Opinions wanted on SOG Night Vision and Mini X-Ray Vision

Shmackey

Shmackey

Joined
May 5, 2000
Messages
1,478
Not sure if the Mini X-Ray is out yet. But I'm interested in both that and the Night Vision. Not so interested in the Visions with Ti or FRN scales.

I'm sure I'll like the lock (my understanding is that it rates a solid 9 out of a possible Axis 10...). But what about the rest of these knives?

And I'm taking opinions on why SOG is never really mentioned in the same breath as the Big Two. I don't own one so I'm not going to postulate anything yet...
 
I have a SOG Night Vision that I've been carrying daily for probably about a month now. I'm very happy with this knife. I had originally bought a 722 to be my tanto, but I just didn't like it at all, so I sold it to another forumite and got the Night Vision. Ergonomics are very good, the grip is secure and comfortable. The blade came shaving sharp and with a very attractive finish. The Arc lock is very smooth, and my second favorite after the Axis. I prefer the Arc lock to the Rolling, Compression, Frame, and Liner locks. No blade play at all. Overall fit, finish, and construction is as good if not a hair better than we are used to expecting from good specimens from major production companies. This is a knife that I highly recommend. Minor complaints- the clip is set up so that a lot of the knife sticks out of the pocket. Bad call SOG. Hopefully their next knife will be set up for deeper carry. Clip is silver. Against black G-10 scales, a black clip should be standard. I ordered a black clip from SOG which arrived today and it looks much better. Combo edge is the only option. I'd prefer plain edge or fully serrated. SOG did make a few plain edge Visions, but you have to buy those directly from the factory at full retail. SOG has said that they only offer combo edge knives because the other configurations didn't sell well enough to make them worthwhile to produce. All I can say to that is that all the other companies find them worthwhile.

We don't hear much about SOG's knives because SOG doesn't give us many to talk about. I know that SOG mostly specializes in fixed blades, but most of us, myself included, are a bit more into folders. SOG has released the Vision series with only a combo edge tanto blade. If you want a combo edge tanto bladed folder, I haven't seen a better one anywhere. If that's not what you're looking for, you'll have to look elsewhere. The Arc lock is a gold mine in today's market, and SOG doesn't seem to care. If they released the Vision with different blade shapes and configurations, we'd hear a lot more about them here. If SOG got some custom collaborations going on, and released more Arc lock folders, we'd hear a lot more about them. SOG has started to make fixed blades in BG-42, if they started using that on plain edge, non-tanto, Arc lock folders, we'd hear a lot more about them. IMO, SOG is just twiddling their thumbs when they could be making a killing.

SOG's prices are also a bit higher than most of their competitors. You'll find a 710hs cheaper than a Night Vision just about anywhere. I don't really know why SOG's knives cost more than others in the same class, but I'm sure it costs them some sales. I got mine on eBay for $99, but I had to be pretty damn patient to find it at that price.

The Night Vision is a great knife and I'm pissed that SOG won't make more great knives for me to buy.
 
Aha. I didn't realize it was combo-edge only. I find that bizarre, really. I didn't love the tanto idea, but I was willing to overlook it. But probably not for a combo blade.

I also agree about the high prices. Considering the competition, you'd think SOG could charge a little less instead of a little more--if they were really looking to break into the bigtime.

As for making more models with the Arc lock...The reason I'm curious is that SOG seems to be doing just that. Their new Web site (I forget the URL but it's in the SOG forum here) shows some cool new stuff. There's a really small, curvy knife that caught my attention, and there's that mini-vision, which has a very deep-carry clip.

Anyone else?
 
Hi Guys,

The Mini X-Ray Vision has not yet been released. It should, though happen within the next couple weeks (or so). You will notice, by looking at the picture, that it will ride very low in the pocket.

The "really small, curvy knife" is called the Sculptura (link to Sculptura’s website page). Here's a picture of the production model with green handles (the production model's color).

We have some really nice models under development scheduled for next year that should have even broader appeal.

SOG has been in business for about 15 years, growing regularly and steadily. We issue about 6-12 new products each year. Our plan has always been for slow, steady growth. We have actually had several years where growth was more aggressive than we planned.
 
I too was looking forward to the Mini X-Ray. Ron, I saw on the website where it states that the Mini X-Ray has a blade that is "2 inches shorter" that the X-Ray Vision. Well, it appears that there is only 0.75 inches difference.

Also, your prototype photo shows the Mini with a plain edge. Too bad it won't have one.

I have the same problem with the Jet Edge series. The only serrated blades I am even interested in are hawksbill blades. Otherwise, I don't like them. That means that on the two folder designs that SOG produces that I like best, I won't get one.

As far as quality goes, I have the SOG Paratool, SOG Cross-Cut and the SOG Switchpliers. All top notch in quality and function.
 
I liked the broadness of the blade and the serration pattern on the Night Vision as compared to the BM Stryker. Clip I could go either way, I just like one piece clips is all.
 
Funny thing with my SOG X-ray Vision. It is a "bead blasted" finish. It hasn't actually rusted, but from day one, the surface has never looked as good as my other bead blasted blades. When I bought it, there were a few small spots of rust. Managed to clean those out, but every once in a while, the surface would start to look orangey.

At one stage, I needed to tape over the edge of the blade when I attempted to mould a kydex Emerson-styled Wave over it. After removing the tape, I found that the area that had not been taped over had become a slightly darker shade of grey. I can't seem to rectify the colour difference now, so I relegated the knife to the dry box until I have time to polish the blade to mirror finish.

That's probably my only gripe. I like the handle sticking out as much as it is only because I wanted to make it a "fast draw" knife. But it really does stick out like a sore thumb and I'm currently making a replacement clip that would allow it to sit slightly deeper.
 
Hi Architect,
Originally posted by Architect
I too was looking forward to the Mini X-Ray. Ron, I saw on the website where it states that the Mini X-Ray has a blade that is "2 inches shorter" that the X-Ray Vision. Well, it appears that there is only 0.75 inches difference.
Click to expand...
Good catch! :)

Our new website does have a few glitches to fix. The blade is about 3" long.

The new site is awesome :D and we didn't want to hold off publishing it any longer. Give us a couple weeks to tweak it. Any typos you guys find can be email to me.

Thanks!
 
I have the X-Ray vision (zytel handles) and really like it. I just wish It was not partially serrated although I do use them on occasion for tree branches. I think it is a great hard use folder and it works very well with slashes to clear small branches. Came very sharp, and I can get it scary sharp:eek: !!! Look for a new one on ebay, that is your best bet, I got mine for 55 bucks when online shops sell it for 75-100 bucks.
Knifeman==>-----
 
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