Q: SEAL Team Elite

[BlueOrca]

I have been looking at the new SOG Team Leader and been thinking of ordering one. The Duratech steel is suppose to be more wear-resistent than S30V. That's impressive. I like the blade geometry for a field knive, but I'm more into the tactical designs.

I've had a SEAL 2000 (amongst many other SOG knives) for years and it has always served me well. It is the knife I trust the most and the benchmark against which I compare all others. I've been looking at the new SEAL Team Elite. Frankly, I expected better! In the product description SOG says that they had looked for ways to better the SEAL 2000. The S2K is made from AUS-6, the Team Leader from AUS-8. I have several knives made from AUS-8 and they all service me well. But I've always consider this to be an "inferior" steel. The move from -6 to -8 adds .5% manganese and nothing else. Hardly a quantum leap in knife evolution.

If SOG was truly interested in making the Team Leader an "improvement" over the already extraordinary S2K, why not make it from a more modern steel: like S30V, D2 or even 440C? I can't believe that the incremental cost of the steel and machining would be very much compared to AUS-8. But all three steels offer much greater opportunities for improvements over -8.

Chris, I would very much like to hear SOG's thoughts on this subject.

Regards,

Wayne Mundy
"Blue Orca"

 

[pbubsy]

I have to admit, I've always been happy with sogs and have a powerlock multitool I've been using for the past 6 years that's still going strong but I do admit: I'm not overly impressed with the materials they use in some products. Especially at the price. I'd go for a tool steel or at least carbon Seal knife in a heartbeat.

 

[BlueOrca]

I think that a carbon-steel SEAL knife would be considered an oxymoron! Considering the mission of the teams, it at least has to stand up salt water. I have to admit, D-2, with its low chromium content would bearly make the cut. (no pun intended).

 

[bell]

Why are you messing with wannabe SOG. Get a Chris Reeve blade for the really important business.

 

[pbubsy]

I think that a carbon-steel SEAL knife would be considered an oxymoron! Considering the mission of the teams, it at least has to stand up salt water. I have to admit, D-2, with its low chromium content would bearly make the cut. (no pun intended).

Not really if you think about it. They'd want the toughest, highest performing stuff around. If you have a knife that will rust, what do you do? Blade Coating. That would solve the problem. The edge might get a little discoloration/oxidation. Just polish it back on a strop.

 

[stringfellowhawke0]

My feelings to buy the team leader duratech are complicated. On the right, I love the new steel ,tougher than S30V WOW !! it's not often that we see a real steel upgrade at SOG (BG-42 was a revolution, now duratech) A leather sheath is great(even if a hybrid leather/kydex sheath is more appreciated for this valuable knife). BUT at my left , this knife is too similar with the X-42 field knife !! nearly the same handle and blade shape, No tini or hardcased coating available. The retail price, it's a little too much when you consider all this.
I'm fighting hard to find all the X-42 models (discontinued, sadly for me), because I really want them , because I think they are innovatives and worth to own. (by the way if someone has an X-42 autoclip tini for sale, don't hesitate
If only I could buy a team leader duratech with a titanium nitride or hardcased coating !!!!!
Is someone know if SOG do custom order?
What must I do? buying the knife as it is or waiting ? maybe a tini model will be released ???