-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
SOG Tomcat
- Thread starter DPris
- Start date
The Tourist
Banned
- Joined
- Dec 23, 2001
- Messages
- 2,796
A few months ago I bought one and carried it for a week. I was so impressed with it that I bought a second one to salt away as a spare.
It worked, it sharpened easily and the uniform edge was quite scary. With all of the local hoopla about 'the latest and greatest' it sometimes is a joy to find a knife that has a simple usefulness.
To be sure, it is a child of 1970's technology, heavy layers of stainless, polished to look like a solid slab of heavy metal. And heavy it is, probably the heaviest folder in my collection.
When I reported I owned one (and was getting great service from it), someone asked me how I could chose a knife like that, of AUS-6, when many knives of superior steel were out there. In like manner, Jeff Cooper was asked why he always backed the 1911. His comment was that just because something was old didn't mean it wasn't good.
Truth be told, I have some S30V knives, and I cannot tell the difference from the cut.
It worked, it sharpened easily and the uniform edge was quite scary. With all of the local hoopla about 'the latest and greatest' it sometimes is a joy to find a knife that has a simple usefulness.
To be sure, it is a child of 1970's technology, heavy layers of stainless, polished to look like a solid slab of heavy metal. And heavy it is, probably the heaviest folder in my collection.
When I reported I owned one (and was getting great service from it), someone asked me how I could chose a knife like that, of AUS-6, when many knives of superior steel were out there. In like manner, Jeff Cooper was asked why he always backed the 1911. His comment was that just because something was old didn't mean it wasn't good.
Truth be told, I have some S30V knives, and I cannot tell the difference from the cut.
glockman99
RIP Dann, you were a good guy.
- Joined
- Jun 12, 2000
- Messages
- 21,269
I have one of the newer Tomcat II...(Same as the original Tomcat, but it has thumb-studs rather than a nail-nick.). When folks ask (me) what I think the strongest folder is, the SOG Tomcat (II) always comes to mind...It's "super-built", with a very stout blade, and it has a nice "feel" to it.
...And there's nothing at all "wrong" with the AUS-6 steel that SOG uses.
...And there's nothing at all "wrong" with the AUS-6 steel that SOG uses.
Thanks. I've had mine for about 12 years now, took some getting used to at first (seems like the blade is on the wrong end), but I haven't seen it mentioned much here among other folders & wondered if there's something about it I don't know.
The SOG people tell me it's a collectible, but it's the one I'll be carrying till they can get me the newer thumb stud version. I've carried others over the years, decided to carry this one that I'd been reserving for the wilds (in it's original nylon pouch attached to a webbed belt used with a particular 1911) a couple years ago & the only objection to it I've had was the one-handed opening.
DPris
The SOG people tell me it's a collectible, but it's the one I'll be carrying till they can get me the newer thumb stud version. I've carried others over the years, decided to carry this one that I'd been reserving for the wilds (in it's original nylon pouch attached to a webbed belt used with a particular 1911) a couple years ago & the only objection to it I've had was the one-handed opening.
DPris
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2002
- Messages
- 154
I have an original with cocobola handles. I love the design, but I'm not wild about the aus-6; for me it takes but won't hold a good edge. By the way, you can one-hand the original Tomcats, either with a good wrist snap, "Brownie Pop," or the old 110 trick of depressing the lock back and letting the blade fall. Abusive, maybe, but the Cat is built like a tank.
The Tourist
Banned
- Joined
- Dec 23, 2001
- Messages
- 2,796
Golok,
A lot of things get hyped, but I've never heard ONE person say they regretted owning this knife.
To be sure, comments like 'it's heavy' or 'nail nick opening' do come up, but the knut also ends his statement that he never leaves the knife at home.
I think this is a knife much like the 110 in inception. It isn't from the 'tactical' era, but I'll bet that it's stronger than a lot of stuff just painted black.
Mine is in the EDC with two Striders for use. I hope that says a lot, because I view all of these knives as strength implements.
Golok, just as with the 110, I think this is a knife that a knut should own on his 'must have' list as a basic knife. I recommend that you get one if only to experience a knife of this vintage.
A lot of things get hyped, but I've never heard ONE person say they regretted owning this knife.
To be sure, comments like 'it's heavy' or 'nail nick opening' do come up, but the knut also ends his statement that he never leaves the knife at home.
I think this is a knife much like the 110 in inception. It isn't from the 'tactical' era, but I'll bet that it's stronger than a lot of stuff just painted black.
Mine is in the EDC with two Striders for use. I hope that says a lot, because I view all of these knives as strength implements.
