Sog Vulcan problem

xtestifyx

xtestifyx

Joined
Feb 4, 2010
Messages
1,383
Hello all,

This is not my knife but a family member's. He got it new today and showed me it, upon my visual inspection, I found a few things that did not measure up to my standards and took it apart

It was supposed to be new, but I can't confirm that with confidence due to what I'm seeing here, could it be a factory second?

Anyhow, these are the problems

-Poor finish
-Questionable craftsmanship

You can see on the two following pictures that the SOG logo is the only part of the liner that was "finished." The finish was terrible and you can still see the laser cut or stamped S-O-G logo.
img0612bn.jpg



Burrs left untouched from factory
img0613z.jpg



Rough machine finished spines where it does not get exposed when it's assembled. Why would a manufacturer hide things like this?
img0614j.jpg



Closeup of the liner
img0616dm.jpg


img0617p.jpg



I saw some pictures of Vulcans online and on the Gallery thread in this subforum. The fingerchoil "jimping" is supposed to be extended out of the plastic handle side. Is this an older version?
img0620se.jpg



And again, it's recessed
img0621ux.jpg




Am I expecting too much from SOG or is this an extremely sour lemon?

Thanks for your help
 
It is silly to expect parts that are covered after assembly to be "finished" to a presentation grade. Especially on an affordable production level knife. I think you need a reality check.
 
retzius said:
It is silly to expect parts that are covered after assembly to be "finished" to a presentation grade. Especially on an affordable production level knife. I think you need a reality check.
Click to expand...

I did not expect a comment like this.

I don't and have never bought a SOG, but now you're convincing me to avoid it.

Maybe I should stick with other brands. I'm not even going to name makers, but for under a bill, you can get a knife without scratched up liners and onto a "presentation grade"
 
we sell them at my store ive never seen one that looked like that they all look well finished take a pic of the blade for us with the stamping on the blade
 
Last edited:
xtestifyx said:
I did not expect a comment like this.

I don't and have never bought a SOG, but now you're convincing me to avoid it.

Maybe I should stick with other brands. I'm not even going to name makers, but for under a bill, you can get a knife without scratched up liners and onto a "presentation grade"
Click to expand...

Yes, you should avoid SOG and stick with other brands that put presentation grade finishes on the hidden interior parts for under a bill. :rolleyes:

Then you can go and buy one of their knives, dissasemble it, complain about an interior part, and critique the knife.

How does the knife cut, how does the handle feel, how does the opening work? Seems like you are missing the forest for the trees.
 
Tim, it's been used a bit so I'm sure it's not new

Retzius,
I have nothing to complain about the ParaMilitary 2 as it is almost perfect in every way. If you want me to show you evidence of why I'm upset and what kind of standards I put on it, then I will not hesitate to show you them. Keep in mind the Retail of the Vulcan is a fair penny higher than that ParaMilitary.

On the other hand, the Arc-Lock felt too similar to an Axis lock even though it is a pivotal design with Omega springs. There is no solid click when the lock is engaged/opened and that makes it very hard for me to believe it's locked in. The thumb ramp is sharp on the end, handles fit well in hand but I haven't put it in used yet, so I'll reserve judgement.
 
I'm with retzius on this one. Having worked in a few manufacturing facilities, I don't think you can expect hidden parts to have nice finishes. I'd guess that SOG doesn't leave the liners exposed because that makes manufacturing quicker by removing finishing and fitting steps to make exposed liners look nice. I have a Vulcan and every part of it that I can see without taking it apart looks just fine. Maybe I've been around too much lean manufacturing, but putting nice finishes on unseen parts seems like a waste of money for a large manufacturer.
 
tim300wsm said:
we sell them at my store ive never seen one that looked like that they all look well finished take a pic of the blade for us with the stamping on the blade
Click to expand...
Just curious, how would you even know that the ones at your store were finished better if the finish problems aren't seen when the knife is assembled?
 
wow this could be a tough call on which is to blame if there is anyone TO blame. i can see both sides. as in SOGS defense it could be a lemon and just a bad knife that fell through QC it happens in the Manufacturing business. BUT on the side of a consumer i cant see why SOG a stand up company would just let unseen parts go unfinished. regardless if they arent seen and are a "production" knife i dont think that should matter. i have worked in multiple manufacturing industries and they all have a saying even when its a high production company. QUALITY OVER QUANTITY. and with moving working components each piece should be carefully inspected and worked up to the highest quality possible for CUSTOMER SATISFACTION period, not to just make those production #'s for the day. thats my .02
 
xtestifyx, how's about you or your relative contact SOG and see what can be done about this knife? There is a chance that you have already voided the warrenty on your relatives knife because you took it apart, but even so I think SOG should have the chance to address the issues you have with your relatives knife.

Gents, xtestifyx or his relative need to contact SOG about his/their issues with the knife so if you could, please allow them to do so before we continue.
 
I did contact SOG today, and they will call me back Monday or sometime next week when their personnel have seen the pictures.

Thank you Todd@SOG
 
The only real problem I've ever had with my Vulcan is a somewhat-shaky lockup. It can be fixed easily worth the right tools though, so I'm not worried.

Someone I know also has a Vulcan, and his only problem has been a clip that is prone to snapping. He would like to know if anyone else has had a similar problem.
 
Over the past 15 months I've been carrying my vulcan I had 2 clips snap. SOG will send you a new one when this happens. Just go to their site and they have clip replacement page you can submit.
 
blueblur said:
Over the past 15 months I've been carrying my vulcan I had 2 clips snap. SOG will send you a new one when this happens. Just go to their site and they have clip replacement page you can submit.
Click to expand...
He's been there and done that, so he now has three spare clips. Any ideas about restoring the factory lockup on mine? I tried tightening every available screw I could see, but none made a difference; it's still wobbling up and down. Nothing I changed made it better or worse, which is a little disconcerting.
 
my first time owning the vulcan and a sog with the arc lock, i too feel a bit uneasy with no click when the blade opens. i always double check the blade to make sure my fingers are going to fall off. curious as to what caused the clips to snap for you guys. i see no looseness in mine, and it feels quite sturdy. i've never had any problems with my other sog folders and their clips, is this just something that's common with the vulcan. i'm currently carrying the black tini vulcan
 
I am of mixed minds about the issue. From a strictly objective point of view, nothing that I see there will affect the function of the knife. If it locks up well and cuts well, the internals finishing would seem to me to be of secondary importance. An AK-47 is one of the sloppiest made firearms that I know of, yet it performs it's function reliably and well. This is not to suggest that the Vulcan is not well made, because I'll put my Vulcan Tanto up against any Emerson where fit and finish is concerned and against most Spyderco knives where external finish is concerned. That said, the Vulcan in question does not appear to be as well finished as my Vulcan Tanto, so it can't hurt to run it past SOG and see what they say.

Please let us know.
 
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