Vulcan fit and finish.

C

c.irroratus

Joined
Apr 4, 2009
Messages
34
So I just purchased a full size Vulcan, and while the ergos are great and it feels pretty solid, I'm kind of bummed about the cutouts behind the thumb stud- there's a lot of flashing in there and there's pitting on the side of the blade near them. I'll post a picture once I figure out how that's done. Has anybody else noticed this or did I just get a dud?
 
I have a Vulcan and noticed that the cutouts are a bit rough, but in my opinion (after working a bit in a machine shop), They're not rough enough for me to really care. It looks like they might be laser cut, and without using a diamond file by hand, I don't see how they could fix it. They could use a wire EDM (an expensive machine to cut extremely precise holes), but that would drive up the price. If it were my choice, the Vulcans wouldn't even have the cutouts. They're just additional places for dirt and moisture to collect. Otherwise, I think the Vulcan is a fine knife. Like you said, great ergos and it feels solid. It's also one of the smoothest opening/closing knives that I have. Given the premium steel and the ease to find priced well below retail, the cutouts aren't an issue to me. If it really bothers you, contact SOG warranty and see what they say.
 
after a while check out the back spacer on your knife and tell me what you see. we will see if they have fixed that problem;-)
 
Chillax said:
after a while check out the back spacer on your knife and tell me what you see. we will see if they have fixed that problem;-)
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I've had the Vulcan for 8 months without a back spacer problem, as well as a Night Vision for 5 years that is problem free. Please elaborate.

I just checked out the back space on my Vulcan and can't see any wear. Did/do you have a Vulcan with a back spacer problem? If so, do you flick it open hard frequently? Any metal banging on metal will eventually wear.

Oh! After searching, I figure you must be talking about the blade edge hitting the Zytel back spacer. This ONLY happens if the lock is disengaged and the blade is pushed closed beyond what it's normally at while closed. As long as the lock is engaged when the blade is closed, the lock prevents the blade from touching the Zytel. I, for one, don't hold the lock in the disengaged position and swing the blade closed, so this is not an issue for me.
 
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Yes the blade hitting the backspacer.
Even the assisted knives do this so it has nothing to do with having the lock disengaged while closing. Which happens to be one of the major advantages of the ARC/Axis/Ball bearing lock!
Some may call this a design flaw. Others just deal with their blade dull for up to 1 inch in the middle of their blade. But I'm glad to see nothing has changed.
 
Actually, at least on my Vulcan, the blade does not touch the back spacer at all unless I actually disengage the arc lock. Even if I push on the closed blade with the lock engaged, it doesn't move at all unless I disengage the lock. I double and triple checked, and that's how my Vulcan works. Thus, unless I actually hold the lock in the disengaged position, the blade will not hit the Zytel spacer. This is reflected by the fact that the blade on my Vulcan is sharp along the entire length despite it being my most carried knife for the past 8 months. I haven't had to sharpen any of it yet.

Oh, you said the blade not hitting is an advantage of the "ARC/Axis/Ball bearing lock." The ARC lock is SOG's lock on the Vulcan. Oh, I've not had any problems with this on my Night Vision either, and I've had it for 5 years.
 
I would mistake you for an employee the way you choose to argue.
Disengaging the lock and allowing it to swing open and closed is the MAJOR advantage of this STYLE of lock.
I simply asked if somebody had this problem and you have turned it into an issue. I have a very unbiased opinion. I sell just about any knife out there and have met and delt with just about every manufacturer and I will help my customers get what they want.
I am simply stating facts from personal experience from dealing with these items on a daily basis for more than 10 yrs. Also the customers that I see on a regular basis give me their feedback too, I work in a mall so yes I see several customers daily.
I do have my favorites but if you have to close your knife a certain way so that you do not have a problem there is somethign wrong. Everybody else is not like you people will do different things and close their knife the easiest way possible, so again I say the design advantage of this style of lock allows you to close it and open it quickly and freely with the lock disengaged but you have to be careful with the SOG because...
 
Well, I'm no employee of SOG, and I didn't think stating how I use my knives and the lack of problems I have had with them was considered arguing. I don't hold the lock back and fling open or closed my Vulcan or Vision. I use the thumb stud to open the blade, and my index finger to close it. If you, or anyone else chooses to fling open and closed there knives, fine. I don't do that, nor do I consider that an advantage of the arc lock design. I just don't like opening and closing my knives that way. The main advantages I see are lock strength and smooth operation.

Simply stated, the way I open and close my arc lock SOG knives does not lead to the blade hitting the back spacer. That is my personal experience which is clearly different than yours. For my purposes, these knives have functioned without any problems.

Oh, and yes, you asked if anyone had this problem, and I answered that no I don't (based on how I use my knives). I apologize if that constitutes turning this into an issue. At first I was wondering what you were talking about, because I haven't had any problems with my arc lock knives. Maybe I'm one of a few, but that doesn't change that no, I haven't had this back spacer problem. That's all.
 
I looked at my Vulcan and the blade doesn't hit the zytel. If I release the lock and let the blade retract into the handle, the thumbstuds hit the liner before the blade hits the zytel. I usually don't swing the blade closed but the thumbstuds are an effective way to keep the blade from hitting what it shouldn't.
 
You know what? After having this knife for a month or so, I love the damn thing. The ergonomics are tremendous, and it's a little heavier than some to carry every day but it feels awful solid for it. It doesn't cut food too great, the blade stock seems to be a little too thick for that, but otherwise it's pretty sweet. I did manage to cut my fingertip off cutting a cigar, but it's been a lot of fun and I wouldn't trade it for my endura.
 
Good to hear that you like it! I was a little hesitant because Zytel isn't my favorite handle material, but to achieve the ergonomics that the Vulcan has, it'd be difficult and expensive for a company like SOG. Once I got the knife, I was pleasantly suprised with the ergonomics. Also, it might be a little heavier than some other edc knives, but I love the low riding clip!
 
Chillax said:
I would mistake you for an employee the way you choose to argue.
Disengaging the lock and allowing it to swing open and closed is the MAJOR advantage of this STYLE of lock.
I simply asked if somebody had this problem and you have turned it into an issue. I have a very unbiased opinion. I sell just about any knife out there and have met and delt with just about every manufacturer and I will help my customers get what they want.
I am simply stating facts from personal experience from dealing with these items on a daily basis for more than 10 yrs. Also the customers that I see on a regular basis give me their feedback too, I work in a mall so yes I see several customers daily.
I do have my favorites but if you have to close your knife a certain way so that you do not have a problem there is somethign wrong. Everybody else is not like you people will do different things and close their knife the easiest way possible, so again I say the design advantage of this style of lock allows you to close it and open it quickly and freely with the lock disengaged but you have to be careful with the SOG because...
Click to expand...

What an ironic user name;):D.
 
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