SOG vs. Cold Steel... newbie question

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waynejitsu

Joined
Oct 1, 2002
Messages
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how do the two compare? i realize this is a SOG forum, but i do like both knife companies . how do the aus8 compare/differ? which is easier to sharpen? which holds an edge longer? thanks for any info...
 
Hi Wayne,

Thanks for the question. We here at SOG take a pretty strong stand to not do direct comparisons with our competitors. The main reason is that the end result is that in most cases, we end up looking as though we "down talking" our competitors...something we really don't want to do. We really do prefer to take the "high road," and just let our products stand on their good merits.

Cold Steel makes fine products. If you are interested in asking about certain SOG products, please feel free to specifically ask.
 
I would have to agree with Ron, its hard to compare. Plus, it seems that SOG and Cold Steel target different markets.

What kind of knife do you need? For what?
 
just curious, what are the different market targets? i am interested mostly in the aus8/aus8a stainless and how they compare to each other. i use it for everyday carry/defence purposes. i really like the SOG flash assisted opening, but am not crazy about the blade shape. i like the style that is on the SOG auto clip better. i would also like to see different styles and variations. it works great for me, as i am left handed. i probably would have gotten the kershaw onion knife, but bought the flash based on left handed use.
 
I dont mind down-talking Cold Steel :)

I have many SOG products and only a few Cold Steel products. The reason is because I have been quite dissapointed with the quality of Cold Steel. Before I got my first Cold Steel product (The Sword Cane) I read up about it quite a bit. I couldnt find much but the blurb they wrote about i on thier site. It was inspired by the fight Jim Bowie had with "whats his name" where "whats his name"s sword cane broke allowing Bowie to get the upper hand. They said they set out to make one that would never break in such a situation. They used words like high quality stainless steel, 11 layers of high impact resistant fiberglass, bone crushing strikes and deep penetrating cruciform point. In reality I got a 100$ novelty peice that I have to bend by hand back to its original shape if I try to stab it through 1 peice of cardboard. 1 measley peice of normal cardbord bends the blade enough that it wont be able to be resheathed. It rattles in its scabbard everytime you gently put it to the ground and the locking mechanism is a pretty thin peice of junk. In the case of the sword cane it wasnt just a matter of over hype it was an out and out LIE. Not such a terrible thing since there is no way I would ever use a sword cane, but I like things that I am not gonna use to have some quality, especially for that price. I also dissaprove of companies that make up names for thier steel like carbon V, hail it as a super steel when it ends up being the flavor of the day made up of whatever carbon steel a factory has lying around...just tell us what it is!

SOG on the other hand is a much different experience. Every SOG product I have owned has exceded my expecation and the "hype" I hear about it comes more from users than thier website or even Ron. I have abused the crap outtta some SOG products and never got one to a point where I couldnt restore it myself to like-new fuctionality. The hype you hear from SOG is maybe a tidbit of history if it is a recreation or something like saying BG-42 is the "ultimate" blade steel...its may not be the ultimate, but it kinda used to be, and it is one of the best.


Sure I am biased....but it is a bias based on experience.
 
If you're talking folders then I think you're better off with the SOG line when it comes to design and innovation. As for the steel comparison...sorry can't help you out...I don't have enough experience to comment on that.

If it were fixed blades then I'd give CS credit. There Carbon V is great stuff and their San Mai blades are even better.
 
I have had both and both are good quality blades. I have trailmasters SOG folders and I had the SOG bowie. Had because I no longer have it and kick myself for trading it. They both have alot to offer.

I just traded for a Recondo in BG-42 and MAN is that thing great. It is alot bigger in person that it appears (to me anyway) in print. Superb craftsmanship and extremely sharp and at a great price point. Look at the custom and semi-custom pieces in BG-42, note their prices and then give SOG a call. Did I mention it was really sharp?


Cerberus

BTW, it comes with a good quality Kydex sheath. Keep up the good work Ron.
 
Originally posted by Ron@SOG
You guys are great...thanks for your comments!

What more can I add? :)
Click to expand...

How about that SOG warranties their knives for life, while Cold Steel only warranties their knives for as little as one year! :eek:

I don't see how a company can hype their products so much and not stand behind them! :confused:
 
SOG...You just CAN'T go wrong with either their products, OR with the people at SOG who stand behind SOG products 100%. Also, the fact is that SOG has a couple of active web-forums, and Cold Steel DOESN'T...

