Desert Dagger - AUS-6?

Mitchell Knives

Mitchell Knives

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I'm not familiar with SOG products, but happened to spot a Desert Dagger at the local gun show that caught my eye. I've never had the opportunity to handle a SOG, and was quite impressed. The grinds were perfect, great balance and freakishly sharp. The sheath is beyond awful, but that can be fixed.

My concern is the fact that it is made of AUS-6. My past experiences with AUS-6 have not been good. I have purchased several CRKT knives in AUS-6, and was extremely disappointed in their edge holding. Spyderco AUS-6 seems to hold up much better. Does SOG have a special heat treat that maximizes the potential of AUS-6? It seems a little odd that they would use AUS-6 when AUS-8 (one of my favorite steels) is similiar in price. The Desert Dagger is a great design, but I don't want a knife that will not perform adequately. Thoughts?
 
Yes, SOG does use a very good heat treat for AUS-6. It holds up as good as Spyderco's if not better. My Government and Desert Dagger have held up great! They take and hold good edges for quite a while. Would be nice to see more AUS-8, but what ever SOG does to their AUS-6 does the trick. :D

Heber
 
there's a guy out there in SOGland named Ron who is my own personal recognized expert on all things SOG. If he happens to read this he can tell us for sure what the AUS 6 is all about from a material spec standpoint.

I'm naturally curious, ElectricZombie, what you'd be doing with the DD. Not being nosy, just curious. Is it "sharp" that you're worried about ??
I myself always give my knives a serious workout on the strop before re-sheathing and heading out. I don't know what it is, it just seems if I leave the knive alone for a few weeks it goes "dull."
It's like air pressure in the car tires, after a while they lose a few pounds and need touching up.

I have the same "problem" with all my SOG's (and my Ka***'s too) and so before heading out, I work 'em out to bring back that "really sharp" sharp. Doesn't matter whether it's SK-5 or 1095 or O-1, the super-sharp edge just goes away on vacation.

Cheers,

Carl
 
New Pig Hunter said:
I'm naturally curious, ElectricZombie, what you'd be doing with the DD. Not being nosy, just curious. Is it "sharp" that you're worried about ??
I myself always give my knives a serious workout on the strop before re-sheathing and heading out. I don't know what it is, it just seems if I leave the knive alone for a few weeks it goes "dull."
It's like air pressure in the car tires, after a while they lose a few pounds and need touching up.
Click to expand...
Carl,

Right now, I don't really plan to do a whole lot with the DD. I can forsee possibly getting an IWB sheath made up for carry. Otherwise, I'd probably just use it for general light utility; cutting rope, kitchen work, etc.

I have also noticed edges going dull after sitting around for a while. The only knives that I have noticed this on were CRKT AUS-6 blades. These blades would also become dull after minimal EDC use. On the more "premium" steels, (AUS-8 and up) I can sharpen a knife and never seem to notice a change in the edge.

I'm mostly concerned with the ability of SOG's AUS-6 to take a scary sharp edge and keep it for a reasonable amount of time. (Not going dull after sitting around for a while as you described.) I certainly do not expect edge retention anywhere close to my S30V knives; but I still want decent edge retention. I know that SOG AUS-6 can take an excellent edge because the DD I handled was beyond sharp. Edge retention is the real unknown.
 
Hi Guys,

I've been beckoned, so here I am! :) (It's nice to be wanted!)

When it comes down to different types of steel, the crux of the issue is the quality of the heat treatment.

You can have a good quality steel, like ATS-34, that has been heat treated awfully by either inexperienced “craftsman” or by companies who are into large volume selling. I wouldn’t invest a penny in those knives.

Conversely, you can have an OK steel, like AUS6, that has been heat treated by a true craftsman and the steel will perform outstandingly!

In SOG’s case, SOG’s Japanese made knives are being crafted by some of the best “production” knife makers in the world.

What’s happened with steel is that a “reputation” has been affixed to various steels. Where that reputation has come from have been volume-oriented manufacturers who are having their knives made in borderline quality production facilities and they have chosen NOT to pay to have the steel heat treated well. This is why AUS6 has received a poor status around the world. Quite a shame, actually! I’d much rather have SOG’s AUS6 over a cheaper manufacturer’s AUS8 (or better grade steel).

Having had handled SOG’s returns for many years, I can personally attest to the virility of their AUS6. Pretty amazing!

Hope this has helped.
 
Very well said Ron, thanks for your help. I knew it had a good reputation, just did not know exactly why.

Robbie Roberson ;)
 
Thanks for the reply Ron. It sounds like SOG is doing a good job on the heat treat. I'll be sure to pick up a DD next time around.
 
ElectricZombie,

I briefly had a Desert Dagger a few years back, and was very much impressed, it's a great knife for the money, and I love all the features they've managed to pack into it, in the form of different grinds, and the hammer pommel. You're right about the sheath, but overall a great knife, I don't think you'll be disappointed if you pick one up at a fair price.

Lagarto
 
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