What's wrong with SOG knives?

S

scriverdog

Joined
Jan 10, 2009
Messages
23
about six months ago I spotted a SOG Twitch XL at a local shop and it seemed to be well made. I carry it daily at work where I've got to be very careful about blade size. so it's basically a box cutter. it seems well made to my untrained eye.

after finding the Twitch I found this forum where your expertise is helping me understand what to look for in blade steel. While I'm getting my education I couldn't resist picking up a SOG Vulcan which I am quite pleased with.

I almost never see SOG mentioned in this forum, at least the folders. occasionally someone will mention a SOG fixed blade but it usually loses out to a cold steel or Rat knife (which I am just itching to get).

so what is wrong with the SOG knives and are they a poor investment? both the Twitch and Vulcan have a smooth action and good lock up, at least mine do.
 
I think the point people usually make is that they are overpriced. You can get a similar knife from a different company for less.

Personally, I can't stand the way they shamelessly plaster their name/logo allover some of their products.
 
I don't like that a bunch of them are made in Taiwan (and yes Japan too). There is probably nothing wrong with that but if I had a choice I always go with a comparable blade made in the USA.

IMO, I think that SOG intentionally tries to keep that hidden. When you go to their website and look up a blade, it does not tell you where it is made. I called them and asked "where is the SEAL pup made?" After being passed off to two or three reps, the last one seemed to reluctantly reveal that it is made in Taiwan.

However, they do seem to stand behind what they sell. But as I stated, if I had a choice...
 
scriverdog said:
so what is wrong with the SOG knives and are they a poor investment? both the Twitch and Vulcan have a smooth action and good lock up, at least mine do.
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If you are happy with your knives, then nothing is wrong :) The Vulcan is great value, you get a Sanmai VG10 blade made in Seki Japan with the Arc Lock. I think that's a great package. I got my Twitch 2 for $30. That's outstanding value especially for a knife made right here. Its got a great blade shape, solid lockup and the fit and finish is flawless.

SOG used to be much more popular on Bladeforums when all their knives were made in Seki Japan. When they were, some people didn't like the AUS6 in their fixed blades so they changed most of their line-up to AUS8 and changed location of manufacture to Taiwan in order to keep the prices the same. Most people on bladeforums don't like products made in Taiwan (or China). I've got a few of their blades made in Taiwan and a few made in Seki Japan and if location of manufacture wasn't marked, I'd probably think they were all made in the same place
 
scriverdog:

A few thoughts:

- If you like your knife and it works well, you should continue to like it.

- Members on this forum have all kinds of likes and dislikes, and it's very easy to be swayed by their preferences. Very opinionated people here, which is good for educating yourself, but it's only helpful if those opinions help you make an informed choice.

For example, Cold Steel is a favorite whipping boy around these parts. Frankly, I love their products of late. I wasn't too crazy about their lineup a while ago...but their recent blades like the Natchez, and more affordable Laredo, and their Espada are tops in my book.

Another example is Busse. A HUGE favorite on the forums, and I have several of their blades which are solid. However, when it came time for me to purchase and receive their flagship knife, the CG Fusion Battle Mistress...turned it out wasn't for me. I prefer the balance of the Magnum EU17 and Swamp Rat's (their sister company) discontinued Rat Daddy.

You won't find ANYONE here (except maybe me) who won't throw accolades at the CGFBM. It's a great knife by reputation, but since it's not for me, I'm looking to sell it in the near future.

- I have several SOG's, and like them A LOT. Solid construction, low maintenance, great product. Their customer service is also top notch. Just because no one is as passionate about them (passionate like/dislike) doesn't mean it's a mediocre product. :)

-
 
scriverdog said:
I almost never see SOG mentioned in this forum, at least the folders. . .

so what is wrong with the SOG knives and are they a poor investment? both the Twitch and Vulcan have a smooth action and good lock up, at least mine do.
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Good knives make for a happy (and productive) life! :D

I found this good review from Youtube and posted it at their subforum wanting to get more info about it. Note it's from the "Fusion" line; products for the lower price-point market and made overseas -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iB94nyGc5CE

It does seem to be a well-made product.
 
