Flash II review

Y

yyElite

Joined
Mar 3, 2003
Messages
20
Just got my Flash II last week. I like the price at Amazon. I decided to get this over the pentagon elite for the assisted opening. The handle fits my hand well. The assisted open worked flawlessly. I really enjoy the knife. The safety was a little awkward, though. I cannot disengage the safety one-handed or while wearing gloves. This safety gives me a peace of mind as I carry it in my pocket sans sheath.

I only wish the following changes in the handle: 1. a knob or indent at the clip-end of the handle so I can pull the folder out of my pocket with a better grip. 2. a reposition and some kind of knob on the safty so the knife goes from folded in-pocket, pull out of pocket, disengage safety, and open all one-handed. 3. I'm ambidexterous, but had a tough time closing the safetying the knife left-handed. I'm imagining being trapped in my car, right hand pinned, so I have to operate the knife left-handed to cut the seat belt. This is when one-handed op by left hand to disengate the safety will be critical.

Incidentally, anyone care to compare the Flash II to the Pentagon Elite folder? (I/II? the 3.95" blade)
 
Originally posted by yyElite
Just got my Flash II last week. ... I really enjoy the knife. The safety was a little awkward, though. I cannot disengage the safety one-handed or while wearing gloves. This safety gives me a peace of mind as I carry it in my pocket sans sheath.
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I use the safety about 50% of the time. Usually when I recall an MT UDT opening in my pocket...:eek: (I was carrying it loose with change, etc.... not too bright... :o ) I find it a little awkward to undo as well.

I only wish the following changes in the handle: 1. a knob or indent at the clip-end of the handle so I can pull the folder out of my pocket with a better grip. 2. a reposition and some kind of knob on the safty so the knife goes from folded in-pocket, pull out of pocket, disengage safety, and open all one-handed. 3. I'm ambidexterous, but had a tough time closing the safetying the knife left-handed. I'm imagining being trapped in my car, right hand pinned, so I have to operate the knife left-handed to cut the seat belt. This is when one-handed op by left hand to disengate the safety will be critical.
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These are all excellent points!:)
1. I mentioned the same thing to Ron. The Zytel version has ridges top AND bottom (blade and clip ends). He mentioned it to Spencer, but I am not sure where it went from there. I'll mention it to Loretta to bring up again. I'd suggest sending her an e-mail as well...;)
2. Good idea, but I am not sure how well that'd work with the current design.:confused:
#. sort of ties in with 2.
I am not sure how that can be addressed, but it is a good point, and probably applicable to most assisted openers...
I'll mention it.:)
Glad you like the knife though!:D
 
Just got my Flash II tonight (Zytel). First thing I was struck by was the weight (or lack there of). Not complaining as the knife has good balance and feels quite robust. I particularly like the shape of the handle.

Blade is nicely ground with even grinds and very sharp OFB. I like the fact the it is double ground on the straight section and chisel on the serrations.

The opening is smooth and quick. Maybe not as quick as my Kershaw Ken Onion knives but quick enough. Locks up solid with no play. Can't feel any flex in the lock, and just the slightest side to side play, but not as much as my other knives without liners like Spyderco. THe lock slider does have some free play, but you know once it is unlocked. It was a little difficult to close one-handed initially, and I still can't do it left handed

All in all an excellent knife that I would recommend highly. I'll have to see how it fairs as EDC.
 
All this talk of the Flash series is getting to me. I'll have to get one, one of these days so the nagging will hopefully go away:D:p.

Glad you both like yours.:)
 
Yes, quite happy. I have learned to release the safety, open and close the knife one-handed with both hands. Just different than a liner lock. :D

It doesn't ride as nicely in my pocket as I was hoping. :( The scales are quite thick (reason for limited flex), so I have started carrying it in a SpecOp belt pouch.

I don't think you can go wrong. :D

I would like to hear someone do an extended comparison between the zytel and aluminum models.
 
I love my Flash II.

But I found out about the model with the aluminum handle and wish I had gotten that instead. I like the weight of the zytel handle but feel it kind of flexible. i originally chose the knife for its handle shape. I was right. The handle design is good for holding and controlling with the index and middle fingers. Good for a pommel strike, too, with my smaller palms exposing the end of the blade.

I carried my F/II daily for the past half year. The AU8 steel shows no sign of rust. I did find the knife dulls a bit quick on the belly. But all I did was opening envelops and boxes. (but the knife did give me a bit more sense of security when I walk around at night in south central los angeles: would take more than a bunch of teenagers with fists to overpower my slash and run tactic).

