Sog arc lock

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SomeNewGuy

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So i been browsing through the knife sites latly. The sog arc lock looks very similar to the axis lock and it seems to be priced at right about the same as most of your average benchmades are priced. So this brings me to ask.. Is the arc lock as good as the axis lock? Are these sogs like the vulcan and spec elite as good in terms of quality and value as a benchmade griptilian and 710?
 
SOG is an impressive brand. I have had the flash 2 (super LW) and love it. The difference is arc lock is one sided Vs. the Axis is both side. If you like weight for the money, then maybe not...it is as light as my MANIX 2 LW.

But for spring assisted, I still like KERSHAW USA MADE! SUPPORT AMERICA! the KERSHAW BLUR!!!

FYI: there is a few currently available now by the flea of bay - KERSHAW BLACK BLUR PE ( not BLEM ) for four 0.00 dollars......which i think it is a good of a bargain one can get for USA make. I would buy more if i did not already have 2.

now on the flea of bay
 
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estate4life said:
SOG is an impressive brand. I have had the flash 2 (super LW) and love it. The difference is arc lock is one sided Vs. the Axis is both side. If you like weight for the money, then maybe not...it is as light as my MANIX 2 LW.

But for spring assisted, I still like KERSHAW USA MADE! SUPPORT AMERICA! the KERSHAW BLUR!!!

FYI: there is a few currently available now by the flea of bay - KERSHAW BLACK BLUR PE ( not BLEM ) for four 0.00 dollars......which i think it is a good of a bargain one can get for USA make. I would buy more if i did not already have 2.

now on the flea of bay
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the flash doesnt have a arc lock it has a arc style lock, the arc lock is ambidextrous
 
Without comparing to another brand I'll say that the Sog Vulcan and the Elite series (I have or had the Pentagon Elite II, Spec Elite I) are well made, strong knives.

The Arc lock is a strong, sound lock that can be used with confidence. If I were going to recommend Any Sog knife, based on my personal experience it would be an Arc lock model.

The Vulcan is actually one of my favorite sub 4" blade knives. I'm very pleased with it. It's also one of the smoothest opening knives I have.

Hope this helps.
 
If you're looking for bang for the buck...search that big auction site for a Sog Night Vision...for what they go for...they can't be beat. G10/Arc Lock/ATS-34. They are a tanto tip and semi serrated if that is a deal breaker for you. They also originate from Seki Japan...home of some of the best Spydercos.
 
One of my current favorite folders is a Sog with the Arc lock- an Arcitech CF. I have had a bunch of Axis knives and I like the Arc just as much. Give it a try, you might be surprised how much you like it. I was shocked at how much I like the Arcitech. I had sworn off Sog after having some of their inexpensive models and finding them to be garbage. The Arc lock knives otoh, are nice.
 
Both of my SOG arc lock knives have developed blade play (up-down) I don't think the lock would fail but the play is a bummer. Sog would fix it but I have been to lazy to send them in. I do think that Benchmade makes a much better knife.
 
Bigfatts said:
One of my current favorite folders is a Sog with the Arc lock- an Arcitech CF. I have had a bunch of Axis knives and I like the Arc just as much. Give it a try, you might be surprised how much you like it. I was shocked at how much I like the Arcitech. I had sworn off Sog after having some of their inexpensive models and finding them to be garbage. The Arc lock knives otoh, are nice.
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I'm considering it, nothing else is jumping out to me and I have that cancer like itch that's killing me to buy something lol
 
flatblackcapo said:
Both of my SOG arc lock knives have developed blade play (up-down) I don't think the lock would fail but the play is a bummer. Sog would fix it but I have been to lazy to send them in. I do think that Benchmade makes a much better knife.
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+1 :thumbup:
 
flatblackcapo said:
Both of my SOG arc lock knives have developed blade play (up-down) I don't think the lock would fail but the play is a bummer. Sog would fix it but I have been to lazy to send them in. I do think that Benchmade makes a much better knife.
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Hmm... what caused the play? Is it a debt in the stop pin or what? Have you tried taking it apart to see if you could stop it or no? Just curious to know what the downs are to the lock.
 
flatblackcapo said:
Both of my SOG arc lock knives have developed blade play (up-down) I don't think the lock would fail but the play is a bummer. Sog would fix it but I have been to lazy to send them in. I do think that Benchmade makes a much better knife.
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Which models are you referring to? If they're the assisted models, the locks aren't actually Arc Locks, they're what they now call the Piston Lock. The actual Arc Lock should self-adjust for wear, just like the Axis Lock.

