which SOG folder?

D

dudesf

Joined
Feb 20, 2005
Messages
6
i just got a gift certificate at amazon. woooo hooooooo! i'm interested in getting a new folding knife for edc and work (i'm new so sorry if my terminology is off :o ). i do receiving, some wiring, or whatever they need me to do. these are the SOG folders that i could find that are sold directly by amazon (gift certificate not good for 3rd party vendors):

autoclip (32.99)
flash II (39.99)
mini xray vision (64.99)
pentagon elite (49.99)
xray vision (64.99)

how would you rank them and why?
if you could buy only one?
if you could buy two (even though you shouldn't :D )?

thanks!
 
dudesf, Welcome to Bladeforums.............. Going by your job duties, I would recommend the Autoclip (X-42) in BG-42 steel first if it is listed there, (with thumb studs), the blade steel in this knife is amazing for holding an edge.
http://www.sogknives.com/x42aclip2.htm .
It is a tough knife and the adjustable clip is extremely handy because you can clip it to just about anything (pants pocket, shirt pocket, shoes, belt, ect.). I keep my clip adjusted very tight and it never falls out of my pockets.
My second choice (or buy both :D ) would be the Fash II assisted opening (addictive :D ), with partial serration, this would enable you to cut boxes or rope with ease.
http://www.sogknives.com/flash.htm
I do carry the Mini X-ray for EDC but rarely cut anything other than paper, it is a wonderful knife too, and would make an excellent work knife if you don't care to spend a little extra.

Robbie Roberson ;)
 
hi robbie. thanks for the quick reply. they all look pretty great to me so i appreciate the help. i noticed that almost all of the people who posted about the flash II really liked it except maybe the clip...

i have a few more questions just for future purcha- i mean- reference!

does the autoclip have some sort of assisted opening?
how different do the arc-lock and s.a.t. setups feel?
what do you think of the pentagon elite and the xray vision (non- mini)?

this place is awesome for researching blades- and getting help with my "dilemma" has been really fun. thanks for keeping the :D on my face for the last few days and nights :yawn:
 
dudesf, the clip on Flash series is plenty strong to hold tight under most conditions except when it gets caught on something solid (like doors :D ), something has to give so it will be the clip. I've read about other clips on other brands also bending under these conditions.

No assisted opening on the Auto clip, manual only, but it is truly a Zytel handled work horse. The arc lock is smooth as silk to open and close. It keeps constant tension on the blade while open, but as soon as you pull back on the spring loaded release button, the blade can be closed. Either by using your finger to push blade back in, or by first releasing pressure, then "flipping" blade in reverse motion to close.

I use this method to close the blades on all of my arc lock models. To open, I simply use my thumb to "flip" the thumb stud and it pops out very quickly. All one hand operation in a second, very slick and smooth. Once you get the hang of it, you can do this without ever getting your fingers in between the blade and the handles.

The Flash models have a bolt type lock, kind of a slide bar under spring tension that you must pull back on to release. After you pull the bar back, you must then push the blade in under constant pressure since it is spring loaded (assist). It too is very easy to do, but can not be done as fast as the arc lock. The Flash series are a blast to open and play with, once you get a few miles on them, they become very fast and smooth.

The PE model is an awsome looking knife but larger, it is an arc lock and has a powder coated blade. It is light and strong (Zytel handles), but is not anything like the other models mentioned above in my opinion. If you want a big, sharp pointy knife :rolleyes: then this is the one. I don't own one so really can't speak of how it performs as far as cutting task. But I am sure it would do everything you needed and more. The X-ray is exactly like the Mini X I have, except just larger. ATS-34 steel on x-ray models makes these a premium blade for most anything.

