seal pup or elite

RescueRiley

RescueRiley

Joined
Mar 22, 2006
Messages
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Just recently picked up a classic seal pup for a camp knife. I've been punishing it a little at home to see how it'll hold up...I like it so much I'm thinking of getting another or possibly an elite its got a better steel ( although I'm happy with edge retention on the original so far) it also has a straight edge option which I think is nicer on a camp knife. (IMHO) but theres these rasp things on the back It seems to me like thy might get hung up when you doing some heavy cutting.. Are the elites a step above the pup or should I just stick with what I've got.
 
Riley, I don't see how the rasps on the Elite can get hung up on anything during any sort of cutting. As they are on the spine of the blade, they are opposite your cutting edge. Also, the blade has a sort of swedge that reaches about 4/5 the length of the blade to the handle, which means the spine where the rasps are is thinner that the thickest part of the blade. The rasps should be an issue.

If it was my decision, I go with the plain edge Pup Elite, mainly for the plain edge. Plus, you already have the SEAL Pup, so why not try something similar, but a little more hot-rodded? If you're happy with the Pup, I'm sure you'd be pleased with the Pup Elite.
 
is the elite as durable as the pup???I was nervous that the new lines might compromise the strength.
 
RescueRiley

If you are looking for a straight edge the Elite is the way to go. I have one and just love it. It has become my new camp knife replacing the Field Pup. The Elite actually uses a thicker steel stock than the Pup and an upgraded steel. Also, the lines are virtually identical to the Pup. So there should be no worries about a compromise in the strength of the blade.

Chris
 
The plain edge Seal Pup Elite is my standard carry blade out in the woods unless I'm hunting. Chris is the one who directed me to this knife and I love it. I like a smaller folder knife for small game (the Field Pup would work fine as I have one) and the Revolver Hunter is my current whitetail knife.
 
did the seal pup elite meet the same testing that the original went through because that and the overwhelming amount of positive customer reviews on the net is what sold me on the original.
 
I have no idea, but it seems pretty darn tough. All you have to do is handle one and you will probably like it. The steel is a bit thicker than the Seal Pup, so it is not quite as handy for food slicing chores around the camp. But if that is what I have with me, it does just fine. It should actually be stronger than the Seal Pup.
 
To be honest I have held and looked at both and the Elite seemed a lot nicer knife and felt better in the hand as well.This is not to say that either are bad knives as they always seem to get a good write up from those who have them.I would get the uncoated Elite without the serrations !!!
 
The SEAL Knife was the one that went through all the extensive testing. The Pup is built using the same processes and materials as the SEAL Knife. The Elite is basically beefed up and updated version if the Pup. Neither the Pup or Pup Elite have gone through all the same testing as the SEAL Knife, but they have both proven themselves to be worth counterparts to the SEAL Knife.


I don't think you can go wrong with either one. It just comes down to what you want for a blade edge and coating.

Chris
 
are the corrosion resistance properties of the 2 knives similar, as I also bring my pup when snorkeling kayaking and fishing
 
I would say that they are very similar. I have not actually compared them side by side.

Chris
 
I'm also thinking about replacing my Seal Pup with a Seal Pup Elite. The reasons are the longer cutting edge, no serrations , and the AUS 8 steel. But there are some points I'm not sure about.

The Seal Pup's handle with its finger grooves fits my hand just perfect. The handle of the Elite is a bit longer than the one on the Seal Pup. Does that mean that the finger grooves are wider?

The spine rasp over the whole blade looks a bit strange to me. While it is a fine idea for the thumb rest groove, I wouldn't need it on the whole spine and especially not on the clip point tip. I wonder if one can still sharpen the clip point spine edge despite the rasp or if the area would be too thick after removing the rasp?

As far as I'm concerned (but I'm no expert by all means) AUS 6 was choosen for it's corrosion resistance for the Seal Knife. One reason that I'm often using my Seal Pup is that I don't have to care much about keeping it clean and dry. I even put it into the dishwasher and never had any issues. I really wonder if the Elite with it's AUS 8 would hold up as good as the AUS 6 Seal Pup, especially because I would have to get a plain one without the TiNi finish if I'm going to remove the rasp.
 
I had a Seal Pup through both tours in Iraq, and a two week training mission in Kosovo. I cut down a small tree with it once. If it's working for you, why change it?
 
UncleWillie, you must have worked hard on that tree. :D
I don't doubt that the knife is capable of hard use.

Well, I'm fond of the Seal Pup's handle and I like the blade shape in general. It's a perfect sized utility knife in my opinion, but the serrations limit it's use for me. Also the edge could be longer in relation to the blade lenght. This are two points that make me use other knives over the Seal Pup often. The steel is a factor too. I have a Daggert II in AUS 8 and I really like that steel. The AUS 6 is very corrosion resistent but a bit soft in my opinion.

I'm aware of the fact that the perfect knife for all applications doesn't exist. Every design and steel have theyr advantages and disadvantages. I'm always on the search for something that has more attributes I like and less attributes I don't like. It's a never ending search. :)
 
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