SOG Flash II -- impressions -- size, etc.

B

BLM4L

Joined
Jan 19, 2006
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194
Just checking. I have not picked up the latest version, but was wondering if the blade feels fairly substantial, but still a light weight AO knife?
 
clipped to my left back pocket as I type this. It's been my EDC for a while. At 4.5" closed and 8" opened it's not a dinky knife but it only tips my postal scale at 3.1oz (for the FRN handled version). Between the low weight and deep clip it makes for pretty unobtrusive carry. The deep carry clip makes it a little harder to get out of the pocket but that's the trade off for keeping it out of sight.

I don't have calipers but the blade looks to be a little les than 1/8", maybe .10". It's a flat grind, good slicer but I wouldn't want to pry much more than staples with it. AUS8 is fine for my uses but if you're a hard core steel junkie you may want to look elsewhere.

I've never had a problem with AO, locks up every time. It's about as fast as the Kershaw Blackout. Don't expect it to be as fast as the Leek. The piston lock may not have the ultimate lock strength of the Manix or the Skirmish but you're not likely to release it on accident. For a 3oz. knife it's enough.

Ergos. This is pretty subjective but it fits my hand really well. One of the reasons I keep coming back to it. I think the grip was designed with utility in mind. Not so comfy in the ice pick grip, forget pikal. It's not a combat knife.

I could do without the safety. I'm not sure I want to take it apart but I may get around to gluing it one of these days.

So, where does that leave us? It's a great low profile, light-medium duty, utlilitarian slicer with some cool gadget factor that's good for a lefty. It suits my uses just fine. hope that helps.

Frank
 
It sits very low in my pocket, holds an edge reasonably well, and is very comfortable to hold in a standard grip.

There is some lateral blade play when it's extended though.

I'm not sure it's the best value out there, but it's a very decent knife that I carry with me just about every day.
 
I loved the knife but after 6 months I could make the lock fail and the pocket clip snapped off.
 
ashtxsniper said:
I loved the knife but after 6 months I could make the lock fail and the pocket clip snapped off.
Click to expand...

How did you make it fail?

I've had mine about 4-5 years, and haven't had any problems with it, but I'm not that hard on my knives . . .
 
I stuck the blade In a 1" piece of flexible tubing and pulled the knife toward me and instead of slicing the tubing the knife just closed. Putting the blade in a vice (is a similar way to replicate what I was doing) and pulling the handle down makes it fail at about 20 lbs of pressure now. The zytel handle flexes enough to let the piston lock disengage. I did the same thing with a CS Vaquero, a Spyderco Endura 4 , and a Spyderco Native, LM Wave, and a LM Surge with no lock failures. So I still carry it for rough use but I don't put it in a situation where the lock can slip. On the other hand it doesn't hold an edge as long as some of my other knifes but it gets really sharp and it is easy to touch up.
 
Ashtxsniper, you should send what's left of it back for a new knife. I'm certain there would be no question on this.


Robbie Roberson ;)
 
Its still usable and I plan on using it the way it is. The knife wouldn't qualify for warranty repair since I have abused it considerably. Pound for pound it served me well. Not to mention it has been sharpened every other day for 6 months the blade missing a little bit of steel. I really want to see what it will do in the long run. Let me inform everyone that in my line of work a knife gets abused very hard and it is most likely due to this abuse that the knife failed. Sog makes some really good knives for the price. I will buy another one when this one gets retired. Silver Fox pretty much summed up the way I feel about it.
 
BTW: Love the signature/slogan-- Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum (If you want peace prepare for war)

I wish I knew a good source for more like that.
 
Just google "cool Latin phrases" or something similar and you will pull up sites with all types of neat phrases.
 
I purchased a Flash II a year or so ago. The safety lock was novel idea but I never got used to the blade release button. Was awkward for me, anyways. Mine had excessive blade play to the point that I was afraid to use it for more than maybe spreading sandwich spread and cutting string or tape. Not putting SOG down, but this particular knife was a very poor example of knife making IMO. I have a couple of SOG multitools and I love em, but as for the Flash II, I actually threw it away (really), I was afraid if I gave it to someone else, they might injure themselves.
 
pkdmslf said:
I purchased a Flash II a year or so ago. The safety lock was novel idea but I never got used to the blade release button. Was awkward for me, anyways. Mine had excessive blade play to the point that I was afraid to use it for more than maybe spreading sandwich spread and cutting string or tape. Not putting SOG down, but this particular knife was a very poor example of knife making IMO. I have a couple of SOG multitools and I love em, but as for the Flash II, I actually threw it away (really), I was afraid if I gave it to someone else, they might injure themselves.
Click to expand...

What was your handle made out of?
 
pkdmslf.....I have four of them and love them.....I would have sent you the postage to send it to me instead of putting in the trash !!!!!!!!!!
 
I carry the smaller Flash 1 every day. I have converted quite a few Flash 1 & 2s to autos. They are well made knives.
Bill
 
I'm wondering if those who have had problems all have Zytel handles on their Flash II's . . . ?

Mine has aluminum handles, and I haven't had a single problem with it (except for when I lost it for 5 months).
 
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