Opinions on SOG knives! Anyone?

jonnyt16 said:
Maybe they believe the image of SOG because real Navy SEALS actually use them? http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...avy-SEAL-Briefly-Discusses-His-View-on-Knives
Click to expand...

From personal observation, most military personnel buy and use what's available at their local Exchange / PX or what's issued to them on a division or unit level. It just happens that Sog, along with Gerber and a few other brands are what's mainly offered at the exchange. I've seen a bit more variety of late but Sog and Gerber are still the largest stocked brands.

When I was active and in a position to order knives for my guy's I ordered Benchmade as they were available threw the stock system and have an NSN number. But that was just me. On any given day you would see a plethora of different knives being carried and used by different people. Including Marline spike slipjoints and S&W knives.

I've always said, when I was active a quality multitool was my most used tool but when I needed a knife, a knife is what I needed.....
 
pbcg said:
From personal observation, most military personnel buy and use what's available at their local Exchange / PX or what's issued to them on a division or unit level. It just happens that Sog, along with Gerber and a few other brands are what's mainly offered at the exchange. I've seen a bit more variety of late but Sog and Gerber are still the largest stocked brands.
Click to expand...

Too true. When I was in the Army a thousand years ago it was the same way, almost everyone carried knives sold by the PX--even SF team guys. That's how I ended up with a couple of Gerbers and a SOG myself.
 
Shawn_Jewell said:
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.
Click to expand...
.

I have three folders: Elite I (clip point, bead blasted), a SOG Salute and the oldest an Autoclip (honorably retired). They come sharp, are easy to sharpen and remain sharp, are useful for everyday chores (as long as you don't use them for things they were not designed for). No complaints. The Salute is my current EDC.
 
22-rimfire said:
When people say "low end stuff" offered by SOG, what do they mean? Are these the Fusion line?
Click to expand...

When I use the term "low end" related to SOG, I'm basically referring to price vs. quality, meaning the lower end of their price range. Like the Flash and Twitch variations.

Moses2792796 said:
Interesting thread. I knew SOG were much maligned on these forums but I'd never realized that people made a clear distinction between their folders and their fixed blades. Since I'm not really that into folders I was always a little confused since I think their fixed blades are quite good for what they are, although I do believe there are some better value options.
Click to expand...

From my observations there is a clear distinction in how folks feel about them.
Makes sense really. SOG gained their name and rep with fixed blades and only moved into folders later on.
They lost a lot a ground a few years back with the SOGZILLA, which many found to be way too close to a Spyderco design. IMHO, not SOGs best decision, but oddly a number of folks seemed to like the SOG "version" better.
 
I have the aegis and I like it. It is one of my sharpest knives ( thanks to aus-8).i don't care for the lock much though. Ahem, blade play.
 
I currently still have the Sog Vulcan (one of my favorites) and Pentagon Elite II and as I've said they are strong, well made knives with quality steels and strong, reliable, very smooth locks (Arc lock).

I've also had a couple Spec Elite I's and a Pentagon Elite I and would say the same of those models too..

I almost forgot. I actually had one of the Sog Fielder XL knives but only for a short period of time. I broke the knife threw my own stupidly and no reflection on the knife. For the short time I had it though I was fairly impressed with the build quality and the blade steel preformed well, or well enough considering it was a $20 shipped knife. My expectations weren't very high but for what it's worth I was pleasantly surprised.
 
Alann45 said:
When I use the term "low end" related to SOG, I'm basically referring to price vs. quality, meaning the lower end of their price range. Like the Flash and Twitch variations.
Click to expand...

I think the twitch line is pretty good. So, I am back to defining "low end" according to one's financial means. Not everyone is willing to spend $100 for a knife. But their should be a distinct quality difference as well. You can buy Chinese made knives now that are pretty good. One of the Kabar Doziers are really pretty good (actually great) knives for the price point. There is a huge grey area in terms of defining quality and one's impressions of the SOG line are frequently colored by emotion.
 
22-rimfire said:
I think the twitch line is pretty good. So, I am back to defining "low end" according to one's financial means. Not everyone is willing to spend $100 for a knife. But their should be a distinct quality difference as well. You can buy Chinese made knives now that are pretty good. One of the Kabar Doziers are really pretty good (actually great) knives for the price point.
Click to expand...

I generally only use the term "low end" when making a distinction about the price point of a knife relative to the prices of a specific company's other knives.

When someone is looking for the best value (price, quality, etc) for under $50-60 I tend to recommend the Spyderco Tenacious, Ontario RAT-1, and Ka-Bar/Dozier Phat Bob. The Twitch and Flash are further down the list and only move up if the person is looking for something light or compact.

