Ocean Knife, SEAL Pup or SEAL Pup Elite

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bloodandsoil

Joined
Apr 7, 2007
Messages
2
I'm looking for a knife to take out surfing, boogie boarding, diving, etc. Something that would be submerged in the ocean for long periods of time several times a week. I did some searching and found out about SOG Seal knives. Well after reviewing the official product page I have some questions I hope someone can answer.

I think I have narrowed it down to the SEAL Pup and the SEAL Pup Elite. I'm wondering what is the difference between the AU6 metal on the regular Pup and the AUS8 metal on the Elite. Is one better than the other for corrosion resistance?

And also, the regular Pup has the Powder Coated finish whereas the Elite has just a regular Satin finish or the Hardcased Black TiNi finish. Which one is better for corrosion resistance?

Thanks!
 
Hi, thank you for the reply. I read everything on the link that you provided.

However, I did not find anything related to the difference in corrosion-resistance between AUS6 and AUS8 metal and also between the Powder Coated finish and the Hardcased Black TiNi finish.
 
BlackTINI never fails to work wonders.
Not unless the coating somehow gets messed up bad, I think it's quite safe to assume that you won't be facing any rusting problems (except on the uncoated areas, like the cutting edge for one).
And it's probably safe to assume that any product improvements made on an already popular existing model would only vastly make it even that much more superior in performance and styling.
Go ELITE, dude!
 
I agree with GirlyMan, Titanium coatings are harder and will last longer than powder coating.

I don't believe there's that much difference between AUS 6 and 8 in terms of rust resistance. For what it's worth, they're both Japanese stainless steels, roughly comparable to 440A and 440B, respectively. AUS-6 has .65% carbon and AUS-8, .75% carbon. (data credit: Joe Talmadge)

So in an absolute sense, AUS-8 might rust an infintestimal fraction more due to its higher carbon content. Realistically, there probably isn't a noticeable difference between the two in terms of rust resistance. The blade coating and general maintenance on your part will keep the most if not all of it at bay.
 
my own personal opinion: "rust & corrosion resistance" means nothing to me. Here's the story I like to tell which explains why I don't worry about the topic.

Last year I bought 2 very old Kabar knives. As you might know, Kabar uses 1095 carbon steel.
Both knives looked liked they'd been soaking in water for a few years, both were thick with rust. For all I knew, and for all the seller knew, they'd been soaking in salt water.
Because of their "terrible" material condition, I scored both of 'em for $28, which included the shipping !!

So, after an hour or so of using a wire brush on my drill motor, I managed to remove most of the rust on the blade and guard. Who knows how much rust remains under the leather washer handles.
Both knives then took a hair-popping razor-sharp edge and are now quite serviceable.

The Moral Of My Story: a person can talk all about the various steel compositions and carbon content and heat treats, and from an academic point of view, such "discussions" can and do certainly become very lively, full of more nits and nats than Alaska in the summertime.
But from my own quite personal "user" point of view: a little rust and/or corrosion ?? I have more important topics to hold my interest. I'm more worried about where my next beer is coming from, or when my sheath will be done (you know who you are.....).

Cheers,

Carl
 
New Pig Hunter said:
...I'm more worried about where my next beer is coming from, or when my sheath will be done (you know who you are.....).

Cheers,

Carl
Click to expand...
...Unthill you have that leather washers in your hand seperate and the hair-popping razor-sharp blade sticks somewhere else. :eek: Sorry, couldn't resist. :D

Bloodandsoil,
the TiNi coating of my Daggert II is much more durable than the teflon coating on my Seal Pup. The teflon coating doesn't last long. I often left my Seal Pup wet and dirty for a day or so and nothing happened at all, but I didn't dive with eighter of the two so I can't comment much on the corrosion proofness. I personally prefere AUS 8 over AUS 6 because AUS 6 is a bit soft and the edge and tip can be messed up more easy under hard use.

If the funny "spine rasp" doesn't bother you, I'd go with the Elite.
 
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