SOG Seal Pup Elite...and some random wilderness skills

[Mistwalker]

Earlier today went out in the woods behind the house to practice a few things. Since I had been sent a SEAL Pup Elite I wanted to work with it for a bit and see what it could do, maybe see how much the new design was an improvement over the old one. I bought an original Pup seven or eight years ago at Ranger Joe's Down in Columbus Georgia a few months after I had bought an original SEAL 2000. Being at that time more used to seven inch and larger blades, I decided the 5 inch/ 13cm blade was just smaller than what I personally wanted. I preferred its bigger brother so I gave the pup to a friend a few months later. Since lately I have been studying techniques from across the pond trying to get more into working with smaller knives, working with them from a different perspective, I guess it was only natural that I work my way back to the pup eventually. Actually, it’s a pretty cool knife to work with. It wears very comfortably. It’s light enough that I even forgot I had it on my belt until I went to drive to the store and went to put the seat belt on so it’s definitely not going to wear you down on a hike. I took a few pictures while working with it.

The first thing I saw and felt was the difference in the grip, the tapered shape of the new handle and the finger grooves it a very positive grip.

Then checking out the edge I tried it out and cutting some fatwood shavings for use as tinder for lighting with a fire steel. It whittled the thin shavings I wanted easily. The good grip and shorter blade allow for excellent control.

I noticed that the rasp spine had nearly the same profile as the sparker of a Swedish firesteel so I tried it out. It throws GREAT sparks using the rasp. It only took a few sparks and I had flames.

You can see how the dust was left on the blade and on the spine.

But it cleaned up with just a wipe on the pants leg, and only a little coating was worn off.

***EDIT***

Just wanted to add a pic that adds a different dynamic to this knife...making it a GREAT "survival" tool, the addition of the SOG Power Lock. More pictures in later posts

***NOTE***

This thread was posted as I went along working with this knife there are other pictures further in that were posted at different times

 

[Mistwalker]

The rasp also helped some when using the point in small tedious work. It gives a more positive grip when holding the knife by the blade itself. I made a line tensioner for tying out a tarp or poncho shelter.


I started by splitting two sides off of a piece of Birch and then whittling it down flat. Then I used the tip to bore two holes. The tip did great and this whole thing only took about ten minutes.

Then I cut the end on the paracord so I could melt it into a clean end and put it through the holes. This thing has a great edge’

This isn’t the greatest lighting for these pictures; I’ll try to take some better ones tomorrow. But here you can see if you look hard enough the tensioner slack and the tightened. So far I like this little knife and not wanting to give this one away any time soon.

 

[Bushman5]

99% of people poopoo that knife as being too "tactical" and useless in the woods. Its one of the better bush blades i have used and seen.

great pics!

 

[bishop85gt]

Birch has to be my fave wood to make things out of. Great pics thanks for posting them.

 

[WalterDavis]

Looks like a good way to spend the morning! I really like that tensioner, look like an easy solution to getting lines tight at camp, and a pretty efficient use of cord, too. You don't have to waste any tying extra knots to pull the line tight.

How do like the handle on the Seal Pup compared to the Super Bowie? I like the feel of the leather washers, but it seems like the grooves on the Kraton handles are better spaced for use, at least on my Tech bowie. I think I'm just going to slightly enlarge the first and last groove on my Super Bowie so it better fits my hand.

 

[TheGame]

It looks to tactical for my taste

Just kidding, it looks like it did a great job out there. Thanks for sharing :thumbup:

 

[Mistwalker]

99% of people poopoo that knife as being too "tactical" and useless in the woods. Its one of the better bush blades i have used and seen.

great pics!

I had an original SEAL PUP and I can maybe see calling it too tactical, but I think this one will make a great bush knife.

Birch has to be my fave wood to make things out of. Great pics thanks for posting them.

I love working with Birch, it's a good hard wood to make things from, it "works" well or is good to work with, and it's a pretty wood too.

Looks like a good way to spend the morning! I really like that tensioner, look like an easy solution to getting lines tight at camp, and a pretty efficient use of cord, too. You don't have to waste any tying extra knots to pull the line tight.

How do like the handle on the Seal Pup compared to the Super Bowie? I like the feel of the leather washers, but it seems like the grooves on the Kraton handles are better spaced for use, at least on my Tech bowie. I think I'm just going to slightly enlarge the first and last groove on my Super Bowie so it better fits my hand.

