sog seal pup elite vs. benchmade for backpacking

I've got a Seal Pup and really like it; lightweight, tough as hell, really great knife for the size category. I don't like the feel of those Benchmades, the SOGs are better for me. I pack with mine a lot when I just want something small and rugged.
 
I am not a fan of Benchmade folders at all but their fixed blades are pretty good stuff. Both of the knives you mentioned are good solid knives. I have had both of them at one time or another.
 
A couple of questions:

You initially mention that reading has made you realize you need a FB. If you didn't need one previously, you may not need one now. However, this is a knife nut page, so it is safe to assume you want one, albeit it will be more handy for many tasks than a folder or especially a multi-tool folder.

Go with what feels good, but also think about a mora (I am sure at least one model will feel good). Very cost effective in carbon or SS, and will do fine for most tasks. Obviously, using it as a baton may decrease the life expectancy, but for the money there is nothing better. Great steal doesn't mean much if you don't want to use it, etc.

my 2c.
 
about two years ago i went backpacking for a month in the big horns in wyoming with just my leatherman wave. by the end of the trip and after gutting a number of fish, the leatherman's clip point blade was dull to the point it was more efficent to literally use my fingernail to cut open fish!! at night i cried myself to sleep thinking about my sog seal pup sitting at home
 
Neither. I would go with the Benchmade Rant drop point model. Great value, good steel, the one I had was a 440C model. Both of the knives you mentioned, I have owned both, and preferred the DPT over both of those. Comfortable in the hand, good steel (not the super tool or stainless powder steel of the month).
 
A Swiss Army Knife or multitool or a folder will all work, but when you're out in the woods, simpler is better. A fixed blade has less parts to break, jam, get gunked up.

Benchmade is a good company but I never warmed to them. The SOG Seal Pup Elite is a reliable knife and it's not so big it's clumsy. Not the latest supersteel but a great design.
 
My latest camping knife is my Benchmade 610 Rukus. An AXIS Lock folder with a 4.25" x .150" Utility/drop point S30V blade. OAL is 10.2", weight: 7.9 oz. They were dropped last year, so check around for availability. Sheeple-friendly - it fits in your pocket - okay, your deep pocket! Great ergonomics. I paid ~$150 new - shop for a good price. Great for knife duties - carry a camp axe/hatchet, if that is what you need. Great quality.

Of course, a Buck 110 served me well for years - when I didn't know I was 'under prepared'!

Stainz


PS I'll come clean... I have a conscience. I liked the Rukus and bought it... then came the camping knife rationalization. There... I feel better!
 
Personally I prefer the AUS-8 for outdoor use.
I find 154CM a little too brittle for outdoor and survival tasks. While SOG's AUS-8 has proven to me many times, that it is a great steel for the woods.
Though again, I'd try to get something in 1095 if I were you.
Just my 2 cents.
 
I have one but not the other, mines the Seal Pup Elite. Its a good knife, keeps an edge well. Only down side is its ridged spine. If you baton it youll find it trapped there, possibly cause for concern if the blade coating is worn out through use. I have been told it can notch wood fairly well and since it isnt an aggresive saw feature you can comfortably place your other hand, palm while gloved (or using a sock :D ) on the spine for extra drive force.

Im going to buy its bigger brother in a few weeks time, impressive little knife.
 
I personally wouldn't take either of them for the trail, much less a survival situation.

Get something with a convexed edge.


-Freq
 
i would go with the b.m. on the superior alloy of 154. you would need to sharpen less & its certainly as rust free as the aus8. you stated most of your traveling will be summer & these higher alloy blades wo'nt be brittle in the temps of summer. if you were going in at -30 or so i would opt for 01 or 1095.
 
I would recommend the Seal pup. I can not comment on the benchmade, as I do not have one. I do however have a Seal Pup, It is not an elite but I like it better than the elite. Mine has the bead blasted Finnish, Made in Seki Japan, not Taiwan like the elite. Mine has the serrations but for hiking your better off with the standard blade as you mentioned. I absolutely love mine, it is a GREAT knife.

sealpup.jpg


fishiker said:
Here's a SOG model that may better suit your needs: http://sogknives.com/store/FP-3.html
It's slightly lighter, retails for less, and I believe the blade design works better in the woods than the Seal Pup.
Click to expand...

I also have the field Pup, I personally don't care for it. I don't care for the handle......Its not a bad knife,.. I guess,... just not for me.
 
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The Seal Pup has a bottom guard and a large chunk of ricasso-does that hinder use, or can the ricasso be used as a finger choil?

Between the 2 I'd go with the BM, but give a good hard look to the Spyderco Aqua Salt (handled it, loved it!)
 
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