SOG

SOG Twitch II Review

I’m hardly the first to say it, but the rise of well-designed manual flippers has really thrown the value of automatic knives into question. When already-good flippers are paired with assisted-opening mechanisms, true autos are obviated ever further.

That said, my beef with many assisted-opening flippers is that they’re chasing an aspect of autos I find unnecessary at best and obnoxious at worst: actions that kick the blade so vigorously into the stop pin that they generate recoil. So aggro! If you ask me, the spring assist only needs to be strong enough to work with the momentum of a moderate flip.

Buy the SOG Twitch II at BladeHQ
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While I can’t speak to SOG’s other assisted opening designs, the Twitch II is a knife built for me. Its action is decisive without being aggressive, and there’s a whole lot else to recommend it besides.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Twitch II puts a lot of performance into a small package. The body of the knife is just a hair over 3.5” long, a half inch at its widest point (including the clip!), and an inch and an eighth deep from flipper to closed blade spine. My brass-handled Twitch II was a relatively stout 3.58 oz measured on my digital scale, but you could trim that weight by a full ounce by opting for the aluminum scaled version if factory specs are to be trusted.

As you might note from the size comparison with a Spyderco PM2 and an Ontario Rat II, the Twitch II is a decidedly small knife. Often, I throw my Twitch II loose into a pocket. I notice the heft for the first few minutes I’m carrying it around, but it’s not long before I stop thinking about it. Just by feel, the clip and flipper tab make it very easy to orient and deploy the knife one-handed.

I can’t say enough good about this blade. At 2.75”, the drop point is long enough to perform medium-duty work. However, it is supremely, awesomely slicey. Fans of Spyderco’s blade grinds will find themselves comfortable here given the Twitch II’s full flat grind and well-sharpened, extremely uniform secondary bevel. Thanks to a thin stock that measures just 2mm at its widest point and a good amount of belly right where it needs to be, the knife cuts extremely well.

I’m not kidding. From the factory, my Twitch II came hair-popping sharp and made effortless confetti of stray paper. Having recently bought a Spyderco Chaparral, one of the company’s most well-lauded slicers, I think the Twitch II gives it a real run for its money at about a third of the cost.

The blade is made from AUS-8, which while being far from a “super steel” will likely hold its edge a bit longer on a small knife like this. And, if it happens to dull, even a novice can restore it back to a hellacious level of sharpness with only a modicum of effort.

What I can’t figure out is why SOG saw fit to put the patent number along the side of the blade. Do they imagine some Chinese counterfeiter is going to get the knife in hand and say “Aw, damn!” when he sees this arbitrary series of numbers? As if that’s what’s going to stop some unscrupulous overseas outfit from trying to reverse-engineer the design? It’s a frankly ugly and unnecessary detail that detracts from the Twitch II’s clean lines.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

Ergonomically, there’s a lot to like. The balance point of the knife (at least on my brass version) lies almost exactly at the center of the handle, making the Twitch II feel very lively and precise in the hand. The very gentle inward slopes direct the thumb and fingers to little nooks where everything feels just right, and there are no sharp edges anywhere beyond the cutting edge. The Twitch II has the feel of a very precisely crafted tool in all respects.

Like a great number of pocket clips, I think the one included on the Twitch II is too stiff. It also exposes a good five-eighths an inch of knife, which is conspicuous for one as small as this. More reasons why I just throw mine in a pocket. However, I do really like the unintentional ergonomic function of the clip: it gives the middle finger a great little hollow to find its way into and provide a secure point of contact.

Even though the knife is extremely smooth, all of these little ergonomic details allow me to feel like I’ve always got a confident, secure grip on the knife. No aggressive texturing needed!

Deployment and Lockup

As mentioned before, the action is delightful. The flipper is designed as a “push button” style (as opposed to the “light switch” method I often employ on other knives). Overcome the detent, and the blade will deploy firmly, but not excessively. It announces itself with a gentle “snick” rather than something that sounds like a gunshot or an anvil falling off a table. However, if you want to rely on the Twitch II’s thumb studs, you can deploy the blade that way and watch it literally rocket out and into deployment.

I’d mentioned I often carry the Twitch II loose. Comforting for me is the safety, which I can click upwards and not have to worry about the knife deploying when I don’t want it to. The detent isn’t exactly weak, but the safety is an appreciated “belt and suspenders” option to ensure the blade stays closed. Additionally, those who want to push the knife a little harder can use the safety to lock the blade in place once it’s engaged. Just for that little extra piece of mind.

The Achilles heel of the Twitch II, if you can even call it that, is a little bit of blade play. There’s no wobble front-to-back, mind you, but you can induce a little lateral play if you grab the blade and move it. This is hardly a reason for me to throw the Twitch II into the nearest river.

