Thanks for the history lessons

[Richard Gross]

Now that I've wiped the drool from the keyboard (those fixed blade knives are absolutely "over the top") Wondering what and when did SOG start making folding knives. What would an old geezer like myself look for in vintage SOG folders? I just found a Flash II w/TiNi tanto blade on the "bay". Hopefully will have it in my hot grubby hands in a week or so.

 

[Ron Andersen]

Hey Richard,

For my input, you're welcome. For years, I was the most SOG-educated person working for Spencer and Gloria Frazer. They often came to me for answers on their products. When I went to them for history questions, there were times they didn't have the answers, so I had to do research to hopefully get it right (not always successful).

The first two SOG folding knives were the TeamLeader S3 (pictured below...don't mistake it with the new Teamleader) and the Tomcat S4 (there's an old and new Tomcat with the new one being call the "Tomcat II," features a slightly different blade shape, and has a thumbstud).

The Teamleader was only in production for a year (maybe two) and was quickly replaced by the Tomcat. Because of that, very few were ever made. The Teamleader was one big honkin' knife! About the same size as the Trident fixed blade when open (you can see that in the picture below...the picture was taken by my good friend and SOG co-moderator Bobby B).

All the early SOG folders have most often been referred to as "tanks." They're all very big, very heavy, and very sturdy. In other words, they're "built like tanks!"

 

[New Pig Hunter]

Richard,

I see you experienced the same reaction I had when I first discovered SOG knives about 3 years ago. And I didn't know about all those "much older" versions. I was simply overwhelmed by the incredible good looks and took the SOG plunge..... and never looked back !!

Cheers,

Carl