Finding the Right Knife: SOG Specialty Knives and Other Manufacturers
While this article focuses mostly on SOG specialty knives, big performers and top sellers here at Knives-America.com, you’ll find we represent many top brand names here and the tips below can be applied to all knife buying.
What do you look for in a good knife?
While there are many different knife manufacturers out there, it will always come back to one thing: intent. One person might think their SOG Aegis delivers perfectly, while someone else might feel like there’s something missing with this model. Since SOG has been known for years as an excellent maker of specialty knives, it’s probably not a problem with the knife. Instead, the problem is most likely a mismatch. The SOG Aegis or other knife type doesn’t match up with how it’s being used.
The following is a guide to help you ask the right questions and choose the right knife. Once you figure out what you want your knife to do, you can buy the SOG Flash II TiNi, Spyderco Delica 4—or some other knife that does it.
How You’ll Use Your Knife
Are you a collector or a sports fisherman? Do you need a knife around the house or are you looking for a tactical knife? Are you into camping and hiking or do you need a knife for field dressing? Think about the things you want your knife to do first. Then consider other features.
Possible Uses
- Cutting heavy rope in climbing
- Field dressing game
- Filleting fish
- Fail-safe tactical performance for survival
- Around the house (opening packaging, cutting twine)
Other Features
- Are you looking for a compact knife that’s easy to carry (for example, SOG specialty knives that are lightweight and folding)?
- Do you need a knife that’s always ready to use, as with a fixed blade knife
- What about one-handed opening or opening/closing? Are you looking for something that’s easy to operate with one hand (like the SOG Flash II TiNi)?
- How thick should the blade be? If you’ll be doing heavy work with your knife, the blade should be up to the task.
- Do you need a knife designed for gutting and skinning? Field dressing knives can make the job a lot easier.
- What about the knife edge? If you’ll be cutting through rough or thick matter, like wood or bone, you will need a saw blade.
Blade/Handle Materials
As you may already know, the materials used in the knife blade and handle can make a big difference in edge retention, rust resistance, sharpening ease, handle stability, ergonomics, grip, looks and wear when conditions are extreme.
For example, the SOG Vulcan comes with a Zytel handle and a blade made of VG-10, a quality cutlery grade stainless steel that was initially used in Japanese chef’s knives but now is found in many top brand knives, including those from SOG and Spyderco (Delica 4, for instance). The SOG Vulcan Mini is also made with VG-10 but it’s laminated with 420J2 stainless that’s mirror polished. You’ll note that all product descriptions include materials details that you can investigate.
Questions? Send us an email and we’ll be happy to make suggestions or help you find out more about the knife you want to buy.