That is a tough decision. There a a LOT of great knife makers out there. SOG seems to be a good maker. My brother has one and so do I. They deliver good service and hold an edge just fine. IMHO you would do just fine with any of the following: Benchmade, Spyderco, Cold Steel, or SOG. A lot of the decision hinges on what you want to spend. I have knives from all those makers and feel quite satisfied with all of them.

Cheers
Mac.

 

I really dont have the bugdet to spend a ton on knives. I have a couple of the Smith & Wesson knives and they work. They stay sharp and for less than $20 you can't go wrong. On a side note for knives, straight edge only for me, I hate serrated blades!

 

I have a SOG Auto and like it alot. Another favorite is my Kershaw Leek. I was fondling a Benchmade auto last week at a show, but didn't have $250 to drop on a knife.

 

I've had a SOG X-Ray for probably 8 years or so now. It's worked great for me so far and I would buy again.

 

Check your local jurisdiction first to make sure you don't run afoul of concealed carry length limits. I learned the hard way after getting a couple of knives that they were all illegal due to length.

So I've gone through a bunch of knives, and I've tested out lock strength.

I highly recommend the Benchmade AXIS locks as well as ColdSteels and even Spyderco's lockback. They seem pretty strong. "Good" ones with decent steel will run about $70+

Coldsteel Voyager has one of the best dollar to value ratios. Another great, relatively inexpensive all-around is Benchmade Griptilian, which you can find for $70ish.

 

Check your local jurisdiction first to make sure you don't run afoul of concealed carry length limits. I learned the hard way after getting a couple of knives that they were all illegal due to length.

So I've gone through a bunch of knives, and I've tested out lock strength.

I highly recommend the Benchmade AXIS locks as well as ColdSteels and even Spyderco's lockback. They seem pretty strong. "Good" ones with decent steel will run about $70+

Coldsteel Voyager has one of the best dollar to value ratios. Another great, relatively inexpensive all-around is Benchmade Griptilian, which you can find for $70ish.

If you have a ccw lenght is not an issue, atleast in WA. If you could conceal a sword you could carry it

 

If you have a ccw lenght is not an issue, atleast in WA. If you could conceal a sword you could carry it

OP is in Wisconsin. He doesn't have a CCW.

Its different for every state, and as I found out much to my chagrin, certain local jurisdictions may have differing laws than the state.

Be careful. You'd hate to get written up or charged with unlawful carry of concealed weapon and blow your chances of getting your CCW in the future.

 

OP is in Wisconsin. He doesn't have a CCW.

Its different for every state, and as I found out much to my chagrin, certain local jurisdictions may have differing laws than the state.

Be careful. You'd hate to get written up or charged with unlawful carry of concealed weapon and blow your chances of getting your CCW in the future.

That's definetly true! If you don't have ccw check the laws. I think in WA 3" or under is ok but really not sure. It pays to know!

 

I've been thinking about a SOG fixed blade. I carried a Gerber folder everyday for years and it's been great. It gets abused at work and takes everything I throw at it. If you are going to be rough on it you can't beat the deal($20-something at walmart).

 

I have a sog flash II and love it. The only I don't like is it's a little bit bigger than I wanted, but they offer them in smaller sizes, I just haven't gotten around to getting a smaller one. They have a nice sharp edge thats holds, life time warranty, and they just feel good in the hand. The assisted open is really nice too.

 

I love the nitrous action in my benchmade Stryker and the D2 steel is among the best around.

 

Thanks for all the suggestions guys! I have no idea what WI has for knife carry, I remember reading the law some time ago, I think 3'' and under is ok, but I'll have to check again. Another term I'm seeing is assisted open with the folders, what exactly is that? Another term for a switchblade type opening function? Now that would be neat, not legal, but neat!
I'd also like to stay in the $100.00 and under range if possible, still saving for an M1A...:shock:

 

I own many knives: quite a few Benchmade Elishewitz collaborations (Stryker, Sentinel, an original Benchmade Emerson Specwar folder, a Mel Pardue 350SBT, a 10 year old Spyderco Endura II, Gerber Parabellum, Cold Steel Shinobu Tanto, a Camillius Cuda and a few others that I can't carry (Spyderco Spyderfly, Benchmade Balisong, and a couple other autos for my collection only. My favorite is my $54 Kershaw Ken Onion 1670TBLKST Tactical Blur assisted opener from Wal-Mart. I bought it when I got stuck in San Diego (after my buddy got kicked off the plane for being sick after having too much to drink at the airport bar-we had just come to town on the way home from a 6 month deployment.) I didn't have anything to carry so I got it, and am very pleased with it.

Kershaw Knives - Kershaw Ken Onion Tactical Blur 1670TBLKST

 

I have the SOG Trident folder that I carry daily, and I have the SOG SeAL Pup knife with the nylon/kydex, pouch/sheath, that I have on my IBA vest. I love them both, though the Trident gets more use than the pup.

