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Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
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SOG or Cold Steel
- Thread starter bigeard09
- Start date
WalterDavis
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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I just picked up a Sog Bowie 2.0 last month. Fit and finish is excellent, I’ve been plenty satisfied with Sog’s steel, and it’s a great size. The sheath is flimsier than I’d like, but that’s easy to remedy. I figured with GSM taking over the old-school stuff is going to go away eventually so better get it while you can!
The Cold Steel is a better knife. The SOG is a cooler knife. I have an S1 and and Agency. The Agency is AUS-8. If SOG does one thing reasonably well, it's their heat-treatment of AUS-8. I looked at a Bowie 2.0 at a gun show this last weekend. It feels solid in hand, but not the same as the S1. Still, it's close. For light to medium cutting tasks, it's more than sufficient. If you need a six-ish inch fixed blade, you could do far worse. Finding one that's as visually appealing might be difficult.
First of all guys thankyou all the many varied answers to my thread , much appreciated because it makes it slightly easier for me to make a choice !
By the way , who are GSM ? who are taking over production of SOG knives if Ive understood this right , and does this mean that quality may not be as good ?
I will try and reply to you all by first saying for all we have all got our own preferences for different style and makes of knives , we all probably have the same passion . As I used to teach on combat survival courses many years ago , one of the main questions that used to come up was what kind of knife do you need for Survival / bushcraft / campcraft or call it what you will . My answer used to be that there is no one type of bladed weapon that can be used effectively for all the tasks needed to live or survive in remote or hostile environments ! so it comes down to common sense and personal choice . Ideally if you had a good hunting knife with a small folder or fixed blade back up knife for skinning , a Parang machete , a good axe , wood saw etc etc you would be well set but obviously as most people are conscious of the weight they are carrying on camping trips this would not be practical , so a choice must be made . In my opinion For generic purposes a good quality 6" or 7" blade hunting / combat style knife with a quality small fixed or folding back up knife should be enough for normal camping trips but I always carried a Bhacho Laplander saw which is very effective and takes up little space or weight ! This brings up the point also about Mora knives , if youre not bothered about having a gucci quality knife which costs a few hundred dollars or pounds then the range of Mora knives with their extremely sharp steel from Sweden are a great choice .
Regarding my own choice on this thread , I love the aesthetics of the SOG Tech and 2.0 but there do seem to have been a few problems with the butt cap internal nut from becoming loose ( dont know if SOG have improved this) , but the cold Steel knives according to many people are their knife of choice because of better steel and strength . Think Im going to have to toss a coin .
By the way , who are GSM ? who are taking over production of SOG knives if Ive understood this right , and does this mean that quality may not be as good ?
I will try and reply to you all by first saying for all we have all got our own preferences for different style and makes of knives , we all probably have the same passion . As I used to teach on combat survival courses many years ago , one of the main questions that used to come up was what kind of knife do you need for Survival / bushcraft / campcraft or call it what you will . My answer used to be that there is no one type of bladed weapon that can be used effectively for all the tasks needed to live or survive in remote or hostile environments ! so it comes down to common sense and personal choice . Ideally if you had a good hunting knife with a small folder or fixed blade back up knife for skinning , a Parang machete , a good axe , wood saw etc etc you would be well set but obviously as most people are conscious of the weight they are carrying on camping trips this would not be practical , so a choice must be made . In my opinion For generic purposes a good quality 6" or 7" blade hunting / combat style knife with a quality small fixed or folding back up knife should be enough for normal camping trips but I always carried a Bhacho Laplander saw which is very effective and takes up little space or weight ! This brings up the point also about Mora knives , if youre not bothered about having a gucci quality knife which costs a few hundred dollars or pounds then the range of Mora knives with their extremely sharp steel from Sweden are a great choice .
Regarding my own choice on this thread , I love the aesthetics of the SOG Tech and 2.0 but there do seem to have been a few problems with the butt cap internal nut from becoming loose ( dont know if SOG have improved this) , but the cold Steel knives according to many people are their knife of choice because of better steel and strength . Think Im going to have to toss a coin .
The SOG has been around for awhile, 15+years. And there really have been relatively few reports of issues. Buy from someplace that allows returns. Check it out.
If it doesn't meet your specs, send it back.
Or, just get the Cold Steel. Not as cool, just as capable. Maybe more so.
I'm actually surprised you're having a hard time deciding. You have enough experience to survive with a 4" fixed blade and a multi-tool. You know how important
a machete is in trail clearing. You are buying this for yourself, as a not terribly serious mid-size cutting tool, but you're asking us which one you like...
If it doesn't meet your specs, send it back.
Or, just get the Cold Steel. Not as cool, just as capable. Maybe more so.
I'm actually surprised you're having a hard time deciding. You have enough experience to survive with a 4" fixed blade and a multi-tool. You know how important
a machete is in trail clearing. You are buying this for yourself, as a not terribly serious mid-size cutting tool, but you're asking us which one you like...
Thanks for the reply . No not asking you which one I like , just trying to get as much feedback from anyone who might have experience of either one or both which may sway me one way or the other .
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Both, the SOG and the Outdoorsman are nice knives, I personally like both of them a lot.
However, for what you are looking for, I’d go with Cold Steel Warcraft model.
It’s coming in different sizes to choose the one that suits you best, it’s great for chopping or batonning, nice overal outdoor blade. They have also more expensive SanMai version if you looking for something fancier, but the pommel on that one doesn’t look right to me (IMO), but I could be mistaking, of course.
However, for what you are looking for, I’d go with Cold Steel Warcraft model.
