Review: SOG - Flash II

SOG - Flash II

Another borrowed-knife review, and this time we're looking at the SOG Flash II. Right off the bat, there's some things I do like and some things I don't. I'm not a picky knife guy but there are some shining faults in the design of this knife.

First off, it's VERY light. I really like this about this knife. You barely even know it's in your pocket when you're carrying it. It fits in my hand well and the drop-point shape of the knife in it's folded position is very comfortable to manipulate. The switches, clip and locks are all in familiar places and all the mechanical parts have worked flawlessly for months.

The blade is still sharp and bears a semi-serrated edge. It's black and angry looking, folded out using the assisted-open thumb stud on either side of the blade. The blade is crafted from AUS8 steel - a material solid enough for practically any EDC utility job that you may come across. The action on the blade is reffered to as SAT or SOG Assisted Technology, and it works. The blade easily flicks open with a swipe of the thumb. It 'clicks' open and stays there.

Opened up, the SOG Flash II is a good fit for most any EDC cutting job.

SOG lists the blade at 75 dollars USD, though this model was purchased at a gun show for much less than that.

The saftey lock works as promised and keeps the blade closed when not in use. It's a good feature to have though both myself and the original owner found this to be more of a 'feature' and less of a practical addition to the knife itself.

Here's my issue; the clip. This knife has been used daily for a few months now, and the pocket clip is so bent, it barely stays in place on the users pockets. I believe this has more to do with the actual design of the clip itself. The clip is secured on the back end, inside the knife's handle with one screw. So you've got the clip, a 90 degree bend, another 90 degree bend and finally, the attachment point to the knife's handle. There's a lot of stress points there when deployed to any regularly used EDC kit. In comparison to my current EDC folder, the Kershaw Clash, whose pocket clip is a single unbent piece of steel attached to the outside of the handle with two screws; this design needs serious work to be considered for purchase by me, personally.

From here, you can see the extended angle of the used but hardly abused pocket clip.

All in all, a good knife, but I may suggest a review of your own philosophy of use concerning this model. If you're looking for a pocket folder, look more into this knife before you buy it - especially at a factory price of 75 dollars. Beyond that, I would keep this knife in a tool box, a tackle box, as a supplement to a go bag or otherwise, as a household tool. A good EDC folder, just not for the pocket.

Review: SOG - Sogzilla

The SOGZilla - Quality EDC

This weekend we had the chance to handle a SOG pocket folder. At just over fifty dollars, the SOGZilla will more than likely fit the bill for an EDC folding blade for most people. It's sleek, stylish and practical.

The blade is manually opened by folding it out from the handle. The thumb-slot fits comfortably for an easily opened flick. The grip on the handle is more aesthetic than anything. Of course, it holds nicely in the hand and prevents a degree of slipping, but I doubt it would make the difference in the long run or prove to be a deal-maker for most people. It works, but it's not super important.

This model is stainless and black. After being used for easily three or more months, it's blade is still super sharp. It's been used as an EDC knife since it's purchase and after a quick wipe off for photos, looks good as new. I think that really says something for the quality you'll get with a manufacturer like SOG.

To be completely honest, the knife sits a little thin in my hands. That, combined with the shape of the blade makes this particular knife not such a must-have for me, personally. It's super sharp, really easy to use and very reliable, but it boils down to a 'second kind of cool' thing for me. It's just not my cup of tea - dig?

Beyond that, the knife hosts a locking mechanism that is as old as the hills. The lock sits along the backside of the handle. You've got to push it in to unlock the blade from its in-use, forward position. I didn't want to fully stress the lock as it's not my knife, but giving it a good squeeze, the blade isn't going anywhere. I could see this blade used as a practical EDC folder for most people - anyone depending on their knife for more tedious and unforgiving tasks like prying or chopping might want to look at something a little more beefy.

There's a nice sized hole on the bottom end of the handle for attaching a lanyard or some other kind of retention device. I like that. All too often, it seems some knives put the hole on the bottom as an afterthought with barely enough room for dental floss, never mind 550 paracord.

The pocket clip is screwed into the handle with one screw seated behind the clip itself. It's strong and sturdy. It's user has had it in and out of pants pockets for a few months now, with little to no lasting effect on the clip itself. Even slipping it into my pocket, it clips on to the edge and holds true. I'm not sure what material it's made of, but it works.

SOG lists the specs as follows:

Blade Length	3.8" x .100"
Overall Length	8.54"
Weight	5.6 oz.
Edge	Straight
Steel	8Cr13MoV
HRC	57-58
Handle	Stainless Steel
Finish	Satin Polish
Includes	Pocket Clip
Country of Origin	China
Price	$55.00

Easily adapted as an EDC addition, I really believe this knife presents a value to be had in it's just-past-fifty dollar price tag. It doesn't meet my specific needs for that 'second-kind-of-cool' factor, but presents itself as a practical and rational choice for carrying every day.

Review: SOG Seal Pup

What a weekend!

Got a package in the mail and a plastic bag from my Dad. In the mail, I got a new fab defense fore-end for my 870, review pending. In the bag, my dad brought me back a SOG Seal Pup from a busy week of holidays. What a guy!

I opened the box and took out the nylon-reinforced sheath and just smiled. This is the knife of knives. As far as I'm concerned, I don't need to buy a knife for quite some time now. I have a S&W SAR, a Kershaw folder for EDC and this SOG. I've wanted this knife since I first saw it. I love the blade style, I really like the sheath and from the reviews I've read, it'll do exactly what I need it to; cut stuff, quickly and efficiently.


I'm excited to put this to use. I plan to mount it to my main vest, just above my left shoulder. It seems most practical there, until I have use for it on a belt or otherwise. Call it mall ninja - I say it works for me... is there anything else that really matters in gear acquisition, besides personal preferences?

The blade itself is, as listed on the SOG site, AUS 6. More details can be found through any of the numerous online reviews of this particular blade, but I'll do a quick copy/paste from the SOG site to outline the main features of this knife:

Blade Length	4.75" x .16"
Overall Length	9"
Weight	5.4 oz.
Edge	Partially Serrated
Steel	AUS 6
HRC	56-57
Finish	Powder coated

Taking it out of the sheath, the knife falls into the hand naturally and is satisfying to hold. It fits my hands nicely - not too big, not too small. The blade length feels 'right' for most administrative cutting needs. Used as a tool, this knife will mesh nicely among the things I most often bring out on a shooting day or into the bush.


Out of the box, it is VERY sharp. The serrations fit into my ideal pattern and location - more for really cutting through something than just for looks. Now, I am by no means any kind of professional knife reviewer or for that matter, user. I do know what I know, and I know what I need. I need a knife that won't faulter at the worst possible time. I need a tool I can trust my life to. I feel that way about this knife - I have for a long time, even before owning one. The test remains, however, in the field.

I plan to use this knife in the field. That's the difference. The pictures you see in this article are out-of-the-box brand new. I don't believe in safe-queens. I want to see what this thing will do. I look forward to testing myself in the process.

On the outside of the sheath, there's a nice pouch that came empty, unlike my S&W SAR. I can put a sharpener in there, or possibly a few things that don't have a dedicated space but are handy to have: a glowstick, matches...

All in all, a GREAT gift. Thanks Dad.

Wonderful knife for a great price. Sure, it might be the stuff of glorified gun magazine ad's but I believe it's performance in the field will (hopefully) squelch the efforts of internet-trolls. I hope that I'm not proven wrong, because I am invested in the idea that it's a great tool. Time will tell, and so will I.