New to SOG...anything special I should know?

[SPXTrader]

Hello All,

I'm probably the newest member here, so if I ask dumb questions, please overlook it.

I've carried pocket knives for over 40 years now, mostly Buck and Case. I don't leave home without one. Well, wife and I just bought a camper last summer, and it became apparent very quickly I needed a new knife. I was carrying a Bokker, and it just didn't cut it (no pun intended). I ended up using my k-bar more than my folder.

So, after two red-eyed days of reading your forums, along with others, I finally decided on the SOG Trident TF1. I like the serrated feature, and the line/string cutter in the handle is excellent for camping/outdoors use. This will also become my new EDC.

So now the questions...above any beyond the normal stuff, is there anything special I should know about the maintenance, sharpening etc. about this folder? Specific sharpening info about this blade? Anyone here own this model? Are there any issues I should know about? Have you been pleased with your knife? What are the drawbacks of this model?

This site has been a wealth of info already, and anything else you can offer is greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[New Pig Hunter]

SPX,

Welcome to SOG Forum !!

I'll offer my opinion (jaded as it is): fixed blades, go fixed blades.

Find first SOG's premier knife: the Bowie (Model S1). Then move to the top and get a Tigershark. Then ease down a bit for a SEAL 2000. Then edge sideways to the Scuba Demo. Then move to the other edge for a Recon Bowie. Then if your bank account can take one more hit: the Super Bowie !!

Cheers,

Carl

p.s. I'm a fixed blade kinda guy, I tend to cut myself too often with folders.

 

[SIRGALANT]

ok welcome to the forum , mate . the trident folder i own is the satin blade plain edge , very fun to play with (sat is addictive , trust me) the edge holding ability(of its aus8 steel) is pretty good . as for sharpening , i sharpen her with a homemade strop , this works fine . the best way with any steel is to touch it up as you go along and never let it go completely dull. if your a fixed blade fan as well like me ( my motto is to have a knife for every occasion) , look into getting a seal pup , seal pup elite or seal 2000 , because as you know these have the groove function in the sheath . i just recently bought a tomcat 3 as well , which is a very cool knife. hope some of this helps . on another note , i quickly became sick of sogs kydex sheaths.

 

[Vaako]

I'm going to third the welcomes of NPH and Sir Galant while seconding NPH's very good advice about getting a SOG fixed blade if you're going camping. There's no moving parts on a fixed blade. Nothing will wear, there's no place for mud, crud, or anything else to jam.

My personal suggestion would be the SOG SEAL Pup as an all around camping knife. It's the smaller version of the the SEAL 2000 which beat every other knife submitted by every other maker in the Navy's SEAL trials for extreme use, abuse, and rust resistance.

The handle/guard is one piece of hard Zytel fused to the blade. A leather handle can decay (if it's not maintained), and Kraton can get "squishy" (with hard use). The blade is bead blasted/ powder coated so it isn't a "collector" finish, a few scratches won't ruin its looks.

The reason I suggest the SEAL Pup and not the SEAL 2000 is because you said you're going to use it for camping. The SEAL 2000 is a full-sized combat knife. The SEAL Pup is a smaller, handier knife if you're using it around camp. It is also more "legitimate" if another camper or a park ranger spots it on your belt. That can mean the difference between "just a few questions" and a lot of hassles!