Sog???

[deerhunterp]

I noticed that SOG knives don't get as much attention as other blades on the forums. How do these knives wear over time? Is the assisted technology as good as kershaws?

 

[Chewy1]

Hmm, hadn't noticed. I like the Powerlock. With their other knives, I usually prefer the original.

 

[Jake Bauer]

Sog does get attention around here. It's usually just never very positive.

 

[missin_hobo]

SOG's multitools are, in my opinion, among the best made. Provided you don't get a lemon, they're at least as strong as a leatherman or gerber MT, but with a bit of grease they also have a quick, really cool bali-style opening and closing.

As for their knives, well...to elaborate on Chewy1's insinuation, many of the recent offerings by SOG are pretty unanimously considered to be copies of knives by other reputable companies, and inferior copies at that. One lockback is the exact same size and shape as a Spyderco Endura, with just enough changes to keep the lawyers away. A lot of folk have been unhappy at that, and if this thread starts to take off, I'm guessing that'd be why.

Having said that, the few SOG folders I've owned (a Flash II and previously a Pentagon Elite) have felt good in the hand and made good beater knives, but haven't really blown me away on terms of quality. This is not to say they're poor, especially considering the price, just that I think I've owned better.
Contrastingly, their fixed blades are quite pretty, and much less frequently complained about. I've never owned one, but I wouldn't mind it if I did. Lots of people on the SOG forum seem to absolutely love them.

 

[tom19176]

There is a SOG forum on this site where there is activity. I have many of their AOs, and while I feel Kershaw and Buck are far better made, The SOGs are still well made knives, and when bought cheap are worth the money.

 

[The Government]

SOG has a patent on bladeplay. They like it and use it often for their folders. Nuff said.

 

[lava_lamp]

SOGs are also generally considered to be overpriced, given the materials used. Their fixed blades have a better rep than their folders.

I had a Blink and thought it was nice for the money, and different than anything else out there.

 

[fudo]

SOG has, in some respects, the same problem as Cold Steel, in that the prices are too high for the materials used. Generally speaking SOG's are good knives, but you can usually do better for the same money in another brand.
My $0.02

 

[Larry Turko]

I have the Spec-elite II and the PE II. Both lock up rock solid and have 5" blades. Both are reasonably priced. Other than CS,[ which offers quite a few large folders, most of which I have] Sog is just about the only company that dares to make truly large folders.
I agree, Sog like CS, doesn't get much respect on this forum which always blows my mind.
Perhaps their critics spent so much sedentary time with their knitting and watching cooking shows on TV, they really can heft a mans folder.

 

[GWashington1732]

Leaving their 2010 offerings out of this. SOG's fixed blades are generally of great quality, just stay away from the Fusion Fixation knives. Most of their folders are okay but there are definately better options. Their customer service is usually pretty good as well, the spring in my Twitch II broke and they had it fixed and returned in about a week.

 

[Jpalmer1988]

In my opinion as far as there folders are concerned, there are much better folders for the same price. Although I have wanted to try out a spec elite or a visonary. I like Sogs fixed blade and have owned a few but unfortunately it seems sog is cheapening some models.


I've also heard horrible things about Sog's Customer service but never had to deal with them.

 

[ajpalda]

SOG used to have a good reputation, aside from the price to materials ratio. Their older fixed blades are up to far. As time went on, generally starting about 4-5 years ago, the perception is that their quality has slipped, as they started moving production to taiwan, introducing a value line (their fusion line) and getting into more folder oriented offerings. Not bad knives, necessarily, but kind of spotty quality control.

Then 2010 came around, and they opened up a whole new target for themselves with their offerings that seemed a little too close to other companies.

 

[puyallupn8ive]

I've had a few SOG folders and was never really impressed with them, but their fixed blades are great knives.

