Opinions on SOG knives! Anyone?

S

Shawn_Jewell

Joined
May 11, 2013
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I purchased a SOG Seal Pup about a year ago and I have to say, it has served me well. Other than that knife I do not know much about SOG. You guys own any of their knives? What is the general opinion of that company on bladeforums? Any opinions, pictures, or recommendations are appreciated.
 
My opinion is pretty mixed. Their lower end offerings seem to have pretty spotty QC and I feel like some of the higher end stuff is just overpriced. That said, I think they have some really solid products that can get overlooked a bit. The Spec Elite 1 is quite good as is the Visionary 2. I'm more cautious buying a SOG product than one made by Kershaw, Benchmade, Spyderco or Cold Steel.
 
I have a SEAL Pup I bought back in high school, resheathed it and have carried it for almost five years now. Saved my bacon the other day when I got tangled in fishing line while trying to retrieve a stuck lure for a buddy.
 
I've only ever owned a twitch 2. It's an amazing edc blade, but the blade steel just ended up being too soft for me. Also, I had to re-grind the edge to get any meaningful cutting ability out of it. The construction is insanely tight, to the point where I honestly can't recommend taking it down for maintenance. This is a shame because it develops rust over time. I retired it after a while, but I've been meaning to get another one. I think $45 is a bit high for the problems I had with it, and especially for AUS8.
 
I think their fixed blades are excellent. They have served me very well and I find their AUS-8 to be very tough and take a great edge. In particular, their bowie lineup and Seal lineup are both excellent. Their folders are really a "you get what you pay for" situation. I don't like their lower priced lineup but their more expensive Seki folders are outstanding.

They do seem to have lost some of their focus in the last few years as they were bought by an investment group that seems to be branching them out all over the place while at the same time neglecting their bread and butter bowie and seal lineup. I just purchased a Demo and it has been outstanding. We shall see what the future holds.

Their warranty and CS departments have treated me well and their marketing rep Chris has shown to be available, enthusiastic, and willing to answer questions on this forum.
 
Sog seems to get a lot of criticism. Some of it deserved, mainly with their lower end assisted models though. However they do have a few gems. Their VG-10 steel, Arc lock models are excellent knives. Strong well built knives and some of the smoothest opening folders I have.

My personal favorite is the Sog Vulcan, followed by the Pentagon Elite II and the Elite series in general. Very strong, reliable, well built knives with good F&F. The 5" VG-10 blade offered on the PE II is a stand out in my opinion. It takes a very keen edge, holds it a decent amount of time and will stand up to any tasks you can throw at it. I find the Arc lock to be a very strong and reliable lock. As I said, also one of the smoothest opening knives I have.

As far as the fixed blades I have very limited experience with them, which is to say I've held or handled a few so I can't really say from personal experience but they did seem well built and felt good in hand. I have read and heard very good thing's about them though, mostly about the Seal Team line and a few others but like I said never really had the opportunity to put them threw their paces myself. I would however have no reluctance to own one.

Are far as price, I agree they tend to run on the high side for what you get. Especially the fixed blades offered in AUS8. A decent, dependable steel but not exactly higher end to justify the higher price. Just my opinion.

Overall I think Sog offers some very good knives but also some not so great knives. It varies depending on model and price. I'm very fond of my Vulcan & PE II and would put them up against any other folders in their class. But as with any brand there's always room for improvement.
 
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Sog is a mixed bag. A lot of their low end folders are junk. I had a couple of their assisted models when I was first into knives and swore off Sog altogether. But after playing with some of their higher end offerings with the Arc Lock and owning an Arcitech I can say they definately make some quality knives. The Arc Lock is slick and strong and their high polish VG10 San Mai is beautiful and takes a ridiculous edge. I cannot comment on their fixed blades having never owned one.

So if you're looking at one of their lower end models, I would say pass and save your money for something else. But if you like one of the higher end models, give it a shot.
 
