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What's wrong with SOG knives?
- Thread starter scriverdog
- Start date
- Joined
- Aug 13, 2006
- Messages
- 142
Though the handle has steel liners, the kevlar-zytel grip is not supported well enough to remain rigid when under pressure. When the blade is deployed and the handle gripped firmly (making a fist) the scales "cave-in" slightly. They either needed better liners or more supporting pins or whatever you call them.
It is seriously a great knife though. I love SOG.
Masteroffajitas
BANNED
- Joined
- Oct 7, 2008
- Messages
- 2,412
Well, they're hot for aus-8, and I don't like thier blade shapes.
- Joined
- Jun 8, 2005
- Messages
- 4,761
I like several SOG options, but generally, I can always find something I like at least a little more from one of the other companies for a little cheaper.
But that's my preference--I have no trouble with SOGs and I liked the SOGs I handled. I don't have a problem recommending them for those whose preferences match up really well with them.
But that's my preference--I have no trouble with SOGs and I liked the SOGs I handled. I don't have a problem recommending them for those whose preferences match up really well with them.
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2004
- Messages
- 2,172
If SOG would come down on their prices a bit, I would look at them a little more seriously. As it is, you can get more bang for the buck from other companies.
TheFlash
Gold Member
- Joined
- Oct 3, 2000
- Messages
- 523
I still really love the SOG fixed blades that are true to the old SOG designs (S1, Trident, etc.).
What SOG should do is what most companies do when they have products at different quality tiers. They brand/tier them differently (e.g. Spyderco and Byrd, Toyota and Lexus, Benchmade - Red, Blue, Gold levels, etc.).
For their made in Japan and higher quality - maybe SOG could have a more 'elite' level. Then for their Taiwan made knives, a lower tier for those.
Most companies seem to 'get it' regarding this tiering, maybe someone should tell SOG?
That said, I've owned many SOGs through the years - especially the older SOG Tech I and II, Trident, Scuba/Demo, Recon Bowie, etc. Very tough knives and well made.
There's nothing like a blued blade combined with a stacked leather washer handle all carried in a well-made leather sheath!
Regards,
Mike
What SOG should do is what most companies do when they have products at different quality tiers. They brand/tier them differently (e.g. Spyderco and Byrd, Toyota and Lexus, Benchmade - Red, Blue, Gold levels, etc.).
For their made in Japan and higher quality - maybe SOG could have a more 'elite' level. Then for their Taiwan made knives, a lower tier for those.
Most companies seem to 'get it' regarding this tiering, maybe someone should tell SOG?
That said, I've owned many SOGs through the years - especially the older SOG Tech I and II, Trident, Scuba/Demo, Recon Bowie, etc. Very tough knives and well made.
There's nothing like a blued blade combined with a stacked leather washer handle all carried in a well-made leather sheath!
Regards,
Mike
They already have! Their lower price-point line of products (since last year I believe) are under the FUSION line of products, like the Byrd and Red Class lines of Spyderco and BM respectively.
whitty
Dealer / Materials Provider
- Joined
- Aug 25, 2005
- Messages
- 5,977
To the OP I actually understand and agree with your post. I have questioned this over the years myself. As someone who typically reads the post and rarely post anything, I have seen a bias of many of the members against SOG. Before I give you the true answer to your question, I would like to state that I own several sogs. As of late, because of a hand injury, I have been carrying a Sog Blink. I like this little knife. It is an AO knife that when I opened it and took the spring out, still functioned great. I also picked it up at a popular sporting good store for less than $30.
As to the answer for your question.... made in the USA. Many of the people on this forum want to own a knife that is made in the USA. This is not true across the board but is true to the majority. There are a lot of post about Kershaw and Rat knives. These are great knife makers with great customer support and the people on this forum who own their products know it. So when it comes down to it, a lot of the people on this forum are true patriots and want to:
A. support a knife they believe in and know is well made.
B. support their country.
Do they think SOG or any of the other above mentioned over seas companies makes a bad knife, maybe or maybe not, but they know they can purchase USA quality made knives and support their great country at the same time. For that I respect their opinions and do my best to do the same for my country and peace of mind.
Whitty
As to the answer for your question.... made in the USA. Many of the people on this forum want to own a knife that is made in the USA. This is not true across the board but is true to the majority. There are a lot of post about Kershaw and Rat knives. These are great knife makers with great customer support and the people on this forum who own their products know it. So when it comes down to it, a lot of the people on this forum are true patriots and want to:
A. support a knife they believe in and know is well made.
B. support their country.
Do they think SOG or any of the other above mentioned over seas companies makes a bad knife, maybe or maybe not, but they know they can purchase USA quality made knives and support their great country at the same time. For that I respect their opinions and do my best to do the same for my country and peace of mind.
