Sog Flash 2 replacement

M

matt_b89

Joined
Dec 30, 2012
Messages
88
I'm expecting a sog flash 2 in the mail, but am now having doubts about it. I tried to cancel the order last minute through amazon but it already got out the door. I had a sog trident that I liked...can't say it compared to my cold steel recon 1 though. Anyways I keep hearing how the flashes have major blade play and that concerns me a lot. the trident had some, but for the price it is for the one I have I could almost get a cold steel. I chose not to because I was like 2 dollars short on my gift card and really needed a knife quickly so I ordered it...but am regretting now. Anybody have suggestions of a decent knife with these features....g 10 handles, half serrations, STRONG lock, and possibly an auto assist, but not necessary. I see many suggestions for spydercos, but their knives don't appeal to me. I find them ugly and I can't open them with those holes, gotta have thumb studs.
 
I would say not to give up on the Flash 2 just yet. Like many SOGs, it has a little bit of a cheapy feel to it. But thats ok. Its also a fine knife with a lot going for it. Lots of blade for the weight, deep clip, sweet assisted opener, and (for me) a big serving of aesthetic appeal. I like mine a lot, and you may too. Give her a chance.

flash1.jpg
 
i had a trident that I really liked but the blade play is kind of annoying. I wish Sog would fix that with a lock like the axis or cold steels triad and they've have some true classics
 
Have you tried a knife with a thumb hole? Doesn't need to be a Spyderco.
But try one out, they're actually easier for me than thumb studs.

Anyways, Kershaw seems to have some knives with your wants.
Kershaw Tremor is one - You can get it plain or serrated, G-10 handles, Big blade, and a nice liner lock - I've owned a few and never had an issue with any of them. No thumb studs, just a flipper.

Kershaw Blur - the blade is just a little smaller than 3.5". Has a good steel, made in the USA, available in many flavors, Not G-10 but Aluminum with Track-Tech inserts.

Kershaw Volt SS - Has full SS handles with an awesome Frame Lock. Blade is 3.44" long and gets sharp and holds its edge pretty well. This is my favorite of the ones I've mentioned so far. No studs, just a flipper. Not sure if this is available with serrations yet.

Kershaw Shallot - Is almost exactly what you're looking for minus the G-10. It's full Stainless Steel. Frame Lock. 3.5" Blade. Good steel. USA made. No studs, just a flipper.

If you could go with a Plain Edge, the Kershaw Rake is perfect. G-10 handles with a liner lock. Spring assisted with a flipper and thumb studs. Composite blade with a D2 steel cutting edge. 3.5" blade. Excellent knife.

Kershaw would be my pick.
 
I do like a lot of the kershaws....I could go with a plain edge for that rake but i'd have to save a couple bucks. I have a 50 dollar gift certificate at amazon. it just sucked because there were literally 3 to 5 knives I LOVED that were literally just a couple bucks more so I may save. I had a cold steel recon 1 and I really did love that knife. is d2 steel hard to sharpen?
 
the only knife I tried that had a circle instead of a thumb stud wasn't a spydie but I still couldn't open it. I have small hands and my thumbs just don't have that much reach but I love bigger folders.
 
Give the SOG Flash ii a chance, it has been my EDC exclusively for close to 3 years, not to mention it's been a go to knife for small camp tasks. It has held up amazingly well I would say, mine has almost zero blade play.

The ergos of the blade are sweet, it's handle is very comfortable to use, and the assisted opening is great, and the VERY discreet pocket clip is awesome to have.

You should really give it a chance, and for the money it's an awesome deal. Some might find it weird but I wouldn't part with mine for a knife that costs 3 times as much.

You might be surprised with what you recieve!
 
All of my Spydies are also smooth as glass.
I don't have a Spydie that is hard to open and all of them have a really strong detent when closed. No blade play, super solid lock up.
I love Spyderco for their designs, materials, fit and finish, and overall quality.

I would save up for the Rake. It's an excellent knife. I prefer a plain edge because I have found that it can take care of anything serrations can, just as well. If I were to get a knife with serrations I would want it fully serrated. With a combo edge you get a nice amount of both but not a lot of usable room for either.