Cold Steel products are "ok" (I DO really like my CS Vaquero Grande, as it's an excellent defensive/offensive MONSTER folder, and my CS Gurkha Kukri is built pretty well), but when they went with that 420 steel for some of their new knives, that somewhat turned me off of their products...Also, they STILL don't make a multitool, where SOG makes quite a few of 'em. ALSO, I haven't seen ANYTHING from Cold Steel that holds a candle to the SOG Trident/Bowie knives!.:).

Ron,

I just comleted a trade this morning for ANOTHER Seal 2000...NIB!, and it's already on its' way to me from Colorado.:).:).:).
 
Me I find Coldsteel great for different app's.... I have a recon Tanto that is perhaps one of the toughest knives I own along with an SRK. Good Knives that Keep a really good edge but they are a little higher maintenece due to rusting of the Carbon V Steel. I don't own any stainless Cold Steel but been looking at the Safekeeper Dual Edge Line and might add one to my collection (and a stag handle bowie).

SOG, Awesome work knives with great steel and very low maintence, I only own a seal knife 2000 but find it nice with a great edge and much better rust resistence then the carbon V in my cold steel knives.(hope to add more SOG very soon... need a tigershark and seal pup :) )

The way I view the two main companies is that Cold Steel offers a Knife for everybody and has a huge advertising budget and is in your face more, they also have a lot of "gimiky" stuff like spears and sword canes which I think detracts from the overall image of the product line. Cold Steel is the Redneck in the Industry.

Sog on the other hand has a very defined line with tools and knives, they seem to be more of the gentleman scholar and more of the tool of the trade, people that buy sog buy them for thier utility as well as the beauty and craftsmanship. Sog is stout as need be but doesn't have to be over engineered like the cold steel, the lines flow nicely and very few sog knives look blocky or have big chisel points on them.

Both comapnies serve a purpose and both make good knives, choose either for your needs and you would be well served....
 
I only mentioned that one of the tool cover on my powerlock was rubbing and I'd like to carry my powerlock horizontally, and Ron and his colleagues at SOG mailed me the items within one week's time. How's that for customer service.
I have the SRK, It's ok, it makes a good beater piece and probably cna do some light chopping, but it just doesn't seem to be able to hold an edge anymore.
I've seen my friend's SOG fix blade and I definately like it better than CS's.
 
Originally posted by glockman99
Ron,

I just comleted a trade this morning for ANOTHER Seal 2000...NIB!, and it's already on its' way to me from Colorado.:).:).:).
Click to expand...
SOGman99 strikes again! :D
 
I get to pick up alot of knives at the store , more than most people will ever do,so brings me to my point: I own 2 SOG's and no Cold Steel's.
 
I received my (NIB) SOG Seal 2000 today, and as usual, the knife is excellent, with NO imperfections to be found anywhere, including the kydex sheath.:).
 
Seal Pup, Seal 2000, Tigershark...Cold Steel sure doesn't make anything to match this excellent trio!.:).

Bobby B,

If you don't yet have a Seal 2000, you GOTTA get yourself one, along with the 'Pup!!
 
I like my San Mai CS Tanto and I like my sjambok.

Aside from that I do not like anything else that CS produces, nearly as much as I like my alternate (plus additional) Sog stuff. I like my Trident a lot (LOT!!!) more than my Trailmaster etc.

I trust Sog folders more than their CS counter parts.
My favourite two brands for folders are Sog and Emerson. Emerson knives are thrice the price of most Sogs. With my Emerson knives I feel that I am more likely to be struck by lightning than have the lock fail.
I feel the same way with my Sog folders. Sogs are just tougher than the price suggests they should be.

I dislike the way that CS does not stand behind their products as much as Sog do.
That is my opinion based on my experience and the experience of my friends, many of whom are LEO's or military.

CS use some very good steels and all that. Most companies do in the mid to higher end market. I am not a metallurgist and have little desire to be. I have used a variety of steels in a range knives for diverse purposes. I clean my knives after every use then use a steel on them.
Every fortnight I resharpen my EDC kit even if it has only had minor use. This is predominantly a confidence thing, but my knives are always at least as sharp as they need do be. AUS6, AUS8, 154CM, 440C any of those can take the hairs of my arm and so I am happy.
 
i don't have too much product knowledge on SOG knives, but i have to say that SOG's customer service is just EXCELLENT! they totally stand behind their products and that's where a consumer would get the confidence from. I have to agree that CS's warranties aren't the greatest, i mean, one year is just not enough

aXed
 
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