Sog Trident Full Of Problems

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Nephron44

Gold Member
Joined
Aug 20, 2015
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977
Hey everyone!

So I just bought my first SOG folding knife...a Trident Mini with black coated blade. I really like the feel and size of the knife, but it has many problems.

When completely closed, the lock moves freely...no spring action whatsoever. Maybe it's supposed to be like that?

When open, the lock doesn't always engage fully. The blade is locked tight, but the lock switch doesn't always make it to the other side. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't.

Finally, and this is a big one, if I open the knife slowly, it doesn't fully open. By slowly I mean not snapping it open, but opening it with relatively normal speed.

What do you all think? Are these normal for this type of knife? Did I get a dud? Pictures below :)

F0ADC4E3-A30D-4413-8BB9-F24D13B1DC9C_zpsy0kj4qvu.jpg

B682D341-C650-423F-9A53-12498688E3A1_zpsvfukorai.jpg

3209B35F-7E5D-4A77-880F-4E724EADDCAB_zpshbbbi609.jpg
 
I've got a trident elite and when my knife is shut the lock moves freely like that, however when open it doesnt, it's more stiff.
As for the other issues I can't comment on that.

I was actually happy with my trident elite though it opens very snappy and had no blade play like I've heard many ppl comment about.
 
That sounds about right. the blade needs a bit of momentum and the assist is more just to pull it to the locked position. a little careful adjustment to the pivot might be needed, as in, not even enough to feel the screw turn. There is some break-in that will happen over time as well.
 
Is it the same thing on the SOG Fatcat?!!

I am considering getting it, and would like to know if any other of the arc locks knives are similar.

Gaston
 
No they are not. Although I have never owned a Fatcat, I have owned 5 Seki made SOG arc-locks. Still own 3. They are a completely different animal
from the SAT knives made in the US. The only knife I've ever returned the same day I got it is a SOG Trident due to utterly unacceptable blade play.
 
KenHash said:
No they are not. Although I have never owned a Fatcat, I have owned 5 Seki made SOG arc-locks. Still own 3. They are a completely different animal
from the SAT knives made in the US. The only knife I've ever returned the same day I got it is a SOG Trident due to utterly unacceptable blade play.
Click to expand...

Like your knowledgeable reply Ken. My Trident full size has been OK luckily but being new to knives I am not as familiar with the locking mechanisms as yourself. Do the arc-locks have an inferior design compared to the SAT knives you mention? Thanks in advance for any info and advice.
 
Nephron44 said:
Hey everyone!

So I just bought my first SOG folding knife...a Trident Mini with black coated blade. I really like the feel and size of the knife, but it has many problems.

When completely closed, the lock moves freely...no spring action whatsoever. Maybe it's supposed to be like that?

When open, the lock doesn't always engage fully. The blade is locked tight, but the lock switch doesn't always make it to the other side. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't.

Finally, and this is a big one, if I open the knife slowly, it doesn't fully open. By slowly I mean not snapping it open, but opening it with relatively normal speed.

What do you all think? Are these normal for this type of knife? Did I get a dud? Pictures below :)

F0ADC4E3-A30D-4413-8BB9-F24D13B1DC9C_zpsy0kj4qvu.jpg

B682D341-C650-423F-9A53-12498688E3A1_zpsvfukorai.jpg

3209B35F-7E5D-4A77-880F-4E724EADDCAB_zpshbbbi609.jpg
Click to expand...

The exposed "arc-actuator" for the lock is just a swinging arm that actuates the Piston lock that is on all of their FRN assisted knives. The movement in the actuator is expected as it is not attached to the locking mechanism and simply engages it when needed to move it. I know that's not the best explanation, but that's how the "arc-actuator" works. It's not the same beast as their arc-lock.

As for the opening action. You may need to loosen the pivot screw a little bit. Let me clarify a little bit. 1/4 of a turn is too much. 1/8 of a turn is too much. As gadgetgeek said above, you should move the screw almost an imperceptible amount.
 
It should break in some what with no adjustments. I have had my Full Size since they first came out years ago. I never have adjusted the knife in anyway. I have beat/used the heck out of it. It was my first "real knife" before I knew much about knives and thought a $100 for a knife was borderline stupid. I also believed the hype, that SOG actually stood for Special Operations Gear and was only used by Elite Special Forces Teams. Yea I know.

Your experiences seem normal in comparison to mine. For it to lock, all I have to do is "flick" some. Once the blade swings, the lock always fully engages with a u t h o r a t i e .

