I owned a couple of SOG Vision's (TI version) and SOG Night Vision over the years. I always liked the Arc-Lock (just as good as the AXIS) blade grinds (for looks) and the tanto shape for utility (both pointy and chisel-like) but was put off in particular by the poor clip placement (very unbalanced and easy for the knife to jump out of your pocket) - so I got rid of them.
One of my favorite factory folders is the BM940, although at times I wanted something smaller, and the TI versions were never issued with partial serrations and they never issued a mini version.
So I picked up a Mini X-Ray. Sharp out of the box, easy clean action on the arc-lock, minimally textured but adequate zytel scales over nested stainless steel liners keep it compact and understated. Even the graphics on the blade are minimal - which is a relief compared to some, or most, factory knives these days. Blade is ATS-34 which is pretty good considering the price point. The thing that I liked best is the great improvment over the larger designs in that is has a reversable, butt-end clip. It keeps the balance down in your pocket so that you can actually wear it with quite a bit of confidence that it won't pop out, even on thinner material like cotton shorts.
I just finished up replanting an entire lawn and carried the Mini X-Ray throughout over the three week period. I repaired hoses (cut off bad ends and put on splices), opened up the usual complement of lime, fertilizer and seed bags, opened up straw bales, scraped caked mud from my water roller, used it with a baton to split stakes and cut warning line and so forth. It was a constant companion.
If you want a compact, durable bulldog of a pocket knife that you won't be afraid to lose (and probably won't) with a slick lock, low-ride clip and high-quality steel at a great price point, you will like this one.
I hope some day Spyderco and Benchmade can come around on some of their excellent utility models and get them fitted with low ride clips. I also am very impressed with the nested steel liners - it keeps the knife thinner (no, I didn't measure, just going by feel) than the BM and Spyderco FRN models, which I happen to prefer, YMMV.
One of my favorite factory folders is the BM940, although at times I wanted something smaller, and the TI versions were never issued with partial serrations and they never issued a mini version.
So I picked up a Mini X-Ray. Sharp out of the box, easy clean action on the arc-lock, minimally textured but adequate zytel scales over nested stainless steel liners keep it compact and understated. Even the graphics on the blade are minimal - which is a relief compared to some, or most, factory knives these days. Blade is ATS-34 which is pretty good considering the price point. The thing that I liked best is the great improvment over the larger designs in that is has a reversable, butt-end clip. It keeps the balance down in your pocket so that you can actually wear it with quite a bit of confidence that it won't pop out, even on thinner material like cotton shorts.
I just finished up replanting an entire lawn and carried the Mini X-Ray throughout over the three week period. I repaired hoses (cut off bad ends and put on splices), opened up the usual complement of lime, fertilizer and seed bags, opened up straw bales, scraped caked mud from my water roller, used it with a baton to split stakes and cut warning line and so forth. It was a constant companion.
If you want a compact, durable bulldog of a pocket knife that you won't be afraid to lose (and probably won't) with a slick lock, low-ride clip and high-quality steel at a great price point, you will like this one.
I hope some day Spyderco and Benchmade can come around on some of their excellent utility models and get them fitted with low ride clips. I also am very impressed with the nested steel liners - it keeps the knife thinner (no, I didn't measure, just going by feel) than the BM and Spyderco FRN models, which I happen to prefer, YMMV.