SOG: Questionable quality?

ghostowncustomknives

ghostowncustomknives

Joined
Jul 31, 2009
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I dont know if anyone else has noticed but it seems that SOG knives is going downhill these days.

I own what is supposed to be a SOG seal pup but got a cheap plastic handled sealpup/sealpup elite crossover with "SOG" markings on the handle and Taiwan" on the blade . in fact the sheath seams to be the best part of the whole setup(also marked SOG) . not the sealpup I have fondled and drooled over at gun shows.


furthermore I had a chance to handle a friends pentagon folder that he JUST purchased in a reputable phoenix knife shop. it to was sporting a cheap plastic-feeling handle , unlike the old sturdy "glass reinforced zytel" handles of the older versions I have experience with

and just from looking around it has even effected the "tigershark" series . not the stout "almost swords" they used to be .


I was just wondering what everyone else thought and if I am the only one noticing the sometimes subtle decrease in quality happening here.

EDIT: I forgot to mention I own an old pentagon dagger as well and from the look of the newer ones on the market I think its effecting this line as well
 
Ummm, I have to agree with you. Some will say that they are still great quality, but the days of soldered (gapless) cross guards are over. Even if some try to defend the current quality, there is a beauty that is gone from the blades. In my opinion, ALL of the Seki Sogs looked far better than the new models.
 
can't comment on the state of current production models from SOG Knives or any other manufacturer for that matter, but with the competition these days...well, it's anybody's guess why anyone would make a lesser quality product just to satisfy growing demand or how it could help to boost sales.
eitherway, there must be a logical production factor (and to a larger extend economical reason) for anything that is manufactured and designed to be sold in huge numbers.
there must be a trade-off somewhere to keep all parties happy and more importantly businesses going.
a knife is still a knife, and whilst everyone would love to see a superior product, it's unlikely that the majority of users would expect every single current day mass manufactured product they own to last a lifetime.
besides, for the consumer, there's always customer service and gurantees for support when there's an apparent need to address any manufacturing fault or product defect if any.
for as long as a knife can still cut and can be sharpened time and time again, there probably isn't going to be any probable reason to fault any make or model in our current time.
just my 2 cent.
 
I agree with you. Last time I handled a Sog blade it just wasnt the quality that I have heard of and had seen in the past.
 
Quite contrasting indeed, yes. But I must say I am not willing to pay such a high price for the quality that was once affordable. ;)
 
In light of Esav's post, I have to say that the Seki folders are still nice. I have a Night Vision that is the nicest folder that I own, and that's compared to a couple Emersons and a Benchmade. As for the Team Leader, I believe that is one of the few, if not the only fixed blade that is made in the USA. As for the Taiwan made knives, those are what my previous post is about.
 
nutz_about_knives said:
Quite contrasting indeed, yes. But I must say I am not willing to pay such a high price for the quality that was once affordable. ;)
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Yeah, I used to really want a titanium Vision, but the prices on those seem to have gone up quite a bit lately. They could easily be found for about $120 two or three years ago, but now the cheapest I can find is around $180.
 
OK don't get me wrong here: I love SOG, I have been a huge fan and owner for some time now, and even with the provided links i still cant get past MY current issues .

I used to buy SOG knowing I was getting the best steel/craftsmanship/detail for the money, as it stands now I put $60 into a knife that says Taiwan on it and boasts a 440A stainless blade when a few years ago I was buying blades that said SEKI JAPAN that had an AUS6 blade

unfortunately time does not permit me to make my full point at the moment(I have to go see zombieland now :D ) but I think you know what I am getting at

I will be back to make the rest of my point
 
I have a SEKI seal pup and when I had a taiwan model the SEKI model seemed a little more hefty. I ended up getting rid of the taiwan model. I have had a twitch 2 and a few flash 2s and they were great. I got a seal team elite from taiwan and it is very durable, I have beat the crap out of it and it is going strong. I think alot of it is mental however there may be some truth to the sliding quality of SOG though I have not seen any proof myself.
 
ghostown...

Just correcting something here. None of our Taiwan knives use 440A they are all AUS8 steel. Which as you know is a step up from the AUS6 that we used in our Japan produced knives. The only 440A/420 we use is a part of our Fusion line which is meant to be more price sensitive.

As for the perceived drop in quality, we have moved much of our fixed blade line from Japan to Taiwan for production. The reason for this has been that if we would have kept these items in Japan their cost would be about 30% higher then they are right now. This is due to increases in production costs, raw materials costs (steel has increased dramatically) and a poor exchange rate. Personally, I feel that all of the knives we are producing in Taiwan are just as good if not better than the ones we produced in Japan. I would trust these knives the same and actually prefer some of the Taiwan versions over Japan.

What I would recommend instead outright dismissing a knife because of where it is made, why not giving it a try you might be surprised at the quality and durability that is out ther for knives made outside of the USA and Japan.
 
