fine work done, too. I also added a lanyard, mainly because it aids in chopping with such a small blade. The Campanion actually IS a better chopper than my SOG, but that's because the blade is wider, heavier, and the balance is further forward; being designed as a fighter/utility, the SOG is pretty neutrally balanced. Also, with the Campanion's tip being so thick, I have to carry a folder or neck knife to make the belly cut when skinning game; the SOG tip is much sharper. If I could *only* have one belt knife, I would pick the SOG for the extra versatility.
One minor concern is that the bluing wears off really quickly on the blade, buttcap, and quillon. After countless times of re-bluing, I decided to just spray paint the metal with flat black. Holds up pretty well, even chopping, and is easy to re-do, when needed. And the SK-5 steel *can* be a little tricky to sharpen, as I said in a previous post. But, I use a medium Arkansas, and finish the blade with a Lansky triangular ceramic pocket stone. This knife has never been "dull", and is easy to resharpen to a working edge. And when you get everything right, you can get an absolutely wicked edge on it.
So, all in all, it's definitely worth the money, and would make an excelent field knife. Whatever the company means by a "soft core" heat treat, this is a tough knife. Even the leather washer handle is amazingly tough, and shows no signs of drying out. I just put some 3-in-1 oil on the handle when I oil the metal.
Oops. Edited to add:
Looking at a recent A.G. Russel catalog, the SOG Bowie is going for $225.00, which is $25.00 more than I paid for mine back in '85 or'86. The new Recon model, which has a 7 inch blade, is going for $200.00. Either would be a good choice, since they both use the same steel and heat treat. The Recon has a brass quillon and buttcap, and a really neat blade shape that should be a workhorse. Also, I bet it would fit in a Blackhawk sheath made for the Kabar. Being left handed, I replaced the sheath on my SOG with a Cordura sheath for the old Gerber LMF. Tough sheath, with some great features. The "issue" sheath my SOG came with looked nice, but a stich broke just in the limited time I used it before getting the new sheath. Good leather, bad stitching. I may just get one of the Recon Bowies and a Blackhawk sheath, just as soon as I win the lottery. :~}
[This message has been edited by V Shrake (edited 05-03-2001).]
Man, I don't get this at all. Right after I posted this reponse, I checked it, and there was only ONE post. I got back on tonight, and there's two. Computers are always doing weird things for me. Or TO me. The smarter we make our machines, the easier it is for them to drive us insane. Computers are alive, I tells ya! :~}
[This message has been edited by V Shrake (edited 05-04-2001).]
[This message has been edited by V Shrake (edited 05-04-2001).]