We had a dealer expo at our military clothing and sales a few months back(where I bought the trident, got the pup in Kyrgistan), where they were having HUGE discounts on stuff.

I was so stacked about getting the trident I wasn't really paying attention to some of the other prices of stuff. Particularly, the BLACKHAWK MOD knives. I could have walked out the door with one of their folders for under $160 :shock: :shock: :shock:. IIRC, those things retail for over $300!!! I would have spent that much money on it at that price. All of them had similar prices.

 

Assisted opening means that you manually start opening the knife, and then either a spring or in the case of my Kershaw, a torsion bar takes over and the knife completes opening. Almost like a switchblade, but with no button or anything. Just as fast as an auto, but LEGAL, and affordable. I have had the SOG, Timberline, and the Kershaw, and the Kershaw (designed by Ken Onion) is the best! Check out the Kershaw Tactical Blur 1670TBLKST half serrated Tanto at Walmart for $54. I have 2 of them and they are made in the USA.

Thanks for all the suggestions guys! I have no idea what WI has for knife carry, I remember reading the law some time ago, I think 3'' and under is ok, but I'll have to check again. Another term I'm seeing is assisted open with the folders, what exactly is that? Another term for a switchblade type opening function? Now that would be neat, not legal, but neat!
I'd also like to stay in the $100.00 and under range if possible, still saving for an M1A...:shock:

 

If you have a ccw lenght is not an issue, atleast in WA. If you could conceal a sword you could carry it

Nope, you have a License to Carry Concealed Pistol, not a concealed weapon.
I think long ago it was CCW, but no longer for some time now.:x

 

A friend of mine has a SOG. Great knife we gutted and skinned a 5by elk and it held an edge with no problem. I recently bought a Buck Alpha folder it is very sharp and holds a good edge. I have also had great luck with Knives of Alaska (fixed blade hunting) and CRKT Columbia River Knife & Tool.

 

In my opinion, SOG knives are totally unbeatable and more than well worth the money they cost. Now SOG, Cold Steel, Benchmade (I believe), and others all use and are mainly using the Aus 8 steel these days. But SOG has perfected the use of Aus 8 steel. You see, Cold Steel and others that use Aus 8 steel for their knives just use the steel the way that it is made. But SOG uses and has perfected several additional processes that make their Aus 8 steel blades just as high quality or in some instances, even better than the ever-popular 440C steel, D2 steel, and SK-5 steel. Advisors report that SOG's perfected steel tempered and their additional processes such as adding Vandalum(? spelling) and a TiNitrate coating, and if that isn't enough, their own additional Heat Treatment called Cryogenic Heating, improves the steel in their knives a great deal. Aus is already rated a medium to high quality steel for knives with great edge holding and wear resistance, and a lot of people rank Aus 8 steel the way it is Before these processes on the same line in quality as 440C steel But as I was saying, advisors report and have tested and reviewed that with all of these additional perfected steel treatings and additions, turns the Aus 8 steel blades in SOG knives into steel blades that are in the same super high quality class as D2 steel, Carbon 5 steel, and even SK-5 steel (not sure, but SK-5 and Carbon 5 steel might be the same). I have had many people compare the SOG Aus 8 steel knives to the SK-5 Cold Steel knives, and other brand knives that use D2 steel, and both are tested, and the SOG Aus 8 steel knives well outperforms and outlasts the higher SK-5 steel knives and D2 steel knives hands down! In other words, the perfected processes of steel treatment that SOG does to their Aus 8 steel blades make the knives equal to or even better than any knife made with D2 steel and SK-5 steel! And this is not just because I own 4 SOG knives and I am biased, which I am not. I also own several Ramster Survival knives as well as the very rare and very usable 1989 United Cutlery-Lile-Authorized First Blood knife. Right now 2 opf these rare knives are on Ebay and being sold for $500. I got mine brand new and never used before for $119. Oh, and FYI, I sent pics and all the info that I could Including pics of the tang of the knife to the actual Lile company, and they said that they had never seen a First Blood version knife like the one I had, and that from the pics of it, the one I have is exceptionally well made, and could very well even be the very first one from United Cutlery back in 1980's. After more reaearch, thay wrote me back and said that the one I have is Extremel rare, and though it is not an actual Lile knife, it was definitely a keeper and probably worth much more than what I paid for it! Anyway, I got off track! Sorry about that. But anyhow, I'm not aying this stuff about SOG knives out of being biased! I am merely sharing with this site what others have said about them, and what they have said even after many tests and comparisons to the SK-5 and D2 steel knives! Bottom line, yes, I do think Cold Steel knives are very good, and I even want the Trail Master and also the Recon Scout, both of which I plan to get at around Xmas time. But once I get those 2 knives, I am going right back to SOG. I already have 3 of the best SOG knives available! Oh wait, I might either just get the SOG Creed knife or SOG Jungle Primitive And either the Trail Master or the Recon Scout from Cold Steel for Xmas! Werll my reply here is much longer than I thought I would make it! My apologies. Summing up, SOG in my opinion is Definitely The much better knife brands of all the brands I have seen listed here. But this is just my opinion of course, and I am basing it on the perfection of SOG's treatment processes of their steel blades. Quite frankly, it really doesn't matter what type of steel it isl if it is not heat treated properly, even the hoghest quality steel such as SK-5 or D2 could be just pure junk and easily broken! It is all about the heat treating of the steel, in all honesty! Thanks for reading my extremely long reply!