I understand what Chris is saying. Perhaps I should give a Taiwan knife like the Tech a try. I have to admit though, the soldered cross guards of the old days add a near custom quality touch. Aside from that, I think my main gripe is that the models now produced in Taiwan seem more "flashy." For example, the outline of the Seal Team Elite seems to have exaggerated features to make it look more aggressive. I personally don't like the way it looks. Also, the new Pentagon seems to not look as good in part due to the giant SOG logo on it. I guess the Seki knives just seem to be a bit more artfully crafted (if that makes sense). For example, I have an original SOG Tech II. Of the many knives I own of different brands, that one knife is the most beautiful knife that I own. Even other knives I have that are built like tanks don't match the quality, fit, and finish of my Tech II.

Quick question for Chris. I have limited experience with the Taiwan made knives. Mostly, I've just looked at them through glass cases. What do you find (besides the steel upgrade) to be better about them over the Seki made knives?
 
For me the reasons that they might be better are becuase of some fine tuning that we have done in the process of moving production. For example, the SEAL Pup Elite has a handle that fits my hand better and the blade stock is 25% thicker than the Japan SEAL Pup. A lot of it comes down tot little things like that.
 
Chris@SOG said:
For me the reasons that they might be better are becuase of some fine tuning that we have done in the process of moving production. For example, the SEAL Pup Elite has a handle that fits my hand better and the blade stock is 25% thicker than the Japan SEAL Pup. A lot of it comes down tot little things like that.
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Really? I didn't realize the new Seal Pup is thicker than the old. My brother has an older one that I quite like. I may have to check out the new ones!
 
Chris@SOG said:
ghostown...

Just correcting something here. None of our Taiwan knives use 440A they are all AUS8 steel. Which as you know is a step up from the AUS6 that we used in our Japan produced knives. The only 440A/420 we use is a part of our Fusion line which is meant to be more price sensitive.

As for the perceived drop in quality, we have moved much of our fixed blade line from Japan to Taiwan for production. The reason for this has been that if we would have kept these items in Japan their cost would be about 30% higher then they are right now. This is due to increases in production costs, raw materials costs (steel has increased dramatically) and a poor exchange rate. Personally, I feel that all of the knives we are producing in Taiwan are just as good if not better than the ones we produced in Japan. I would trust these knives the same and actually prefer some of the Taiwan versions over Japan.

What I would recommend instead outright dismissing a knife because of where it is made, why not giving it a try you might be surprised at the quality and durability that is out ther for knives made outside of the USA and Japan.
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As I said I am only judging from the knives I have personal experience with , the models of fixed blades I have only looked at and not had the chance to fully review just seemed different to me, and again this is all just my humble opinion.

That being said the ones I DO own and handle on a regular basis have paled in comparison to the craftsmanship of the older blades.

I am not one to judge a blade by the country it was made in only by the product in front of me

now I would PREFER my knife say Germany/Japan/USA but I do I own quite a few blades from quite a few different places all of which are consider high quality

:jerkit: I guess if all the above is true the only answer for my sometimes anal attention to detail is to start buying up older models while I have the chance :thumbup: :D
 
ghostowncustomknives said:
...the only answer for my sometimes anal attention to detail is to start buying up older models while I have the chance :thumbup: :D
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You got it! I keep my eyes peeled for an original Tomcat or Tigershark. One day I'll have them. One day!

As a side note, heck, I think my Seki Seal 2000 pales in comparison to my original mint Tech II. That Tech II is beautiful!
 
indeed dl351 I know the feeling ! I have a buddy who's wife bought him an old Tigershark......probably the toughest knife I have ever handled and I grew up with a knife maker for a father a knife maker for a brother, making knives myself and with a good friend that makes knives as well

and that blade still stands above the rest I have seen
 
ghostowncustomknives said:
indeed dl351 I know the feeling ! I have a buddy who's wife bought him an old Tigershark......probably the toughest knife I have ever handled and I grew up with a knife maker for a father a knife maker for a brother, making knives myself and with a good friend that makes knives as well

and that blade still stands above the rest I have seen
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Wow. That says a lot.

Personally, I have a brother who has an original Tomcat. I have yet to find a folder that feels as solid and looks as nice as that! Those were the days!

Hehe... I'd love to see if SOG Knives would be willing to shoot the current Tigershark with a .45 as they did to the original!
 
dl351 said:
Wow. That says a lot.
Hehe... I'd love to see if SOG Knives would be willing to shoot the current Tigershark with a .45 as they did to the original!
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Actually we would be willing to do that and have been discussing doing it with various other knives we currently make. We just need to find time to get it done and someone to do it.
 
Chris@SOG said:
Actually we would be willing to do that and have been discussing doing it with various other knives we currently make. We just need to find time to get it done and someone to do it.
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I just happen to be free on Monday

I bring the 45. you bring the knives


hell we can shoot a few of mine for kicks !
 
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