SOG Seal Team Elite

N

neomedic

Joined
Jul 7, 2014
Messages
6
Was thinking of getting a SOG Seal Team Elite. Wondering about the quality of the knife since it's made in Taiwan now? How is the knife overall?

Mainly getting it for collection purpose, but would still like to know that it can be used as it's intended purpose and not buying some gimmick and resting on it's history to sell this current version. Thanks.
 
SOG Seal Team has long been one of my favorite blades. I don't have the elite version, but I do have a couple of the Seal Teams (non elite editions) . the NON elite is the same exact knife minus the gimping along the spine, which in my opinion is useless. Smooth spines are the way to go IMO, and the non elite is a little less expensive.

The only thing I dislike about the new version of the Seal Teams is the aggressive checkered handle. Wearing gloves while using it is perfect, bare handed gets a little uncomfortable at times. But is it a rock solid knife that can take a ton of abuse, YES. Is it a knife that wont let you down if the SHTF, YES. Good knife, especially around or in water.

I have one of the Seki Japan Versions, (the older version, Seal Team 2000), and the only thing I like better on the old vs the new is the handle. The handle is much more comfortable on the old version. But I like the better steel in the newer version, and the hollow grind is sharper on the new version. If SOG would wake up and put the older handle on the new version, they would have a much better knife that would be more of a pleasure to use. But you wont have any regrets if you decide to get the Seal Team Elite. Tough as nails, and very multi functional. Lifetime warranty to boot.
 
I have the Seal Pup Tigerstripe. It has been an excellent knife. I bought it in 2006 and have had very good luck with it. I'm sure the Seal Team Elite will be an excellent knife as well.
 
I also like the regular SEAL Team over the Elite as I do not like the spine notching either. They are really good knives. While made in Taiwan, the overall quality is very good, the blade design is excellent, and the heat treatment of AUS8 is very good and very appropriate for that sort of knife (not as hard as you would see on a folder to favor toughness and easy field sharpening). I really like the handle and the finger guards, plus I find the blade design to be very useful, and being a clip point I like both the potential for utility and defense, and I think it maintains a very strong tip which is a big plus for this kind of knife.

It's a very popular knife within the Armed Forces, and reviews from members of Armed Forces on this knife consistently speak of its quality and performance. While I've not used mine hard enough to speak on the knife's full potential, the many positive reviews from military members gives me confidence this knife can handle whatever you need it to!

You might like this thread which compares the older Seiki to the current: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/497019-SOG-SEAL-TEAM-ELITE-vs-SOG-SEAL-2000-review

If you are getting it for collecting purposes, IMO I would hunt around for a Seiki version as I think that will probably see quicker and higher collector values. From a functional standpoint, either-or is a great performer. :)
 
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