I used to own a very nice SOG folder with an adjustable pocket clip, the blade was almost completely serrated save for a small portion up by the tip. I gave the knife to my father and he carries it every day. My question is how well does SOG rank among other similiar priced knives such as Kershaw, BM, and Spyderco?
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question about SOG folders
- Thread starter WVHILLS
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- Dec 15, 2008
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Well, I wouldn't considder sog to be similarly priced with benchmade.
Benchmades generally make excellent quality folding knives which with the three I've owned averaged around $250 each.
My $65 Sog Trident folder was in no way in the same class as any of those benchmades which I still have two of. A Rukus, and an Infidel.
I can't comment on Kershaw, I've never owned one, however a relative of mine broke a kershaw folder blade in half (due to misuse no doubt) and was going to throw it away. I grabbed it, sent it in, and they sent him a brand new one, which says a lot about the company.
Spyderco's have their own Niche in the folder category, I believe. To my knowledge they use top notch materials, and the fit and finish of their knives are excellent. I own an endura, and really wouldn't put it to rough or heavy duty use, but it's a great slicer, and well made.
hope these few experiences helped with your selection.
-steve
Benchmades generally make excellent quality folding knives which with the three I've owned averaged around $250 each.
My $65 Sog Trident folder was in no way in the same class as any of those benchmades which I still have two of. A Rukus, and an Infidel.
I can't comment on Kershaw, I've never owned one, however a relative of mine broke a kershaw folder blade in half (due to misuse no doubt) and was going to throw it away. I grabbed it, sent it in, and they sent him a brand new one, which says a lot about the company.
Spyderco's have their own Niche in the folder category, I believe. To my knowledge they use top notch materials, and the fit and finish of their knives are excellent. I own an endura, and really wouldn't put it to rough or heavy duty use, but it's a great slicer, and well made.
hope these few experiences helped with your selection.
-steve
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- Dec 15, 2008
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In my opinion the Architech is not an average sampling of Sog's folding knives.
That is definitely one of their very few high end knives to include that and the tomcat, and possibly another one or two.
Most of sog's folders would fit into the category of the Flash's and the Twitches and theTridents, and let us not forget all of the horrid fusion line.
I have collected many sog fixed blades over the years, and am disappointed they switched their production to Taiwan and I haven't heard that many good things about the fusion line. In fact, it's been mostly negative.
That is definitely one of their very few high end knives to include that and the tomcat, and possibly another one or two.
Most of sog's folders would fit into the category of the Flash's and the Twitches and theTridents, and let us not forget all of the horrid fusion line.
I have collected many sog fixed blades over the years, and am disappointed they switched their production to Taiwan and I haven't heard that many good things about the fusion line. In fact, it's been mostly negative.
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If we were comparing SOG Folders with those of Kershaw, Spyderco, and Benchmade, I'd place SOG on a tier just beneath the other three.
SOG fixed blades are between good and really good, even the ones from Taiwan, but their folders in my experience are pretty generally sub-par, regularly suffering from problems related to F&F and QC.
Still, most will make adequate cutting tools, or easily replacable beater knives. A few of them (Arcitech, Facet, Stingray, etc.) are sleek and elegant and worth owning, but not at the price SOG sells them for.
If there's a particular SOG folder that you like, I would go for it. At worst you'll learn a lesson.
SOG fixed blades are between good and really good, even the ones from Taiwan, but their folders in my experience are pretty generally sub-par, regularly suffering from problems related to F&F and QC.
Still, most will make adequate cutting tools, or easily replacable beater knives. A few of them (Arcitech, Facet, Stingray, etc.) are sleek and elegant and worth owning, but not at the price SOG sells them for.
If there's a particular SOG folder that you like, I would go for it. At worst you'll learn a lesson.
Except for the Twitch and Flash series, SOG seems to price treir offerings at double what others good makers do. I mean $120 for the Spec Elite II w/ AUS8 and Zytel handles is 2-3times more what is typical from other makers. Hell, the Spyderco Endura 4 w/ VG-10 and FRN handles is a hell of a lot more knife and for 1/2 the Spec Elite II price.
I do have the Twitch II and love it. This is a great little folder of high fit & finish with AUS8, aluminum handles and AO but it is a more appropriately priced $40. I also have the Flash II and I am not so enamored with that offering. It is my hand-out/lending knife.
All in all though, Sog is decent but over-priced for its feature-set IMHO.
I do have the Twitch II and love it. This is a great little folder of high fit & finish with AUS8, aluminum handles and AO but it is a more appropriately priced $40. I also have the Flash II and I am not so enamored with that offering. It is my hand-out/lending knife.
All in all though, Sog is decent but over-priced for its feature-set IMHO.
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The only thing that SOG does well is market their knives in a unique position. IMO their [folding] knives do not have quality or value.
I have never tried their fixed blades.
It is another thing if you really like the "SOG look" -if you find intrinsic enjoyment from owning a SOG -there is nothing wrong with that. They are knives and they work and that is often enough, but if you are picky about quality of manufacture -I doubt you will like them.
I have never tried their fixed blades.
It is another thing if you really like the "SOG look" -if you find intrinsic enjoyment from owning a SOG -there is nothing wrong with that. They are knives and they work and that is often enough, but if you are picky about quality of manufacture -I doubt you will like them.
Last edited:
BryFry
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- Jul 29, 2009
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I have a SOG sogwinder folding knife that I purchased back in 1995.
I think this blade is currantly made from 440A, but does anyone know what SOG was useing back in the early 90's?
I do like this knife but it seems to be more difficult to sharpen that many of my other knives.
I think this blade is currantly made from 440A, but does anyone know what SOG was useing back in the early 90's?
I do like this knife but it seems to be more difficult to sharpen that many of my other knives.
SOG doesn't seem to get a lot of respect on this forum as many posters relate bad
experiences w/them. I have a Visionary II with a VG10 blade and ArcLock and
have no complaints other than the lock isn't quite as smooth as the Axis on
my Doug Ritter. Other than that, QC is more than acceptable for a knife in
this price range.
experiences w/them. I have a Visionary II with a VG10 blade and ArcLock and
have no complaints other than the lock isn't quite as smooth as the Axis on
my Doug Ritter. Other than that, QC is more than acceptable for a knife in
this price range.