The Flash IIs are fun and rugged. The Auto clips are real hard working dependable knives. The X-ray series are the elite series with an awsome bite and easy to operate. And the PE is :eek: , well lets just say it will get the job done........IMO :D

Hope this helps,
Robbie Roberson ;)
 
Welcome,

I second Robbie's recommendations of the Auto Clip and Flash II in that order. They are both work horses. The autoclip may be a better utility knife because of the blade shape, but I am addicted to the Flash (it is in my pocket right now). PE is big, and really not intended as a utility knife. The vision and mini vision are wonderful knifes, but I would get the Auto Clip and Flash II since you can get two wonderful knives. :cool:

Good luck making you decisions,

Scottsman
 
dudesf,
Please let us know when you get them and have a chance to play with them awhile. Did you order the X-42 or the Auto clip ? Either way, I have both and have come to love them both. Did you order the Flash II black handles or camo ? Either way, I think you will love them, let me know if I can be of any help "tuning" them.... :D

I think you will really like them.

Robbie Roberson ;)
 
hi robbie-

since i had to get SOGs that were sold by amazon, i couldn't get the x-42 or the flash II in camo so these are the ones i got (for now- ;) )

i got the S36 autoclip:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00004U9J2/104-5827608-2507966?_encoding=UTF8&v=glance

and the flash II with black handles:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00007E1M1/104-5827608-2507966?_encoding=UTF8&v=glance

as you said, i'm sure i'll be super happy with them. i got free shipping too! when the knives come in, the people at work are going to get either: real sick of me or real jealous- well, maybe both... heh heh. flick, close. flick, close. flick, close...

(should this part be started in another thread?) so, i saw a bunch of other cool SOGs while researching. i can't tell if i'm i'm just being a sucker for how cool i think it looks, but man, i want one of these tridents:
http://www.sogknives.com/Folding/SOG-Trident/TF-2.htm

in fact, i want just about any SOG in black with tigerstipes. sweet. :o oops, no really, i'm not all about looks. really! i want my knives (you see how fast it's knives) to work and feel awesome too.

ok guys, i'm babbling with excitement. talk to you soon-
dudesf
 
dudesf,
you got great deals on these, when you get the Auto clip, turn the wheel on the end of knife until it won't turn anymore, this will mean the clip is super tight. Then clip it to your pocket and see what happens, it will hold like crazy. This knife is so light, you can even clip it to your sock under your pants :D and you will never know it's there. You can even clip it on your shirt, anywhere you want and it will hold.
I like thumb studs on all my knives so I found an old cheap knife and took the thumb stud off and found a tiny washer to go on the other side of slot (under screw head) and tightened it pretty tight, it is still holding after 2 years and works perfect.
The Flash II you will come to love, break it in by opening it about two hundred times the first night :D , then add a drop or two of 'light weight" machine oil in pivot, lock and spring area, this will really make it smooth and fast. If you ever need to adjust blade, you can use a 5/64 allen wrench to snug pivot, do this only if it has too much blade play (it needs a little left to right to open fast).
The Trident is one awsome blade, comfort is the word, and very fast to open. It is truly an amazing knife, just don't look at one in person and you will be ok........ :p

Robbie Roberson ;)
 
Hey dudesf,

Congratulations! I am sure you will be very happy. My experience is once you get a SOG, you discover how good they are and will have to get more. My first SOG was a Pocket Power Plier which ran circles around by Gerber and Letherman tools. That lead to buying a Seal Pup, and a Flash, and a Seal Revolver. Now I am trying to figure out how to get the Trident w/o letting my wife know it. And then there are the NEW SOGs like the Tech Bowie and Gov TAC ... You can never have too many knives :cool:
 
yikes :eek: i'm slackin! here's where my forum inexperience may show again... i have responses and questions to lots of the above posts now.

let's see... oh yeah, robbie, i didn't have the autoclip high on my list at first until you and scottsman made me see the merits of virtually unlosable (is that a word?) blade. the blade i use now is a small kershaw that i got as a winter bonus a few years ago. i think i can fix it back up, but for now it's always getting lost in my keys pocket (too small, no clip) and rattles (seems it either opens like lightning and has too much play or doesn't have play but doesn't do well in the one handed open- can't get it to stay in the happy medium). i will for sure have to find a "parts" knife to steal the thumb stud. do you have any candidates i should look out for? or maybe i could contact sog to see if they have anything that might work?