The reason seems to be somekind of contact between the knife and the inside handle when closed. i found a wear-notch on the inside of the zytel handle where the belly of the blade would strike upon closing. Otherwise the blade holds its edge just fine against white paper and cardboard.

Add in the price at amazon, this folding knife is a 4 :) out of 5.
 
Glad you still like it!:D

My little Aluminum Flash still rides in my EDC rotation; great little knife!:D :cool:
 
You guys are torturing me.:p:D I handled a couple of Flashes at the local mall. They sure are cool.:cool:

yyElite, Thanks for the followup report. I always like to see how things are going months later after the "newness" wears off.
 
Hey Wildmahn and all,

My Flash II with zytel handle is still my most consistent carry. It has been holding up extremely well. I was worried about scratching the black coating, but it has proven very durable. No blade play, or the other problems some have reported.

The only problem I have had was when it got dirty in the garden it kind of got gummed up. Had to flush with WD40, then worked fine again.

Really happy camper.

Neal
 
I just purchased a Sog Flash II and there seems to be a problem with the lock release slide on the handle used to close the blade. When I was in the store playing with it, the slide was very easily moved with my thumb whenever I closed the blade. However, once I got home and put a drop of oil on it, the slide no longer moves easily. I cannot move the slide with my thumb anymore, its like its getting stuck now and it takes a tremendous amount of force to move it and close the blade. Is this a known issue with a workaround or do I need to return the knife?


Thank you.
 
Give Loretta at SOG a call 1-888-SOG-BEST, and she'll let you know.

If it were mine (and neither of mine have done this) I'd try some WD-40 to free it up, then oil. Does it feel gummed up, or mechanical interference?
 
Thanks for the reply.

I suppose it could be 'gummed up', but I'm not sure either way. It was the display model because they were sold out of the rest. Maybe that's got something to do with it. I might try taking it back to the store before calling SOG about it, and see if they have a replacement back in stock.

It'll give my thumb some time to heal...
 
Update:

I returned the broken knife but they didn't have any replacements so I got a refund. I ordered one from amazon.com for a much better price and it arrived today. Works much better than the other one, I'm guessing now it was some kind of mechanical defect; 'course it was the "display" model. At least now I have a manual and stuff too. Anyway, two thumbs up, good knife, nice concealment -- I love the snap it makes when you flick it open. :D
 
Glad to hear they took care of you. SOG's warranty is good, and so is their service.:D
 
I have ordered a Flash II w/ aluminum handle from the Knife Professional. I was wondering why it doesn't come with an all plain blade version. The combo blade has a serrated edge that is alot longer, percentage wise, than most other blades. I usually prefer the plain edge and am not yet comfortable with the serrations. Any thoughts on this? Happy blading, rablerowser
 
I recently received my Flash II w/ aluminum handles. The issue with the slide release is, I believe, mechanical. New out of the box, the release operated consistently. I then tried what others had done and applied some Tri-flow inside the slide mechanism. The slide release henceforth continued to stick as if it was catching onto something. I believe the lubrication allowed mating parts to now bind. I think that wear will loosen this up. Hope this works.
 
Mine stopped working after applying a drop of oil to it -- maybe there should be something in the manual about NOT oiling this knife. I haven't oiled my new one; haven't had any trouble with it either.
 
I have been lubbing my Flash II with white lightning, but only the pivot area. Mine did get gunked up with dirt a few weeks ago while working outside, but a flush with WD-40 cleaned everthing out. A little white lighting on the pivot and I was good to go again.

I have had mine for over six months and it has become my EDC. I have not had any of the blade play mentioned here. It continues to lock-up solid evertime. The safety has proven valuable as well. I dropped my Kershaw Onion the other day and it popped right open. Never had that problem with the Flash.
 
Thumbs up for the F/II.

I have recently bought a Kershaw Blur 1670 BTBLK. This gives me some interesting comparisons.

1. I prefer my F/II for its light-weight and safety. It's a good EDC knife. Especially with my 2-year-old who can palm my knife when I'm not looking. That safety has already saved her hand once.

2. I wish the F/II can have a thinner blade. In contrast to the Blur, the F/II is bulkier. thicker handle and thicker blade. And the zytel handle causes the F/II to open less slick than the Blur.

3. I've had one respected person opin that the F/II has a better steel than the 440 A in the Blur. Still, I wish the F/II ships somehow sharper. Maybe it's the blade design?

4. where is the lock strength test for either knife?

5. I still like the F/II for its clip location. It gives a very deep concealed carry.

6. Finally, what is up with the American Tanto blade shape? I've yet to see a strength test to prove its supposed tip strength. I know I don't like its looks. I had to settle for mine due to cost-saving considerations. I like Botac.com and recommend people give it a look.
 
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