SOG vs Kershaw vs Spyderco

G

gatorglockman

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Jun 9, 2009
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Okay gang. Talking tactical folders. Looking for your opinions as a newbie.

Got some flack about my luv for Gerbers on a prior thread. I talked blades at my IDPA match yesterday during some rain delays. One guy told me his Gerbers didn't last as long as the others (Kershaw, etc). Got my hands on a few Spyderco's. Very nice. Also talked about Kershaws...good feedback from the fellow shooters as well. I window shopped some today and saw an SOG that caught my eye. (I am a prior service Army guy....so the whole SEAL reference thing SOG does kind of nauseates me :jerkit:)

SOG vs Kershaw vs Spyderco and spending under $70 or so.....what would you recommend? I like blade lengths of 3 1/2 - 4 1/2 as a rule.

Spyderco Endura and Kershaw Blur have both caught my eye. Can't remember the model of SOG I saw today.
 
In my experience Spyderco and Kershaw have really out classed SOG. Especially lately. I would second the Kershaw JYD2, but the SOG flash 2, I personally would pass on. I sold mine. Also look into the spyderco delica, endura and tenacious; and the Kershaw blur, RAM, Skyline, and Oso
 
the Endura is tough as nails and very good quality. Personally I'd pay a little extra and get the Foliage Green G10 Endura with the Full flat grind :thumbup: its worth the upgrade fee. I wish they'd offer a Flat ground FRN endura but no dice so far. I can't wait for the (hopefully) soon to be released FRN Stretch, I think it will replace my endura as my EDC.
 
ac1d0v3r1d3 said:
but the SOG flash 2, I personally would pass on.
Click to expand...

I'll second that. The Flash 2 looks nice on paper, but it feels cheap in hand, the pocket clip placement is poor and the blade sits so far back when open that it's not very comfortable to cut with.

Spyderco would get my vote, especially the Endura, Delica, Native or one of the Centofante models. But Kershaw has made pretty interesting new knives recently, especially the OD-1 and Zing. As a rule I'm not a fan of assisted openers, so I've been turned away from Kershaw for some time now, but they're making nice non-AO knives lately, so they're worth a look.

SOG in my limited experience is overpriced for the materials used.
 
A big ++ to the JYD II and if your going to get one make it the composite. If you like the endura then the ZDP or G-10 model are both calling your name :D
 
#1 Spyderco Endura or Delica (or equally, the unmentioned Benchmade Griptilian and Presidio Ultra)
#2 Kershaw, but their wavy/flashy look is not my style
#3 SOG is a distant, distant last place for me. Some fixed blades are ok, but all of their affordable folders have cheap bits or finish so I look then buy something else
 
I'd say Spyderco takes the cake. They outclass SOG in materials used, even if it's not always the most visible--the SOG Twitch II I had, for example, had cheesy nylon washers and horrible side-to-side blade play that couldn't be tightened out without keeping the blade from opening.

As for Kershaw I couldn't say, because I haven't been interested in buying any of their knives.
 
i have been underwhelmed by the sog's ive handled.

kershaw's have always impressed me with their ergonomics and varying price points. sleek designs and clean lines.

spyderco's designs are more appealing to me. i like their use of a variety of steels and scale materials on the same platform.

one isn't better than the other, just depends on which designs appeal to you.

for $70 you can get a nice endura with a zdp189 blade or try a vg10 with or without the emerson wave. there are a couple of different scale color choices as well. most of the salt series are within your price range if you are working in a wet environment.
 
Leek G10 w/S30v can be had for around $70 on eBay.

You can't go wrong with that.

leekg10s30v.jpg
 
I think spyderco takes the cake as well. I converted to Spyderco a couple years ago after about 6 or 7 years with Kershaw. They are good knives, but for me.. Spydercos are hard to beat. Sog doesnt even compare to Kershaw or Spyderco in my opinion.
 
Kershaw for me, their designs are very ergonomic and appealing to my eyes. Take a look at the Leeks, Blurs, Shallots, R.A.M.s, Speedbump, Junkyard dog, etc.
 
The only two folders I own in the $65 range is the Sog Trident folder, and the Cold Steel Recon 1. I highly recommend the CS.

The Trident is nice looking, but has bladeplay, and I feel that if I had to be rough on it the handle would snap apart. CS R 1 is a very tough knife. Great handles, excellent lock. Feels a bit bulky but it's solid!
 
i dont know i personally like SOG's but im an air force guy and still exploring the effectiveness of diff knife types spyderco and kerkshaws are ok but u kinda have to sharpen them out of the package to get that lethal edge. however SOG's are razor sharp out of the box and are also easy to sharpen.
 
Kershaw has more to offer at you price range then Spyderco in my opinion. Not knocking Spyderco, I like their stuff. The Centofante 4 is one of my favorites. That being said...

Spyderco:
Centofante 4
Centofante 3
Endura/ Delica

Kershaw:
110v Shallot
JYD Composite Blade
S30v Blur
RAM
NRG 2
Groove
Lahar (VG-10 with g-10 scales can be had for around $50.)
G-10 Tyrade
Leek with composite blade
 
As a whole, I would consider Kershaw to be the better of the three.

-Spyderco's cheaper knives don't really appeal to me, but I love their more expensive blades (both fixed and folders).
-Only a few knives from SOG in general interest me.
-Kershaw has a lot of good knives across the price spectrum.
 
as far as tactical folders go..i say kershaw takes the cake. love spyderco, but from a tactical standpoint id rather have one of kershaws many awesome AO's
 
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