It’s coming in different sizes to choose the one that suits you best, it’s great for chopping or batonning, nice overal outdoor blade. They have also more expensive SanMai version if you looking for something fancier, but the pommel on that one doesn’t look right to me (IMO), but I could be mistaking, of course.
If the purpose is mostly to buy and keep as a collector I would suggest the
original SOG S1 Bowie made by Hattori 1986-2006 Seki Japan.
Or the Cold Steel Outdoorsman VG1 Sanmai, made by Hattori 2007-2015 Seki Japan.
Both are discontinued and replaced with the Taiwan models you mentioned.
These knives can be found on the bay and elsewhere, and will have far greater
value.
original SOG S1 Bowie made by Hattori 1986-2006 Seki Japan.
Or the Cold Steel Outdoorsman VG1 Sanmai, made by Hattori 2007-2015 Seki Japan.
Both are discontinued and replaced with the Taiwan models you mentioned.
These knives can be found on the bay and elsewhere, and will have far greater
value.
Last edited:
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My preference between the two would be the handle from the SOG Bowie 2.0 with the Cold Steel Outdoorsman's blade. I'd prefer the Buck 119 Special Pro over both of them.
Both are now owned by the brand acquisition company that is GSM and I don't get the feeling that it's for the better. SOG looked like it was really turning things around before the purchase, which is a shame. I bought a bunch of older models from Cold Steel this year, to get ahead of any changes coming down the pipeline.
Both are now owned by the brand acquisition company that is GSM and I don't get the feeling that it's for the better. SOG looked like it was really turning things around before the purchase, which is a shame. I bought a bunch of older models from Cold Steel this year, to get ahead of any changes coming down the pipeline.
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I agree with a lot of what has been said, except the long post talking about cold steel folders. The question here is about two specific fixed plades.
If you lean towards the SOG bowie aesthetics, you should go that direction. Both knives are going to be of similar quality as they are contractually made in Taiwan, most likely actually manufactured before the conglomerate take over of either company (IE, they have sat on shelves). The Kraton handle on the CS seems like a downgrade. Also, the stuff going on with the spine of the outdoorsman looks like you would need to avoid choking up with your thumb. Other than the spine, the outdoorsman is a really good looking knife as well. It is kind of a toss up really. I have had the less expensive version of the SOG (Tech Bowie) for about 10 years and I've been very happy with it. In fact, I've owned many Seki SOG fixed blades, including some of the rarest, and the Tech bowie is one of the last SOG knives I still have. It doesn't see much use anymore (it did do a couple camping trips), it just looks bad ass.
If you lean towards the SOG bowie aesthetics, you should go that direction. Both knives are going to be of similar quality as they are contractually made in Taiwan, most likely actually manufactured before the conglomerate take over of either company (IE, they have sat on shelves). The Kraton handle on the CS seems like a downgrade. Also, the stuff going on with the spine of the outdoorsman looks like you would need to avoid choking up with your thumb. Other than the spine, the outdoorsman is a really good looking knife as well. It is kind of a toss up really. I have had the less expensive version of the SOG (Tech Bowie) for about 10 years and I've been very happy with it. In fact, I've owned many Seki SOG fixed blades, including some of the rarest, and the Tech bowie is one of the last SOG knives I still have. It doesn't see much use anymore (it did do a couple camping trips), it just looks bad ass.
I don't know, I'd trust SOG, CS, and GSM over BR and Mike Stewart anytime. That 3v might actually be 1095
tony281sc2
Gold Member
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I like Cold Steel. I don’t take SOG very seriously, after owning one of there department store Tridents. Not their best knife I hope, but I’ve never seen anything that interesting from them. (Except the Seal XR).
Cold steel has a ton of cool fixed blades. You mentioned a Bowie from SOG…
Maybe check out the Cold Steel Leatherneck Bowie. I kind of want one even tho I have no use for it, it just looks awesome. And I would trust anything from Cold Steel over anything from SOG.
Now if it’s just going to be a showpiece then go with what looks better to you.
Cold steel has a ton of cool fixed blades. You mentioned a Bowie from SOG…
Maybe check out the Cold Steel Leatherneck Bowie. I kind of want one even tho I have no use for it, it just looks awesome. And I would trust anything from Cold Steel over anything from SOG.
Now if it’s just going to be a showpiece then go with what looks better to you.
Agree with you but living in the UK it is quite hard to have knives sent through UK customs who usually charge you a fee if it does come through or even withold it !!!
No doubt this is a good little working knife but I like the aesthetics of the SOG BowieBoth, the SOG and the Outdoorsman are nice knives, I personally like both of them a lot.
However, for what you are looking for, I’d go with Cold Steel Warcraft model.
It’s coming in different sizes to choose the one that suits you best, it’s great for chopping or batonning, nice overal outdoor blade. They have also more expensive SanMai version if you looking for something fancier, but the pommel on that one doesn’t look right to me (IMO), but I could be mistaking, of course.
Used to own a Swedish Leku a number of years ago , great knife for bush craft but I gave it away as a gift to someone and wished i had kept it .
Get the SOG. It's a decent knife, and if there is a problem, you can get it replaced. And it is a much better looking knife than the CS. Since you're probably not going to be making Youtube videos of you trying to break it, and seem to only have intentions of using the knife for knife stuff, like cutting things, you should be fine. And it's actually a very practical blade design.
I l decided against making a love for karesuando knives thread but their huggaren it's just amazing, it b**ch slaps wood into submission and asks for more. They have a wonderful heat treatment and even wonderful rendition of Sandvik
Anyway try em
Monofletch
Gold Member
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If you are stuck with those brands I would get the Cold Steel drop forged bowie