This is a very important distinction that SOG failed to make until they recently remade their website.

SomeNewGuy said:
The model I'm looking at is the spec elite 1. Looks like a nice blade for the 80$.
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That model has the actual Arc Lock, so it shouldn't develop any up-down play any time soon.
 
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G
nopyo said:
Which models are you referring to? If they're the assisted models, the locks aren't actually Arc Locks, they're what they now call the Piston Lock. The actual Arc Lock should self-adjust for wear, just like the Axis Lock.

This is a very important distinction that SOG failed to make until they recently remade their website.


That model has the actual Arc Lock, so it shouldn't develop any up-down play any time soon.
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Ah alright thanks. I like reassurance lol. I don't even use my a ton I kind of open and close them when I'm sitting at my desk with nothing to do, you know put it in the pocket grab it out and open it to be prepared for a draw when the zombies or something come lol... idk boredom manifest weird things. I like blade that fun to fondle but I also want them to be nice well made tools when I need then.
 
I have two pentagon P-14's. I have took them apart,cleaned, lubed and checked the springs.I believe the lock bar is just worn and at the end of it's travel.I would recommend the BM 710 over Sog any day.If you find a 710 in M390 BUY IT!!!!or email me right away so I can buy it:D
I forgot to mention that I have also have a Sog Flash 2 with the piston lock that also has up and down blade play. It is not as bad as the P14's but still has play. I have not used any of these knives hard,just normal EDC stuff. I do have a pentagon fixed blade that surprisingly does not have blade play despite it being a Sog:D
 
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flatblackcapo said:
I have two pentagon P-14's. I have took them apart,cleaned, lubed and checked the springs.I believe the lock bar is just worn and at the end of it's travel.I would recommend the BM 710 over Sog any day.If you find a 710 in M390 BUY IT!!!!or email me right away so I can buy it:D
I forgot to mention that I have also have a Sog Flash 2 with the piston lock that also has up and down blade play. It is not as bad as the P14's but still has play. I have not used any of these knives hard,just normal EDC stuff. I do have a pentagon fixed blade that surprisingly does not have blade play despite it being a Sog:D
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lol fixed blade with no play. Im just exploring my options. Looking at lightweight manix 2.
 
I have owned several SOG folders including the Trident, Flash II's and the Vulcan. IMO the Vulcan is the best of what I have handled. Unlike the others it has zero blade-play issues.
 
ElectrikHellfire said:
I have owned several SOG folders including the Trident, Flash II's and the Vulcan. IMO the Vulcan is the best of what I have handled. Unlike the others it has zero blade-play issues.
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A little blade play doesnt really bother me honestly, I just want reliability thats why i dont usually get assisted knives, i dont like that the spring could break as unlikly as that probably is. Blade play but still a safe and reliable folder is fine, my byrd cara cara 2 has play but i could make that fold if i tried, my zt 550 has lock rock but i know that isnt failing. The 550 is just too small and chunky for me to carry around, at its weight i want like a 4 inch blade, it leaves more to be desired, its a great knife but at 6 oz it just doesnt get much pocket time. I like to stay at like below 5, unless im really getting something for the weight.
 
I've never had any blade play issues with any of the Arc lock models I've owned. That would be a Vulcan, two Pentagon Elite II, and a Spec Elite I.

A friend of mine got a SE I here on forums that was listed as LNIB. After "playing" with it he discovered it had some up and down play. He sent it back to Sog thinking it was a "New" defective knife and they told him the knife had been disassembled and the lock bar had been re-inserted backwards. This is what was causing the play, it wasn't properly fitted.

Well, my friend explained that he was the second owner and had never disassembled the knife so they waived the fee and fixed it for him and its go to go now but the point being who would have thought that you could even put the lock bar in backwards? or that it would have even made any difference? Apparently it does.

On another note of the three I own I find the Vulcan to be the most impressive. The blade to handle ratio is very impressive. It's amazing how they seem to "Stuff" so much blade into the handle. The blade itself is a very thick & wide (I think .160" thick) VG-10 blade of nice design. The deployment is super smooth and locks up solid. All I can say is I really like this knife on a lot of levels and highly recommend it.

Best of luck though on whatever you choose. From what your considering I don't see how you can go wrong either way.
 
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