As for centering, it’s pretty decent by default. Kicked into deployment and folded into closure, the blade is in perfect parallel with the liners. Assuming you’re not wiggling it merely to disappoint yourself.

SOG Twitch II – Final Thoughts

The word “gentleman’s knife” gets thrown around quite a bit, but I’m surprised SOG’s Twitch II doesn’t come up more in the discussion. It’s a very functional (but not aggressive) knife with an easy deployment system, great build quality, and svelte dimensions. Dress the Twitch II up in its rosewood or anodized aluminum variants, and it looks even more the part. My brass-and-black version has a neat steampunk aesthetic that I think would turn heads without freaking out one’s coworkers. I’d argue the Twitch II is too small and too sophisticated to threaten a reasonable person.

Naturally, I think the great action, excellent ergos, and superior cutting performance right out of the factory are enough to recommended the Twitch II to enthusiasts reading this site. However, I think this is a wonderfully giftable knife for any gearheads or gadget freaks who have a penchant for dense little simple machines that do a job well.

As a final side note, SOG’s product mix is better than ever. A neat knife like the Twitch II is proof enough the company is interested in diversifying beyond the “hard dude tactical operator” aesthetic a number of people (fairly) associated them with in years past. This is a great knife for a great number of different users, and remarkably easy to recommend.

Sale

SOG TWI8-CP Twitch II 6.20 Inch EDC Folding Knife

2.65 INCH AUS-8 STAINLESS STEEL KNIVES: This ultra sharp knife is a discreet emergency knife, hunting knife and every day pocket knife for men or women; measures 3.55 inches in closed length with model number: TWI8-CP
SOG ASSISTED TECH (S.A.T.): Makes a great everyday carry, camping knife and outdoor knife; assisted opening knife system opens this straight edge clip knife one-handed
FOLDING KNIFE “KICK”: Release this fast opening knife with either hand using very little pressure; flick the EDC tactical folding knife “kick” on the back of the Twitch II and the folding knife into action
TOUGH ALUMINUM HANDLE: These tough utility knives, camping knives and survival knives offer strength and durability with a hard-anodized aluminum handle
SOG KNIVES FOR LIFE: Take care of your pocket knife and we’ll take care of you; SOG folding knives and pocket knives are built to last, and we consider all repair and replacement requests

Editor: I recommend purchasing the SOG Twitch II at BladeHQ or Amazon. Thank you for reading.

SOG SEAL XR Review

by Clayton Walker Leave a Comment

For some, getting right up to the point of “too much” is exactly the point. I’d read once that Chevrolet didn’t see any need to put a stronger engine in the Corvette in the sixth and seventh generations because without a mid-engine chassis, adding more power would just spin the tires. Sensible enough. Meanwhile, Dodge threw a 1200 horsepower engine into the “Demon” variation of the Challenger, because you know, MORE. Muscle car guys threw their wallets at it.

Buy the SOG SEAL XR at BladeHQ

In the knife world, the efforts directed towards making a robust and bulletproof folder typically result in a design that ends up overly big and heavy. At a certain point, you cross a line where it would have been easier and more cost-efficient if the consumer found a good fixed blade and called it a day.

Enter the SOG Seal XR. Primarily designed as a law enforcement / military grade tool (the name is indeed a clue), the knife is additionally billed as being ready and willing to cut through any problem regular guys like us have to throw at it.

Now, the sensible part of my brain knows that there’s no shortage of sub-$50 machetes from name brands like Kershaw, Ontario, and Cold Steel that are up to the task of being batoned through a piece of firewood. What’s the use, then, of subjecting a folding knife retailing at $190 to that same degree of use and abuse?

The damndest thing happened on my way to trying to answer that question. Once I unboxed the knife and started using it, the Seal XR put “sensible” into a headlock from which it never emerged.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

As you might already expect, the Seal XR is a big boy. My specimen weighs in at 7.98oz on my digital scale. Closed, the knife is 5.25” top to bottom, about three quarters of an inch across the widest point of its body (not counting the clip), an inch and a quarter at its widest point when folded from back to front, and a hair over 9” in overall length when deployed. Here it is between our usual suspects, the Spyderco PM2 and the Ontario Rat II.

Note that these specs may preclude pocket carry for some. For real-world reference, my iPhone is about 4.7ounces in weight (with case). The Seal XR’s size and density is certainly enough to make it pants-saggingly conspicuous if worn all day in the front pocket of your shorts. Then again, and especially when it comes to overbuilt tools, there’s no such thing as a free lunch.