The only time I notice the blade drags or is sluggish is when the oil is dried up or gunk is in the pivot or lock mechanism. If you cut say a bunch of foam insulation, mulch bags then some crawfish sacks, then charcoal bags the funk can build in the lock/pivot and slow it down. But it still locks every time. I find 3 and 1 oil works the best for it for how I use it. I can also testify as to how well the TiNi coating holds up. The only real hit I can give the knife is the blade has some flex when locked open. It is not a bank vault by any measure, but it feels safe.
Also, it is sorta like a semi auto pistol, you don't want to limp wrist it. Meaning when you push it to open, hold the handle solid. That way all the inertia goes to the blade and not the handle. Make sense?
So fast forward to now, I own several higher end super duper exotic esoteric steal blades and I still use my AUS-8 Trusty Trident for most cutting chores in and around the crib. To me, it is not a thoroughbred it is a no worry barrel horse. <--see what I did there? ha

I suggest adding a short paracord lanyard to make drawing the deep pocket clipped knife out of your britches pocket easier. But that is on you homie.
 
Good review and I have to agree Ric. Have had mine for maybe 8 years and my Trident is tight and the blade deploys as fast as it did brand new. Awesome looking and good enough for light chores plus looks like a great blade if needed for defense in a pinch. Hey for a lousy $60 not a bad purchase at all.
 
I had a full size trident and a Pentagon elite2. The SAT and Arc are really different beasts, the straight up arc-lock is pretty great, locks solidly. The SAT isn't inferior, just has a different purpose in life.
 
OP, your knife sounds fine. When not open the lock actuator doesn't have tension on it. Similar with when open. It sound like just the actuator and not the piston lock itself. As long as it does lock up tight you are good to go. The blade does need to get past a certain point to engage the spring. Further if you get it to that point slowly the spring will not be as effective. Just click it open and the spring should take over and snap it open. Remember, the spring only assists you in opening the knife.



Gaston444 said:
Is it the same thing on the SOG Fatcat?!!

I am considering getting it, and would like to know if any other of the arc locks knives are similar.

Gaston
Click to expand...

Completely different locking mechanism Gaston. SAT knives are piston locks while the SEKi made knives have the ARC lock.
 
I push the knife past the closure bias and sometimes it opens, and sometimes it just sits. My BM Barrage opens no matter how fast you open it, after you pass the closure bias...I figured that's what the SOG should do...
 
The BM has a much stronger spring in my experience. If you want it to fly open better you could try adjusting the pivot though if you have little to no blade play right now I would mess with the pivot, you'll get more play and it might not go away. I have an aegis adjusted to almost no play but I have to flick it hard with my thumb to get a nice snappy open. It might just be how it is.
 
I exchanged it for a different knife (same model) and this one is worse! Spring barely pushes it out, and the blade play is simply awful! I ordered a 5.11 and a Kershaw...never had problems with those!
 
I have a few 5.11 knives, and while they aren't the greatest knives available, they aren't the worst, and they do what I need them to do without complaining :P
 
Nephron44 said:
I exchanged it for a different knife (same model) and this one is worse! Spring barely pushes it out, and the blade play is simply awful! I ordered a 5.11 and a Kershaw...never had problems with those!
Click to expand...

SOG's biggest problem is the lack of consistency in their A/O knives. Some are tight, some have play, and the opening springs are not always strong enough to do their job.
 
MaxFisher said:
SOG's biggest problem is the lack of consistency in their A/O knives. Some are tight, some have play, and the opening springs are not always strong enough to do their job.
Click to expand...

You say specifically their AO knives...can you recommend a good modern folder from SOG that isn't AO and is under 75 dollars new?
 
Nephron44 said:
You say specifically their AO knives...can you recommend a good modern folder from SOG that isn't AO and is under 75 dollars new?
Click to expand...

Any of the VG-10 Seki made folders will be of much better quality. It will be hard to find one new for <$75. You can find some great deals on ebay though. However there are a ton of fake SOG knives on ebay. Luckily, the fakes on ebay are really obvious and really bad; they look nothing like a real SOG so make sure to match the models up. Most claim to be a Flash II. I found a hard used Spec Elite I on ebay for $36 ($90 new). Once I cleaned it up and sharpened it I had a high quality used knife for a screaming deal. The traction series from SOG also seems like a good deal although I haven't used one.

The problem when we are talking about inexpensive SOG knives is they are often of lesser quality and materials than you get from other brands but are far more expensive. In place of value line models from SOG I recommend things like the Ontario Utilitac II or the RAT series. Also, Kershaw has a ton of inexpensive knives that are better and so does Spyderco with the Byrd line.
 
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