SOG folders

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reaper16

Joined
May 13, 2010
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Hey guys,
This would be my first post here after being referred to this site by an ar15.com member. So on to my point this summer I'm looking for a fixed blade knife, and a new folder.
That being said, I am particularly interested in the SOG series of folders, on particular the assisted opening models, primarily the sog twitch xl.

So I am curious as to the opinions of sog folders from the members here.
 
they are not great . I recomend spyderco, benchmade and kershaw all over SOG for any of your edged tool needs...
 
SOG makes a high quality knife called the Endura with their signature "SOG opening hole".

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mongomondo said:
SOG makes a high quality knife called the Endura with their signature "SOG opening hole".

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That cracked me up. A very sad move on SOG's part to release that knife. I do like some of their stuff, though the zytel flash II I wasn't that great. Wouldn't buy another zytel handled knife from them ever again.

The twitch xl seems like a good knife, though can't remember if I've handled one or not. Though I am not a fan of assisted folders. Best advice is to shop around. Benchmade and Spyderco are both good. Kershaw is good too, though steer clear of their lower end stuff. Don't think I'd trust my life or much of anything else with the Vapor 2 I have. Other than that I think they are good.

Have any particular tasks you need/want the knife for?
 
I absolutely hate sog folders. Kershaws are great knives, especially if you want assisted opening. Benchmade are also good, but their designs don't really do it for me. Also check out the Spyderco Endura and Delica.
What kind of fixed blade are you looking for? What's your price range? Depending on what you are interested in you might look into ESEE (RAT) cutlery. They have the best warranty in the business.
 
I was just looking at sypderco, and I'll have a look at kershaws and benchmade's as well.

Basically the folder is for your basic daily carry "pocket knife". My previous was a gerber paraframe....which isnt the best to say the least.

Also, as far as fixed blades I've already been told to look into RAT, I do like their designs, but I'm still looking around. TBH the gerber profle...which is a cheap knife has the design im looking for on my fixed blade just not the quality. But ATM a folder is the priority. I should add due to being a college student I'm attempting to limit my fixed blade budget between $80-$120.
 
There has been a lot of SOG hating going around because of their recent new products ... which look suspiciously like other brands ... There is a large post with replies from the SOG founder and other SOG team members in the SOG subforum.

That said, I have a SOG Aegis that I really like. Its not the nicest knife I own by any means, but the AO is really fast and smooth, the blade has a nice shape and I really like the deep carry clip that SOG uses. The handles are ok, I kinda like something a bit sturdier feeling, but I don't think I would break them in normal use.
 
sog my spec elite & pentagon in vg10 are good knives. i like arc locks & flippers. ca'nt recommend any assisted openers. may be marginally faster but all a.o. are that many x-tra parts to go wrong.
 
I see your point,
At any rate I was browsing about on knife works and found the Kersaw Ken Onion Blur? There are two versions one with 440 steel and the other with s30v steel. It has the basic design that I was looking for as well.

thoughts?
 
I inferred such from their prices,
At any rate, I also found the Tanto groove to be a tempting offering from kershaw as well.

I suppose steel type matters more than anything.
 
Can't remember if I've ever owned a knife in 440A steel and I only have one knife in S30V. In any case, make sure you factor in sharpening a recurve blade. I steer clear clear of them since they are a pain to sharpen, for me anyway.

Though now that I think about it and did some looking, you can get a large Buck Vantage Pro which is in S30V for the price of the Blur in 440A. Really different knives, but just a thought.
 
I personally would look at other companies for reasons touched upon in this thread, though some people don't feel the same way about their practices. That aside, Kershaw to me really is the place to go for AO. They have outstanding quality for the price. Steel type, IMO really shouldn't be that much of a concern for most beginners in knives. Most all of the knives you'll buy from reputable companies will use steels that at the minimum should be able to do just about any EDC task you can ask of it within reason. My personal opinion is that high end steels really are for the steel snobs, myself included. I enjoy a good glass of Remy Martin XO, but when I first started drinking, I wouldn't have been able to appreciate the difference between that and some $10 bottle of cognac.

Oh and welcome to the forums:).
 
I wasnt aware that $10 bottles of cognac existed ;p. Im more of a bourbon guy myself...so I guess its the difference between makers mark and heaven hill.

At any rate, Kershaw may very well be the way I go, I do like the blade designs. Ultimately I live close to smokey mountain knife works, and I'm going to browse there.
My descision will come between Kershaw, Benchmade, Sypderco, Sog, RAT and Buck in all liklihood, and yes price will be a factor.

On that note I'm going to be more concerned with steel type in my fix blade than in my folder. 440, s30v, or AUS8, wont be noticebaly different for what I'm going to use an edc folder for.
 
I recently bought a SOG Flash 1 and do not care for it.

I have several knives, for example a SAK Classic, that have small handles but are quite usable for what they were designed for. The SOG however has two tiny finger choils that are two small for my medium sized fingers. I can hardly hold it.

So maybe I should have bought the Flash 2. However, the feel of the knife is not particularly satisfying. The lock pin switch looks like cheap plastic, and rattles around. Perhaps it is bomb-proof, but I initially thought it was defective.

The assisted opener works pretty well, but it is awkward to close. I much prefer the Kershaw Leek, which feels solid and well designed. I might be convinced otherwise, but have no plans to purchase another SOG folder.
 
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Hey Reaper! Glad you made your way over here. Great place to learn more about knives than you knew even existed.

Kershaw makes some great folders. Good idea to go check them out at a local store. See which one looks and feels best to you. I have been very happy with the Kershaws that I have owned. You have listed some very well liked companies in your options for possible folders, so I do not think you will be disappointed. You will end up with more than just one, it is an inevitability.

I would shy away from SOG personally. Read some of the threads here about their recent line up and you will see why. There are many better companies for the money.
 
reaper16 said:
So I am curious as to the opinions of sog folders from the members here.
Click to expand...

SOG gets alot of flack from members here...i don't know why. i do think the "SOGZILLA" (endura) was a bad move on their part but all of the knives i've had from them have been nice but none really blew me away. I think the Aegis is your best bet for an assisted sog. its one of the more prefered and "liked" sog knives.
 
I'll just rule sog out to many dissenting opinions.

Two ques:
1) What about Ka-Bar?
2) Where can I find an actual ranking of steel types based on quality?
 
reaper16 said:
That being said, I am particularly interested in the SOG series of folders, on particular the assisted opening models, primarily the sog twitch xl.

So I am curious as to the opinions of sog folders from the members here.
Click to expand...

As noted, and as you have seen, SOG gets a lot of flack. Some may be justified.
I have a number of SOG folders, primairly the less expensive ones, and I've been quite pleased with them. I have 2 Twitch XLs, plain and tanto...like them both, though I don't care for the placement of the gimping on the tanto.
Have a couple of Flashs, an Aegis, and a few others.
Considering price, I think they are good value. Do shop around and find the best price, they are frequently discounted (Amazon isn't a bad place to check).
 
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