SOG Seal Pup Elite- Straight Edge (w/ Satin Finish)
Durability: 7 out of 10Ergonomics: 7 out of 10
Steel: 6 out of 10
Sheath: 7 out of 10
Price: SOG's website: 4 out of 10
Amazon: 6 out of 10
Bottom Line: 7 out of 10. Not a first pick, but not bad for a back up. Due to the modern sheath and handle, this isn't one for the traditional guys like me.
Similar knives to consider:
Mora classic #1
Ka-bar- short USMC fighting/utility knife
Any other knife of this length. This one is pretty standard, so if your looking for something you'll cherish for awhile you might want to keep looking. The steel really kills this one.
FULL REVIEW
When I bought this knife I was really excited. I had searched and searched for a survival knife, and I thought this was the one. For some people maybe it is. Don't get me wrong, in any survival situation this would serve great. However, personally I don't like the handle. It feels like a hard plastic that I could smash to pieces (I probably couldn't, it just feels like that). That really ruins the knife for me.
I have put this knife through quite a bit. I didn't try to break it, but I put it through some bad stuff. It's toughest job was when I took it to the woods and started throwing it at trees as a throwing knife (which it is not made for). I'm pleased to announce it is still in great shape. So, as far as durability goes I'd say It does pretty good. I'm not sure if the steel is up to par or not though. It is AUS 8, which isn't my first pick, probably not even my second, but I haven't had it long enough to report on rust and all that.
I should say in here that it comes with a sheath, and for a little bit extra cash a "better" sheath. Now personally I hated the other sheath so I stuck with the default (I don't know very much about the other sheath so you'll have to look that one up on your own. I must say that the sheath I got is pretty good. It has a lot of options on how to equip it. Also it has a small velcro pocket on it that is big enough for a pocket sized sharpening stone, a magnesim fire starter, or whatever you want. However, it only has room for ONE of these things. Don't expect to fit anything more.
The only thing I didn't like about it was the handle. THIS IS A PERSONAL CHOICE AND DOES NOT REFLECT THE KNIFE ITSELF. I don't like the material. Like I said, it feels like I'm holding glass that could easily be shattered. IT can and will go through a lot so I simply don't like the feel of it. Other than that it is a solid knife.
All in all I would say, for 65$ bucks on amazon, go for it if you have the spare cash, but there's probably better knives out there for the same price. On SOG's website it's over a hundred dollars which is way to much, but for the sixty five on amazon I'm glad I got it. I don't really use it that much, but it looks cool and it works well. Unless the handle or steel bothers you like it bothers me, then I say buy it. However, I must warn that if I could trade it for a knife of equal value I probably would. So be cautious.
Final word: This knife is good for some people, bad for others.
