Help needed choosing Sog knives, please.

B

bored2deth

Joined
Feb 27, 2011
Messages
1,020
Hello all,

As the title says, I need help choosing Sog knives. Recently lost my favorite
fixed-blade.. :grumpy: Ah well. It happens. Now, I've heard alot of good things about SOG, so..I'm gonna give em' a try. The knife I lost was a Kabar
1221 (Next-Generation). I'm trying to decide on a fixed-blade made by SOG
that would be the same length (7 in. blade, 12 ov. I think), but with a thicker,
broader, beefier blade. I specialize in sharpening hollows anyway, but I grew
accustomed to that size of knife. I've visited the website several times, & while they have a staggering number of impressive implements of cutlery, I really can't decide on one alone. I've decided I'd like to have a large fixed-blade--7 in. max blade length, a shorter fixed to partner with it, as well as a
folding-knife & a multi-tool as well. In advance--Tigersharks are way too large, Superbowie (which is incredible) is far too expensive.

It's important that the larger fixed-blade be considerably thicker, broader, &
beefier than a full-size Kabar. I can't tell by the pictures at the websites. I also already considered the Creed-Bowie (WAY too expensive--but a very nice knife, though). Also--is there a difference between the 'Bead-Blast' finish & the 'TiNi'--in terms of durability, wear-&-tear, longevity, & the like.
Also, to finish, I've been researching the Sog Seal Series, the Ops, & a couple of others. (The Ops, as a shorter fixed-blade, really caught my attention--but is it better than the Pup?) Pictures & recommendations always
welcome. :) Thank you for any advice you can give, I've ready many posts on
SOG knives before posting this.

Thank you,
Whisper..

P.S.As far as tasks & uses go:Eating with; cutting; light-chopping; shaving--
bark, wood, feathering wood, & my beard :p; fire-lighting (ferro-rod); small-game hunting; fishing; extended-camping; scouting; etc. Again, blade needs
to be thicker, broader, & beefier than a full-size kabar (only fixed-blade I owned before losing it.) I need help choosing a large fixed-blade, a shorter fixed-blade, a folding-knife, & a multi-tool.
 
I haven't had much positive experience with Sog knives and the ones I have bought, are arguably the knives that I had the most regret purchasing (broke on me, not so great quality, not so great blade steel, way over priced and just meh... :barf:) For a large fixed blade I'd go with a ESEE 5 or 6, or a Becker BK 7 or BK 2. For a shorter fixed blade knife Id go with an ESEE Izula or a 3. My favorite expensive production knife is a Chris Reeve Umnumzaan. My favorite sub-expensive knife is a Spyderco Gayle Bradley or Paramilitary 2, or a Zero Tolerance 0551 or a Spyderco Military. My favorite "cheap" knife is a Kershaw EnerG 2, or a Blur or Shallot, or a Spyderco Delica 4, Endura 4 or Tenacious. For a Multitool I'd go with a Leatherman Charge or a Wave. These are all products I have bought from different companies and are high quality, great blade steel and have all filled me with giddiness everytime I use them and would buy them again in a heartbeat.Everything that I have posted is IMHO and is based on my experience, so dont judge me too hard... We are all friendly people here ;) Welcome to Bladeforums my friend :D
 
China and Taiwan are not the same place in any way. You seem to have no understanding of the situation between those two states.
 
I've had knives from the same manufacturer that were from China and Taiwan. The Taiwan made one was definitely better quality. They were even the same model knives, just different country of origin.
 
mattallamerican said:
i didnt say japan. they dont make any of there classic fixed blades in seki anymore.china and taiwan are the same place no were near the quality of seki japan.
Click to expand...

Is that so? Your own experience? I own fixed SOGs Seki made and Taiwan made.
You know what? The Taiwan mades perform better.:eek:
 
I've looked at & researched most of the production knives. I've tried several different ones, none of which suited me. I give up. Too complicated.
 
Here is an idea, Matt. Why don't you stay out of a forum unless you have something positive to contribute. If you really knew about knives, you would be aware that Taiwan quality often exceeds Seki produced knives (ie. Gayle Bradley).
If you were aware of politics, you would also know that Taiwan is an American ally, where China is not.

Thanks for your contribution, now don't let the door hit you in the arse.
 
A.P.F. said:
Here is an idea, Matt. Why don't you stay out of a forum unless you have something positive to contribute. If you really knew about knives, you would be aware that Taiwan quality often exceeds Seki produced knives (ie. Gayle Bradley).
If you were aware of politics, you would also know that Taiwan is an American ally, where China is not.

Thanks for your contribution, now don't let the door hit you in the arse.
Click to expand...

hate to tell you but the chinese claim they own taiwan. we shall see how that plays out.taiwan quality that of seki dream on.
 
My Seal Pup Elite is comparable in quality to my Seki Japan Seal Pup. Don't think you'd be able to tell the difference if they were not stamped with the country of origin.
 
I have a Sog Seal pup from Seki Japan, Bead blasted finish. I love it. My Buddy got a Seal Pup Elite with the TiNi finish from Twain.
Me personally, I like the looks of mine better. It came razor sharp, cuts through steak like butter, this knife is an extension of your body, very comfortable, and natural.
I think there is a difference between the edge retention. Mine seems to hold an edge longer and sees more use.
I think you would be happy with either, but if you could get one of the Seal Pups from Seki Japan with the bead blasted finish, I think you would be very happy with it.

sealpup.jpg
 
In my case, I found the Elite more sharp and comfortable in the hand. I actually found the Seal Pup Elite to be one of the sharpest and most ergonomic fixed blade I own. But yeah, I agree with you, both really good knives and can't go wrong with either one
 
Bored2deth, the knife which seems to fit the bill would most certainly be the Super Bowie. I can say with firsthand experience that it is a great knife. As far as cost goes... many places sell them below the manufacturer's suggested price. I think I paid about $130 for mine.
 
Thank you for the replies :D. Ah, well, I dunno. If I could see the tang on the Super Bowie, I'd be more sure about it. I wonder if it'd be possible to change the leather grip to a zytel or G-10? I've heard the leather washers will rot in damp weather/conditions. The pommel cap has a spannernut, which I've no idea how to work with.

Bored-2-deth
 
130$!? I've STILL not seen one for under 180$. Most are 200+. I like the Super Bowie,
but I still don't know. Can't see the tang's thickness, & it has that weird spanner-nut. I
hate those. Overall, I also have to look at particular factors, all of which I will elaborate.

1.Quality (Most of SOG's fixed-blades, with the exception of the econo-lines, are quality,
but expensive)
2.Length/thickness/blade-shape/& extras
3.Cost. I have only 300$ to spend on four items.

The Seal knives look to be pretty big, I can't really tell from pics. The Super Bowie looks
very big, but again, can't tell from pics alone. On one hand, I like a 7 in. blade for a fixed,
but I don't really want something that will pull my pants down. Hard to choose. The SB is
a very hansom knife, but..man, that is a big price tag for one knife..plus I've read that
leather washers tend to rot, & the spanner-nut end-cap tends to work loose.

Bored-2-deth
 
I just visited my usual website for SOG stuff and found one for $155. I have had no problems with mine using it for the past six months. I have been practicing splitting wood and making shelters.
 
I like my SOG Seal Pup. It's nothing special in terms of fit and finish or quality materials. But it fits my hand really well, the nylon sheath is nice enough and it gets really really really sharp.
Is it sturdier than a KaBar? I think not. It's going to be hard to find a SOG knife that is stronger than a kabar for the same money. If you're willing to spend more check out the SOG bowies I guess.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top