 

I have a Sog Bi polar and I love this knife

Amazon.com: SOG Specialty Knives & Tools BP-1 Bi-Polar: Home Improvement


roduct Description
From the Manufacturer
The Bi-Polar is very capable. It's the first dual assisted knife with twin blades. Using patented SOG Assisted Technology, each blade is propelled out once the operator has initiated the blade opening action. It might be the perfect rescue knife, whether used by law enforcement, emergency medical personal or in your garden releasing the grip of a tenacious vine. We think the Bi-Polar is the perfect combination of might and right with main blade, patent pending V-Cutter, and glass breaker. Our V-Cutter will easily cut seatbelt material, paracord, fishing line, strip most types of wire, zip electrical cable sheathing, open packages, cut nylon banding straps, etc. Dual blades, double lockbars and twin safeties all work to lock the blades closed or double lock the blades open. Expand your world with the Bi-Polar.
Product Description
Dual asssisted opening blades
Patented V-Cutter and 3" AUS 8 stainless steel blade
Includes nylon carry pouch
Glass breaker built into handle
Dual blade locking safeties
The Bi-Polar is very capable. It’s also the first dual assisted knife with twin blades. Using patented S.A.T., each blade is propelled out once the operator has initiated the blade opening action. It might be the perfect rescue knife, whether used by law enforcement, emergency medical personal or in your garden releasing the grip of a tenacious vine. We think the Bi-Polar is the perfect combination of might and right with main blade, patent pending V-Cutter, and glass breaker. Our V-Cutter will easily cut seatbelt material, paracord, fishing line, strip most types of wire, zip electrical cable sheathing, open packages, cut nylon banding straps, etc. Dual blades, double lockbars and twin safeties all work to lock the blades closed or double lock the blades open. Expand your world with the Bi-Polar.

 

I have a SOG Seal Knife from 2006, and a Tigershark from 2004. Tigershark went on deployment in 2004 and Seal Knife went on deployment in 2006. The Tigershark is the bigger, longer variant of the Seal Knife. I love both and refuse to get rid of them, regardless of what the wife says.

 

I have a SOG Seal Pup and Sog Trident that both went on last deployment. Like ghost_scout said, I'll never get rid of them. Damn good knives

 

That is a tough decision. There a a LOT of great knife makers out there. SOG seems to be a good maker. My brother has one and so do I. They deliver good service and hold an edge just fine. IMHO you would do just fine with any of the following: Benchmade, Spyderco, Cold Steel, or SOG. A lot of the decision hinges on what you want to spend. I have knives from all those makers and feel quite satisfied with all of them.

Cheers
Mac.

I COMPLETLY agree. everyone loves spyderco though..

 

I have a Sog Pentagon Elite, a 12 year old Mini Xray Vision, 2 tridents (serrated standard blade, and a tanto tini), 2 flash 1s, (both semi serrated, tini), a Seal Pup tigerstripe, and I just got my dad and my brother in law powerlock eod's for their birthday. They are great knives and tools.

 

Sog has a bad rep on Bladeforums due to their shady designs (stealing from existing designs) and not retracting them. I've had many very bad experiences with their Customer Service, (no replies to emails or phone calls).

The only knife, and last knife that I purchased made by them was their higher-end Trident Tanto and it had more wobble than a model on 12-inch heels.

Their AUS-8 steel is decent at best, and they're not made here for the outrageous prices they charge for knives with plastic handles.

Their warranty also doesn't even come close to that of the big three (below). They charge for sharpening!

For the price you'd be much better off with a Kershaw / Spyderco / Benchmade. I'd recommend a Kershaw Leek / Blur / Shallot that are all hand-assembled in Tualatin, OR. Not only that, they have the best warranty in the industry (lifetime, free sharpening, parts, etc.) Spyderco and Benchmade has equally good quality stuff -- just don't blow $100 on a Sog when there are much better knives for the price.

 

I have owned my SOG vulcan mini tanto for just over a couple years, has the ARC lock, which is basically the same as Benchmade's AXIS lock. It can take up to 1000lbs of pressure on the lock according to website, which is why it replaced my Gerber Paraframe with a frame/liner lock that breaks with minimal effort, which almost cost me my little finger, I will never go back to liner locks again, they are garbage for hard use. The SOG vulcan also has a laminated blade with a core of San Mai VG10 steel, wrapped in softer 420J2, retains it edge very well, its an unassisted knife and it opens and closes faster than any auto or semi auto i've ever used. I'm extremely happy with the knife and would absolutely recommend SOG.