What do you want different from SOG?

Fletcher Knives

Fletcher Knives

STEEL BREATHING BLADE MAESTRO
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I've been asking tons of people about SOG lately, mostly seeing what new models people have tried out to see if there's anything new I need to buy, and at least half of what I hear is complaints about the direction all the new stuff is taking, SOG'S marketing, quality issues (which by the way I never had, even with the Taiwan products). It seems like for every person who says, "I like the new _____", there's someone saying, "I hate ____".

Every company needs to hear from the community. I admit that I have fallen off the SOG wagon the last couple of years, but it all has to do with my life just being too hectic to keep up. They still have some of the products that I've gotten to play with and love like the big Spec Elite, Agency, DEMO, Super Bowie, Power lock multitools, etc. There's some new stuff i'd love to get my hands on too like the new 24l bag. That thing looks pretty bawls. Also wouldn't mind playing with the revolver 2.0. I loved the original revolvers. I'd also love to get my hands on a Kiku folder.

All that said, I do think that some of the design aspects have gotten weird. Lots of thumb ramps, choils and jimping in weird, unusable spots. All of the "bare bones" styling isn't as appealing to me as the nice handles.

It just seems like SOG needs some kind of revamp and life breathed back into it. Maybe even a shift in targeted market.

So what do you guys think. What do you like and what do you not like? Be specific and lay it all out. Every company needs honest feedback to see what customers are liking and not liking to help them evolve.
 
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I would love to see the clean, hardcore knives come back, like the original Tigershark. When they started putting all the serrations on the spine, I think they ruined it.

The original Tigershark and Seal 2000 are two of the classic hardcores that are quite possibly two or the sexiest badass knives ever made. Back in the day, those were THE big dogs to have, and if you had one, you were envied. I miss those.
 
A buddy of mine has an old Original Tigershark, would love to see that knife return but...DO NOT ADD SERRATIONS,lol. Also bring back the Desert Dagger and the original Tomcat lockback folder.
I went on a bit of a SOG shopping spree last year, bought a SOG 2.0, Tech Bowie, SEAL Pup elite and a Super Bowie. To be honest the handle on the Super Bowie is way too thick and longer than it needs to be, how about a Super Bowie blade mated to the handle of the 2.0/Tech Bowie? Also the upper guard is kind of a nuisance, offering fixed blade models without the upper guard would be a good idea. I actually bought a second 2.0 on Amazon (it was a discounted refurb/return) so i could mod/remove the top guard.
 
Honestly, I quite like some of their new budget line and the Quake knives. Aesthetically they don't do a lot for me, but I think it's really cool that they made a modern swingguard folder.

One thing I would have liked is a more retro look to the Quake line, maybe something of an homage to the Case Cheetah pattern. I very much like when companies combine modern utility and convenience with traditional style and looks. That would have pushed the Quake to an instabuy for me.
 
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Dylan, I agree with a lot of what you said. Would love to see SOG go back a bit closer to their roots. 2000 to 2006 were some of the best product years for SOG IMO. Got a NW Ranger 2.0 in trade a few years back, that's a pretty nice hunter/camp knife. Been thinking of getting a few of the newer bowies, the Revolver 2.0 (Love my two Revolvers), a new Tsunami 2.0.

I guess I'd like to see less products, more focus on Mid to upper end Quality knives. . . My new Mini X-Ray Vision has a well finished blade, the lock is smooth as silk, I can flick it open and closed if I work the lock properly. Heck the action is smoother then my old Pentagon Elite. Both are Seki made, the new Mini X-ray Vision is even nicer!
 
It has been fairly interesting to see just how the current label
has diversified into tactical lifestyle goods besides plain old cutlery.
That could possibly mean only one of two things;
Either that the cutlery line has been such a tremendous commercial success
That the brand has now legions of fans who crave absolutely anything with the sog logo.
Or that this could be a new hopeful direction away from its core cutlery products.
It's really anyone's guess what the brand's future holds or what it represents now.
Like anyone else, it would be a rare bonus indeed
to find some future eye popping sog design blade
to add to the list of sog classics :-)
 
Honestly, I would just like to see a little more attention to design and QC, especially on the assisted-opening folders. Too many of the assisted SOG folders I've handled have had some manner of wiggle and/or rattle, which I'm not finding in a lot of the competitors, at least not right out of the box. I have a few SOG manual openers that have remained issue-free, so I know they can produce quality folders.
 
