New offerings from SOG

vjb.knife

vjb.knife

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Feb 2, 2002
Messages
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Since the 1990's or early 2000's I have been less than enthusiastic about SOG knives in general and when GSM bought them I figured that they would just fade away by the roadside, but I started noticing some new models coming out like the Pillar fixed blade and now the Hidaka series fixed and folder models. So, after some time thinking about them I decided to give tham a try and I am fairly impressed with these Kiku Matsuda designed knives. I bought the satin finish Hidaka XR folder and the satin finish Hidaka FX fixed blade. They are both nicely finished and they have a solid grip and feel. The folder locks up very solid yet releases on command from it axis type lock up. If you want any additional info or pictures please let me know.

SOG Hidaka XR Folding knife -

HidakaXR 101.jpg

HidakaXR 102.jpg

HidakaXR 104.jpg

HidakaXR 106.jpg

SOG Hidaka FX Fixed Blade knife -

HidakaFX 101.jpg

HidakaFX 102.jpg

HidakaFX 106.jpg

HidakaFX 107.jpg

HidakaFX 108.jpg
 
Slightly off topic, but I feared the same thing when GSM bought Cold Steel. But that turned out to be a non issue since their quality is just as good as they ever were.

It’s neat they’re using 3V for those Kiku designs. Looks like a great knife.
 
Mk-211 said:
I was just about sold on the Hidaka... just!

WTF! Why did they put that choil in the blade, right there!!!

😡🤮

I'm out.
View attachment 3007333
Click to expand...
On the Fiixed blade? I noticed that right away as well; and I would have moved it back a bit. But under close observation I see why they did it. The transition from the edge to the ricasso is rounded and if they moved the choil cut back it would cut into that radiused area, which may not be the best way to do that. I think it is right and does not detract from the edge. Check out this picture:

Hidaka FX choil.jpg
 
Mk-211 said:
I think it would be perfect without it.

Sometimes, more is less! 😉
Click to expand...

If that choil wasn’t there, you’d have a section of blade that can’t be sharpened because of the plunge line. It’s honestly more aesthetic and functional than than having a big ugly grind on a spot where the primary bevel doesn’t even form an apex.
 
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I get it, like you said, "I would move it back." That at least, would look better with the design.

I really like the Spyderco Mule Team knives, just can't stand that finger choil whatever thingy, hanging down. I know why they put it there, just wish it was gone.

So much so, I had it deleted on mine, when the scales were added. Just made the overall design flow better.

With.

KLC17630.jpg

Without.

20250926_085656.jpg
 
I had left SOG alone for many years , but decided to try the Pillar , on sale good price for the materials .


Good build , IMO .

I do wish , that if they had to put a finger choil on the blade , go ahead and commit to that functionally . Rather than half way "stylish" . 🫤
 
DocJD said:
I had left SOG alone for many years , but decided to try the Pillar , on sale good price for the materials .


Good build , IMO .

I do wish , that if they had to put a finger choil on the blade , go ahead and commit to that functionally . Rather than half way "stylish" . 🫤
Click to expand...
I have that knife...wish they had left more blade to the guard. I dont love finger choils, not quite finger choils like that one or sharpening choils.
 
jbmonkey said:
I have that knife...wish they had left more blade to the guard. I dont love finger choils, not quite finger choils like that one or sharpening choils.
Click to expand...
I can appreciate , either way , done properly .

But taking up that space , without any benefit, except style points , just aggravates me some .

If I was gonna carry , I'd have to mod that choil , and probably sharpen the swedge too . 🤠

But ,IMO , SOG always did feature a distinctive style / aesthetic . :cool:
 
I too, took a pass on SOG for years. Nothing piqued my interest, since I bought a Tomcat [2.0] several years back. I figured they had lost their way. Then the SEAL flipper came-out, and I was pulled-back-in again.

EesVaBTh.jpg
 
I was taking an interest in the Hidaka fixed-blade, until I saw the listed weight- 25.6 oz?!? That's over a pound and a half. In contrast, the Pillar that Doc posted is listed at 7.3 oz. at about the same size. I have to wonder if the Hidaka weight is a mistake. I prefer lightweight fixed-blades, and 1.6 pounds ain't "lightweight".

.
 
Mk-211 said:
I get it, like you said, "I would move it back." That at least, would look better with the design.

I really like the Spyderco Mule Team knives, just can't stand that finger choil whatever thingy, hanging down. I know why they put it there, just wish it was gone.

So much so, I had it deleted on mine, when the scales were added. Just made the overall design flow better.

With.

View attachment 3007352

Without.

View attachment 3007353
Click to expand...
That’s not a choil. That’s a guard.

This is a choil:



Whoever did that mod to your knife actually added a choil. It didn’t have one before.

No choil:



Choil added (and guard deleted):

 
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vjb.knife said:
On the Fiixed blade? I noticed that right away as well; and I would have moved it back a bit. But under close observation I see why they did it. The transition from the edge to the ricasso is rounded and if they moved the choil cut back it would cut into that radiused area, which may not be the best way to do that. I think it is right and does not detract from the edge. Check out this picture:

View attachment 3007344
Click to expand...
Ehhhh, they could’ve done it the same as the folder. Looks like they put the choil right in the middle of the plunge on the folder. Looks like a snag magnet on the fixed blade. Too far forward.

I see no point of having a “sharpening choil”. I’ve sharpened knives for years without them and it’s never posed any problem. And I mean sharpening the blade down to where the shape visually changed.
 
I was just trying to find some reasoning for it but at any rate I really don't think it is a big deal like some of you guys. The knife is still very cool and well made. For now at least it is a keeper. So is the folder.
 
I agree they are cool, as I definitely like several of the Kiku models. I think their black TINI blade finish is very impressive as it looks similar to old school bluing. There is something about all those curves. IMG_7164.JPG
 
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