Personally, I’ve felt the Seal XR to be less burdensome when carried in a sturdier jacket pocket. It’s going to feel better clipped to thicker, utility-grade denim as opposed to skinny jeans. Those who actually might need to rely on the Seal XR as part of any kind of military or law enforcement use might have more kit to play with, from tactical vests to Batman-style utility belts, which might allow a more secure and confident carry. My point is that not all wardrobe is compatible if you want to EDC this thing.

The blade shape of the Seal XR is excellent: I always like the look and performance of clip points, and there’s a lot of belly that allows the knife to cut aggressively just based on geometry. By my measurements, the Seal XR provides about 3.5” of cutting edge and 4” of blade length. The stock on the blade measures a respectably beefy 0.19” across. Put all of these dimensions together, in combination with the always-great S35VN steel, and you end up with a big knife that can poke and cut with the best of them.

A word on this: if you’ve never used a big knife for normal household tasks, you’re in for a treat. The Seal XR positively decimates cardboard boxes, and it was a joy to use in breaking down a six-foot long branch that I woke up to find blocking my driveway. The Seal XR also pierced very well through some eighth-inch thick plastic to make several impromptu drainage holes in a makeshift planter. The blade remains paper-cutting sharp.

This is pedestrian stuff for a knife designed to withstand the rigors of fighting ISIS operatives or being run over by a Humvee, but I was surprised by how a hard duty knife made short work of light duty tasks. It certainly never felt like overkill.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The word of the day when it comes to the Seal XR is “jimping.” While the FRN handles are nicely grippy on their own, the finger grooves, blade spine, backspacer, liners, and flipper tap are all aggressively machined in order to really let the Seal XR lock into a gloved hand. With a solid grip, this thing is only getting away from you if you lose a couple fingers.

It seems excessive at a glance, but let me assure you: you can definitely come away from a bare-handed work session without feeling like you’ve been juggling a few cheese graters. The finger grooves are comfortably spaced, and the knife balances nicely just behind the XR lock, so despite the weight it’s never unwieldy.

As for the pocket clip: I don’t love it. Normally my biggest beef with knife clips is that they produce hot spots during use. Not so here: in this respect, the SOG clip is actually workable. It’s also aesthetically very nice, and the company’s logo is understated compared to other models like the Terminus. In the past, SOG has gotten a deserved amount of flack for pocket clips that seem to literally shout the branding at you, and for that reason I appreciate the no-BS approach here.

What irks me about it is that its size ends up blocking off the part of the knife where my middle and ring fingers want to land while operating the XR lock, as might be a little more evident below.

If I try to secure those digits on the clip, it’s slippery thanks to the mostly smooth steel. But secured just forward of the clip, it puts the meat of my fingertips a little too close to the blade’s closing path for comfort, and especially so given the momentum it has when it slams home. (More on this to come.) Without the clip, I feel a lot more confident and comfortable working the action.

Deployment and Lockup

No bones about it: the XR lock is a treat. I quickly found this to be my preferred deployment method. The beefy blade practically carries itself through the arc of travel with the laziest of wrist flicks, as the inner workings of the XR lock actually begin to push the blade out and away when the button is actuated, as seen below.

You can certainly use the eminently functional flipper tab, though it requires just a little more effort than the average pocketknife to kick out the blade. The “thumb hole,” if you ask me, is purely decorative and not a serious deployment option.

Lockup is as rock solid as I could ask for. Expect excellent centering open and closed, and no detectable play in any direction upon deployment. SOG has been getting deservedly good press as a result of its take on Benchmade’s AXIS lock. The verdict is that the XR lock is durable and reliable, and smooth enough to make every one of SOG’s manual folders fidget friendly. Unlike some of my Benchmades, however, there was no appreciable early stiffness or break-in period necessary. Right out of the box, I was flicking the blade open and closed with ease.

As for flicking the blade closed—it’s a little thrilling and a little scary. Disengage the XR lock and the blade slams home like a runaway vault door with an audible clack of metal against metal. (More reason I want my fingers firmly planted on the handle.)

SOG Seal XR Review – Final Thoughts

The Seal XR is proof positive that SOG has listened to the feedback provided by knife aficionados and is genuinely competing to stand neck and neck with stalwarts like Benchmade and Spyderco. The build is quality through and through, and the company has seemingly done the impossible in making a nigh-indestructible “serious business” tactical knife utterly fun and fidget friendly.

But with an MSRP of about $190, is an eight-ounce slab of S35VN built for the horrors of war something you need? For most, the answer is no. That said, my knife drawer would be a lot less crowded if I’d limited myself only to buying what I needed rather than what I found cool or interesting. Although the Seal XR was a little much for my personal EDC considerations, those who want a tough-as-nails folder like this will likely find a way to make the size and weight work. Big knife guys, you already know who you are.

