SOG folders

SOG, Ontario and Cold Steel get a lot of crap around here but it is 99 percent politics. I have owned a lot of products from All three of these companies and they were well worth the money that I spent on them. Be your own man and buy whatever the heck you want, don't listen to much to the winds that blow through here. However if you get 50 answers and you do a average, then you might learn what you are seeking.
 
I have had a Flash2, twitch 2, trident and Spec elite 1. The spec elite 1 was the only one I really miss. Their fixed blades are good but their folders are not great. Go with Spyderco for folders.
 
I will never buy another sog ever.
Here's just 3 reasons why.

1- they steal other peoples designs.
2- they charge a crap load for knives with lower end steel.
3- they don't think people know that there knife is a sog just with the writing on the blade, they think they need to write it on the handle to? Gay.
 
udtjim said:
SOG, Ontario and Cold Steel get a lot of crap around here but it is 99 percent politics. I have owned a lot of products from All three of these companies and they were well worth the money that I spent on them. Be your own man and buy whatever the heck you want, don't listen to much to the winds that blow through here. However if you get 50 answers and you do a average, then you might learn what you are seeking.
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As udtjim says, get what you like. You may pay attention to consistent negativity on a particular model of knife, but blanket statements about a company are usually worth what you pay for them.
 
I have a lot of folders, not many of them are SOG but that is mainly because they don't make 1000000 models, all of the ones that I have perform well. I have more Bucks than anything else but also have a good supply of Kershaw and Spyderco. The Flinstones had the only original model, everything else has been done by someone somewhere.
 
try the E-Clip series. I just got one and its like the poor man's Spyderco Dragonfly. Intergal Clip and 440 steel made in China and at $12 off E-Bay you will not cry when you lose it or some douche confiscates it.

I clip mine to my keys and toss the whole thing into the bin when I go through security at work (Fed Office in DC). The Whackenhut Homies don't seem to notice and it they do and confis it no great lose from me.
 
S&W are my disposable knives but they work pretty well with a good convex edge. I have edc one for about 10 years, still ready for a few more years. I usually have the little s30v Native in the other pocket.
 
If you really want the low down of what happened, this thread has 9 pages of ridicule towards SOG and the SOG founder retorting with an automated message that is filled with pathetic rhetoric trying to push away from the point. Band wagon appeal, red herring, counter-argument...etc.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=707760&highlight=sog+founder


Never tried any SOG knives.
I hear there is a selection of great folders.

For me?
Spyderco and Benchmade are the way to go.
Kershaw is value for the dollar.
 
"The Flinstones had the only original model, everything else has been done by someone somewhere."

Heh, funny and true. The thread you have been directed to is very illustrative of what men call a fanboi swarm. It is quite entertaining and if you like outraged hyperbole / unintentional funny you will laugh a lot. It will also help you quantify some of the responses you've received here.

On the knife, get what you like but for AO Kershaw would be what I'd steer you towards. Enjoy the forums!
 
My biggest complaint about SOG folders is blade play, every one I’ve had developed play with use.

I’m going to echo some of the other posters and recommend Kershaw and Spyderco.

If you really like AO then Kershaw has some very nice offerings. Its tough to go wrong with the Blur. it’s a good reliable folder, and best of all its available in very cool steels like S30v, cmp154 and zdp189 and decent price points.

Another Kershaw I really like is the Lahar though its not an assisted opining knife.

Spyderco is probably my favorite knife brand. I’d recommend looking at the Manix 2, the endura/delica as well as the Sage series of knives.
 
One would tink the Salwould raise hellwith other companies if they were really stealing their desishne, Why just let it go. But then who inventedthe frame lock amd stuff like that, they have all worked with the same design. if it don'tother Sal, then I don't worry either. I will mind my business and I am sure Sal will take care of his. What few of us do blowing off steam does not hurt or help anyone. We maybe buy one percent of the knives on the market. Most knife buyers and users have never heard of knife forums.
 
