Please tell me: What is the point of a Sodbuster?

Smaug

Smaug

Joined
Jun 30, 2003
Messages
1,797
It is a traditional style, I get that. It is a comfortable grip, I get that. I had a generic Sodbuster years ago but it didn't do anything for me.

It just seems to me to be a cost-saving design; no extra money spent to make it look nice. In other words, it is kind of the opposite of the knives we usually post about here.

What is so special about them? To me, it seems like money would be better spent on a large, locking blade Victorinox, which costs the same or less as a soddy. (They are prettier than soddies too. Which is usually not the case)

Is there some part of their charm I have not caught onto? Or is it one of those: "If I have to explain it..." type of things?
 
To me, a Soddie is the right knife, when dirty jobs have to be done. I really like the shape of the soddie. And here in Germany they are already used for a long time. In Solingen they called it a "Hippeskniep" or something like that.

The used blade shape is pretty universal for cutting jobs.

Well, why not using an SAK instead of a Soddie? Good question. But why not using both during work? Everyone has to decide for himself. And beautiful is always in the eye of the beholder (I hope that was right term for telling this, but I hope you guys know what I mean).

IMG_0946.jpg


That´s the right place for my soddie, if it´s not in the pocket ;)

Kind regards
Andi
 
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"pointless"? I have to admit that the Case model doesn't have much of a point on the blade. However, it's a great design. It's one of the most useful knives you can have for heavy cutting. The nice wide handle prevents hot spots. I prefer it to a Vic for such usages.

The light weight is also nice. It's a good basic design.
 
I've been thinking of getting a Sodbuster lately. I like simple designs sometimes, nothing wrong with a no-nonsense knife. Kind of makes me think of Moras: they ain't pretty, but they get the job done and won't break the bank while they do it.

Humppa said:
And beauty is always in the eye of the beholder.
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Fixed :)
 
Thank you, Pseudonym!

Already fixed :) And alread learned something new in english language.

Kind regards
Andi
 
Smaug said:
It is a traditional style, I get that. It is a comfortable grip, I get that.

It just seems to me to be a cost-saving design; no extra money spent to make it look nice.
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I think you already answered most of the question. It is a no-nonsense no frills type of knife that works well at the right price that you can pinch open with gloves on. Toss one in a tool or tackle box and go. If it gets away it is not too big of a deal to replace it for many.
 
Smaug said:
It is a traditional style, I get that. It is a comfortable grip, I get that. I had a generic Sodbuster years ago but it didn't do anything for me.

It just seems to me to be a cost-saving design; no extra money spent to make it look nice. In other words, it is kind of the opposite of the knives we usually post about here.
Click to expand...

Exactly

Is there some part of their charm I have not caught onto?
Click to expand...

Right again!

Or is it one of those: "If I have to explain it..." type of things?
Click to expand...

See, you knew it all along. :)
 
Smaug said:
It is a traditional style, I get that. It is a comfortable grip, I get that. I had a generic Sodbuster years ago but it didn't do anything for me.

It just seems to me to be a cost-saving design; no extra money spent to make it look nice. In other words, it is kind of the opposite of the knives we usually post about here.

What is so special about them? To me, it seems like money would be better spent on a large, locking blade Victorinox, which costs the same or less as a soddy. (They are prettier than soddies too. Which is usually not the case)

Is there some part of their charm I have not caught onto? Or is it one of those: "If I have to explain it..." type of things?
Click to expand...

To great degree, you've answered your own question. A sodbuster pattern, by design, is about the most unpretentious, hard-working, using knife one could find. The attraction lies in the points you mentioned (comfortable, inexpensive, and 'not too pretty' to be worried about scuffing it up). It's a knife designed and built to be used, for any and all of the simplest and dirtiest jobs, without any worries. A sodbuster is probably the only knife I own, that I don't worry about if it gets dropped onto the concrete. Another scuff in the Delrin? No biggie. :)

One other point. As compared to a SAK of the same approximate size, most soddies will also carry quite a bit lighter in the pocket. Especially so, when compared to one of the larger, locking SAKs as mentioned.
 
