Thoughts About SOG Knives?

Vanguard41xx

Vanguard41xx

Joined
Dec 29, 2010
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Now, I don't want this thread going down hill. I just want some opinions. I have heard either they have great products or they are junk. Personally, I like the designs of the blades and grips. The Aegis is very nice, good egronomics etc... But I dislike the blade steel. I believe it is AUS 8? I think for their price, you should get a little better steel. At the moment, I have the Trident Tanto, Blink, and Aegis. I love them all. Hold a nice edge.... When I saw the axes and hatchets, and their blade steel, they seemed really cheap. 420 steel will not hold up for chopping.
 
Their fixed blades are very good usually, some of their axes have been decent over the years as well, and their multi-tools have been favorites of people for years. Their folders that use the arc lock almost always develop vertical play from the lock just being a poor design IMO. They usually have good ergonomic handles but they ofter have too much flex for some people. The AUS8 they use has been noticed as being too soft by some owners, myself included, pretty sure their heat treating is off. They also tend to use gimmicky features that don't work well like the seatbelt/cord cutter on the trident series, that just plain don't work well. And finally they have recently put out some knives that are blatant copies of other makes designs, SOGzilla aka Spyderco's flagship delica/endura shape to name one.

They could be a good company making good knives, if they'd just pull their head out of their sphincter design wise.
 
Vanguard41xx said:
Now, I don't want this thread going down hill.
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Good luck with that. :D

I have heard either they have great products or they are junk.
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The fixed blades are generally viewed as being of very good quality and design.

I own quite a few SOG folders and don't consider them great, nor do I consider them junk.

The folders area mixed bag. I find many of the designs interesting and the implementation is usually pretty good. They do have a number of designs that do nothing for me, but thats true of any brand.
Many folks seem to have had problems with QC issues...blade movement and centering, etc., but all I have received have had no problems.

MSRP on the folders is kinda high, but no one pays that. The street price is "ok" generally. Fairly frequently you can find them on sale at places like Amazon and that makes the purchase more reasonable.
 
I have owned several sogs over the last 15 years and have been very pleased. I curently have a flash 2. My favorite knive is Case as far as production knives
 
Love my camo Aegis to death and I often carry a Flash 1. Only gripe so far is the steel.
 
I like the Flash I and II, but they almost seem like junk knives - especially the Flash I. Flimsy construction, weak clip, blade play, and a loose and jiggly lock release on the Flash I.

The Twitch series seems a little solidly constructed. The Twitch II is a nice EDC knife. So I guess it just depends. I like their multitools just fine, and I don't own any of their fixed blades.
 
I've never had a problem with there fixed blades however I purchased an aegis and a trident a couple of years of go and put both in my edc rotation after a few months both had developed massive amounts of blade play and while I don't have a problem with most manufacturers aus-8 theres seemed to dull quicker than most.
 
i have a sog vision and it is a great knife zero blade play ergonomic handle nice knife overall

but its there high end folder with vg-10 steel so maybe that has to do with it
 
I think I read somewhere that SOG recently went "corporate" and Spencer Frazier is no longer the owner/president but just some kind of paid advisor (or designer). Basically he has an office and his own bathroom. Sort of like what Gerber did after the sellout to Fiskars.

Could be wrong about this, maybe someone will come along that knows. I hope Spyderco never sells out. Sheesh. That would be a nightmare. :eek:
 
I like their fixed blades, even though I don't currently own any. Their folders don't do much for me though. Just different tastes for me.

I have to laugh when I hear people complain about "you should get better materials for the money." What more should you get? I really want to know.

AUS8A is a durable steel that will take punishment and not flinch. So is SK5 high carbon (1080 carbon). Same with the handle materials they use..Zytel, leather, rubber...??

AUS8A isn't a bad steel at all. 15 years ago, it was considered the best stainless to have besides ATS34. It's got the same problem as 440C, the "big name" makers that grab the latest and greatest blade steels don't use them anymore, so they are now "junk" steels.

I don't know about AUS8A steel stock but I know that 440C costs more than 1095 does, but people have no problems with $150-$200 "factory" knives made from 1095? (Don't get me wrong, 1095 is my favorite steel).
 
Well, I'll make this easy for you:

Fixed blades: Nicely constructed, good finish, cool designs, not great steel (not bad though) , relatively expensive.
Folders: Crappy locks, lots of play, sometimes flimsy handles, again steel isn't that great (not bad though) finish is usually good, fit isn't as good, expensive for what they are.
Multitools: Generally very nice fit and finish, tight lockup, sharp tools, strong pliers, good value for the most part.

