Looking for info on this SOG S1.

soup_monger · Feb 22, 2007

Hello
I recently picked up this Numbered SOG Bowie and I can't find any info on it using google, so I thought I would ask here.

It appears to have a different grind to all the other ones in the photos I have seen and it has polished brass fittings too.

It is numbered 097 and the blade is .280" (7mm) thick... which I believe means that it is SK-5 steel.

I would be very grateful for any additional information on this knife.

Thanks in advance.

.

Ookami · Feb 22, 2007

seems to me like the limited edition from boker.

Ookami

soup_monger · Feb 22, 2007

Thanks Ookami...

I'll try searching for Boker SOG's and see what I can find.

Cheers.

Hammer27 · Feb 22, 2007

Wow that is really nice whatever it is...and you can sure take a great photo

cutty · Feb 22, 2007

Great pictures. I think it's a Microtech Sog.

soup_monger · Feb 22, 2007

Thanks for the compliments on my photography.

I received a response from SOG.

"The knife you have is an S1 Bowie of some sort. Our first 1000 pieces of
this knife were numbered and since then have had two runs of what we
call the S1C Bowie Commemorative, 1000 pieces in each run. S1C has all
the markings of the original but came with a Walnut Presentation Box and
documentation.

Regards,

Jose Lopez
Retail Sales & Customer Service
SOG Specialty Knives & Tools"

Looks like it is one of the first 100 S1's

Cheers.

D R E · Feb 23, 2007

It was a limited production run by Boker. They were sold in the European market. Seki cutlery makes them for other companies as well. It can be had with the brass fixtures or with stainless. Blued SK5 steel blade on both models. I saw one in a knife shop in Italy but was way too expensive compared to the SOG offerings.

If SOG would make a run of these with the brass guard and butt, I would have one. Closest they come is with the Recon model.

Dan

D R E · Feb 23, 2007

This one has the stainless guard and butt but Hattori also makes a plum blade model with brass fixtures. Their sheaths look well made of brown leather.

http://www.worldknives.com/product.asp?produid=314

This is the Boker description of the knife above:

CISO-MACV-SOG Vietnam Bowie - Reproduction of the original service model used by American Commandos in Vietnam. Gun-blued 6.25 inch SK-5 Carbon Steel blade. Leather washer handle with brass guard and pommel.

Dan (I still love my SOGs, no worries)

soup_monger · Feb 23, 2007

Thank you, Dan.

That's the information I was hoping for.

Much appreciated.

Can you tell me where you found Bokers description?....

I am a bit unsure about the Hattori's... did you include these to show that Seki also makes a Vietnam Bowie?

The Boker version would have been made in Germany .. right?

Cheers.

D R E · Feb 23, 2007

This is the site that was selling the Boker model some time ago. (www.heinnie.com)

They no longer selling your knife but the description is still on their webste. They are now selling another version called the Vietnam Recon knife.

http://www.heinnie.com/cgi-bin/heinnie_store/web_store.cgi?page=boker/fr-boker.htm&cart_id=

NO, they were not made by Boker but simply contracted by the Boker company. Much the same as SOG contracts with Seki city to make their Bowies.

Dan

soup_monger · Feb 23, 2007

Ah... I see now.... thanks again, Dan.

All the best.

New Pig Hunter · Feb 23, 2007

Great Knife, Fantastic Pics !!!!!

Cheers,

Carl

GIRLYmann · Feb 26, 2007

Gary Hicks handmade the Becks Cutlery-Ben Baker 35th Anniversary CISO-MACV/SOG (Counter Insurgency Support Office-Military Assistance Command Vietnam/Studies and Observations Group) Vietnam Knife.
The Blade is etched with the name Conrad Ben Baker and is serial numbered on the ricasso. It is no longer on Becks.
Perhaps he still takes customised orders?
-http://www.ghicksblades.com/Knives/Small%20Web/blades%20(0).jpg
BOKER recently made a run of 300 replicas for the U.S. and 300 for the EU. It was serial numbered and signed Ben Baker. Think that was factory made in Seki, Japan.
Even, SOA-KutMaster (Utica) once had a leather handle SOG Bowie, which looks too much like a Muela product. Currently they have only the rubber handle version
-http://www.kutmasterapparel.com/sc_images/products/360_large_image.jpg
And let's not forget the Browning's wooden handle Viet Nam Knife commemorative
-http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/knives/images/321006l.jpg

Which brings us back to SOG Knives very first knife venture with its numbered and boxed SOG replica, it should be a Hattori of Seki, Japan.

D R E · Feb 26, 2007

I actually bought a prototype 6" recon from Gary at a knife show many years ago. He had the 7" and 6" models on his table. When I returned the 7" had been sold, so I bought the 6" model. The blade was ATS-34 with brass fixtures and epoxied leather handle. Had a custom SOG style sheath made and I was in business.

Gary is a great guy to do business with.

Dan

GIRLYmann · Feb 27, 2007

D.R.E.
You certainly know your blades!
What's gotten me puzzled about this topic in the first place is the placement of the "white ring washer" on the handles of the knife in question.
The old Blackjack Knives had a prototype with just such a placement
-http://blackjack.0catch.com/index/others/sog2ndgenprotomar94b.jpg
A mystery!
Frankly, when I came across this topic here, all I could remember from Boker was that ugly "USMC Force Recon" replica.
-http://www.rghknives.com.tw/images/Boker/boker_usmc_enl.jpg
Now that, I am happy to see gone!

A little recce at Boker today, caused my eyes to water.
The "Boker King Pin" a Son Tay Raid commemorative.
-http://www.boker.de/images/gross/02ke2005.jpg
Now this is what I am talking about, 'Nam commemoratives.

Vaako · Feb 27, 2007

The nickel silver guard and butt look nice! SOG should consider a limited edition like that. :thumbup:

The commemorative blade etch, well... personally IMO, it clutters up the clean lines of the back swedge. It might have looked nicer if it followed the curve, or followed the straight primary edge grind.

D R E · Feb 28, 2007

This will take you to the 3 versions Hattori sells. Just scroll down to the middle of the page. They are called the TV-1, TV-2, TV-3:

http://www.maruoku.co.jp/order/hattori1.html

Dan

GIRLYmann · Feb 28, 2007

This may be clearer "TV" viewing.
Hattori TV-1 with SK-5 carbon steel blade.
-http://www.japaneseknifewholesale.com/images/Img539.jpg
Hattori TV-2 with AUS-8 Molybdenum/Vanadium stainless steel blade
-http://www.japaneseknifewholesale.com/images/Img542.jpg
Knife base/butt & pommel/nut
-http://www.japaneseknifewholesale.com/images/Img540.jpg

soup_monger · Feb 28, 2007

To be honest... I am still a bit unsure as to what this knife is.

I do know it's 1 of 300.... I found a photo of number 092 and I have 097.

The closest thing I can find is the Boker Son Tay, BUT!, it has a shield mark and not the SOG/MAC skull and the grind is not the same and neither are the handle spacers.

I have cleaned my one up a bit.... that's mineral oil on the blade.

Thank you for all the input so far... it's very much appreciated.

Cheers.

D R E · Feb 28, 2007

Months ago I saw your knife described as the CISO/MACV Commemorative limited edition from Boker. Same blued blade, same brass fixtures, same engraving etc. When I did a recent search for it, I couldn't find it anymore. The Son Tay Raid version was a follow up to the "CISO/MACV version.

A while back there was one for sale on E-Bay just like the one pictured.

Dan