What are you opinions on SOG?

I love their Flash 1, and aegis/mini aegis. The flash is so light and easy to carry that you might as well always have it on you. Great everyday carry knife.
 
I had Visionary and was very pleased with it. The only thing I did not like was the Tanto shape and serrations, that is why I have sold it. I have got Architect and like it: no problems with the lock or blade play, very nice knife overall (not cheap, no). That is my experience so far.
 
I had a Twitch II for awhile. The blade play was ridiculous; I traded it for a jar of peaches.
 
Zookie said:
I love their Flash 1, and aegis/mini aegis. The flash is so light and easy to carry that you might as well always have it on you. Great everyday carry knife.
Click to expand...

same in regards to the flash 1, it feels freakin cheap but its so light and has a nice clip.
 
Very good, albeit heavy, multi-tools. There knives don't do anything for me.

I have some very good knives with AUS-8 steel - nothing wrong with that steel.
 
bad_juju said:
I agree with the higher end folders are the only way to go with sog. I have friends that have sog's aegis and trident folders. While they work, there is the afformentioned bladeplay due to the construction of the handle. I played with a visionary, toothlock, and a xray. These models were far superior to the trident,flash,and aegis folders. No Bp and super sharp out of the box. The blade steel on all my friends folders is in much need of sharpening after a few uses, about a week maybe 2 with light use. I have been on the fence myself about a tech bowie. I keep talking myself out of it. I just think for the money there are a bunch more options that fit the bill. If you are going to do it though try to find the japan made and vg10 if possible.
Click to expand...
I don't think it's materials. G10 (not the same, I know, but plastic basically) handle cold steel knives don't have the same level of bladeplay. Same with Cold Steel and Spyderco solid FRN handle knives. I think the US assembly on their knives is just poor. Funny when you compare the fit and finish of things foreign made (Taiwan and Japan) to the US made stuff.
 
I've noticed large amounts of blade play in most of the SOG spring assisted models. I think this is just how it goes with spring assist. Kershaw managed to get it right but even a good company like benchmade has some blade play in their spring assists.
 
marcinek said:
I think you might be blaming the wrong thing.

AUS-8 happens to be a quite good steel.

What SOG is doing to it...I don't know.

That said, it sounds like you are disappointed with SOG. Why even consider them then? :confused: It's not like they are the only knife manufacturer on the planet.
Click to expand...


^^^ This x 2.

I own a SOG tomahawk & so far, i love it. I also own a CS Recon 1 Tanto of AUS-8. No issues. Wicked sharp. Holds an edge well.
 
AUS-8 gets a bad rap because its commonly used in lower-mid to mid priced knives. I find them underrated, but clearly not S30V and up. My experience is that they're softer but I've never had one chip on me.

I've used Aus-8 from Cold Steel Recon 1 Tanto, CRKT and SOG Flash II. Amongst the 3, the Cold Steel Aus-8 served best. That being said, I noticed a substantial increase in edge holding once I started convexing my edges.
 
There knife designs are amazing, but the way they make there knives is the not good part. They have to manufacturer there knives in China and Tawian, where they could if they wanted make them in USA and have much better quality but its always cheaper to make them in a different country. And they use AUS-8 steel which I personally hate becuase I have a SOG Seal Pup Elite and I abuse the crap out of it and it gets dull so fast and there is chips all in the edge. But there arc-lock folders are pretty nice, thats like the only good thing about there folders.
 
I have had one of their Tridents, that uses the AUS-8 and have had no problems out of it I have had it for about a year now and use it every day and the blade holds it's edge just fine but, there is a little bit of side play in the blade but, other than that I have had no problems out of it.
 
Last edited:
I dont like their low end stuff at all. Too many good options out there.
As for their higher end stuff, I wouldn't know. But man, for that amount of loot you can get something better if I had to guess..
 
I have only one issue with SOG, it's the shape of their multitool... other than that they're peaches and cream. Had some warranty work to do with them, twas simple and easy and they gave me a free hat!!!
 
I have a Flash 1 and 2 and a tomcat and they are very good knives the tomcat is actually a good looking knife and the VG-10 is great. SOG does AUS-8 very well you can get it scary sharp and It seem to roll less than say s30v. That said its not the best at edge retention. I bought my SOG's when I first got in to knives and I don't carry them much any more but they worked well and I had no issues at the time I EDCed them. Some of the 2013 offerings look good, hell they are doing a production version of the Jason Brous Silent Soldier. The Brous Silent Soldier is a killer neck knife ive been carrying one for the last 3 weeks now and I love it.
 
Stephen1337 said:
Hey Fourm,

Today I wanted to ask you guys your opinion on SOG. Personally, I love SOG. But there steel they use in almost every knife AUS-8, SUCKS! I have a Seal-Pup Elite and it dulls in one day of useing it in the bush and then it has little chips on the edge from batoning and such. Which makes me have to sharpen it every time I get home. I am leaning on buying the GOVTac for a survival knife for a last ditch defense knife. BUT, I am not sure if I want it becuase I HATE the steel. But it looks like a sweet knife but I just hate AUS-8. What are your guys opinion on SOG and is the GOVTac worth buying?
Click to expand...

The issue you are having is not uncommon. AUS-8 is a great steel for folders or small fixed blades, but it kind of sucks with larger knives. Stainless in general is not as strong as carbon steel, which is why carbon is used in almost any larger fixed blade. SOG used to make carbon steel knives, but for some reason they switched to stainless for everything.

Their VG-10 knives are excellent though. Most Japan made knives are though.
 
I personally don't like SOG, I have two, but never purchased any. I think they're aus 8 isn't that bad. I liked carrying my Twitch II till I got S30V blades. I think they are a little over priced for what you get and I don't like most of their designs either. The Aegis is pretty cool looking but thats about the only one I'd consider buying and only if they lowered the price a little. Also I don't like assisted knives much. Every design by them I'd consider acceptable has been assisted.
 
Stephen1337 said:
Hey Fourm,

Today I wanted to ask you guys your opinion on SOG. Personally, I love SOG. But there steel they use in almost every knife AUS-8, SUCKS! I have a Seal-Pup Elite and it dulls in one day of useing it in the bush and then it has little chips on the edge from batoning and such. Which makes me have to sharpen it every time I get home. I am leaning on buying the GOVTac for a survival knife for a last ditch defense knife. BUT, I am not sure if I want it becuase I HATE the steel. But it looks like a sweet knife but I just hate AUS-8. What are your guys opinion on SOG and is the GOVTac worth buying?
Click to expand...

I hate aus8 myself.........i think it helps if put a more "toothy" edge on it though.
 
I though SOG was awesome...when I was 15. The first knife I ever bought was a SOG Mini-Fielder, awful. Terrible little knife; it had blade play in every direction, screws stripped out easily, and the steel was some awful alphabet soup metal. But it looked cool when I bought it for $20. The pocket clip is nice too, it carries nice and deep.

Over Christmas break I was hanging out at a buddy's house and his mom had given him back the SOG Trident she took from him when he was 17. Man oh man was that a heartbreaking moment. My buddy (who now carries Kershaws) and I sat around making fun of this poor knife while I sharpened it. It had a weirdly slow and weak spring assist, and the handles felt increadably cheap. The blade shape is kind of cool though.

My largely negative experiences with SOG have not stopped me from lusting over the SOG Agency.:D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top