At the end of the day, the Seal XR gets a big thumbs up. Sure, you can probably get through your household or workshop tasks with a smaller, lighter blade. But if you’ve never used a knife like this, you might be surprised by how it soldiers through whatever material you need to cut in less time and with less effort than you’re used to.

SOG SEAL XR
From: BladeHQ

Editor: I recommend purchasing the SOG SEAL XR at BladeHQ. They aren’t currently available on Amazon.

SOG Instinct Mini Review

by Travis Pike 3 Comments

After growing up with 80s action movies and 60s and 70s westerns I thought boot knives would be more of a thing. However, it seems like boots knives aren’t as big of a category as my 12 year old mind imagined. The SOG Instinct Mini is the first ever I’ve seen that advertises boot carrying potential. The SOG Instinct Mini also advertises the ability to carry on your belt, around your neck, or really anywhere else you want to.

Buy the SOG Instinct Mini at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

The SOG Instinct is a superbly small fixed blade knife that comes with a modular sheath system for easy and convenient carry. As a company SOG needs no introduction. They make any and every knife you can think of. They even provide a knife the Navy for SEALs canidates going through BUD/S. I was actually given the SOG Instinct Mini as a door prize at a SHOT event and only recently have I gotten around to taking a long look at. To be specific this is the Instinct Mini G10, which comes with G10 grips.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Instinct Mini sports a teeny-tiny 1.9 inch blade with an overall length of merely 4.8 inches. This is a fixed blade knife that weighs a mere 1.6 ounces and is made in China. This is a full tang fixed blade made from 5Cr15MoV steel. This is a stainless steel known for being an affordable blade steel. This makes sense because the Instinct Mini is an affordable knife.

The steel is rather soft and will dull quickly, add on the fact that this is a small blade and you’ll find yourself sharpening it often. The Instinct Mini went dull on me after cutting four chicken breasts into strips. Admittedly this isn’t a kitchen knife, but if I can make both dinner and test a knife at the same time I’ll take that opportunity. After chicken breast number 3 the knife was starting to bulldoze a bit, but I pulled it through.

The good news is, it’s easy to sharpen. I used a Smith’s pocket sharpener and spoofed it right up. The Instinct Mini has a clip point which is also a handy and versatile point type. Perfect for a variety of different tasks. The clip point gives you a good belly that allows for quick and deep cuts, and this proved perfect for cutting those chicken breasts. It digs in and glides through. The point is quite pointy and gives you a nice stabbing implement.

The steel is also very corrosion resistant and that’s something to appreciate if you carry the nice as a necklace or close to the body it will likely be exposed to sweat eventually. Outside of that this makes it a low maintenance knife overall.

Overall the blade design is very simple, and that makes it easy to maintain. The downside is I’m not sure what the knife is designed for? It’s not necessarily a purpose built weapon, and the small blade and small overall design makes it limited in how handy it is.

Handle and Ergonomics

As you’d imagine this is a full tang knife with G10 grips bolted to it. These G10 grip panels are not removable. The grip itself is very small and also deeply scalloped for a three finger grip. The grip is just large enough to accomodate my own three fingers and nothing more. These deep scallops are comfortable and do allow the knife to sit in your hand comfortably. The G10 grips are textured to provide a better grip and to keep your hands from sliding while they are working.

The Instinct Mini fits comfortably in the hand, but during the time I was cutting that chicken up my hand got tired and pained. No hotspots, but it takes a lot of effort for such a little knife to do big knife work. The jimping on the back of the blade is nicely textured and well suited for a little thumb leverage.

The pinky in particular cramps a bit as it rubs on what appears to be a lanyard eyelet while you cut. Additionally you have to hold the knife very tight because the grip is very small and the knife can easily get away from you. The thin handle presses into your fingers a bit and it becomes uncomfortable. It’s a knife that’s better suited for small, everyday tasks.

Sheath

The Instinct Mini sheath is absolutely fantastic. It’s a molded kydex sheath that features four slots around the outside of the sheath to allow you to use a chain for carrying it, or you could lash it to another piece of gear if you choose. On the sheath is a clip, very similar to the pocket clip you’d see on a folding knife.

This clip is held in with a single Allen key screw and this screw can be loosened and the pocket clip can be rotated 360 degrees around a textured sprocket. You can carry the knife in almost any angle you want. There is a sprocket present on both sides and you can swap the clip to either side.

The clip is like a standard clip, but much bigger and wider. The clip allows for it to clip over a belt, or inside the waistband. This allows you to carry it discreetly, which can be invaluable in a setting where discretion is wise.

The knife also locks into the sheath and stays there. It takes a bit of force to get it out, but it still draws smoothly.

