SOG folding knives

J

jackknifeh

Joined
Sep 29, 2010
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108
I'm interested in opinions of people who have used SOG folding knives for a considerable amount of time. Are they dependable, durable, etc.?

Thank you,
Jack
 
Many people here will tell you that they suck. For me, they're ok, I have 2 SOG folders that I use daily (plus a Micron on my car's key chain) and they're up to the tasks I put them into. Not the tougher ones, many of them with a usual AUS8 steel (not those special steels everybody wants) but for me they are enough and really cool. I have a Flash II for more than 2 years and I had no problems with it (some people have problems with the assisted blade) and a visionary for a month or so (for me, the most beautiful blade shape that I have).

For the price you can get them on eBay or some other internet shops in the USA, I'd recommend them (here in Europe you have to think twice before spending money on a USA made folder, they sell at the price you see at knife companies webpages).
 
I had a tanto trident for a few years. It took a wicked edge and deployed very quickly, no blade play but didn't hold an edge well (AUS-8). If you are willing to sharpen it regularly it is a good knife. Unfortunately the knife was stolen. Wasn't the prize of my collection but I carried it regularly and was happy with it.
 
No, No and No. My experience with SOG was terrible. I myswell have just thrown my money in the trash. Everything started failing on my Twitch 2 with VERY light use. Why bother with SOG when there are many knife makers that use better materials for a better price? Stick with Spyderco, Kershaw and Benchmade...
 
I used to be ok with them, but now I'm not. I think there are so many other better options out there to throw my money at.
 
I carried a Flash II for many years. It was okay..blade play everywhere, AUS-8 took a wicked edge that dulled quickly. Assisted opening was nice.

But honestly, when you can get a Spyderco Native in S30V for ~$60 and a Flash II goes for ~$49, spend the extra 11 bucks and be many times more happy.
 
I agree with the others. I have 2 sog folders and they both have blade play. Honestly, they work fine for what they are, but you could defidently get some better quality control from other companies.
 
I've got a Spec Elite I and a Vulcan (I think they both use VG-10). I've had them both for a while and honestly have not put them through very hard use, but I've played with them a lot. Neither one has play and they seem to be good knives that hold their edge relatively well.

I bought the Spec Elite b/f I knew much about knives and so I won't ever get rid of it. It's not really very practical for utility purposes, but it has sentimental value. Personally, I carry a knife for utility and the Spec Elite is more of a SD knife.

I got the Vulcan about a year ago and picked it up on the exchange here. I would never have bought one new. I think I paid $50 for it and it's been worth that amount.
 
I've got a number of SOG folders, most sub $100. I'd said they are "ok" for the money (assuming you pick them up at discount). I consider them light to medium duty knives.
Saw one writeup where the user batoned with a Flash2 and it didn't fall apart, which was semi-impressive, certainly not something I'd expect a Flash2 to handle well.
Are there better choices? Better is subjective, but at that price point there certainly are plenty of other choices that are just as good.

My only higher priced SOG folder is the Tomcat. If you put it up against most folders in the $100-$200 range, I think it would fair quite well.
 
Thanks for the reply everyone. Truth is I have a few SOG products and had such terrible luck with the folders I wanted to find out what others felt. I had problems with the Flash II, Trident (both SAT), and then bought a Tomcat. All three broke when as I was openeing them within a couple of months of getting them. SOG repaired all very quickly and I haven't had any problems since. No one else seems to have had the problems I had so I guess I just had bad luck. I asked for opinions because I'm thinking of another SOG. Vulcan mini or Visionary I. Both are arc-lock with VG-10 blades like the Tomcat which I really like a lot. I just wanted something smaller (3" or so). I have Spydercos also and have no problems with them at all and have been very happy. I just wanted a more solid 3" blade knife than the Delica without spending over $100. I do want a Delica though. I'm not a collector so my purchases are solely for user knives. I have a Spyderco Michael Walker which is a very solid feeling and performing knife. Next size up Spyderco I have is the Stretch w/ZDP-189 blade. One of my favorites. I want something between them in size which is about 3". So I'm trying to get input.

