Thoughts on SOG’s higher end offerings, such as their Sog-Tac Autos?

[Midwesterntime]

Hello everyone!

I have been using Benchmade automatic knives for YEARS, and love them dearly. That being said, they are expensive to replace! A few weeks ago, I unexpectedly had to go into a “no weapon zone” while at work and had my Benchmade auto confiscated. I promptly purchased another, but have had my eyes open for a “budget” auto to use specifically at work in case this happens again.

I was at my local farm store today, and noticed they had some SOG-Tac autos on clearance. I really liked the ergonomics, and the price was right, so I figured I’d take a chance. My thought was they had to be better than the Bear Ops and Smith/Wesson autos I keep seeing, and hopefully better than a Gerber auto I once had.

I have had cheaper non-auto SOGs in the past, and they were just OK in the long run. I’ve never had a higher end SOG like the Sog-Tac auto. Although not up to Benchmade standards, the quality does feel pretty good.

Does anyone have any long term experience with SOG’s higher end offerings like the SOG-Tac auto? What can I expect from this knife in terms of durability and longevity?

Thanks!

 

[Insipid Moniker]

I have a SEAL XR that I absolutely love and I've carried it and used it for a long time. I bought it on the recommendation of shinyedges who absolutely uses the hell out of knives and, as far as I know, he's still happy with his. I actually like mine a lot more than the original D2 Adamas, which was a great knife in and of itself.

 

[Bob Denman]

I have a SOG Tac auto, and really do like it...
But I like my Benchmade Mini Reflex even more...

 

[sgt1372]

"Higher end" SOGs?

The SOG-TAC & SOG TAC AU (where available) only retail for around $100-$125 which is what most SOGs autos have always seemed to retail for despite MSRPs in the $140-170 range. The only 1 more expensive is the TAC Ops which was retailing for about $200 before it was discontinued.

I bought a SOG Elite II (SE-61) from The Knife Center a few years for about $100. It's a pretty basic auto but, if I could carry an auto, it would be this one because it was cheap and because of its slim/light aluminum case, deep pocket clip and hard firing AUS8 blade.

I think the Spec Elite II has been discontinued for awhile and I just noticed that someone on ACZ has been trying to sell one for $200 (w/o luck for about a month), which IMO is still not "too much" to pay for what I consider a very nice auto. Nicer than the TAC, IMO.

 

[Midwesterntime]

"Higher end" SOGs?

The SOG-TAC & SOG TAC AU (where available) only retail for around $100-$125 which is what most SOGs autos have always seemed to retail for despite MSRPs in the $140-170 range. The only 1 more expensive is the TAC Ops which was retailing for about $200 before it was discontinued.

I bought a SOG Elite II (SE-61) from The Knife Center a few years for about $100. It's a pretty basic auto but, if I could carry an auto, it would be this one because it was cheap and because of its slim/light aluminum case, deep pocket clip and hard firing AUS8 blade.

I think the Spec Elite II has been discontinued for awhile and I just noticed that someone on ACZ has been trying to sell one for $200 (w/o luck for about a month), which IMO is still not "too much" to pay for what I consider a very nice auto. Nicer than the TAC, IMO.

On the scale of other offerings from SOG, I definitely consider anything that sells for over $100 at actual retail not high end, but “highER end.”

That being said, the spec elite is a nice knife, but not sure what makes it so much better than the TAC in terms of build quality and materials. Same aluminum handle, same auto package, same AUS-8 blade steel. I admit the blade shape of the Spec Elite is better, in my opinion, but which the deal I got, I could buy four TACs for the same price as that used Spec Elite you mentioned.

 

[Silent H]

I don't have experience with any of SOG's autos, but their Kiku XR is a great knife, and is definitely a premium offering from them. I like what they're doing with their XR lock knives, and the lite versions that they make with carbon fiber frames are really interesting too.

I know a lot of people on this site recoil at the mention of SOG, especially if you mention anything "high end" from them. I think it's just a reflex from their past few decades of blister-packed big box store offerings. Lately they have made some really nice knives that are worth checking out.

 

[gazz98]

No experience with SOG in recent years personally.

I would just mention that Kershaw seems to do a good job with $100-140 autos. I know a few folks who have them and they seem good for the price.