Does anyone know ?

B

BubbaGanew

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Oct 29, 2005
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Does anyone know what the " S. M. CA. " stands for? Its just below the square box that reads "SOG SPECIALTY KNIVES" on the blade of my new Tech II that just came in yesterday. I thought it may stand for " Santa Monica, California " but I see that Sog's head office is in Lynnwood, WA. Also is there any history behind this " S. M. CA. " like only knives made before such and such a date has it or something like that. None of my other Sog knives have it written on them. Thanx
 
Yes, that stands for Santa Monica, CA. SOG began down there when they started in the mid 1980s (around 1985). At that time, they were operating out of their two room apartment. There, they would receive the knives from Japan and prep them for distribution (doing things like tying on lanyards, boxing the knives, etc.). After about five years (around 1990), Spencer and Gloria moved into leased facilities in Washington, very near the Edmonds waterfront, where they remained for about five years. During that time, they wanted to make themselves a permanent home for their business. They found land and built themselves a building a few miles away in the city of Lynnwood. They moved in around 1995-96 (or so).

I'm not certain, but I think the first Tech was the last knife they introduced in California.

In the earliest days, their name was "SOG Specialties."

Hope this helps.
 
Love it! I was kind of hopping it was SK5 because I already have the Seal 2000 and so I could gun blue it. When it arrived I stuck it in some salt water and waited and waited but no rust. Even had the Guinness ready. But its still a great knife especially the grip, it feels like it could never slip out of your hand and the brass is a nice touch. Fortunately enough I'm able to compare it side by side with the Seal 2000 and now I can understand now why some people wonder why the Tech ll was discontinued. Maybe one day Mr. Sog will come out with a limited run of the old Tech family and the Midnight Tiger. Oh yeah one more thing I was wondering about it measures exactly 7.25" inches were I understand some are 7.00" so I'm guessing the Tech is 7.00" and the Tech II is 7.25" or do I have it backwards?


P.S. The Guinness didn't go to waste.
 
Guinness.... that was to soak the knife in for corrosion testing, correct ??

Yeh, I'm privileged to have a Tech I and Tech II, both are stainless, and whatever heat treat Mr SOG specified for that steel is incredible. What an edge it takes and holds !!

And you discovered how nice the handle material is, certainly one of the best if not the best material I've ever messed with on a knife handle.

Not sure about the 7.00" or 7.25" .... I'd have to measure mine to make a comparison.

As for a Midnite Tiger: find and buy a old carbon steel Tigershark and gun-blue yourself. I did and it turned out reasonably OK.

Cheers,

Carl
 
Okay, I think I finely have it all figured out. I've read a few variations but I think this is the right one: The Sog Tech is 7.00" and made out of SK5. The Sog Tech I is 6.0" and made out of stainless steel AUS6 and the Sog Tech II is 7.25" and also made out of stainless steel AUS6. As far as what the Guinness was for you should know Carl it was included in part of your instructions.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-242089.html
 
Well, we did get some SOG history a few months that said the SOG Tech was SK-5, but there was also at least one year when both the Tech I and Tech II were also SK-5.
And then I reckon a year or so later the Tech I & II were produced in stainless.

All this Tech II talk inspired me this Friday afternoon to sharpen the Tech II. I used my own method (plastic yellow thingie + stropping) and yowza, "scary sharp" is the best descriptor. What an edge !!

As for the Guinness, well, I do know it is an integral part of my training regimen.

Cheers,

Carl
 
It should be clarified that most all Techs are AUS6 (or mislabeled as 440A in older marketing material). I'm not even certain that any of the smaller Techs (the Tech 1) were ever made in SK-5. If so, only a very, very limited amount. Regarding the larger Techs, I'd guess that the ones made of SK-5 were possibly only one year of production when they were first introduced...way back in the beginning. I can promise you that it wasn't for very long.

:)

I've always like the Tech...beautiful blade grinds, the brass cross guard adds a classy touch, along with a grippy kraton handled.
 
I have both models. One has a 6⅛" blade (11⅛ OAL) and the other has a 7½" blade (12⅜" OAL). They both have an "S" above the Seki Japan on the tang. Can someone tell me the significance of the "S"? I think I read that it identifies the steel used, but I can't find the reference.
 
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