There is a huge grey area in terms of defining quality and one's impressions of the SOG line are frequently colored by emotion.
Click to expand...

:thumbup:
 
I own 2 Sogs. I have a Sog Trident tiger stripe which I don't use much, it's large and wide bodied. The knife overall is average and it does have significant blade wiggle side to side, other than that no other complaints.

I recently purchased a Flash to try in my EDC rotation. It's a neat little knife, but the arc-actuator/close button jiggles back and forth when the knife is in the closed position basically driving me crazy. I don't want to hear jiggly parts on a knife so I'll probably give it to my son. I think for the price I paid I could have got one of many quality small (solid) knives.

Personally I probably wouldn't buy another Sog.

.
 
I don't plan on buying any more SOG knives either. But it's not because of quality or perceived quality or lack of it, it is simply because I was so offended when the copied the Spydie hole. They didn't need to do this. In addition, they shifted to having some knives made in China which in itself is not a bad thing, but none the less, it offended me. You might say I have essentially inacted a personal boycott.

On the other hand, I have sort of grown past SOG in my knife buying and I doubt I will be back to drink from the SOG trough.
 
slg98 said:
I own 2 Sogs. I have a Sog Trident tiger stripe which I don't use much, it's large and wide bodied. The knife overall is average and it does have significant blade wiggle side to side, other than that no other complaints.

I recently purchased a Flash to try in my EDC rotation. It's a neat little knife, but the arc-actuator/close button jiggles back and forth when the knife is in the closed position basically driving me crazy. I don't want to hear jiggly parts on a knife so I'll probably give it to my son. I think for the price I paid I could have got one of many quality small (solid) knives.

Personally I probably wouldn't buy another Sog.

.
Click to expand...

As I posted earlier in this thread. The overwhelming majority of complaints about Sog and blade play seem to almost always be the lower end (Meaning less expensive) assisted models.

I haven't owned any of these models long enough to experience these problems so I can't speak from experience but that does seem to be the case from what's commonly reported.

The Arc lock models however, Of which I own and have owned several over a period of years don't seem to have this blade play problem and are very solid sturdy knives.

Not trying to convince anyone of anything or promote the brand either. Just trying to be fair and call it he way I see it.

I've had "issues" with several lower end knives from various companies but don't necessarily wright off the entire brand because of it. Sog does have some good knives and also some not so good knives. If you find overall their not for you then their not for you. I can completely understand that.
 
pbcg said:
As I posted earlier in this thread. The overwhelming majority of complaints about Sog and blade play seem to almost always be the lower end (Meaning less expensive) assisted models.

I haven't owned any of these models long enough to experience these problems so I can't speak from experience but that does seem to be the case from what's commonly reported.

The Arc lock models however, Of which I own and have owned several over a period of years don't seem to have this blade play problem and are very solid sturdy knives.

Not trying to convince anyone of anything or promote the brand either. Just trying to be fair and call it he way I see it.

I've had "issues" with several lower end knives from various companies but don't necessarily wright off the entire brand because of it. Sog does have some good knives and also some not so good knives. If you find overall their not for you then their not for you. I can completely understand that.
Click to expand...

I'm sure SOG has some good knives, I think more than my experience with these is that their style just isn't for me.
 
slg98 said:
I'm sure SOG has some good knives, I think more than my experience with these is that their style just isn't for me.
Click to expand...

Speaking of the folders and folders only, the Vulcan and Elite series seem to be the only models I've taken to or care for. Not to say some other models aren't good either but like you said we all have out own tastes, likes, dislikes.

One of the great thing's about this hobby. So many options and something for everyone.
 
My SOG Night Vision is awesome and super smooth action. Also older ATS-34 blade. Also have a JetEdge i love. Great knives but older models.
 
+1 on the SOG FB's. One of my first good fixed blades was a SOG NW Ranger. It has seen all of 2 hiking trips and one rafting trip with me and it worked very well. Even batoning (which I have come to realize is abuse). It keeps its edge well and touches up to sharpness easily enough for me.

I have never owned a SOG folder. However when I look on their website at the products, I always get the feeling that the designs are a little "busy". Too much going on, too much metal sticking out of rubber/plastic, too much "tacticality" purporting to be function. My 0.82 rupees.
 
I currently am carrying a sog northwest ranger in a custom small of the back kydex sheath. I also have a SOG Gov Tac. Its a phenominal combat knife. very, very solid.
 
I only own a Fatcat in my collection and i think this one is enough i tried two flash 2 but end up selling it both i tried a fixed vietnam veteran gun blue blade i end up selling it too and when you check there new series it getting worst and worst so im not a big fan of SOG.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top