SOG Flash I vs. Kershaw Scallion

J

JackStraw.308

Joined
Mar 18, 2005
Messages
15
Ok, I'm split between these two knives. The Kershaw Leek is also a contender, but I think I'd prefer the polyamid grips and lower price of the Scallion over the longer blade of the Leek. The Scallion would be STRAIGHT bladed and the Flash I would be half serrated.

Anyway, I'd like to know which has the safest lock (the one that holds the blade in place when it is open AND the one that holds it shut), which one has the fastest opening action and which one is the best cutter.
Opinion on which is easiest to hold and unlock and open would also be helpful but I guess it depends on the person.

Thanks :)
 
I've not handled the Flash, so this will be a somewhat one sided post.

I have a couple of scallions (and chives and leeks), and am always amazed at the snappy response from the torsion bar assist. The Scallion has a flipper that the flash does not appear to have. These flippers make for a much faster and intuitive opening process. Though if you are used to "thumbing" out the blade on a non-assisted folder, the transition to an assisted thumb opener would be no trick.

The Scallion has a positive, independent safety for keeping the blade closed. With this safety engaged, the knife just can't open. The liner lock is tried and true. There are better locks available (stud, axis, comression, etc...) but there is always someone who dislike a lock mechanizism for one reason or the other. The lock all boils down to personal preference. I have never had a Kershaw accidentally close on me. And I have used them almost exclusivly for many years.

The SOG appears to come with AUS8 Steel. This is a bit better than the 420HS on the scallion. The leeks have 440A.

The scallion is not made for meaty hands. I can hold and use one quite comfortable, but the SOG appears to be less compact.

The Scallion has a generous convex recurve that make cutting a snap. The material being cut is somewhat "trapped" in the recess, and has no choice bit to sucumb to the blade.
 
Well, I havn't got large hand so the Scallion shouldn't be a problem to hold. Everything seems equal! Better steel on one but better blade shape on the other. Easier to unlock on one, easier to open on the other... grr! I need another job...
 
I own a flash II not a flash I, but the flash II is just a bigger version of the flash I.

I have only owned it for a few days now but I love it. The lock that holds the blade in the closed position works flawlessly, the blade doesn't even budge when it's locked closed.

When you activate the S.A.T. on the flash the piston lock automaticly engages. The piston lock is extremely strong and I would venture to guess that the blade/handle would fail before the lock.

As for the Aus8 steel, It's great, within 8 minutes I had a Razor sharp edge on it using a cheep $5 diamond pocket stone from W-mart (not to mention the fact that I nearly sliced my finger tip off :rolleyes: ). Also the drop point design on the blade is great for everyday use, as it helps provide great control when using the blade. I've even heard about one guy field dressing two deer with the flash II.:eek:

The S.A.T.system works great on my knife it really opens in a "FLASH" .;)

Also, While I have never had to deal with kershaw's Costumer service (I don't own any kershaws). I did have the Pleasure to deal with the SOG warranty dept. They sent me a replacement saw blade for my powerlock (best multi-tool ever ;)) the same day without asking any questions what-so-ever.
 
The Kershaw is more dressy, the SOG is better for more demanding tasks. Why Comboedge on the Flash?
 
Well, I've got the Flash II, and a friend has one of the Kershaw assisted openers. I like the Flash, but it's not a knife I'd carry every day.

If you want the Flash model, I'd get the Flash II. The three inch blades are just tiny... and it isn't the blade so much as the handle. All the small (three inch) Kershaw's I've handled have been nice knives, but so small that I felt I'd lose control of it very easily.

If you have to have an assisted opener, I'd go with out of the larger Kershaws or the Flash II. If it doens't have to be an assisted opener, get a Benchmade.

As to the locks, I wouldn't worry about the Flash... when it's locked, it's locked. ANd I've dropped it unlocked and it didn't open, so it's a substantial lock. No blade play when locked open either.
 
I use the Flash I partly serrated as an edc; I love the knife it has a very strong lock to it and it keeps a really good edge. I find it really easy to pull out and unlock the safety when I have it clipped on my pocket. It is in excellent value imo. Well, I hope I have been of help!
 
I have only had the Kershaws, but I EDC the Leek. Didnt think I would, but I have lots of knives and the Leek is just so slick. Very solid frame lock and a lock for when it is in your pocket so it wont open accidentally. The speed-assist is VERY nice and they are SHARP right from Kershaw. It is a great knife and I highly recommend it.
 
socintel said:
Also, While I have never had to deal with kershaw's Costumer service (I don't own any kershaws). I did have the Pleasure to deal with the SOG warranty dept. They sent me a replacement saw blade for my powerlock (best multi-tool ever ;)) the same day without asking any questions what-so-ever.
Click to expand...

I had a few dealings with kershaw's costumer service. I send them a email of what I need and a few days later its in my hands. No questions asked.
 
slice&dice said:
I had a few dealings with kershaw's costumer service. I send them a email of what I need and a few days later its in my hands. No questions asked.
Click to expand...

Same. Kershaw is as "customer-centric" as you can get. I venture that you could probobly build a whole knife just by calling and asking for parts.
 
I have two Kershaw Scallions and one Flash II, slightly bigger version of the Flash I. It's really like comparing apples to oranges. The Scallion is a lot smaller than the Flash, and has a different lock, axis for the Flash, and linerlock for the Scallion. I EDC'd a Scallion for half a year, it worked great, only problem was that the crappy safety broke and I had to relegate it to the toolbox. My Flash II, which I bought from a great seller on the forum, is a great knife, best of all the safety is sturdy. Both feel great in the hand, the Flash II is larger and feels better in my hands. I would say that both are a good buy, but if you are looking for a smaller knife, how about a Twitch II? The handle doesn't feel as good as the Flash's, but it is of comparable size to the Scallion.
 
Well I would prefer the Flash II, but I'm skint...er, that's "****ed, moneywise" in American ;) So I can only afford a Flash.

I wanted part serrated because it's a general purpose knife, I may need to cut fibrous material at some point. If I cut wood with the serrated blade, will it leave funny marks and cut wierd or will it cut just like a straight blade?
 
Jackstraw .308,

I did a search on E-bay for the flash II and I found one going for $44.00 with shipping. You might want to check it out, It doesn't really cost much more than a flash I. And considering you get more knife I would say its worth it.
 
I am in the UK, yes.

I'd prefer not to buy from Ebay, especially the dealers I found selling the Flash II - all from the U.S., all using UPS, all giving no info on the condition of the knife etc and none giving insurance on shipping.
 
slice&dice said:
I had a few dealings with kershaw's costumer service. I send them a email of what I need and a few days later its in my hands. No questions asked.
Click to expand...

I bought a Scallion while over in Arizona a couple of weeks ago (really love it BTW) but shortly after returning to Shetland I somehow managed to simultaneously put the "safety lock" in the "safe" position, try to close the blade and drop the knife (I blame the jet lag!)

The blade neatly snipped off the safety lock. Now, you might wonder about the design of the lock itself....if it was stronger it might not break when the blade is forcibly closed on it, but then if it was stronger it might damage the tip of the blade, so better to sacrifice the small replaceable plastic lock. It;s plenty strong enough to prevent accidental opening. Without it I've not dared carry it in my pocket!

I was more concerned with getting it fixed so I emailed Kershaw customer services asking about replacement parts, and today what should arrive in the post but 2 repair kits for the safety lock!

That's good service in my book - free parts to a customer on the other side of the world, on the strength of an email enquiry!

Now all I need is a tiny torx wrench....need to dig out the toolkit...

Cheers from the windy Shetland Islands

John
 
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