SOG Force - Your opinion?

Really pricey for a 6" x .236" aus 8 blade. There are a lot better options out there for the price IMHO.

Check out the Ratmandu.
 
I don't see they sell a Ratmandu, but they have a Rodent 4, 6, and 9 available.
 
Guess I'd like to know what the draw is to this knife. For that much you could get an ESEE or a Blind Horse or any of a host of others that to me are just a much better knife. Steel, design, sheath........the whole 9 yards.

Why would people buy this particular knife? I'd like to know.
 
utah_fish said:
Guess I'd like to know what the draw is to this knife. For that much you could get an ESEE or a Blind Horse or any of a host of others that to me are just a much better knife. Steel, design, sheath........the whole 9 yards.

Why would people buy this particular knife? I'd like to know.
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Well, I like the idea of a hard use stainless steel woods knife. I live along the coast in a very humid area and have rust issues with carbon steels here. I like the handle, I've used it an the seal team elite and find it very comfortable. I like how SOG does their Aus 8a, I've found it to be very tough, serviceable in the field, and rust free. I like the nylon sheath they do, it has lots of attachment options and hold securely. I like the blade design too, nice thick spine for batoning but a high hollow grind to keep a good relief edge and cut well. Lastly, street price is Under $100. How's that?
 
I got one of the first issued ; half serrated. I am waiting to get a plain edge one ( which is now the standard production) as I am not the biggest fan of serrations.

Otherwise , it is really a great knife with a good sheath. I wanted a Seal team at one point but didn't like the clip point blade , and the Force has a spear point that is more robust , almost 1/4" thick. The hollow grind makes it a pretty good slicer , and the thickness overall makes it a tough blade. No issues so far with the edge regarding chipping and rolling plus pretty easy to sharpening with a DC4 or whatever.

It's not my main bush knife , but if I was stuck out there with only "one" the Force would be high on my list if I had a choice. It easily outslices my BK2 at almost the same thickness , it's rust-resistant and the sheath works great for it. It's one of those fixed=blade packages I didn't have to tweak a single thing on , sheath or knife both.

The grip is hard zytel and feels good in the hand. Plenty of real estate there. Glass breaker doesn't dig in palm either.

There aren't too many SOG products I like , but the Force is definately one of them. It is a little pricy for what it is but I am glad I bought it. I may sell my half-serrated if I can find a plain edge.

Hope that helped.
 
hiwa said:
I got one of the first issued ; half serrated. I am waiting to get a plain edge one ( which is now the standard production) as I am not the biggest fan of serrations.

Otherwise , it is really a great knife with a good sheath. I wanted a Seal team at one point but didn't like the clip point blade , and the Force has a spear point that is more robust , almost 1/4" thick. The hollow grind makes it a pretty good slicer , and the thickness overall makes it a tough blade. No issues so far with the edge regarding chipping and rolling plus pretty easy to sharpening with a DC4 or whatever.

It's not my main bush knife , but if I was stuck out there with only "one" the Force would be high on my list if I had a choice. It easily outslices my BK2 at almost the same thickness , it's rust-resistant and the sheath works great for it. It's one of those fixed=blade packages I didn't have to tweak a single thing on , sheath or knife both.

The grip is hard zytel and feels good in the hand. Plenty of real estate there. Glass breaker doesn't dig in palm either.

There aren't too many SOG products I like , but the Force is definately one of them. It is a little pricy for what it is but I am glad I bought it. I may sell my half-serrated if I can find a plain edge.

Hope that helped.
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Thanks! Nice to get some real feedback on a SOG. I was on the fence with the serrated but the change to the plain edge really make it seem like a great blade. I've been having trouble finding one in stock though.
 
retzius said:
I don't see they sell a Ratmandu, but they have a Rodent 4, 6, and 9 available.
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The ratmandu isn't a sog ;). Sorry I should have mentioned that, It's a Busse. They run for 150$ to 200$ and is worth every penny.

Heres a pic of it!

ratmandu4.jpg
 
Zookie said:
The ratmandu isn't a sog ;). Sorry I should have mentioned that, It's a Busse. They run for 150$ to 200$ and is worth every penny.

Heres a pic of it!

ratmandu4.jpg
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Lol thanks. I know the Ratmandu isn't a Sog... I meant that on the swamp rat website all they have available is the rodent 4,6, and 9.

Regardless, that choil is a deal breaker for me. I can't stand them on small blades. I'm not a Busse fan either, I've had 3 and sold them all. Was not impressed in the field with them ergonomicaly or aesthetically ;) to me, the reality did not match the hype although ymmv.
 
What other >/= 0.24 thickness stainless blade in a <12" OAL fixed blade knife under 100.00 does anyone recommend? I'm about to purchase a FORCE because it's the only one I can find with a "big block" blade and usable thickness almost all the way to the tip. Any recommendations. I'd like to be under 100.00, but definately under 150.00
 
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chasu said:
What other >/= 0.24 thickness stainless blade in a <12" OAL fixed blade knife under 100.00 does anyone recommend? I'm about to purchase a FORCE because it's the only one I can find with a "big block" blade and usable thickness almost all the way to the tip. Any recommendations. I'd like to be under 100.00, but definately under 150.00
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IMHO: You will only get a Taiwanese or Chinese (Yes I make a distinction here) made product for that price range. I believe you will get what you pay for, if this is not an issue then go ahead and buy it. Many people during REAL outdoor use of these Zytel type/glass reinforced handles in the field find them uncomfortable during prolonged usage without gloves. You really need to look at what u want to do and the environment you do most of your camping in (sorry I'm assuming you want this for the outdoors). Moving towards 150 bucks should get u US made knives. I noted that UST on YT promotes the SOG blades but I also noted that many user comments say how uncomfortable the handles are during real use. By real use I don't mean looking at the knife occasionally; chopping your garden plants to pieces; slicing paper for your friends to see your new knife etc, I mean taking on extended trips away from vehicles and using it for serious camp duties. For instance can u gut fish with this knife? skin game and butcher it? prepare the evening camp meals?-probably yes but not so comfortably. You probably can chop down loads of saplings with it and of course baton, it is after all a thick wedge of steel. It will be easy to sharpen as it hasn't got any "funky curves" to the blade etc.

Ok, my advice is really pick one up in an un-gloved hand and think about these things then think again about the goulash you are parting with.
 
SOG sucks, buy USA, Aus 8 steel will fall apart in 1 day.

Seriously though, that is an ok knife design, the only minor problems i see are the thumb spike, halfassed clip point and no handle fastener
 
If you want something stainless and tough, check out the Cold Steel SRK. It's a lot cheaper than the SOG Force, built from the same materials.
 
Don't know where SOG are making their fixed blades.
But the Cold Steel SRK San Mai III version is Made in Japan and
sells for $100-110.
 
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