 

[jesseaction]

I like my mini-vulcan with its beautifully shaped vg10 blade...it has a little blade-play which, although hard to live with if you think about it, doesn't affect its utility at all. I also ordered an Aegis with some excitement but the blade play in that guy was so extreme I sent it back and probably will not bother trying a third time. Spyderco, Benchmade, and Kershaw all prove beyond any reasonable doubt that blade play is absolutely not necessary, so the only way to explain SOG's problem, in my opinion, is a general lack of attention to detail in either their design or manufacturing. Un-excusable in my book. But then again, if you like their blades get them and enjoy them! Because really, despite what people may say nit-picking about functionality and utility, most knives are just fine for most jobs and it really comes down to the enjoyment you get out of using any particular one (or ones) :thumbup::thumbup:

 

[Larry Turko]

I wonder which knife companies actually offer more for the money than CS or Sog? First of all ,if you like really large folders, Sog and especially CS, are virtually the only companies you can turn to.
Leaving that category aside, I still don't know who actually makes better knives for a similar price. Spyderco makes nice knives but most are more significantly more expensive, Benchmade makes nice small folders [they do make the 4.25" Rukus, my only BM] but again they are generally more expensive than CS. Emerson makes some cool folders [ I was actuallly silly enough to buy 6 of their models] but they are generally WAY more expensive. Possibly Kershaw has some folders in the same price range as CS but IMO they are certainly not better. The only company I can think of that does make folders that are less expensive than those of CS and Sog is Kabar. However, other than possibly the folding Warthog ,their folders are just too pedestrian and boring for my taste.
In conclusion, the frequent claim that Sog and CS are overpriced compared to competitors, is just not true, unless they are some mystery knife companies out there that this knife obsessed loser has never heard of.

 

[Samael]

Sog. Hmm. It's too bad, really, because I really like those guys. Don't think much of their knives, though, for the reasons everybody's already gotten into.

Save your money and buy a real knife.

 

[TaTaToothy]

I don't think they're that bad, actually. I have a Flash I that is one of my favorite EDC knives, and I think the Aegis has a lot to offer in terms of its utility-to-weight ratio. They also make some very nice fixed blades. I definitely prefer some other makers, including but not limited to Kershaw and Spyderco, but SOGs aren't bad IMO.

 

[Mossyhorn]

Sog knives are typically a decent buy for the money. I really like the Tomcat 3.0 and the new Creed looks promising. I also have a Trident that refuses to lock up tight. I am not condemning them but, they are a ways off from reaching the next level.

 

[Jake Bauer]

I still don't know who actually makes better knives for a similar price. Spyderco makes nice knives but most are more significantly more expensive, Benchmade makes nice small folders [they do make the 4.25" Rukus, my only BM] but again they are generally more expensive than CS. Emerson makes some cool folders [ I was actuallly silly enough to buy 6 of their models] but they are generally WAY more expensive.

Knives like many other things follow a common rule... you get what you pay for (there are a few exceptions here and there). Of course if you can effectively use knives that are of lower tier handle and blade materials and locking mechs., then thats awesome, go for it!

SOG has a patent on bladeplay. They like it and use it often for their folders. Nuff said.

Hah.. now that's good.

 

[DennisStrickland]

sog folders are relatively new in my inventory. have a pentagon elite in 5 in. & a spec elite in 4 in.the knives are pocket friendly & fairly light for blade size. arc lock works well & vg10 has a great heat treat. while cutting in garage i hit some metal real hard & edge did'nt ding. it gets sharper than my queens d2 & while i'm not careful about care of semi s.s. alloys has no tarnishing.i do try to keep my 1095 alloys real clean but do'nt consider this a big deal, since any blade maintenance is usually only a few seconds.i do like the handle shape better than some of the other one handers since as an older guy i find secure gripping easier.it is really hard to give a true track performance till one has seen how a knife holds up for a year or longer. 4 months into edc & no complaints.these are'nt a b.m. 710 but are lighter to carry. as with all these tacticals one needs to check the multitude of screws every 3 weeks. dont like loctite in case i wish to disassemble.