Sog

i like them, i like the looks, the S.A.T., and the newer folders like the trident with groove technology.
 
They were one of my favorite production knife companies back in the 1980's and 90's, but have been put on my 'will not buy' list forever. Sog along with Gerber, Cold Steel and Blackjack were some pretty inovative and quality oriented companies back then, but any of their current stuff is persona non grata in my house any more.

Made in China, poor customer service, low end materials, stupid designs and crappy sheaths have made them into one of my least favorites. Not because they are the worst by any measure but because of the changes that they have made in the last ten years or so.

I recently sold off the best of what they ever made and don't intend to get any more because nothing they make now comes close to these 15 to 20 year old pieces.

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SOG's original seal line-up are some of my favorite knives of all time. That is the Seal 2000, the Tigershark ,and the Seal pup. I can't comment on the taiwan stuff as i have never handled them but I sure like the looks of the Tech Bowie. I don't think i'm the only one concerned with the switch to Chinese manufacturing. But SOG isnt the only company doing this.If SOG can produce some blades right here in the u.s.a. and make it well known maybe by advertising they could be on top again.
 
SOG never made any knife in the USA. There original knives were made in Seki Japan and were pretty good.SOG has never had a factory just a drawing board and then contracted out the production.
 
I haven't had any problems with the knives made in Taiwan. AUS8 is still a very decent steel.

Their folders are all made in the USA/Japan and only their Fusion line (their budget brand) are made in China
 
I like my one SOG. (Twitch II) The SAT would be AWESOME if it didn't have a lock on it. I still like it though.


(Word of advise...don't "tinker" with the SAT...unless you're really super extra sure you want to.)
 
I'll agree with kjb.knive. They used to be good. Now, their knives are just ugly.
 
I own a sog seal revolver which I take along with me on every camping trip. The saw works wonders. I also have a seal pup. I like this knife overall but there are some things that could be changed. They are favorably priced as well.
:thumbup:
 
As was mentioned, only the Fusion line are manufactured in China. A few are manufactured in Taiwan. Most are still made in Japan.

I have not been a fan of some of their designs. But overall, I really like the SOG line. The Twitch knives are excellent. The Blink is excellent. The Hunter Revolver is very good and does exactly what it is designed to do very well.

I love the Vulcan and Mini-Vulcan. The mini is my EDC blade now along with a SAK. I highly recommend the mini-v.

I started out buying their fixed blades and then have moved to the folders as I simply use them more. I really like the Seal Pup Elite (plain edge) for a medium sized fixed blade. I'm not crazy about the handle, but it works very well.

My next SOG will probably be the new Access. That will probably happen in the next few weeks.
 
Soilarch said:
(Word of advise...don't "tinker" with the SAT...unless you're really super extra sure you want to.)
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True, I took apart my trident and it developed some sideways blade wobble after reassembly, and the AO was a lot more finicky.
 
I love the design of the NW Ranger & Pentagon fixed blades. I just wish that as the price has gone up since they were 1st released, the steel used would of gone from AUS6 to AUS8.

Still, the NW Ranger I had was a good knife. Wish I had kept it, but it found a good home with an outstanding soldier I served with.
 
johnu2 said:
I haven't had any problems with the knives made in Taiwan. AUS8 is still a very decent steel.

Their folders are all made in the USA/Japan and only their Fusion line (their budget brand) are made in China
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The Powerlocks (multi-tools) are also USA made.
 
I only own one sog, and thats a revolver H. Its been a pleasure to use, and to be honest I dont think Id ever sell it. Over all its just fun to use, also when I take some of the niese's and nefews out its great for them to mess with.
 
I like the fusion muscle car (not for me) The seal team Or the field pup those are cool and yes AUS8 is a good steel
 
I called SOG to ask them about where they make knives and got this.

While some of the fixed blades are still made in Japan - Seal Pup, NW Ranger, and Pentagon. The rest are made in Taiwan and all are being transitioned to Taiwan Manufacture. I had picked up a Gov-Tac that was Taiwan made and got rid of it as soon as I saw the taiwan stamp.

The SAT knives like twitch, blink and Trident folders are made in the USA, which was news to me. I have not owned a Trident folder but I have a Blink and it is pretty nice. On the other hand the twitch knives are not a favorite. I got a Twitch II black TI a couple of years ago and the lock did not function at all, so I sent it back to SOG. They returned a Twitch II that was plain steel (no TI coating) and it's lock did not function either so back it went and a third came in which also did not function and it went straight to the trash can. I will say that I have a Twitch XL that I bought at the same time and it seems OK but I think the design of locking mechanism is poor.

I am probably going to keep my old Trident Sterile model fixed blade but other than it I have sold off my five remaining old SOG models , S1 Bowie, Tigershark, Sog Tech, and 2 other Tridents. Nothing they make now compares in any way.
 
vjb.knife said:
I am probably going to keep my old Trident Sterile model fixed blade but other than it I have sold off my five remaining old SOG models , S1 Bowie, Tigershark, Sog Tech, and 2 other Tridents. Nothing they make now compares in any way.
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I recently picked up a new Tech Bowie and I was impressed at the quality of the design and construction of both the knife and sheath, and although I haven't used it yet I've had other Japanese AUS 8 blades and they've performed well.

You had some similar knives in your collection, can you say more precisely how they differ from the new ones since the design and materials seem largely the same?
 
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