Whitty
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2005
- Messages
- 3,652
This didn't help their reputation when it came to light:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1342949&postcount=4
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=164890
It's one reason that I pretty much avoid SOG knives.
Regards,
3G
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1342949&postcount=4
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=164890
It's one reason that I pretty much avoid SOG knives.
Regards,
3G
vjb.knife
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2002
- Messages
- 1,644
It's not so much that they are wrong or even completely bad knives, but for me they have just gone in the wrong direction. SOG is a company that I used to like a lot in the 1980's when they started up and through the 1990's they kept getting better but IMO they have gone backwards for the last 5 or six years. Many of their newer designs and knives manufactured by lower quality manufacturers are very disappointing to me.
SOG, CS and Gerber and some others have chosen cheaper manufacturing and bad designs while some others have constantly improved like Spyderco, Microtech, Bark River and Kershaw. And with so many mid-tech knives from small makers coming out I don't see a place at all for SOG; at least for me.
Their fusion line is a joke and their higher end stuff that some people rave about is so overpriced that you can get a custom for less. The stuff in between is either corny as shit with the SOG logo plastered all over it or can not compete with similar models from Spyderco, Bark River, kershaw and the like.
There were two things that finally killed it completely for me with SOG a few years ago. I got a fixed blade Gov-Tac when it came out with the bead blasted blade and the quality was unacceptable. Then after having a Twitch XL that had a non functional lock and having SOG take three trys before they replaced it with one that worked I don't trust them as far as customer service either.
They are a big let down IMO, YMMV
SOG, CS and Gerber and some others have chosen cheaper manufacturing and bad designs while some others have constantly improved like Spyderco, Microtech, Bark River and Kershaw. And with so many mid-tech knives from small makers coming out I don't see a place at all for SOG; at least for me.
Their fusion line is a joke and their higher end stuff that some people rave about is so overpriced that you can get a custom for less. The stuff in between is either corny as shit with the SOG logo plastered all over it or can not compete with similar models from Spyderco, Bark River, kershaw and the like.
There were two things that finally killed it completely for me with SOG a few years ago. I got a fixed blade Gov-Tac when it came out with the bead blasted blade and the quality was unacceptable. Then after having a Twitch XL that had a non functional lock and having SOG take three trys before they replaced it with one that worked I don't trust them as far as customer service either.
They are a big let down IMO, YMMV
- Joined
- May 26, 2008
- Messages
- 5,605
Wow. That page is something.
"The leaf shaped blade is hollow ground from imported Japanese AUS 8A Stainless (instead of the cheap steel used by our competitors) and, due to the latest advances in heat treatment, it offers a thin, ultra keen edge that lasts. "
Pssst...hey Lynn.....The CHEAP steel your competition uses....is AUS8.
If they made the best products in the world (never happen.) I wouldnt buy from them purely because of their marketing. That, and I do not live a "warrior lifestyle" so I guess I am not worthy of carrying their junk.
OTOH, Sog has been decent to me. I do not have a lot of their stuff, nor have I bought anything recently, but what I have had seemed OK.
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2008
- Messages
- 25,895
SOG isn't a bad company but to me they do not represent as good value as compared to some of the other very high-quality blades available from other manufacturers.
Many of their designs are quite nice but the price is a bit high compared to similar offerings found elsewhere. Many of their designs are plastered with their logo which I and others like me find a bit off-putting. Many of their designs are cheesy and tacky and sacrifice function in favor of gimmicks.
That being said I'm a big fan of the Kilowatt, which seems to be one of the best affordable electricians knives on the market at present...but that's one of the only truly notable things they've brought to the market (in my opinion) in some time. I am also a fan of the twitch series. Very well done. If they stuck with designs of this nature they could pull themselves out of the hole they've been digging themselves. I currently feel as though there is little creative energy and enthusiasm going on at SOG presently, and I really hope they get their mojo back. Until then my money will be going elsewhere, but I wish them the best of luck.
Many of their designs are quite nice but the price is a bit high compared to similar offerings found elsewhere. Many of their designs are plastered with their logo which I and others like me find a bit off-putting. Many of their designs are cheesy and tacky and sacrifice function in favor of gimmicks.
That being said I'm a big fan of the Kilowatt, which seems to be one of the best affordable electricians knives on the market at present...but that's one of the only truly notable things they've brought to the market (in my opinion) in some time. I am also a fan of the twitch series. Very well done. If they stuck with designs of this nature they could pull themselves out of the hole they've been digging themselves. I currently feel as though there is little creative energy and enthusiasm going on at SOG presently, and I really hope they get their mojo back. Until then my money will be going elsewhere, but I wish them the best of luck.
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2005
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- 3,652