SOG vs Kershaw vs Spyderco

gatorglockman said:
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.
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WIth those requirements, I would say Kershaw, obviously.

Try the Speed Bump, JYD2, Lahar, Blur, Tanto Groove (:thumbup:), Black Shallot, or the Cyclone (discontinued I think).

Conat go wrong with any of those, but I like the Groove (non AO) and Shallot (Speedsafe AO) the best.
 
My generalization of the brands you mentioned goes like this. I used to like Gerber and I still have a collection of Gerber LST's, Silver Knight's, Mark II's and a few other oldies but there current stuff has no interest for me.

Similarly I used to like SOG knives back in the 1980's when they first started but they are a joke now. Their quality, design, manufacture and materials are very disappointing and I doubt if I will ever buy another. I have sold off all of them that I owned except for maybe two.

Spyderco is always has been good in quality and materials although some of their designs don't get me going. I think they are a pretty good company and own several.

Kershaw is the up and coming company. years ago I never really liked too much of what they made but in the last few years and with the introduction of the ZT line I am in their camp. I think they are far and away the best of the companies you mention and I am watching their new stuff with anticipation. I just bought a Zero Tolerance ZT301 and could not be more impressed with it. I think it compares well to knives costing twice as much.
 
I'm another guy that has to recommend Kershaw. I've had Gerbers, and still do, but Kershaw makes a better knife, period. I have a Shallot, a Speed Bump, a Rainbow Leek, and a Ososweet, with several others on the list yet. The Ososweet is their cheapest knife, and is definitely outclassed by the others; I probably wouldn't buy another Oso unless I just needed a beater knife. For that it's a good buy. Also, if you ever have a problem with a Kershaw, just let Kershaw know and they'll take care of it. Their customer service and warranty are awesome.
 
Spyderco and Kershaw both have great fit and finish for production companies. I think Spyderco makes more useful designs, and I like their construction more on the non-pinned models, although I like pinned knives, too. They've shown better edge geometry out of box, as well.

Kershaw has a better variety at a lower price range, and appeals much more to fans of flippers and AOs.

I think Spydercos are sturdier and make better users, but Kershaws are more stylistic and fun in a man-toy sort of way.

Spyderco is my favorite production company, so I have to give them the nod.
 
J85909266 said:
Spyderco and Kershaw both have great fit and finish for production companies. I think Spyderco makes more useful designs, and I like their construction more on the non-pinned models, although I like pinned knives, too. They've shown better edge geometry out of box, as well.

Kershaw has a better variety at a lower price range, and appeals much more to fans of flippers and AOs.

I think Spydercos are sturdier and make better users, but Kershaws are more stylistic and fun in a man-toy sort of way.

Spyderco is my favorite production company, so I have to give them the nod.
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Im down with this. I prefer spyderco if were going to be buying something over that magic 100 dollar mark, but I prefer kershaws in the "affordable" range where I think they make better knives than the entry level benchmade blues / larger spyderco market.
 
J85909266 said:
Spyderco and Kershaw both have great fit and finish for production companies. I think Spyderco makes more useful designs, and I like their construction more on the non-pinned models, although I like pinned knives, too. They've shown better edge geometry out of box, as well.

Kershaw has a better variety at a lower price range, and appeals much more to fans of flippers and AOs.

I think Spydercos are sturdier and make better users, but Kershaws are more stylistic and fun in a man-toy sort of way.

Spyderco is my favorite production company, so I have to give them the nod.
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Yup, what 'J' said. SOG is not even in the same class as Kershaw and Spyderco and now, whenever I contemplate buying a knife, I just pick up my CF Caly3 to remind myself how a knife should be designed and manufactured.
 
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For tactical use there are so many spyderco's to chose from. Military, para 2, stretch, or endura. They all blow away the competition, Keyshawn and sog.
 
Spyderco designs win over Kershaw and SOG by a landslide.

Kershaw makes great blades, but falls short due to to non-ambidextrous designs, excessive flippers, and too much assisted opening.

...SOG falls way short, hell I prefer Cold Steel over SOG any day of the week, due to poor fit and finish, excessive "tacticool" designs, questionable assisted openings, and shoddy customer service.
 
All the modern sogs Ive handled are off shoured and have blade play, although if you can find any of there older knifes... Spyderco makes some nice knifes, the dragonfly is one of my favriotes, the caly 3 and pm2 are top notch. But they get kind of boring. I prefer to buy knifes that really call out to me with unique designs, and robust quality made in the USA so I buy mostly kershaws and recommend you do the same.
 
enderwiggin said:
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.
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I second this.
Though my twitch II had no play and after 2 years of light use as a backup it only has a tiny bit of side to side. I might also add, mine has no washers. The liners have a raised ridge the blade rides on, its smooth but not ideal. I have the aluminum handled version.

I'd go with spyderco first, but I like kershaw quite a bit too. I prefer their manual flippers most. SOG has a few that caught my eye but I can't justify to buy them for the price and materials being used. Much better in that range. Kershaw has the cheapest quality knives out of the three, they offer a good amount of $20-40 knives that are worth it. Spyderco is a little more in general, but you get your moneys worth. I've never regretted a spydie. Or a kershaw actually.

The knives you mentioned are great choices to go with GaterGlock. If possible I would save up 40 more dollars and look into the Paramilitary 2 as well. That is a wonderful knife. The tenacious is right up your alley as well. Same with the resilience too, the bigger brother to the tenacious. I don't have much knowledge on kershaw to make a recommendation.

Go online and look through the manufactures products on sites like BladeHQ or similar. Thats how I find a new knife with specifics. Look through your price range and find something you like.
 
I don't know if anyone else read the entire thread, but everyone put SOG last, and he agreed with them, saying we set his mind to get either a Kershaw or a Spydie...then a week later the OP says, "I seen Nut 'n' fancy on youtube and he talked me into buying a SOG!" LMAO Funniest thing Ive ever read.
 
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