(re-reading posts...) ooooooooooooh i can't wait to play with the flash II . i keep trying to imagine its exact sound before i have it in my hands. speakinawhich... the knives should be coming tomorrow. wooooooooo hoooooooooo! oh before i forget, which light weight machine oil would you recommend?

hehe scottsman, i could never have too many knives either. you'll never be able to sneak it by your wife because you'll be so in to playing with it. d'oh! busted while you were in the knife playing zone...

also scottsman, what about the SOG Pocket Power Plier made it kick the butts of the gerber and letherman? i've used both but not the sog.

back to both of you... that trident just kills me. it just looks like it would feel exactly right... ok and look cool too- i'll be getting mine with the tigerstripes:
http://www.1sks.com/store/sog-trident-folder-3.html

btw, robbie, is that the site you use the most for buying your blades? and both of you guys, are you going to get the tf2 grey plain edge or the tf3 partially serrated tigerstipe blade? i've never had a partially serrated blade but it seems like it would be great for twine and stuff like that.

ok, last question on this monster post (please tell me if i'm doing this all wrong):
have either of you guys tried the groove in the handle of the trident?

--very excited dudesf
 
The fix and finish of of the SOG multitools is better than the Leatherman or Gerber tools. In particular the pliers are great with the leverage. Also the Philips screw drive is better. And the size is just perfect for pocket carry.

With respect to the groove, haven't seen a knife or sheeth with it yet. Early responses here have been mixed. Like the idea which I first saw on a MOD knife (though with dedicated blades in the handle). I will wait until I get my hands on one.

Welcome. Hope you keep posting.
 
dudesf, Loc-tite will work wonders on pivot screws that will not stay tight, just add a drop on threads and adjust exactly where it is good and let it set up. They have different colors which denotes permanent fix or adjustable fix for screws, forgot which color is which :( (old age)....

Just buy a cheap gas station folder with thumb stud and find a couple tiny washers, you may only need one washer for screw head side, but will need 2 if the thumb stud is so small in diameter that it goes through slot on knife blade. SOG might have some but I think most of theirs are press on and not screws except for the Visions. This fix makes this knife so much easier to open.

Oil........I use Zebco reel oil found at walmart fishing section, comes in a "Pen" type dispenser with pocket clip, makes it easy to direct the oil right where you need it in pivot areas. Very good lube, no smell and does not gum up. I tried all the new lubes but can't stand the smell on my knives and fingers afterwards. It drives me crazy to smell my fingers and them smell like petroleum or worse.

Knife site......... http://www.1sks.com/store/sog.html , This site is our forum sponsor, owned by Kevin, (Spark, forum name) also owner of BladeForums. Great place to order knives, and if you have any questions, you can always email Kevin.

Last answer :D your doing great, we need more people like you who likes to talk about knives. I have never tried the Groove, but heard it works great for cord cutting, you are supposed to keep the blade locked on the Trident when you use the cutter.

Robbie Roberson ;)

P.S. Scottsman, I am glad your here, hope you get a Trident so you can tell us about it, I don't have one yet either :grumpy:.
 
Thanks Robbie,

Glad you are hear as well. Its great to have a community of folks with like interests that are willing to share.

Now if I can just find a few more deductions ...

Cheers,
 
:o i've been sick for a while but wanted to say hi :) this is just a quick note to say that i LOVE my knives :D . the autoclip is perfect for work but i will definitely need to part out another knife for the thumb stud. it still opens really well so it'll be even more kick a** with a thumb stud! :cool: i'm loving the flash 2 too although my one-handed close is not pretty. it's getting better though. thanks so much for the advice and resources. i got all of my questions answered (and then some) in one thread. how cool is that? thanks guys.

i just submitted my 2004 medical expenses for partial reimbursement. i'm keeping my fingers crossed for enough back to buy another one or two . i really want the mini xray and the pe too. like i really need so many knives!
 
I have found that if I use Froggle, Yahoo, or Ebay I can find better prices on knives, but the before mentioned site does probably have one of the best prices for trident.
 
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