SOG vs Kershaw vs Spyderco

I would recommend sticking to Spyderco or Kershaw. The AO's from SOG are flimsy. Their ads suggest you just have to add "testosterone" but trust me, they won't even handle oestrogen! On 2 separate Tridents I've had a number of parts break with light use.
I'm not commenting on the other SOG knives available, just the AO's. Some of their other stuff is great...Architech, Tomcat etc.
You'll be happy with either Endura or Blur...
 
i love the sog flash 2. i have both frn and aluminum versions. one of my favorite knives.


blurs and delicas are great too.
 
I would also rank SOG 3rd in that lineup of 3 brands. Between Spyderco and Kershaw, it probably depends on whether you like AOs or not. Kershaw has some really nice designs if you want an AO blade. I do like the looks and size of the Blur... it reminds me of my Spyderco Caly 3, which is my EDC. I think either brand will work dependably for you, just depends on your preference for looks and ergos.

That said... IMAO Spyderco has the finest lineup of non-AO, functional, well-conceived and executed folders of any company I'm familiar with.
 
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Spyderco wins big overall for me. The organic wavy design of most Kershaws, along with the assisted flippers just don't go over well for me. They are solid knives though.

SOG doesn't compare to either company.
 
MACHAVEN said:
I would recommend sticking to Spyderco or Kershaw. The AO's from SOG are flimsy. Their ads suggest you just have to add "testosterone" but trust me, they won't even handle oestrogen! On 2 separate Tridents I've had a number of parts break with light use.
I'm not commenting on the other SOG knives available, just the AO's. Some of their other stuff is great...Architech, Tomcat etc.
You'll be happy with either Endura or Blur...
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LOL Man! FUNNY! You nailed my beef.

Guys...AWESOME feedback, thank you. I have ruled SOG out based on your comments. I think it comes down to personal pref on Kershaw vs Spyderco based on the statements made. No one even took the Gerber bait ;).

I will check out the Kershaw JYD as several of you mentioned it and I have not seen it. If I go Spyderco...I already dig the Endura so that would be my first purchase.
 
FWIW, I repair my father's Flash 2 AO spring every time he comes to visit me. It's not a robust design. The spring pops out when the pivot disc loosens. It's not hard to correct but it isn't easy either. Kershaw's AO with torsion bar is a much better design and i've never had one fail in 9 years.
 
+1 on making the list Benchmade, Spyderco and Kershaw. Check out the Griptilian and Mini Grip from Benchmade- very popular for a reason. Also, make sure you check out Kershaw's RAM- a sturdy knife with great ergos!
 
Josh K said:
Spyderco wins big overall for me. The organic wavy design of most Kershaws, along with the assisted flippers just don't go over well for me. They are solid knives though.

SOG doesn't compare to either company.
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This.

Though I should be clear and say that out of the prodcution knife companies I happen to like benchmade more than spyderco but I dont see that lasting with the way the two companies are headed. But to be honest I still prefer the benchmade designs they offer as of 15 June 2009.
 
I think that once you've owned a Spyderco you will not want a Kershaw with a liner lock.

Liner locks are cheap and easy to make incorrectly. Most knives with liner locks are not all they are cracked up to be.

Get a Spyderco. 95% of the time they have better fit and finish.

SOG doesn't even compare. They are not much better than Gerber.
 
From what I've owned or used, Spyderco and Kershaw outdo SOG in fit, finish, and reliability.
 
David Lowry said:
I think that once you've owned a Spyderco you will not want a Kershaw with a liner lock.

Liner locks are cheap and easy to make incorrectly. Most knives with liner locks are not all they are cracked up to be.

Get a Spyderco. 95% of the time they have better fit and finish.

SOG doesn't even compare. They are not much better than Gerber.
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As you know, David, I'm a very strong fan of Spyderco and expect that will only become an understatement over time. That said, Kershaw's liner locks are the best liner locks I've ever used and are as reliable in their expensive models (ZT0200) as their more priced-to-own models (Blackout, JYDII, Blur...). And with many of their knives using 13C26 and 14C28N, they use my favorite stainless steels in their folders as well (I really like ZDP-189 and H-1, but 13C26/AEB-L is my favorite stainless ever whether it gets a batch heat-treatment from Kershaw or Aoki Hamono or gets a personalized heat-treatment from Larrin Thomas - 13C26 r0xx0rz my b0xx0rz). Their External Toggle; a knife we both enjoy; has a super-cool, futuristic and tough lock and my favorite stainless steel.