SOG Instinct Mini Review – Final Thoughts

The Instinct Mini is an “OK” knife that doesn’t seem to have a solid purpose or to fulfill a niche. It’s not designed to be a weapon like many other ultra small knives, or at least not a good one. The best purpose I could see is for a compact EDC fixed blade knife. It’s small size, and lightweight design makes it comfortable to carry if you want a very small and lightweight fixed blade. It could serve as a backup knife for duty use, or an affordable neck knife for easy daily carry.

It’s not a bad knife. It’s very easy to sharpen and maintain. The blade design allows for some excellent cuts for such a small knife, and I did carve up that chicken with an excellent degree of precision. It’s just not a great knife, but it’s affordable and that’s always a plus.

Sale

SOG Instinct Mini Small Fixed Blade Knife- 1.9 Inch Full Tang Adjustable Clip Belt or Boot Knife with Tactical Knife Sheath and Neck Knife Lanyard (NB1002-CP)

1.9 INCH SMALL TACTICAL KNIFE WITH SHEATH: The SOG Instinct Mini is a small fixed blade knife for your EDC gear and protection knife kit; tactical knife measures 4.8 inches in total length
EDC NECK KNIFE: 1.4 oz. lightweight knife is a great everyday carry; use this full tang knife as a belt knife or boot knife with swivel sheath clip, or as a neck knife with the included neck chain
SATIN 5CR15MOV STAINLESS STEEL: Straight-edge clip point with durable steel construction can handle hard use as a back-up hunting knife or military knife; full tang blade makes the knife more solid
TEXTURED G10 HANDLE: G10 handle with finger grooves and jimping enhances the ergonomics, grip, and blade control of this compact tac knife; get maximum control from the Instinct Mini
SOG CARE: SOG knives and tools are built to last but may require initial tuning adjustments along with regular cleaning, lubrication and sharpening; we consider all repair and replacement requests

Editor: I recommend purchasing the SOG Instinct Mini at Amazon or BladeHQ. Thanks for checking out the review.

SOG Terminus XR Review

by Dan Jackson 6 Comments

Travis’ SHOT Show 2019 round up brought a company back onto my radar: SOG. In his article he showcased the SEAL XR, a folding version of their classic Seal Pup fixed blade. I reviewed the Seal Pup a long time ago, and it’s cringe worthy to see that old review now. I should buy one again and re-review it. I’d also like to check the SEAL XR out at some point, but in the meantime I thought I would explore their current catalog.

Buy the SOG Terminus XR at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

The Terminus XR caught my eye. The spare, blocky design coupled with a modest sub $75 price point piqued my interest. It has been a long time since I reviewed a SOG product of any kind. What kind of knives are they making these days, and is the Terminus XR worth picking up? Let’s find out.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Terminus XR has an overall length of 7″, a 3″ blade, weighs 3.32 ounces, and is made in China. These are decent specs for an urban EDC. Certainly you can find lighter knives these days, but this design features full stainless steel liners. At first glance, the level of fit and finish is quite high, and the knife reminds me of my beloved Sage 1.

The Terminus XR features a stout clip point. Blade stock is just shy of 2.8mm thick, and it feels substantial thanks in part to the wide blade and partial hollow grind. There is a 3/4 swedge terminating at a substantial tip. The two tone satin finish looks nice, although the grinds bleed together on the triangular peninsula of steel where the flat meets the swedge and hollow grind. The edge is even.

In practice this is the kind of “do it all” blade shape people will have a hard time complaining about. Good tip strength, tons of belly, and a generous amount of edge, all make for a practical blade.

Blade steel is CTS-BDZ1.I’m not familiar with that one, so off to ZKnives I went to dig up some information. That site is an excellent resource and a true wealth of information (as opposed to the opinion riddled dick twirling you find here). Here is a link to the analytics on CTS-BDZ1.

Looks like it’s 6Cr14MoV, so a cousin of 8Cr13Mov, a steel most of us knife guys know well. Since it’s made by Carpenter my guess is that the quality control and consistency is a little tighter then some random Chinese foundry, but this is still going to be a milder steel that sharpens easily, resists rust, but won’t be as wear resistant as a higher end steel. According to SOG this has been heat treated to “60-62” RH. I’m not a metalurgist, but that sounds like an alarmingly wide range for a heat treat of a mass market production knife. Then again, this may be why the knife is less than $70.

In practice I found the Terminus XR to be a solid performer. It zipped through cardboard, opened mail with aplomb, and made quick work of the food prep I put it to.