I have the SOG Trident which retails at sog for 114.00 but I personally would not pay even 40 for it. It has a ton of blade play up and down and side to side. The SAT also is really slow, and it only has a AUS-8 steel.
 
InSpectre Gadget said:
I've only ever owned a twitch 2. It's an amazing edc blade, but the blade steel just ended up being too soft for me. Also, I had to re-grind the edge to get any meaningful cutting ability out of it. The construction is insanely tight, to the point where I honestly can't recommend taking it down for maintenance. This is a shame because it develops rust over time. I retired it after a while, but I've been meaning to get another one. I think $45 is a bit high for the problems I had with it, and especially for AUS8.
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I took apart a Twitch 2 once. It is currently sitting in a plastic bag
 
I've used a Flash 1 off and on for over a year. It's a decent knife for what it is designed as - a lightweight edc blade. The only major complaint is that the clip bends really really easily. I do think their marketing is a lot of hype as far as marketing their folders as tactical blades. As mentioned before in this thread, they loosen up and are horrible to take apart. Both major dings for me if I need a tactical folder. My friend has one of their multi-tools and said he likes it more than his Leathermans
 
kalashnikov101 said:
I have the SOG Trident which retails at sog for 114.00 but I personally would not pay even 40 for it. It has a ton of blade play up and down and side to side. The SAT also is really slow, and it only has a AUS-8 steel.
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I took a quick look at one of the popular BFC recommended sites and the Trident mini is $40 and the full size $51. But I agree as I said the lower end assisted models seem to be hit or miss.

I bought a few Aegis Tanto models because they were on a super close out sale and gave them as gifts. So far so good as far as feedback but I will agree the lower end assisted models seem to be plagued with blade play, or a disproportionate number of them seem to. At least that's what's being reported and what I've read.

If you want a better more reliable Sog I'd say try one of the Seki Japan made VG-10 steel models with the Arc lock. You pay a bit more but at least in my experience, they are very good knives that hold their own. Very well made, strong reliable knives with good fit & finish.
 
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My friend has one of their multi-tools and said he likes it more than his Leathermans
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Yeah, Leatherman has begun to couch on their laurels in recent years.... I haven't been pleased with them since I had to send a tool back and they returned the wrong tool to me. Extremely drawn out process that left me entirely crestfallen with the company. Sad.
 
My opinion of SOG folders in a nutshell:

Non-assisted + Arc lock + Buying used for lower price = Good
Non-assisted + Arc lock + Buying new at dealer price = Good, but slightly over priced
Non-assisted + Arc lock + Buying new at MSRP = Why are you buying at MSRP? Don't do that.
Assisted + Piston lock + Buying new = Sure, if you are looking for a fancy toy/letter opener/box cutter and don't mind eventual blade play.
Assisted + Piston lock + Buying used = It most likely already has blade play, but it's still fun to play with.

I have no experience with fixed blades, multitools, or hatchets/hawks.
 
Thought I would weigh in on this one...Never had my hands on their fixed blades, but have used the hell out of my twitchII and flashII...really like them both...Got my Slim Jim XL in January, and love it! Once one gets past the whole "box cutter" feel of the stamped steel handle, it rocks! Super thin 4" blade, takes and keeps a shaving edge, very thin and comfy in back pocket. Smacks pretty hard and lock up is solid. One small drawback, one's hand applies pressure to the release button on the spine sometimes when in use, imparting the least little wiggle I am pretty gentle with knives in general, so could not attest to how tough they are, but have EDC'd my Flash II for or 5 years with no problems whatsoever. I would LOVE to have one without the serrarations ...just not a fan. Great for cutting rope/paracord though! Good buy for the bux, IMHO!
 
I have no complaints with the four folders that I own. Three are arc locks and one is a piston/arc lock. The knives are a Vulcan, a Vulcan Tanto, a Visionary II, and an Aegis.
 
Before I give my opinion, I want to start off by saying I am not a die-hard SOG guy or anything. Most of my knives are Benchmades and Emersons. In fact, the Trident is the only SOG knife I've ever owned. But since you asked, I figure I'll just share my experience with you.