So I wouldn't bash Kershaw's linerlocks without having used them thoroughly (and using them thoroughly makes it hard to attempt bashing them even if you hate liner locks as I do) and I especially wouldn't try to make a preferred company look better by bashing other companies (especially with an unfounded cliche dig against Kershaw's use of a particular lock style).

For your penance, read the Shiny Footprints sticky five times. :p
 
thombrogan said:
As you know, David, I'm a very strong fan of Spyderco and expect that will only become an understatement over time. That said, Kershaw's liner locks are the best liner locks I've ever used and are as reliable in their expensive models (ZT0200) as their more priced-to-own models (Blackout, JYDII, Blur...). And with many of their knives using 13C26 and 14C28N, they use my favorite stainless steels in their folders as well (I really like ZDP-189 and H-1, but 13C26/AEB-L is my favorite stainless ever whether it gets a batch heat-treatment from Kershaw or Aoki Hamono or gets a personalized heat-treatment from Larrin Thomas - 13C26 r0xx0rz my b0xx0rz). Their External Toggle; a knife we both enjoy; has a super-cool, futuristic and tough lock and my favorite stainless steel.

So I wouldn't bash Kershaw's linerlocks without having used them thoroughly (and using them thoroughly makes it hard to attempt bashing them even if you hate liner locks as I do) and I especially wouldn't try to make a preferred company look better by bashing other companies (especially with an unfounded cliche dig against Kershaw's use of a particular lock style).

For your penance, read the Shiny Footprints sticky five times. :p
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Have used them. Have gotten them to fail. Just go search my posts if you must. I can white knuckle just about any liner lock and get it to fail (or almost fail). Kershaw just doesn't make the blade tang radiused enough like Spyderco does. Benchmade does a better job than Kershaw but the blade tang is still not radiused enough. It's more of s slanted slope and only a corner of the liner touches the tang. Believe me...I've done my research. Feel free to post up close pics of your Kershaws tang touching the liner. I had a Lahar briefly that I thought I would love but I could white knuckle the knife and the liner would move into an almost unlocked position. I'm not bashing. I'm telling it like it is. Prove me wrong sir. ;)

Here's a good thread:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=485427

Along with this thread:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=485240


Edtied to add links...
 
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David Lowry said:
Kershaw just doesn't make the blade tang radiused enough like Spyderco does. Benchmade does a better job than Kershaw but the blade tang is still not radiused enough. It's more of s slanted slope and only a corner of the liner touches the tang.
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I've both owned and used Spydercos that had your described Kershaw slope. I do agree that Spyderco's liner lock tangs seem to be better made. FWIW, I wish they made more compression lock featured knives.
 
STR has some great thoughts in that first thread.

Also I dont have a great deal of experience with liner locks (I prefer axis locks, lock backs and frame locks) but I think the liner lock in the military is a beast. Out of all of my knives, I think I might trust that one the most.

Im still on the fence about kershaw. I dont know if I am ever going to buy one, although it looks like they are running the regular leek in 13c26 for 40 bucks so maybe I will if I run into some extra money (hahaha).
 
I'll say this, the Kershaw Tyrade in black G10 is a helluva knife. Thick liners, solid lockup, and D2 at the edge? Come on, if the ergos fit you right and 3.75" blade ain't too big for you then that's a Kershaw to get.
 
David Lowry said:
Prove me wrong sir.
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No need and no reason. I've spine-whacked my Kershaw liners and framelocks and torqued them in my vise and also haven't had them fail in use (important to some; an odd notion to others). They won't replace the Compression Lock as my favorite lock of all time, but a reliable product is a reliable product.
 
I have never, ever had a Kershaw lock fail on me. Others experience may vary, but IMO, Kershaw make fine knives that represent good value, excellent design and superior fit and finish.
 
David Lowry said:
Have used them. Have gotten them to fail.
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So did a Spyderco.....

















...severing my index finger.

Luckily, it was reconnected. I'll take a linerlock over a lockback any day after that incident.

You know what they say about opinions...
 
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