Well only got the Trident which has performed well with no wiggle yet but only used for light tasks. You seasoned owners of several models past and present would know better than myself. Guess it pays to stay on top of makers to discern quality from past and present. Seems to me when it comes to folders for EDC dependability and the strength of lock-up plus blade style is important. These days never know when a knife could save your life.
 
mauser9 said:
Seems to me when it comes to folders for EDC dependability and the strength of lock-up plus blade style is important. These days never know when a knife could save your life.
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Exactly. I realize that this forum seems to attract a more discerning type of knife buyer/owner focused on materials and workmanship above gimmicks masquerading as creative design elements, but I think there would be more interest in some such features if the quality could be sort of taken for granted. I'm carrying a SOG Salute today, which is (to my knowledge) just a rebadged Sanrenmu or Ganzo knife coming out of a Chinese factory, its price marked up because of the SOG logo. It has a couple of fairly useless "design elements" but has held its edge through heavy use and - probably due to being a lockback - has been 100% solid. However, it also has G10 scales over steel liners. At no time have I doubted this knife's reliability, and the fact that it has held a sharp edge despite having ho-hum 8Cr13MoV steel for a blade has impressed me. In contrast, my SOG Vulcan, arguably a better knife (made in Japan with VG10 blade) has FRN or GRN scales, no liners, and seems a bit "delicate" for my purposes. Beautiful design, and no wiggles or rattles, but I have to be honest: it's never going to be in my EDC rotation. Same with my Trident.

I want to like my SOGs for more than just their designs. I want to feel confident working with them.

I
 
Inazone said:
Exactly. I realize that this forum seems to attract a more discerning type of knife buyer/owner focused on materials and workmanship above gimmicks masquerading as creative design elements, but I think there would be more interest in some such features if the quality could be sort of taken for granted. I'm carrying a SOG Salute today, which is (to my knowledge) just a rebadged Sanrenmu or Ganzo knife coming out of a Chinese factory, its price marked up because of the SOG logo. It has a couple of fairly useless "design elements" but has held its edge through heavy use and - probably due to being a lockback - has been 100% solid. However, it also has G10 scales over steel liners. At no time have I doubted this knife's reliability, and the fact that it has held a sharp edge despite having ho-hum 8Cr13MoV steel for a blade has impressed me. In contrast, my SOG Vulcan, arguably a better knife (made in Japan with VG10 blade) has FRN or GRN scales, no liners, and seems a bit "delicate" for my purposes. Beautiful design, and no wiggles or rattles, but I have to be honest: it's never going to be in my EDC rotation. Same with my Trident.

I want to like my SOGs for more than just their designs. I want to feel confident working with them.

I
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Thanks for comments Inazone. I too feel the strength of the knife concerning over-all quality and strength of lock-up is important especially when being used for tougher tasks. Admit I jumped in with both feet and grabbed the Trident when I saw how fast the assisted blade deployed. Became more knowledgeable recently after getting advice and opinions on makers and models. Now I understand a bit more concerning which type of lock-up is superior. For a new collector like myself I would much prefer quality over quantity and want to buy the best I can afford. Sure is a lot to learn and grateful for help I have received. All knives ain't created equal.
 
I carry a small fixed blade in my work bag. How about a Seal Pup design but with the blade about an inch shorter. It would keep the classic SOG shape that everyone loves. I am in Australia so our knife laws are far more restrictive than other countries.
 
Replacement handles for SOG tactical hawks. I know that if they break SOG replace the whole hawk, but again, it boils down to location. Surely you can sell replacement handles cheaper.
 
I climbed off the SOG bandwagon about 5 years ago with a bit of trickle after that. I think the last SOG I purchased was the Access Card 2.0 (sheepsfoot blade) that I keep on my desk for opening mail and so forth. It also would serve well as an emergency knife in the woods as it is very "flat".

I always liked the original Revolver Hunter, but for the life of me I can't find it lying around any more at home. I took it hunting a couple years to use for clearing bushes and branches out of my primary shooting lanes in the woods.

I might add that I own many SOGs. The SOGs over the last few years have been gimicky and I never liked the big SOG logo on their knives. The copied spydie hole kind of pushed me out of the SOG line. But other companies have been making knives with a hole now. So, maybe that justification has kind of disappeared for me.

The old Tigershark was and is a beastly fixed blade. Have a couple. Like I said, there for a while, I was buying quite a few SOG models.

For the future, I would suggest less gimmicky designs. Maybe have some better steel options available in the classic knives.
 
Dylan,

I commend your efforts. But I don't think Sog cares much about what we think. That is evidenced by Chris@Sog's moderation here. The last time he or anyone else using his log in was on here, was November of 2013. That was two and half years ago. I just checked this on his page now.

Like you, I would like to see their focus on real world, solid, performance oriented, fixed blades.

I really don't need a flashlight built into my knife. I don't need interchangable blades, and I'm just not that concerned about Zombies. If the .308 don't stop them, a Sog probably doesn't stand much of a chance either.

I don't own a Tigershark, but would like to. I also lust after the S1 Bowie.

I have a Sog Government. Simple, sturdy, well balanced and effective. Love that knife.

But, I fear your efforts are in vain. I don't think folks like us are Sog's target audience anymore. We are too aware of the finer points. Steels, designs, manufacturing locations, actual construction methods. We as a group have become too discerning.

Their focus seems to be like a lazer on the two kids in Walmart going "Hey Look, a Sog, How Cool Is That!"