A few months ago I was digging through a box of my stuff and lo and behold I came across the Trident that I purchased many moons ago. Old, beat up, and long forgotten, I flicked the thumbstud and that blade still snapped open wickedly fast like it just came from the factory!

Now let me tell you, I carried that thing at work consistently for 2-3 years straight. I worked in construction and believe me, I put that knife through total hell. Mud, dirt, sand, digging, cutting on metal surfaces, dropped on the ground countless times, you name it. Even some (gasp!) light prying. I never cleaned or lubed the thing, only blew the crud out of it with an air hose once in a while. But ya know what? The Trident NEVER failed me! Sure it has a little bit of bladeplay (as do some of my Benchmades), but I can't think of any way that it affected performance. Edge retention on the AUS-8 seemed fine to me too, although you can see from the photo I've sharpened it many times. Most impressive though is that the blade still snaps open just as fast as day one!

I know SOG gets a ton of negative comments on these forums and sometimes I wonder if some of the naysayers have even ever used a SOG, but speaking from my own personal experience with the Trident (and I think nearly three years of daily carry at work counts for pretty darn good experience) I have to honestly say that this knife withstood some serious abuse and just kept kicking ass. Even if I wanted to, I just can't say anything bad about this knife because it always exceeded my expectations where other knives that I paid twice as much for did not. Plus, I'll always have love for SOG because it was one of the first blades that got me in to the whole knife world. So I decided what the hell, I went ahead and purchased another Trident! And here she is pictured with that old beat up one. And who knows, maybe it will find its way back in to rotation with my Benchmade Rift and Emerson Commander.

tridents.jpg
 
I can only speak for the one SOG I have. It is a Twitch 2 and was a gift from my older brother. It has been a good knife,the spring has broke 2 times on me and I am not a big fan of AUS8A steel but it is a good little knife.
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SOGs folders get the most flack, and some of it may be deserved. They are bit of mixed bag.
I have quite a few and have only encountered minor problems with a couple. Since most can be had for pretty steep discounts from MSRP all of mine seem to be decent value for the money.
At the low end I've got a couple of Twitch XLs and a Flash 1 & 2. Not bad for the money, depends a lot on personal need/taste.
None of mine have seen heavy use, so I'm not sure how well they would handle it.
There was at least one review (torture test?) where a Flash 2 was used VERY heavily. Far beyond what I would have expected it to tolerate, including batoning:eek:. It wasn't in perfect shape when he was done, but it still functioned.
Overall quality seems to go up proportionately with price. The Tomcat3 is the most expensive one I have and its a darn nice knife.
When I finally picked up a TAC-1 auto I was pleasantly surprised. Very decent for $99.

There is far less criticism of the fixed blades. Most are well thought of.

Same with the MTs. I've seen little or no negatives about them.

The hawks seem to one area SOG really nailed it. I've read nothing but praise for them and they can be had at very reasonable prices.
I've only got one, a Fasthawk, but at $30 it seems a bargain.
 
Grumpy Ole Artist said:
Thought I would weigh in on this one...Never had my hands on their fixed blades, but have used the hell out of my twitchII and flashII...really like them both...Got my Slim Jim XL in January, and love it! Once one gets past the whole "box cutter" feel of the stamped steel handle, it rocks! Super thin 4" blade, takes and keeps a shaving edge, very thin and comfy in back pocket. Smacks pretty hard and lock up is solid. One small drawback, one's hand applies pressure to the release button on the spine sometimes when in use, imparting the least little wiggle I am pretty gentle with knives in general, so could not attest to how tough they are, but have EDC'd my Flash II for or 5 years with no problems whatsoever. I would LOVE to have one without the serrarations ...just not a fan. Great for cutting rope/paracord though! Good buy for the bux, IMHO!
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That reminds me, I had a SlimJim XL. I liked the concept, but the concept led to horrible ergos. I sold it to my friend, who liked it more than I did
 
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