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reaper16 said:
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?
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The only Ka-Bar folder I have is the Dozier Hunter - its smaller but honestly one of the best value knives you could buy. I would recommend it to anyone, its just a really great knife. However, its not assisted opening. I don't know that Ka-Bar really makes many assisted opening knives.

Steel quality is a very debated subject around here, some people swear by VG-10, others love s30v, while still others hate both and stick with high carbon steels.

(from the benchmade website)
table_blade_steels.gif


I like benchmade's summary of some of their steels and its probably a decent starting point in terms of developing a reference. Spyderco also has a good introduction to steels. There are several threads around here that go ... really really in depth though if you want to learn more
 
Currently I'm looking at the Kershaw Skyline...

The only reason I'm shying away from the blur is that someone mentioned recurve blades were a pain to sharpen?

But tbh I think I can get better value out of a non assisted opening folder...since I cant really think of a situation when I would really need such a feature.

On that note the Benchmade HK series interest me, as My buddy picked one up and I must say it is damn nice and opens smoother and easoer than my gerber ever thought possible.

edit...I cant spell...
 
reaper16 said:
Currently I'm looking at the Kershaw Skyline...

The only reason I'm shying away from the blur is that someone mentioned recurve blades were a pain to sharpen?

But tbh I think I can get better value out of a non assisted opening folder...since I cant really think of a situation when I would really need such a feature.

On that note the Benchmade HK series interest me, as My buddy picked one up and I must say it is damn nice and opens smoother and easoer than my gerber ever thought possible.

edit...I cant spell...
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The Skyline is a great knife from a reputable company, and IMHO represents very good value for the money. Like others have stated, I'd steer clear of SOG - in my experience, while not awful, their knives haven't been that great either. Kershaw, Spyderco, Victorinox, Benchmade, etc. are all very good alternatives to SOG.

As far as good information on steels, I regularly use this chart. It doesn't have a narrative on the steels, but it does give the composition of all the more popular steels you might encounter.

http://www.agrussell.com/Steel_Guide/a/73/

- Mark
 
udtjim said:
One would tink the Salwould raise hellwith other companies if they were really stealing their desishne, Why just let it go. But then whi inventedthe frame lock amd stuff like that, they have all worked with the same design. if it don'tother Sal, then I don't worry either.
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I do not think Sal is the kind of person to go "raise hell" with someone. From all his posts over the years, he has always been very prudent, accomodating, and very intelligent in his responses. He has a lot of class and no one that reads the Spyderco forum or their forum on here can deny it.

Aside from that, isn't that what lawyers are for? I guess some people take this personally, they develop a strong attachment and identify with a company. Brand loyalty can run deep, and a swing on their company is a swing on them, everyone is guilty of that to some extent.
 
Every knife maker or company uses other peoples ideas and know how. How many new things are their left under the heavens.. It has nothing to do with brand loyalty, If you are loyal to a brand, it won't matter what the other guy uses to entice you. I just find the politics of the knife business all rather childish.
 
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So,

I do believe I have narrowed my choice down to 2 folders.

1) Kershaw Skyline
2) Benchmade HK series liner lock model plain edge (my friend has the serrated and I have to say I love how fluid and easy it is to open this folder).

One last question, is there any reason to not like liner locks?
 
My SOG experience: two Trident folders... 1.thumb stud for lock release broke off
2. "safety catch" would go on and off at free will 3. spring broke 4. huge blade play 5. edge would go from razor to butter knife in a short time. Still loved the design and feel in my hand...looked great but had to sell it. I would suggest sticking to the more traditional SOG knives and leaving the AO. I personally prefer some of the other brands recommended.
 
reaper16 said:
So,

I do believe I have narrowed my choice down to 2 folders.

1) Kershaw Skyline
2) Benchmade HK series liner lock model plain edge (my friend has the serrated and I have to say I love how fluid and easy it is to open this folder).

One last question, is there any reason to not like liner locks?
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As long as it is a well made knife from a reputable company you will have no problem with the lock. Some people complain about closing them and having to watch your thumb from getting pinched. I have never had a problem. Just move your thumb out of the way after you disengage the lock. I carried a Kershaw blur for years and it was great.
 
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