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I'm not the biggest fan of sodbusters, but I own a Queen CC in D2. Where else are you going to find a D2 blade made in the USA, or anywhere for $25 shipped? It's not my favorite pattern, but it fills an important niche.

Adam
 
Look to Keith Johnson and Kerry Hampton to see how highly attractive a sodbuster can made.
 
Kind of interesting about the point on the soddie's blade (Case being the example). My stainless Case Sod Buster Jr. came straight from the factory with about the easiest-piercing tip I've seen, on any of my knives. They actually finished the edge grind, all the way to the very tippy-tip. That's rare. The edge grinds on both my large and small stainless versions are as close to perfect as I've seen. And this, on some of the most inexpensive knives I've ever purchased.
 
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Humppa said:
To me, a Soddie is the right knife, when dirty jobs have to be done. I really like the shape of the soddie. And here in Germany they are already used for a long time. In Solingen they called it a "Hippeskniep" or something like that.

The used blade shape is pretty universal for cutting jobs.

Well, why not using an SAK instead of a Soddie? Good question. But why not using both during work? Everyone has to decide for himself. And beautiful is always in the eye of the beholder (I hope that was right term for telling this, but I hope you guys know what I mean).

IMG_0946.jpg


That´s the right place for my soddie, if it´s not in the pocket ;)

Kind regards
Andi
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My sentiments exactly, I currently have an Opinel in my toolbox but it's practically the same. A SAK is a toolbox, a sodbuster belongs in a toolbox.
 
Lets put it this way.

A sodbuster is like an old Chevy C10 with a strait 6 under the hood and a three on the tree. There's a lot of faster vehicles. There are a lot more comfortable vehicles. There are way better looking vehicles.

But if you have some real work to do, you can't beat it with a stick!

Carl.
 
I like my soddy just fine.
P1014389.jpg


I have to agree with everybody else in saying that this knife just works.
For me it is more about edge than point anyways, the sodbuster may not be the best at removing splinters, but if I wanted to cut a tree down I wouldn't call on another. :thumbup:
 
no extra money spent to make it look nice.
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Not a soddie owner, but I like the option of buying a product that is made for function only, instead of "looks". Might have to get one in CV, thanks for reminding me about these!
 
jackknife said:
Lets put it this way.

A sodbuster is like an old Chevy C10 with a strait 6 under the hood and a three on the tree. There's a lot of faster vehicles. There are a lot more comfortable vehicles. There are way better looking vehicles.

But if you have some real work to do, you can't beat it with a stick!

Carl.
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Now that rings ever-so-true to me.

I had the 1982 version of exactly that truck (well, almost). Blue, 3-speed manual on the floor, and a 4.3L straight-six under the hood. No trim, no frills, not even a radio when I first bought it, not even A/C. But it worked, and worked, and worked. :thumbup:
 
I might have to get one too, just to give it a fair shake. :) I don't ever like to be accused of being narrow-minded.

Maybe I'll throw it in my toolbox, and see if this or the utility knife gets chosen more often...
 
simply, to put a smile on my face when i carry my yeller CV:D
one of my favorite knives and the one ive used the most for all manner of things too dirty for one of my prettier knives.
regards
gene
 
Smaug said:
Please tell me: What is the point of a Sodbuster?
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You miss the point.:) Sodbusters/Sod Busters and like knives don't have points per se.:eek: They are slicers and dicers and in some cases, they are scrapers, fish scalers, bait cutters, and what-have-you but not pointers or stickers. Tough, hard working, knives but delicate enough to slice a thin piece of salami off a salami roll.

Case Sob Buster Jr. and GEC Bull Nose Work Knife

casesodbustergecbullnos.jpg


Tool box or fishing tackle box -- they just fit right in.
 
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