sog seal pup elite vs. benchmade for backpacking

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penguinabc123

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Dec 10, 2009
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hey guys,
i hope this is in an ok section, please move it if not.

so heres the deal. I do alot of backpacking during the summer and a moderate amount of snowshoeing in the winter (canada/rockies).
I have a leatherman wave, but have recently been hearing/reading that I should also carry a fixed blade knife for heavier jobs. I've been doing tons and tons of reading to see what I think best fits me, but once I went to the store to feel out the knives I didn't like how most of them felt. The bigger ones felt ackward, kind of heavy. Specifically the cold steel srk and the benchmade crk (i think thats right). I found the grips a bit off for my hands and the blade length/weight a little ackward.

However I do really like how the seal pup elite straight edge felt in my hand, even though the blade was a bit smaller. As well the feel of the benchmade fixed griptilian felt great. So I am at a loss for which to get, and the guy at the store seemed to think they were both good.

so what do all of you think?
Thanks in advance!!!

sog seal pup elite link:http://sogknives.com/store/E37S.html

benchmade link: http://www.benchmade.com/products/151
 
Two fairly good quality knives here. Both would have a decent handle and a good weight and blade size for backpacking. I would tend to go with the Benchmade as I am big fan of 154cm steel.
 
Welcome to Bladeforums. If we knew which part of the country or world you backpacked in it might help some.

Both of the knives you mentioned are good knives. There are hundreds of other knives that would also serve you well. I used to do a lot more backpacking than I do now. At the time I carried a fixed blade w/ a 5" blade. I very seldom used it. Most of the tasks I had were better handled by a smaller folder. Even a sak (swiss army knife) was all I needed on most trips.

Having said that, I live and backpack in a part of the country where I don't need to baton logs for firewood. It's always been easy enough to pick up deadwood or cut up small saplings, (I do carry a folding saw).

I would suggest you decide how you are going to use the knife. That would make the job of selecting one much easier.
 
I do not have any experience with the fixed griptilian but I do like my sog seal pup elite. My favorite test is to use the knife to make wood shavings, then baton a couple logs and then spark a flint to make the fire. The sog works great for all the jobs and the ridges on the back work really really well for fire starting. And it will work well for the winter because the AUS8 is very rust resistant
 
I'd go with the SOG Seal Pup; strong and sturdy for things like chopping wood, building a shelter and such. The Fixed Grip is fine but the blade is a bit thin, IMHO.
 
I would choose the SOG but the Benchmade is nice. I like the steel of the benchmade better but the overall fit, blade thickness and versatility goes to the seal pup. My seal pup has been my backpack knife for years and has had the crap kicked out of it and it is still doing time on my hikes. The Benchmade rant bowie is also a good choice but I am going with the pup.
 
Personally between those two I would go with the Benchmade. Here's why:
Made in the USA
Better blade Steel
Lifetime warranty
Benchmade has great customer service.
 
I'd suggest looking at Benchmade's other offering like the Rants and fixed Griptillian. All would be better suited to backpacking.
 
Between those two knives, I would go with the seal pup for a camping knife. I think it would be a little tougher than the fixed grip. Unless you have your heart set on a stainless steel blade, I would look at some carbon steel or tool steel options for a camp knife. Bark River and Rat Cutlery have some great options, that are tough as nails, with the best warranties in the business if you ask me.
 
Hey guys,

Thanks for all the input its deffinatly appreciated.

to answer some questions,
I live and hike in british columbia, usually in the rockies and some local mountains around my home (vancouver)

these two knives are more in my price range and whats at the local stores. I wouldn't mind a RAT knfie but being a student im trying to strech my dollars.

I was also under the impression that SOG was made in USA but shipped to taiwan to do the handle? I also thought they had a lifetime warrenty.

I would probably be using the knife for basic camping duties, maybee some fishing, possibly splitting some wood etc.
hopefully that clears things up.
 
Jpalmer1988 said:
I'd suggest looking at Benchmade's other offering like the Rants and fixed Griptillian. All would be better suited to backpacking.
Click to expand...

Isn't the 151 the fixed Griptilian? Were you thinking of another model?

There are lots of fixed blades that are great. If you are going to go with one of those two, I would go with the one that feels best in your hand. The knife that you like to use will get carried more and if it is comfortable will be more enjoyable in use. Both would be good for general cutting chores but they aren't choppers by any means. That being said I don't have much use for a chopper and for most of my uses a folder will work fine 95% of the time.
 
penguinabc123 said:
Hey guys,

Thanks for all the input its deffinatly appreciated.

to answer some questions,
I live and hike in british columbia, usually in the rockies and some local mountains around my home (vancouver)

these two knives are more in my price range and whats at the local stores. I wouldn't mind a RAT knfie but being a student im trying to strech my dollars.

I was also under the impression that SOG was made in USA but shipped to taiwan to do the handle? I also thought they had a lifetime warrenty.

I would probably be using the knife for basic camping duties, maybee some fishing, possibly splitting some wood etc.
hopefully that clears things up.
Click to expand...

Given your location and the likelihood that you'll get wet on occasion I'd strongly suggest a ss blade. I like the Seal pup. It's a good knife and would probably meet your needs. Since you're a student and money is an issue consider the Buck 119. It's blade is 6" compared to the pup's at 4.85" Both are stainless steel but the longer blade will come in handy if you do any wood splitting. Plus the Buck is about $20 less.

Of course, like flamtnbkr said, if you have the opportunity try to hold them and see which feels better. Good luck, let us know what you get.
 
IMHO, 154CM is better than AUS8 in just about ever category. And I really like AUS8.

The Benchmade is also lighter which helps in backpacking.

Either one will serve you well though whichever you pick.
 
penguinabc123 said:
Hey guys,

Thanks for all the input its deffinatly appreciated.

to answer some questions,
I live and hike in british columbia, usually in the rockies and some local mountains around my home (vancouver)

Go see Jay down at Wariors and Wonders as he carries these two brands and could show you some other good options as well. His prices and selection are probably the best in Canada.
Click to expand...
 
^^funny you should say that I was down there just the other day and kinda narrowed it down to these two as far as what fit best in my hand. now its up to me lol
 
The Benchmade is going to have the better warranty and better quality sheath, it should probably be a little cheaper.
 
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