In my experience with D2 it's not extremely hard to sharpen, but harder than AUS-8, 8cr13mov, and other steels of the like. Around the same difficulty of s30v. It's easy to get the hang of though. I've also found that it doesn't roll easily if you're not pushing with great force on the stones.
 
I personally hate sogs, anyway you could return it when you get it? When i was a noob I had a few flash 2s and the blade play was horrible, I ended up giving them away i just didn't trust the knife.
 
This knife meets all of your criteria minus assisted opening. 3.6" blade, G10 (and carbon fiber), beefie liner lock, thumb studs. And it just looks good. Designed by Kirby Lambert and made by Meyerco. I have the plain edge version (I recommend plain over serrated btw) and it is a surprisingly nice knife for the money.

http://www.bladehq.com/item--Meyerco-Kirby-Lambert--7307
 
matt_b89 said:
I'm expecting a sog flash 2 in the mail, but am now having doubts about it. I tried to cancel the order last minute through amazon but it already got out the door. I had a sog trident that I liked...can't say it compared to my cold steel recon 1 though. Anyways I keep hearing how the flashes have major blade play and that concerns me a lot. the trident had some, but for the price it is for the one I have I could almost get a cold steel. I chose not to because I was like 2 dollars short on my gift card and really needed a knife quickly so I ordered it...but am regretting now. Anybody have suggestions of a decent knife with these features....g 10 handles, half serrations, STRONG lock, and possibly an auto assist, but not necessary. I see many suggestions for spydercos, but their knives don't appeal to me. I find them ugly and I can't open them with those holes, gotta have thumb studs.

also want a blade at least 3.5...want a knife to pull edc and a self defense if needed
Click to expand...

I like the Flash II's... good knives for what you're paying, IMO. But if you want the Recon 1, why not get that?

But to make a suggestion, for strong lock, assisted opening, 3.5" blade, G10 handles, and half serrations, the Benchmade Barrage jumps out... it's got the Axis-Assist mechanism. But it's around $120 most places, I believe...
 
faizzybear said:
Sog aegis is more durable
Click to expand...

That's easily arguable. All of the aegis' I've handled felt extremely cheap, almost toy like, and had massive blade play. Amongst those in the know, the flash 2 has a much better reputation than the aegis. In fact, of all of SOGs folders, the flash 2 is the only one that people regularly say doesn't flat out suck. With that said, I avoid SOG at all costs these days. I've never had a good one.
 
I put the Aegis on par with the Flash models in terms of build quality. Both have slight blade play, which in part is a function of having the spring assist. Do I ever notice it? No. Is the blade flopping back and forth like a windshield wiper? No. I fully understand why some folks are not willing to put up with blade play, as there are many knives out there with no play at all. But to me, the play is more of an aesthetic issue than a functional one.

It is also noteworthy that the play is minimal. I never notice it until a thread like this pops up. So yeah, the Aegis and Flash have little bit of blade play, just like some spendy automatic knives do (also a function of the auto mechanism). I also adjust my Spydies and other folders for easy deployment (i.e., loose), which sometimes results in a tiny bit of play, so I'm cool with a slight bit of blade play.

Is there a practical, real world downside to the slight blade play? Not for me. I think its more of an aesthetic issue than a functional one. JMO. Plus, the pivots are adjustable, so that gets rid of much or all of the lateral play for those so inclined.

20120517_140417-1.jpg
 
i think i'll check it out when it comes...I wish it had g 10 handles. after I bougth my first knife with g 10 I fell in love with the stuff and it makes liner locks feel more solid to me. anybody had experience with returning stuff to amazon/
 
Give Flash II a chance, you won't regret it. Mine got bladeplay from only opening it so i had to send it back to SOG but aside from that it's cool.
If you don't like Spyderco try Kershaw - many assisted G10 models and best serrations IMO, maybe a Turbulence (flipper) or ZT0350, ZT0200 (thumbstud).
 
http://youtu.be/GKpI9V69pVE

SOG Flash II is too cool for school and it is changeable when in the hands of someone with talent and skill. You lucky, telepathic, man you. Oooooooh yeaaaaaaaa! :)
 
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