Golok, just as with the 110, I think this is a knife that a knut should own on his 'must have' list as a basic knife. I recommend that you get one if only to experience a knife of this vintage.
I carried a Puma for about 18 years, then switched to the Applegate folder because it seemed a little more substantial and it was a one-hander. Something reminded me of the Tomcat sitting in the basement one day, and I decided it was more rugged than the Applegate and should be getting some use. I'm not a knife tactician and I just want a good all-round heavy duty folder on the belt.
Thanks for the opinions.
DPris
Thanks for the opinions.
DPris
- Joined
- Dec 25, 1998
- Messages
- 7,394
I have heard nothing but good things about the Tomcat. The reason I don't have on e is the old "so many knives, so little money" thing. It is on my list of wants, but I keep finding that for the $$$ there are other knives I would rather have. If they were just a little cheaper. 
glockman99
RIP Dann, you were a good guy.
- Joined
- Jun 12, 2000
- Messages
- 21,269
Dennis,Originally posted by shootist16
I have heard nothing but good things about the Tomcat. The reason I don't have on e is the old "so many knives, so little money" thing. It is on my list of wants, but I keep finding that for the $$$ there are other knives I would rather have. If they were just a little cheaper.
You want a Tomcat (II)...I have one. I want a Spyderco Chinook II...You have one on the way.
Hmmmmmmmmm...
.
- Joined
- Dec 25, 1998
- Messages
- 7,394
Originally posted by glockman99
Dennis,
You want a Tomcat (II)...I have one. I want a Spyderco Chinook II...You have one on the way.
Hmmmmmmmmm...
I want one, but not that bed.
The Chinook II has me excited more than most folders do right now.
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2001
- Messages
- 4,623
I really like the knife the design the price and the ergos but I have two nits to pick and thus I will become the lone voice of dissention 
On a knife this size I think it should have a larger pivot pin. When I had mine it looked like the pivot was about 1/8" diameter which is the same size as most of my slip joints. Obviously there are a lot of these out there and you don't hear much about them breaking but it's just a preference.
Secondly, I wish it would come with an adjustable pivot all together. Having the ability to adjust the tension on the blade to my liking would be most excellent, especially one this size.
Other than that I like the knife!
Edited to add: My experience is with the Tomcat II
On a knife this size I think it should have a larger pivot pin. When I had mine it looked like the pivot was about 1/8" diameter which is the same size as most of my slip joints. Obviously there are a lot of these out there and you don't hear much about them breaking but it's just a preference.
Secondly, I wish it would come with an adjustable pivot all together. Having the ability to adjust the tension on the blade to my liking would be most excellent, especially one this size.
Other than that I like the knife!
Edited to add: My experience is with the Tomcat II
An adjustable pivot pin would be nice, but this one's livable.
I can do the pop, but the Tomcat takes a lot more effort (and room for a good swing) than my little Puma. Learned how to do that way back in high school with an old Italian stiletto that's still around here somewhere. Never used it, it was just an "in case" thing.
Nowdays, my wrist popper isn't as young as it used to be, either.
By the way, one of the few knife tips I can pass on to this knowledgeable crowd- when oiling the pivot point on an old-fashioned stiletto or other folder that you plan to flick open one-handed, DO NOT use oil intended for the old carbon rod arc commercial theater movie projectors. Those things ran at about a million degrees and the oil to lube them was designed to operate at HOT temperatures. Put a drop of that stuff in the pivot of a good flick knife or grav blade and you freeze up pretty good. Unless you're flicking in the Mojave Desert.
DPris
I can do the pop, but the Tomcat takes a lot more effort (and room for a good swing) than my little Puma. Learned how to do that way back in high school with an old Italian stiletto that's still around here somewhere. Never used it, it was just an "in case" thing.
Nowdays, my wrist popper isn't as young as it used to be, either.
By the way, one of the few knife tips I can pass on to this knowledgeable crowd- when oiling the pivot point on an old-fashioned stiletto or other folder that you plan to flick open one-handed, DO NOT use oil intended for the old carbon rod arc commercial theater movie projectors. Those things ran at about a million degrees and the oil to lube them was designed to operate at HOT temperatures. Put a drop of that stuff in the pivot of a good flick knife or grav blade and you freeze up pretty good. Unless you're flicking in the Mojave Desert.
DPris
- Joined
- Jun 16, 2003
- Messages
- 20,207
Cpritle, how in the world did you find out the size of the pivot? I looked at mine (original), an I can't see the pin.