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I've made a few posts about my SOG Pentagon Elite II... I really love it. Apart from the lack of support in the handle, it is one of my best knives. I prefer the Arc-lock to just about any other system now - including AXIS.

Personally, most of them are overpriced a bit, but I still feel that if you can find a decent deal, they are quality made and worth buying.

My Pentagon Elite II has Seki, Japan written clearly on the blade, so I don't think they're exactly trying to hide it... I must agree with you that they should make it a bit easier to find out online where it was made.

The Vulcan series are all great folders - particularly the SanMai models. I also think you can find them for a fairly reasonable price.
 
"Apart from the lack of support in the handle"

What do you nean by this?
 
scriverdog said:
about six months ago I spotted a SOG Twitch XL at a local shop and it seemed to be well made. I carry it daily at work where I've got to be very careful about blade size. so it's basically a box cutter. it seems well made to my untrained eye.

after finding the Twitch I found this forum where your expertise is helping me understand what to look for in blade steel. While I'm getting my education I couldn't resist picking up a SOG Vulcan which I am quite pleased with.

I almost never see SOG mentioned in this forum, at least the folders. occasionally someone will mention a SOG fixed blade but it usually loses out to a cold steel or Rat knife (which I am just itching to get).

so what is wrong with the SOG knives and are they a poor investment? both the Twitch and Vulcan have a smooth action and good lock up, at least mine do.
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I question the assertions made by the original poster to this thread. SOG is discussed at great length on this site. They happen to have their own sub-forum, which is why discussion of SOG topics may not occur in General, but that doesn't mean it's not taking place. SOG manufactures a quality product at a good price and I've never been unhappy with any of the SOG knives I have purchased, carried, and/or evaluated.

This blanket assertion that SOG "loses out" to competitors is meaningless. It's completely unsubstantiated.
 
ScoJo said:
I bought a Fusion Salute after watching this review. I am very happy with it.
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If you could find the time and inclination, we'd be grateful for your thoughts or impressions, especially with it's EDC/use :thumbup:
 
4 Ranges said:
scriverdog:


For example, Cold Steel is a favorite whipping boy around these parts. Frankly, I love their products of late. I wasn't too crazy about their lineup a while ago...but their recent blades like the Natchez, and more affordable Laredo, and their Espada are tops in my book.
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thats because they make things like this

http://www.coldsteel.com/pasba.html

i almost threw up in my mouth a little when i saw this.:barf:
 
Oh, please. It may be a solution in search of a problem, and I don't pretend to understand truly what niche it serves, but it isn't anything horrifying.
 
razorsdescent said:
thats because they make things like this

http://www.coldsteel.com/pasba.html

i almost threw up in my mouth a little when i saw this.:barf:
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This is a typical post that we see around these parts when it comes to Cold Steel.

The link supplied was for a product that (although not a preference of mine) seems solid and well-designed. How it got the extreme and coarse response it did from the forum member is not clear. The response says little about the product, but says more about the member's inclinations.

Like I said in my original post: lots of opinionated people here, so take everything with a grain of salt, and come to your own decisions.
 
untamed said:
Born and bred kabayan! :D

Sorry if my post looked/sounded like I was "cuttlerylover" (I'm not). I meant I found the review and posted it at SOG's subforum.
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Hoy Pare, that's cool. Haven't been to the PI in 25 years. I think its time. :)
 
Sharp Phil said:
Oh, please. It may be a solution in search of a problem, and I don't pretend to understand truly what niche it serves, but it isn't anything horrifying.
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:rolleyes:


its the Anti-Balisong whats not horrifying?

i simply stated that , that is why there is cold steel bashing. i own a cold steel srk it s a good knife and the cold steel bushman is a great folder considering its about 20 bucks and rock solid, i just think that the bulk of theyre designs are expensive and do nothing that another knife at the same price point or less couldnt do better. also its well known that the owner has pretty poor business ethics and when someone answers his challenges (Busse) hes no where to be found.
 
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