- Joined
- Mar 23, 2000
- Messages
- 3,769
Hey Denny,
I'll try my best to answer your questions. The Midnight Tiger was out of production before I joined SOG back in '97.
This knife was in production in the late '80s and I believe it continued into the early '90s.
Some SOG knives were originally produced exclusively for a certain company (in this case, the Cutlery Shoppe), but later were sold directly from SOG. I don't know if this is the case with the Midnight Tiger, but I think it was (I'd bet on it). Some of these stores marketed such knives as "exclusive," and rightly so, but later were sold through other channels. Unless Jeff knows for 100% certainty, SOG likely opened this knife up to a broader market later on.
It was produced in lower numbers over the regular Tigershark by a significant margin.
The fine art of bluing is not a strong topic for me, but I can say that "bluing" is quite often a generic term and that is the case with SOG's "blued" knives. They are a deep black color.
You described an authentic knife...if that was in question. I'm not aware of that knife being ripped off and replicated.
The sheath as you've described it is not SOG. All SOG's sheaths were marked with SOG's name. SOG did use both leather and nylon sheaths...it just depends what knife and what year. The Tigershark was produced for most of its life with leather (except for the past several years with Kydex). In it's earliest year or two (or three), maybe a nylon sheath. But leather was by far the most prevalent. I've never seen a "Gerber" sheath with a SOG knife. I'd instantly recognize any of SOG's sheaths...even the early ones.
I'll look at any photo you have...just email it if you can't post it.
Is your knife a "collectible"? That term is often in the eyes of the beholder (and more importantly, the buyer). In this case, I'd say "no." It is a rare knife (not many sold and fewer in owners' hands these days). To be worth something (in my opinion), it would need to be in original condition, with original packaging, original sheath, and in this case, with its wax paper intact. Even then, its "extra" worth (true collectible worth) would be minimal.
You have an outstanding knife regardless of condition. The knife, its design, the carbon steel, its deep bluing all make for a stunning blade that will serve you well...period. With what you've described, I'd use the knife and enjoy it rather than sticking in on a wall.
Even if it gets a little banged up and the bluing fade (or scrapes off), it will perform wonderfully. And all those "casualties" just add character (for example: "I can remember when I got THAT scrape. I was on this hiking trip up Mt. Pillchuck on a rainy weekend back in 1999......." -- It puts a smile on your face).
I'll try my best to answer your questions. The Midnight Tiger was out of production before I joined SOG back in '97.
This knife was in production in the late '80s and I believe it continued into the early '90s.
Some SOG knives were originally produced exclusively for a certain company (in this case, the Cutlery Shoppe), but later were sold directly from SOG. I don't know if this is the case with the Midnight Tiger, but I think it was (I'd bet on it). Some of these stores marketed such knives as "exclusive," and rightly so, but later were sold through other channels. Unless Jeff knows for 100% certainty, SOG likely opened this knife up to a broader market later on.
It was produced in lower numbers over the regular Tigershark by a significant margin.
The fine art of bluing is not a strong topic for me, but I can say that "bluing" is quite often a generic term and that is the case with SOG's "blued" knives. They are a deep black color.
You described an authentic knife...if that was in question. I'm not aware of that knife being ripped off and replicated.
The sheath as you've described it is not SOG. All SOG's sheaths were marked with SOG's name. SOG did use both leather and nylon sheaths...it just depends what knife and what year. The Tigershark was produced for most of its life with leather (except for the past several years with Kydex). In it's earliest year or two (or three), maybe a nylon sheath. But leather was by far the most prevalent. I've never seen a "Gerber" sheath with a SOG knife. I'd instantly recognize any of SOG's sheaths...even the early ones.
I'll look at any photo you have...just email it if you can't post it.
Is your knife a "collectible"? That term is often in the eyes of the beholder (and more importantly, the buyer). In this case, I'd say "no." It is a rare knife (not many sold and fewer in owners' hands these days). To be worth something (in my opinion), it would need to be in original condition, with original packaging, original sheath, and in this case, with its wax paper intact. Even then, its "extra" worth (true collectible worth) would be minimal.
You have an outstanding knife regardless of condition. The knife, its design, the carbon steel, its deep bluing all make for a stunning blade that will serve you well...period. With what you've described, I'd use the knife and enjoy it rather than sticking in on a wall.
Even if it gets a little banged up and the bluing fade (or scrapes off), it will perform wonderfully. And all those "casualties" just add character (for example: "I can remember when I got THAT scrape. I was on this hiking trip up Mt. Pillchuck on a rainy weekend back in 1999......." -- It puts a smile on your face).