This is just from my experience.
 
Yeah, their multitools are awesome. I carry a Powerlock in a belt sheath daily. I removed the blade (since I always carry a scalpel sharp Spydie) and installed their excellent wire stripper device. These Powerlocks are fully customizable. Highly recommended. Love that gear reduction. The thing flips open like a balisong. The leather sheath is fairly decent also. A real bargain. Leaves other multitools in the dust.

It's Gunny Approved! :jerkit:
 
Have a couple of their fixed blades. Gave a Seal Pup Elite to my son and my Tech I resides in my Jeep. No issues with them at all. My first entry into the quality folder world, about 20 years ago, was a SOG Jet Edge II. Was my EDC for a couple years and served me well.
 
I've always been happy with my SOG Tomcat and Stingray folders as well as their bowie's (Tech bowie & Creed) However, my Aegis does have a lot of blade play and needs to be constantly adjusted. I'm happy with the VG-10/San Mai steels they use.
 
I've had good use out of their fixed blades and multi-tools. The Seal Pup is on of my favorite field blades. I had a few folders i.e. Pentagons and a small a/o but got rid of them.
 
I have used a SOG fixed blade out in the field for many years. It looks a lot like the SOG Seal 2000, but not exactly. I am not sure if it was a custom order, proto type or older model.

In any case that knife has been to hell and back, cuts, prys and batons like a champ, I have even used it once or twice to stab through some aluminum type metal and the tip held up well. I have even used it as a dive knife in salt water and it has held up very well.

The rubber (or whatever it is) handle is showing its age a bit but the blade is still solid. The thing I like about it is that it is fairly light and decently balanced. it feels pretty agile in my hand, more so than some of the other "survival" and "combat" knives that cost much more.

All in all I would consider another SOG fixed blade. As far as their folders go I have had 5 or six through the years and ALL have had really bad blade play. I am a little snake bit on their folders, not sure if I will ever give them another chance. I also dont care for there newer folder designs and handle materials. I really dont like the ones with SOG cut out of the handles.

Just my .02 based off my experience.
 
SOG made great products at one time. I was a proud owner of several. They created a "value" line not too long ago, and thee do not exhibit the quality that SOG once had, but are cheap enough to throw behind the seat of your truck, I suppose.
Their design choices of late have been what I consider shameful,and I have no plans to buy anything else from the company. i have sold off any of their products I owned.
 
Harry Callahan said:
I think I read somewhere that SOG recently went "corporate" and Spencer Frazier is no longer the owner/president but just some kind of paid advisor (or designer). Basically he has an office and his own bathroom. Sort of like what Gerber did after the sellout to Fiskars.
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Yeah, they were bought by (or, as their website says, "partnered with" :rolleyes: ) a private equity firm.

SOG website said:
In 2009, SOG partnered with MCC Capital Partners, a private equity firm specializing in the growth of branded consumer products companies. This partnership allowed for massive growth of the SOG brand, and further exploration into untapped markets. Today, SOG is well positioned to efficiently and professionally service its growing list of customers, while preserving the SOG traditions of product quality, innovation, and strength of brand.
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Harry Callahan said:
I think I read somewhere that SOG recently went "corporate" and Spencer Frazier is no longer the owner/president but just some kind of paid advisor (or designer). Basically he has an office and his own bathroom. Sort of like what Gerber did after the sellout to Fiskars.

Could be wrong about this, maybe someone will come along that knows. I hope Spyderco never sells out. Sheesh. That would be a nightmare. :eek:
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This happens sometimes with businesses. You can contract out a life time income, in addition to the transfer of the business, by requiring that you remain a paid advisor for so many years (or until you decide not to be).

Sweet gig.
 
I was disappointed by my flash II, it came with too much side to side blade play. tightening the pivot screw eliminated the blade play, but stopped the assist from opening it all the way. it is a good blade in a sub-par handle. Regardless of my dislike for my flash II, I keep finding myself buying more SOG products. I also have a flash I - plain edge, which I am very happy with. The flash I is a much better knife than the Flash II. It is extremely compact, and is the most discreet carry knife I have ever seen. I usually will either carry my flash I or a benchmade. AUS8 is a good steel, not high-end, but takes a very sharp edge and will hold it for a long time. I also have a seal pup, cool knife, doesn't hold its edge for too long, but takes a new one very easily. I am anxiously awaiting arrival of a B63 Powerlock, and a mini vulcan, which I purchased from Botach before reading the company's reviews. I am keeping my fingers crossed for a smooth transaction with the vulcan.
 
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