That particular demographic is just more profitable, plain and simple. The design critera can be devoid of quality steels, intelligent designs, and quality manufacturing processes.

It just has to look cool and have SOG emblazened on both the knife and the sheath.
The only design criteria that seems to matter is the larger than life logo tatooed on the blade in epic proportions.

A few years back, a guy was on here whining that no one from Sog was around to listen and help him. I called him out on it.

Then I contacted Chris@SOG. No response. Figuring he was on vacation, I waited two weeks and tried again, no joy.

So suddenly it got more personal for me. I emailed Sog's customer service. Explaining someone on here needed help. No response. I even made two direct phone calls to Sog to find out what happeded, and where they went. Both times my concerns were listened to by a secratary. Both times my contact info was taken. Because there was no one there who could help me at the time. And both times, no return call was ever made.

If you search back, you should be able to view my very humble apoplogy to that man. He was right they don't care.

Not long before that, I had purchased a Sog Force. Nice enough knife. Sturdy, almost bushcrafty. I like it well enough. I did take a black sharpie to the GIANT SOG LOGO on the sheath. To tone down that electric billboard effect it had in the woods.

That was the last Sog I purchased. I don't see that changing anytime soon. Very Sad!

I'm rootin' for ya man. Maybe your status a well known knife maker will have more pull than us lonely customers.

I'll keep checking back to see how this plays out.

Thanks for your efforts. I tried and failed over two years ago.
LV
 
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Thats what I want. An active presence back in the real world. No more badge engineering, no more mystery origins, no more widely separate product lines and quality levels.

I get that SOG as a company has gone through quite a bit in the last few years, and maybe the new owners are content to ride on reputation, I don't know. But with the way things have gone, all the SOGs that were on my wish list have fallen off.
 
LostViking said:
Dylan,

I commend your efforts. But I don't think Sog cares much about what we think. That is evidenced by Chris@Sog's moderation here. The last time he or anyone else using his log in was on here, was November of 2013. That was two and half years ago. I just checked this on his page now.

Like you, I would like to see their focus on real world, solid, performance oriented, fixed blades.

I really don't need a flashlight built into my knife. I don't need interchangable blades, and I'm just not that concerned about Zombies. If the .308 don't stop them, a Sog probably doesn't stand much of a chance either.

I don't own a Tigershark, but would like to. I also lust after the S1 Bowie.

I have a Sog Government. Simple, sturdy, well balanced and effective. Love that knife.

But, I fear your efforts are in vain. I don't think folks like us are Sog's target audience anymore. We are too aware of the finer points. Steels, designs, manufacturing locations, actual construction methods. We as a group have become too discerning.

Their focus seems to be like a lazer on the two kids in Walmart going "Hey Look, a Sog, How Cool Is That!"

That particular demographic is just more profitable, plain and simple. The design critera can be devoid of quality steels, intelligent designs, and quality manufacturing processes.

It just has to look cool and have SOG emblazened on both the knife and the sheath.
The only design criteria that seems to matter is the larger than life logo tatooed on the blade in epic proportions.

A few years back, a guy was on here whining that no one from Sog was around to listen and help him. I called him out on it.

Then I contacted Chris@SOG. No response. Figuring he was on vacation, I waited two weeks and tried again, no joy.

So suddenly it got more personal for me. I emailed Sog's customer service. Explaining someone on here needed help. No response. I even made two direct phone calls to Sog to find out what happeded, and where they went. Both times my concerns were listened to by a secratary. Both times my contact info was taken. Because there was no one there who could help me at the time. And both times, no return call was ever made.

If you search back, you should be able to view my very humble apoplogy to that man. He was right they don't care.

Not long before that, I had purchased a Sog Force. Nice enough knife. Sturdy, almost bushcrafty. I like it well enough. I did take a black sharpie to the GIANT SOG LOGO on the sheath. To tone down that electric billboard effect it had in the woods.

That was the last Sog I purchased. I don't see that changing anytime soon. Very Sad!

I'm rootin' for ya man. Maybe your status a well known knife maker will have more pull than us lonely customers.

I'll keep checking back to see how this plays out.

Thanks for your efforts. I tried and failed over two years ago.
LV
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This is sad but true.
 
Bring back some of the older designs, but with the metal handle, rounded-off pocket clip and Arc-Lock.

Basically, what they have done with the Targa, but with different blade shapes.

Stick with the manual-openers, and drop the assisted-opening.
 
How about a USN Mark 1 Deck Knife in 440C steel. (This is an easy one). After that, It could be recreated in ELMAX. No one could touch it; it would last for 100 years. :thumbup: :cool:
 
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They were bought out by an investment firm back east. The same firm that owns the company that I work for. Changes are money driven by people that don't understand the community that they are producing for. Buy companies with good reputations and make money off that reputation while cutting costs. Simulator to what remington and marlin have went through the last few years.
 
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