SOG Field Pup vs. F1

T

Timblade

Joined
May 31, 2006
Messages
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Happy New Year! I have a question re: the SOG Field Pup. I received some cash for Christmas and want to get a dependable, all-around field knife to keep in my pack. I'm looking for something that is relatively small so I won't be tempted to leave it behind. I've never really had a need for a fixed-blade knife before, but am starting to think the security of having one, and the ability to learn to use it, and use it more often, would be very good.

Here's my question. What is the durability of the Field Pup compared to the F1? I know that there is a lot of devotion to the F1 in this forum and I have to believe that is for a very good reason. I've been planning to order one for a while now, when the cash was available. However, the Field pup is less than half the cost of the F1, and is the same length (even a hair longer I think). So I am wondering if there is a major difference in performance and I'd love to hear from someone who has used both. I know one is VG-10 and one is AUS-8, but not sure what the major drawbacks for each are?

One major factor that is making it hard for me to order the F1 is that both of the sheath options that I see on-line look like they absolutely suck. I know I can have a custom sheath made in kydex or leather, but then the overall price is in the league of other, more-expensive knves all together. I had looked at the Field Pup several months ago and it came witha cheap-looking leather sheath that I didn't like either. I just looked at one at Cabela's (had a gift card) today and it has a balistic nylon sheath that looks great...lightweight and very durable. I'm not sure I could handle one of the stock Falkniven sheaths, they look that bad.

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks!

-Tim
 
the field pup is a great knife but there is absolutely no comparisson between that and the f1...the f1 imo is hands down one of the top production field knives in its class....However if you are looking for a fixed blade to throw in your bag and learn the basics on its hard to beat these

11.00 http://www.ragweedforge.com/860-mg.jpg mora clipper avail at ragweed forge

10.00 http://www.ragweedforge.com/510.jpg Mora 510 avail at ragweed forge


either of these will serve you well as a basic bushcraft knife.... if you have your heart set on one of the ones above take the f1 a thousand times over
 
Well if you are dead set on getting one of these 2 knives then it's the F1 all the way. But (this is just my .02) I would check with some of the knife makers here on BF - W&SS , they are some top notch guys here :thumbup:
You can contact these guys & tell them what you are looking for & they will help you get what you want. If your thinking a custome is to much $ then you might be surprised , most of them are the same price & cheaper than most quality production knives. A few off the top of my head are - Sicily02(Bryan Breeden) , Stomper, Koyote, Charlie Ridge... there are several more you just need to check around. If you are dead set on a production knife them I would recommend the New Ka-Bar Becker line, I like the BK-2 for what you are looking for, check'em out !
http://www.chestnutridgeknifeshop.c...d=633&osCsid=8fd63f7372e7bd64253071f6572e6631
 
Riley and coaldigger pretty much said it all best. F1 out of those two, a mora if you want a solid and lightweight bushcraft knife to throw in the pack. Check out the customs, if none of those do it for you.

The laminated vg10 will allow a stronger blade than the aus8, for sure. And the F1 is a convex blade, which will be a good bit stronger too.
 
Like Coaldigger said, look at the custom makers here. I don't think you can do better.
 
I have to say I've looked at these knives many times, for me personally the F1 has some appeal, But I would be opting for something in carbon steel, Some thing from RAT, or mabyle Marbles would be the way to go. (marbles are conex btw)

Though, the F1 out the two is the best in terms of quailty, but there is no reason why the Seal wont serve the purpose. If the money is an issue, and you like me dont like forking over that much money the seal pup will do you fine, its not supeduper or anything, but neither is a 119, but that is still a common knife among knife lovers.

So, in short, if the money bugs you get the seal pup, it will work fine, however if the money doesnt bother you too much, go for the f1.
Dont forget to look at the others I mentioned as well, alot of nice knives out there my friend, its gonna be hard deciding.:D
 
I'd go with a RAT RC-4, the F1, or custom makers. I absolutely love my RC-4 and its the perfect all-around knife for me, and can stand up to heavy duty tasks. The sheath is also top-notch and you can configure it just about any way possible with it's many options. It's 1095 carbon steel is coated so it won't rust easily, and just a simple wipe down with oil occasionally will keep it in great condition.
 
I have a Seal Pup, an F1 and a Rat 3. To me it depends upon the task. I just got my Rat 3 and love it, but have not gotten to use it much. I am worried about rusting it when I go to the beach/fishing etc.
Between the F1 and the seal I always end up using the SOG. I have held a feild pup and think the seal is a better overall knife. I like the F1 and can not tell you why but I love my Seal Pup more.
 
Thanks for all of the great responses! Which of the two stock F1 sheaths are best? Or maybe a better way to ask would be, Are either of them so bad, in anyone's opinion, that I should definitely stay away?

I'm not sure I dig the flap on the leather sheath, but the molded, plastic sheath just looks really bad. I am leaning on getting the plastic sheath and then having a custom leather sheath made later so that I have the plastic one for trips to the beach, river, etc. If the plastic one is so bad, then I had toyed with getting the stock leather sheath and having a custom made in kydex. Decisions, decisions. Who are the best sheath makers on the forums? If I have one made, I'd like to give the business to someone here.

Thanks.
 
Go to the Sheath Subforum here on BFC and have a look around. Lots of VERY talented leather and kydex sheath makers.

If you're looking for leather, I highly recommend Ilbruche
He made this for me, for a great price too.
IMG_6506.jpg


If you're looking for Kydex sheath, I've heard good things about Kiahs
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/member.php?u=172942
 
I haven't used a field pup, but I can vouch for the F1. It is a nice knife. I think the plastic sheath you are referring to is zytel. That is what I have. While it may look sort of junky, it is really pretty nice. Its durable and waterproof and sits low enough on your belt not to get in the way of the hip belt on your backpack. The other nice thing about this is the it is compact. Kydex for example is usually much wider then the width of the blade.
 
F1 all the way. I had a few Field Pups, and they are great knives. But if you have the chance to get the F1, go for it. I've seen them in a few knife shops, but didn't pick any up. I wish I had.
 
I have both knives and quality wise the F-1 one is the way to go. BUT if you are like me, sometimes best has to include price and there the SOG wins big time. Both are excellent knives and both when properly maintained are excellent cutters. For ten- twelve bucks the Mora will do just as well at cutting. The 2000 is the sharpest out of the package knife that I have ever seen. Bar None. The F-1 has a convexed blade if that matters to you.
 
I have a Field Pup. It is a nice knife, but it can't take much of a beating(if you like to beat on your knives). The combination of the hollow ground blade, recurve style, and soft AUS-8 means you have to go light on it. I use it to split small wood(no chopping!), and it makes awesome shavings.

It makes a nice budget knife that you can throw in the pack.

But I'd say go for the F1.
 
The only knife I've ever broken in use was a Field Pup!!! Maybe that doesn't say much, but I snapped the blade square off pulling weeds out of the backyard. I would avoid it. The Fallknivens are THE BEST period.
 
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