SOG Trident Assist Open

K

KSDeputy

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May 31, 2013
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Does anyone have an SOG Trident assist open? If so how do you like it? I am looking at the one with a bowie blade. Thanks
 
I had one some time ago and only kept it for a little while. It just felt "cheap" IMHO. And the seatbelt cutter, seemed like nothing more than a gimmick. Again that is just my $.02. I am sure that that plenty of people will think differently of the knife.
 
I have the tanto tini version. Its "ok." Nothing to write home about. When it comes to SOG, I prefer their models built in Seki, Japan.
 
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I don't know where it is built. Another one I am looking at is the all black, plain blade, Slimjim XL, it is assist open, and has a great warranty.
 
The main benefit of SOG assisted folders is being extremely light weight. In achieving that, they ended up sacrificing some structural integrity. Blade play seems to be a common issue. The protruding lock bar on the Slimjim may cause accidental lock release.

However, the SOG Arc Lock folders are pretty awesome. The cost on those is a bit higher, but understandable. I like the SOG Visionary 2.
 
I have the tanto model, the blade it's nice but overall the folder it's flimsy and has V&H blade play, I'd recommend Cold Steel Recon1 or Voyager instead
 
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With the SOG assisted knives, I don't like that:

A: The arc-actuator lock is not ambidextrous, and left hand models are not available last I checked
B: Blade steel leaves much to be desired--8Cr or Aus-8
C: Blade play seems to be a problem with many of them (My trident has horizontal, my flash 1 has none though, maybe its because its the aluminum handled one)
 
I've had one for about two years and I never really warmed up to it. Like another poster said above it just feels cheap. Mine also has both vertical and horizontal blade play.
 
it feels cheap and for a good reason. it's very light weight for it's size. for a larger folder that is very light weight it does a fine job. for a heavy duty use folder, look elsewhere.

blade play is always there. i got two of the kinda bowie looking full size versions...one in p.e. the other in p.s.e. both have up and down blade play due to the design of the lock, imho. it's very minor, but for folks who dislike even a very slight move, it will irritate them to death and i haven't found a way to eliminate it. side to side play can be taken away by tightening the pivot and lock tite. i had to lock tite and the pivot on both of mine would loosen back up from opening and closing tasks. keep that in mind.

blade steel on my two is aus8....holds a decent egde, imho. no scientific testing on my part, but does as well as other knives i have in aus8. not quite as good as my cold steels, but not dramatically worse either. i'd be surprised if anyone noticed....other than those who like to test.

the lock is much more complicated than you'd think for what it is. i'd advise not taking it apart unless you like to tinker.

it's a fine light cutting task larger, light weight folder, except for the price, imho. if you are looking for a knife that can take more of a beating.....trust me look elsewhere.
 
I didn't mean it feels cheap because of the light weight I think its mainly the plastic handle and blade play. IMO there are lots of better choices in that size and price range. The Kershaw Piston, Spyderco Endura and Benchmade Griptilian are all within a few bucks of the SOG.
 
fsatsil said:
I didn't mean it feels cheap because of the light weight I think its mainly the plastic handle and blade play. IMO there are lots of better choices in that size and price range. The Kershaw Piston, Spyderco Endura and Benchmade Griptilian are all within a few bucks of the SOG.
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I agree. I think it felt like a $10 swap meet knife. Sadly, it made me shy away from any other SOG products.
 
I have a Trident tanto, my brother has the Bowie. I like mine and he likes his, but we also paid 20 each for ours, mine from a pawn show and his through a discount at work, otherwise I think we would both be regretting paying 99.00 for one. There are so many many many better 99.00 knives out there; this one is not worth the money. If you can, get a used one or look elsewhere. When I get a new pocket clip and body screws from SOG I am going to torture test and post the results, good luck!
 
Hmm $99 is a ripoff. I paid like $45 for mine at a local big box store.
 
fsatsil said:
I didn't mean it feels cheap because of the light weight I think its mainly the plastic handle and blade play. IMO there are lots of better choices in that size and price range. The Kershaw Piston, Spyderco Endura and Benchmade Griptilian are all within a few bucks of the SOG.
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i'm guessing you are saying the way the zytel handle feels is like a cheap plastic? if so i got ya.

the endura is really good example of a pretty close match, not in looks but specs. same weight as the trident at 3.6oz. frn handles vs. sogs zytel, both being identified by most folks as "plastic" type material. same blade length.

i can see why some wouldn't like the trident, and i can see why ya think it feels cheap...i was trying to just clarify why it feels this way being a larger folder and very lightweight. it has it's place and i find it useful. as usual too each their own.

off topic, but not too much....... no way would i pay 99 bucks for this knife. 50-60 bucks range max for a trident, and even then i find it a bit overpriced for what ya get, but i also don't find it to be a junk knife either.
 
99 is the cost where my brother works, but Yes there are some much cheaper sources K.O.D. Glad you didn't pay 99!:)
 
I carried the tanto one for the last two years. It was a great knife that I put through a lot of abuse. Love the deep carry clip. Super fast opening, light weight. Maybe they have a quality control issue. I got three others for friends and everyone loved them as well. No issues. Now mine has a little blade play but that's to be expected from the abuse I've put it though. Mine held the edge pretty good and I could get it very sharp. Also the slot on the back isn't for cutting seat belts. It's more for smaller things like 550 chord and stuff like that. Love the lock and safety on it too.
 
The only trident I've considered is the copper TiNi version simply because of aesthetics. If I'd be paying $50 for a knife, I might as well pitch in 10 more for one that looks better. I'm sure many of us are bored with black and greys.
 
I hate that friggin knife. Overpriced, cheap feeling materials. The seat belt cutter is stupid and makes it look like some Frost cutlery abomination. The spring assist is weird, has kind of a weak mushy feeling. I remember hearing that these knives don't like being disassembled too.
 
Well, I think that I will wait and see if SOG comes out with an improved version with the newer redesigned assisted opening.

Like they did on the Flashback.

There is just too many complaints about blade play for it so far.
 
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