I have more fun playing with knives than dyeing eggs lol.

Ahhh...so you bought one anyway eh? Nice aren't they?

Honestly I like the size of the SEAL pup for hiking as it is light and doesn't draw a lot of funny looks in state parks. It does offer a fantastic grip in a standard hold and really doesn't interfere with a reverse grip. But I too personally like the leather handles of the bowies, I sure love my old SG1 but... the Super Bowie is by far the better chopper of the three and would be the better knife in a long term wilderness environment in my opinion as it would have all of the features of the other two and be a better chopper all at the same time.

 

[Mistwalker]

I meant to say that the trick to the tensioner is to not get your "working" hole too big, the line needs to fit in it snuggly and you should feel resistance when sliding it.

 

[Mistwalker]

It looks to tactical for my taste

Just kidding, it looks like it did a great job out there. Thanks for sharing :thumbup:

Lol, I see it as a sort of tactical bushknife...I suppose. I personally tend to like tactical knives that function well in the bush.

 

[WalterDavis]

Yeah, I did end up picking up the Super Bowie. I'd always wanted a Sog Bowie, but the stock photos always seemed too clinical to get me to pick one up. Your pics got me motivated enough to pick up the Super Bowie, and it was well made enough to get me to trade into a Tech Bowie, too:thumbup:

I'm really liking these threads of yours! Both this and the net one are good ideas that would have never crossed my mind without seeing these pic:thumbup: Keep 'em coming!

 

[mtnfolk mike]

great stuff man...:thumbup: i have always liked those SOG seal knives... they're often underestimated.. they're a lot of knife for the price...

 

[Mistwalker]

Yeah, I did end up picking up the Super Bowie. I'd always wanted a Sog Bowie, but the stock photos always seemed too clinical to get me to pick one up. Your pics got me motivated enough to pick up the Super Bowie, and it was well made enough to get me to trade into a Tech Bowie, too:thumbup:

I'm really liking these threads of yours! Both this and the net one are good ideas that would have never crossed my mind without seeing these pic:thumbup: Keep 'em coming!

I have had my old SG1 for nearly a decade, It is my constant companion and so far the best all around knife I have ever fielded. The only ones that have come close so far are other SOGs . I have never had the pleasure of working with the tech bowie though I like the looks of it, let me know what you think about it.

I am glad you're liking my threads, there will be more to come.

great stuff man...:thumbup: i have always liked those SOG seal knives... they're often underestimated.. they're a lot of knife for the price...

I agree, I think a lot of the negatives are spread by people who have never worked with them.

 

[Mistwalker]

Just wanted to add a few pics that add a different dynamic to this knife...making it a GREAT "survival" tool

the addition of the SOG Power Lock. I'll post more with it later.

 

[WILLIAM.M]

Great set-up

Thanks for posting

 

[Mistwalker]

Great set-up

Thanks for posting

Thanks, I think it will be a great combination.

 

[XMP]

Good review. I agree that the SP is a pretty good bush knife. In fact in the past few years I've gotten rid of every stainless fixed blade I own, except one -- a seal pup.

 

[Mistwalker]

Good review. I agree that the SP is a pretty good bush knife. In fact in the past few years I've gotten rid of every stainless fixed blade I own, except one -- a seal pup.

Thank you.

I didn't really like the serrated edged version for a bush knife but I think this new one with the plane edge and scalloped spine is a great bush knife. I like this sheath better too. I like how versatile the pouch is...it will hold a good bit of stuff, and I like that it holds the multi-tool, I like that very much.

 

[XMP]

Yep, I can see how the sheath and the unserrated blade are an improvement for an outdoors knife.

 

[Carolina River Rat]

I might have to get one of those. I had the original Pup and was quite fond of it till someone stole it from my barracks room. The new one looks even better.

 

[tholiver]

Just wanted to add a few pics that add a different dynamic to this knife...making it a GREAT "survival" tool

the addition of the SOG Power Lock. I'll post more with it later.

Cool!
My first multitool was a SOG Paratool, good tool but it needed scissors.
Later moved on to a Leatherman Wave, then XE6, then Victorinox Swisstool and now lately a Victorinox Spirit.
I like all of the above and am happily edc-ing the Spirit but perhaps i should revisit SOG multi's.
I always like the ease with which you can dismantle the Paratool.
SOG multi's are kinda unique that way.

If SOG made the Seal Pup Elite with metal guard+pommel and a leather handle i'd probably be all over one!