What Do You All Think of the SOG Bowie Knives?? How Do They Compare?

N

Nalapombu

Joined
Oct 26, 2001
Messages
303
Hey all,

I've been looking a bit lately at picking up a new hunting/camping/hog knife. Other than general hunting and camping chores, one of the tasks my knife could be called on to perform is dispatching bayed up hogs.

I have looked at the Becker BK7, Ontario Ranger RD-6, Cold Steel Frontier Scout and a couple more. But the knives that I have liked for the longest time are the SOG Bowie's. I think they only make 2 of them now, maybe 3, but I like all of them, both current and discontinued.

One of the SOG knives I really like is the SUPER BOWIE, but I also like the TECH Bowie. The blade lengths are 7 1/2 and 6.4 inches, respectively. If I have left any of the SOG knives out that you think I should add to the list, please post them.

Anyway, I am wondering how these SOG bowies would perform in the tasks I might need it for. How would they stand up to the others that I mentioned?
Are the SOG Bowies more of a showpiece knife instead of a worker? They are awfully nice, and pretty pricey compared to the others I'm looking at. I've never handled one though.

Would you all mind giving me your opinions and thoughts on the various SOG Bowie knives, including the 2 I mentioned?

If you have any experience with these in the field and hard use, please tell about it. I can use all the advice I can get.
If there are other knives that you think I should be looking at, please post them. I'm not wedded to any particular knife right now, I just want one that I really like and will work at the tasks I need it to work on.

Thank you for your time and any help you care to give me.
Have a great week everyone.
Larry
 
They seem like good knives and some of them look really classy, but Ive always thought the SOGs were overpriced and Im not a big fan of stainless. I would get a Blackjack for what youre describing. Im just partial to Blackjack/Bark River if Im spending a bunch of cash. Maybe a Blackjack model 1-7? That would be a big (7 inch blade) knife that looks classy (especially in a stacked leather handle) and could do some hard work out in the woods. My Blackjack knife is a model 125 heavy hunter which is also a good tough option with a very thick 5 inch blade. Or a Hess Frontiersman if you can find one, which has a big (7 inch) blade for hog hunting. Hess knives are a great bargain usually. Theres even the classic Kabar USMC option. All these are carbon steel knives that should be decent options. You can get some Bark River knives in stainless too if you prefer it, but if you want a SOG then do it.
 
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I think you should get one of the SOG bowies that appeals to you. The Blackjack 1-7 mentioned above might be an alternative. There are many other choices.
 
I went through my "SOG phase" back when I first joined the forum (2005-2010). I have the Tech I and Tech II from that time period (and others). Their blades hold up just fine. The criticism in general is their use of mediocre steels by today's standards as well as pricing that seems to be just a bit high for what you get when you compare to the competition. The Super Bowie model is what started it for SOG back in the late 80's. I like this kind of knife shape for general woods use. I would prefer not to use it for skinning purposes except on a limited basis. I think a smaller knife works better for those kinds of chores.

Added: I see that a new batch of the Bark River Wilderness Explorer model is available now in the $250>$350 range. It is done in Cruwear with a 5.75" blade. I think it would work very well for your purposes. I have one.
 
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The Seki made S1 with the 6.4" blade is what started it for SOG in 1986. The Super Bowie is a post 2006 Taiwan version with a 7.5" blade.
 
I always liked SOG Bowies, but I never picked one up. Always found something better in the price range. Easy to do with AUS-8 stuff.

Right now I've got a couple of old Camillus USA OVB/Fisk bowies running around, and I just can't replace them.

If I was looking for a piece like this in AUS-8 I'd probably opt for the Cold Steel Marauder for like half the price.
 
I've got the Tech Bowie and I'll echo what others have said about being overpriced. But I also freakin love this knife so I say get one. Also I used to have the Super and the handle was way too big for me and the first finger groove sits too far back from the guard. Now if they put the blade from the Super with the Tech handle I'd be all over it. GideonsTactical has a youtube review of the Tech Bowie you can check out. I've always liked his knife reviews.
 
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