This time of year in Florida strawberries are in season, and you can buy a huge flat of them for $6 at road side stands. The problem is they tend to go bad quickly, so you need to be prepared to gorge yourself on strawberries or make a pie or something. The Spyderco Dragonfly II has always been my go-to strawberry knife. That thin triangular blade is perfect for surgically removing the tops of the strawberry. The Terminus XR isn’t as nimble as the DF2, but it still got the job done.

Here’s a size comparison with the Dragonfly 2:

And as predicted by the chemical analysis, the Terminus’ edge didn’t hold on forever. This is especially true for abrasive materials like cardboard. But I was able to get a meaningful amount of work done with it, and the edge polished up easily on my [easyazon_link identifier=”B001JL1I6Y” locale=”US” tag=”brdfkdfk-20″]Golden Stone[/easyazon_link]. No issues with rust or corrosion. I’d say the steel choice is appropriate for the price point. That said, I’d never complain if they upgraded to CPM-154 or something along those lines.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The handle shares the same simple profile of the blade. It’s a big, blocky design featuring a G10/Carbon Fiber handle scales over full stainless steel liners. The steel liners have been skeletonized to reduce the weight of the knife. The partial backspacer is made of injected molded plastic. Matte black hardware, including an oversized pivot, holds everything together. Pretty standard stuff.

Handle construction is solid and the fit and finish is impressive. Again, I’m reminded of my Spyderco Sage 1. Granted, at this point my Sage 1 is 6 or 7 years old. Manufacturing techniques have advanced and tolerances have tightened, but still it’s a high level of fit and finish and it’s worth mentioning.

The Terminus XR feels OK in hand. When I grasp just the handle, the Terminus XR feels a little crowded for my larger hand. All 4 fingers fit, but just barely. SOG also included a forward finger choil underneath the ricasso, and I think that was a good idea. It gives you plenty of room and provides more control for precise cuts.

“Traction plan” fans will be pleased with the abundance of texturing on this knife. The inch or so of jimping on the spine is aggressive. It’s almost too aggressive for my tastes, but it hasn’t irritated my thumb. The milled handle provides plenty of texture on the scales. Again, its a little sharp and will tear up your pockets over time. The Terminus XR appears to be built for harder use in mind, and I think the level of texture and traction is appropriate.

SOG included a short deep carry pocket clip. It can be swapped for ambidextrous tip up carry. Spring retention is excellent and the Terminus stays in place. The knife buries completely in the pocket. I’m not a huge fan of branded pocket clips, but I think SOG did an OK job here. All in all the pocket clip is thoughtful and the knife stays out of the way.

The Terminus XR carries well thanks to the thoughtfully designed pocket clip. It’s not the lightest knife, or the thinnest, but I’d say it’s still reasonably thin and light. I didn’t notice it much in the pocket.

Deployment and Lockup

This part of the review is typically obvious and self explanatory. Here we have a folding knife, with a blade that can be opened via a flipper tap or ambidextrous thumb studs. Inside are phosphor bronze washers. Simple enough. What’s shocking about this knife is that the edges of the serrated flipper tab are so sharp it actually cut my finger open when using it. I didn’t need stitches, but it drew blood and I had to put the knife down. It’s way too sharp. I’ve tried to capture this in a picture I took. Not the best picture, but you get the idea.

To this day if I use the knife I still get small paper cut type incisions in my finger when I use the flipper. Maybe I got an especially sharp flipper tab, but this is the first time I’ve been cut by a flipper tab and it’s a major turn off.

If you can get past this issue somehow the blade opens smoothly. There is no ball detent in this knife, and the XR lock provides a good amount of resistance so you can flip the blade open. I’d rate the action at a “6” on my patent pending 0-10 scale for flipper action.

For lockup we have the aforementioned XR lock. This is a variation on their arc lock, which is really a take on the Benchmade Axis Lock. Now that the axis lock patent has expired, I think we can expect to see more companies experiment with this kind of lock. It’s a nice design because it’s secure, and easy to manipulate with either hand. It feels stronger and more secure than an axis lock. It’s a nice design and one I wouldn’t mind seeing in more knives.

Here is a parting shot with my tried and true Spyderco Sage 1. The Terminus XR reminds me of the Sage 1 for several reasons, including the EDC friendly size and similarities in construction.

Blade centering is perfect on my knife.

SOG Terminus XR Review – Final Thoughts

The Terminus XR has a lot going for it. A simple design made from adequate materials built to tight tolerances. And that sub $75 price is quite nice. It’s difficult to find good knives at this price point. The fit and finish is good, but I’d argue that it’s almost too good as evidenced by the sharp edges found on the flipper tab.

One of the 10 commandments of knife design is that “Only the edge shall be sharp.” Any sharp edges on the handle, liners, etc. are generally considered a violation of the sacrosanct. Certainly a flipper tab that flays your finger open with normal use is a serious problem. At best you need to be extremely careful with this knife. That’s a real shame given how nice every other aspect of the Terminus is.