Thanks again for replying. Any other suggestions are welcome.

Jack
 
i have had a spec elite 1 & a pentagon elite 2 for over a year now & i'm impressed with the performance. these models in vg10 have a good heattreat & get very sharp. this type of folder i would especially recommend to lefties & ambidextorous individuals . it's the easiest opening for a right hand person switching to left hand that i've experienced. i was slicing some thick cardboard in the garage & slipped, banging the vg10 edge into some steel tubing. i did'nt experience any edge deformation although i certainly expected a ding. however these models have the tactical look which means discretion in displaying & use.
dennis
 
DennisStrickland said:
i have had a spec elite 1 & a pentagon elite 2 for over a year now & i'm impressed with the performance. these models in vg10 have a good heattreat & get very sharp. this type of folder i would especially recommend to lefties & ambidextorous individuals . it's the easiest opening for a right hand person switching to left hand that i've experienced. i was slicing some thick cardboard in the garage & slipped, banging the vg10 edge into some steel tubing. i did'nt experience any edge deformation although i certainly expected a ding. however these models have the tactical look which means discretion in displaying & use.
dennis
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Your knives are both the arc-lock which so is my Tomcat. Hands down the easiest opening knife I've ever touched. The Tomcat is as sturdy a knife as I've seen as well. I can loosen the pivot screw until the blade just falls out of the handle but there is still NO play in the blade.

BTW, you didn't go to a high school with the initials SHS did you?

Jack
 
I carried a Flash II for a couple of years, it served me well. It developed blade play a lot and needed adjustment all the time. The thing that made me get a different knife was the safety lock that prevented it from opening would get bumped on in my pocket and the blade would not flip open when I did not intend to lock it.
 
cstef said:
I carried a Flash II for a couple of years, it served me well. It developed blade play a lot and needed adjustment all the time. The thing that made me get a different knife was the safety lock that prevented it from opening would get bumped on in my pocket and the blade would not flip open when I did not intend to lock it.
Click to expand...

I didn't like that either. We weren't the only ones. I saw a video someone made with a Flash I who said he superglued the switch in the unlocked position. I don't know if I'd go that far though. I carried the Trident for a while and was always concerned it would open by accidentally bumping the thumbstud. It did happen once and the blade scratched a piece of furniture. I've decided I'd just stay away from assisted opening knives.

Thanks,
Jack
 
I treat my knives gently, especially my folders, so I can't really claim to know how durable Sog folders are. However I think my 5" Spec-elite II folder is a very solid feeling knife and is also a very attractive design. I also have the 5" Pentagon elite folder which also locks up rock solid and is a very nice knife as well, although I would prefer it without the "sharks tooth" tip. Nevertheless, for those who claim Sog copies other makers, the sharktooth tip is unique as far as I know.
 
I have and regularly use the SOG Access Card 2. I am very happy with it. Good fit & finish, vg-10 blade, buttery smooth opening.
 
I've had good luck with my Twitch but it's never gotten much use just dangling off the keychain. I know some of their older folders had BG42 blades that were just awesome and very well made. Besides my AUS8 twitch I can't comment on their newer batch of folders.

Their multitools are great though. Very nice offset pliers on the set I have.
 
Don't do it!!! Don't put anymore money towards more SOG knives. If you want a SOG product, get their multi-tools, do not get their blades... They all fall apart in no time. If you want bang for your buck and awesome quality, get a Kershaw. If you want some good prices, amazing feel and quality, get a spyderco. If you want just another good quality knife get a Benchmade, BUT if you do you might have to step it up a bit in price because I've found that unless you get something like the 710, your still lacking in some ergonomics. Hope this helps maybe just a little bit...
 
I had a Magnadot folder from SOG which was a decent knife. Too over priced though but I got mine used at a show. Since then I've looked at hundreds of SOGs overpriced, blade wiggle, folders. Not worth it for the $ or the time trying to send you folder in to get fixed. I have a problem with SOG and their marketing and sheath warranty anyway so I'll end this by saying avoid them. Especially with all the other great companies out there.
 
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