Perhaps the issue can be rectified with a little emery paper. Perhaps I’m a little bitch and this issue won’t bother other people. Somehow the Terminus XR has garnered a number of 5 star reviews on BladeHQ and Amazon, so who’s to say? I’d rather not speculate.

I still appreciate this knife. It’s well made yet still priced reasonably. It’s a big step up from the plastic handled SOG knives of yore, and it’s not $100+ like their nicer Japanese blades. Also, the design of the Terminus is more straight forward, yet it’s still undeniably “SOG”.

In many ways the Terminus XR is a success, but in one major way it’s a failure. For that reason I can’t recommend it. Who can endorse a knife that cuts the user? I certainly can’t, regardless of how much I like the other aspects of the knife or the great price point. But the silver lining that it has SOG back on my radar. Despite the tragic flaw I acknowledge that there is a lot that went right here. Hopefully SOG can fix this flipper tab and do better with future releases. Ultimately I think they are heading in the right direction.

SOG EDC Knives - Terminus XR EDC Knife, Everyday Carry Pocket Knife with Clip, Flipper Knife with SOG XR Lock Mechanism (TM1021-BX)

EDC FOLDING KNIVES FOR EVERYDAY CARRY: The Terminus XR is a razor-sharp EDC folding knife and flipper knife made with strong, capable, cryo-hardened CTS BDZ1 stainless steel; blade measures 2.95 inches, knife measures 4.26 inches closed; model number: TM1021-BX
CARBON FIBER KNIFE HANDLE: At 3.2 ounces, these folding flipper knives are an essential addition to your EDC gear; black G10 & carbon fiber knife handle overlay is sleek, lightweight, with excellent grip and traction
OPEN YOUR LOCK POCKET KNIFE 3 WAYS: Use the knife thumb stud, flipper or kick mechanism to open these deep carry pocket knives with one hand; the SOG XR lock keeps the blade secure while allowing smooth manual actuation
TACKLE DAILY TASKS W/ CTS BDZ1 STRAIGHT EDGE: This compact everyday carry knife includes an ambidextrous pocket clip; small pocket knife blade is stout with superb edge retention and satin finish
SOG CARE: SOG knives and tools are built to last but may require initial tuning adjustments along with regular cleaning, lubrication and sharpening; we consider all repair and replacement requests

I recommend purchasing the SOG Terminus XR at Amazon or BladeHQ. Please consider that by purchasing things through any of the links on this website you support BladeReviews.com, and help produce future reviews. Thank you very much.

SOG Visionary II Review

by Dan Jackson 18 Comments

Last Updated: August 23, 2019
To many, SOG is known for their more inexpensive knives. As far as folders go, when you say “SOG Knives” people often have images of the Aegis, Trident and Flash in their head. Perhaps a SEAL Pup fixed blade might be on the back of their mind as well when they are thinking of the brand. This is fine, as SOG makes some excellent high value knives, but they do a lot more than make knives in the ~$50 and under range. The Visionary II just happens to be one of these knives.

Buy the SOG Visionary II at BladeHQ

Made in SEKI City Japan and retailing for around $100, it only takes a moment upon handling the knife to realize that this is not your typical SOG. I think these are somewhat under-appreciated blades so I’m excited to take a closer look and share some thoughts on the knife.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Visionary II has a 3.75″ blade, an overall length of 8.37″ and a weight of 4.3 ounces. With these dimensions, and the inclusion of an arc lock (which is very similar to an axis lock) I can’t help but compare this knife to the Benchmade Griptilian. Indeed, the stats are similar (3.45″/8.07″/3.8oz for the Grip). They also share similarities in handle construction (reinforced plastic handles over steel liners) and they both feature mid/high end blade steel. However, the Visionary is a completely different knife so I’ll try to remain as detached as the hamster wheel in my head will allow.

The blade shape on the Visionary II is a modified drop point. It’s a sleek and sexy design with a swedge and belly forming a nice sturdy tip. There is a slight recurve for draw cutting and the entire knife has been given an attractive black powdercoat. This blade shape strikes me as particularly well suited for tactical applications. You have some good penetration power and recurves can be devastating when used on soft materials. I also think there are a lot of good utility applications for this blade, so we could have a larger EDC knife on our hands too. All in all this is a very nice blade, it’s well thought out and beautifully executed with a keen edg and high hollow grind.

The steel on the Visionary II is VG10. This is a very nice mid to high end Japanese stainless steel. VG10 is capable of getting extremely sharp, and will do a good job holding onto that edge. It’s a high quality steel and I find it to be a substantial upgrade over the AUS8 found in SOG’s more affordable offerings.

Handle, Ergonomics and Pocket Clip

The handles on the Visionary II are glass reinforced nylon (GRN), which is very similar to FRN (in fact I think it’s actually the same as FRN). Underneath the GRN we have full stainless steel liners. These liners are not milled out, but instead have been given an almost mirror polish. They are very well put together and line up flush. The rest of the handle is a simple, open back design with a couple pillars and a small lanyard hole.

Ergonomics on the Visionary II are good. The handle is plain but it features a nice finger choil and the corners have all been nicely rounded. On the spine of the blade there is a nice thumb ramp with some functional jimping. This style of handle emphasizes maximum reach rather than choking for ultimate control. It’s a design well suited for tactical tasks, but could do detailed work in a pinch.

The pocket clip is odd looking but well done. It’s been given a black coating, and like many SOG folders this is a deep ride clip that allows for ambidextrous tip up carry. Clip retention is good and despite the admittedly funky design, I think it works well and is a good clip overall.

Deployment and Lockup

The Visionary II has ambidextrous thumb studs for deployment. They are fairly easy to get at and with some force the knife springs to life. Honestly, compared with something like the Griptilian I found deployment to be a little difficult. Maybe it’s the shape of the thumb studs, maybe it’s the positioning, maybe it’s the washers. This is me being extremely picky, but something about it just didn’t 100% click. I suspect that swapping out the teflon washers for phosphor bronze washers would offer a substantial improvement in speed. I will say the deployment was very smooth overall.

Lockup on the Visionary II is solid. The nice thing about the arc-lock on these higher end SOGs is that it is fully ambidextrous and you can disengage it with one hand. If you are unfamiliar with this kind of lock, it is similar to the axis lock. If we are to do an apples to apples comparison here, my preference leans slightly towards the axis lock. But I know some people favor the arc lock. Really they are both pretty similar and function very well.

SOG Visionary II Review – Final Thoughts

All in all the Visionary II is a nice offering from SOG. What you get here is a well made Japanese knife, with good steel, excellent fit and finish and solid construction. I like the powdercoated blade, the comfortable handle, and how everything is assembled to very tight tolerances. To me deployment was just slightly awkward, but perhaps I needed to spend more time playing with the pivot (blade centering was perfect by the way).

All in all, this is a very solid offering, and a nice upgrade over SOG’s more basic offerings. If the Visionary II is a knife you like on paper, then I think that you will be pleased with it. Recommended to those that like the design.

I recommend purchasing the SOG Visionary II at Amazon or BladeHQ. Thanks for reading.

SOG Ops Review

by Dan Jackson 10 Comments

Last Updated: September 6, 2019
For those in need of a sleek fixed blade tactical knife with a proven pedigree, the SOG Ops may be just the ticket.

Buy the SOG Ops at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

SOG describes the Ops as an evolution of their very popular SEAL Pup line of fixed blade knives. I wrote a SEAL Pup review a while back and was very impressed with this classic outdoors knife. Now that I have an Ops in hand I can say that there are some nice refinements that help this blade stand out from behind the shadow of it’s mighty predecessors. Lets take a closer look and see what the the Ops is all about.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Ops has a similar footprint to the SEAL Pup (and SEAL Pup Elite) with an overall length of 9.5″ a 4.85″ blade and a weight of 5.4 ounces. This is a great size for tactical and utility use. While we are on the subject of what this knife might be used knife for, it doesn’t strike me so much as a survival blade. I’m mainly drawing this from the blade shape, it seems much more purpose built for military and police use. Of course, your mileage may vary.

The curving blade is made from .185″ stock. This is a modified drop point design, and this unique blade shape features a nice recurve and long slender swedge forming a very capable tip. In my opinion this is a blade that was designed for penetration and slicing, and will not make a particularly good chopper. The recurve helps push material through the blade and aids in slicing tasks. The swedge enhances penetration while preserving the tip. SOG finished off the blade with a nice hollow grind and a beautifully ground edge.

You have your choice of either a plain satin finish or the Titanium Nitride (TiNi) coated version shown here. This coating will show wear with use but is a substantial improvement over a cheap teflon coating.

SOG used cryotreated AUS 8 stainless steel for the blade, a Japanese mid range steel that I’ve talked about at length. It’s a softer steel, so it won’t hold its edge forever, but for a smaller fixed blade I think AUS 8 was a good choice here.

Handle and Ergonomics

The handle on the Ops is exactly like the handle on a SEAL Pup (or Elite). The handle is made from glass-reinforced nylon (GRN). This is a very solid handle material giving the knife a pleasant amount of heft and a nice sturdy feeling. This is a handle designed to take a beating.

The ergonomics on the Ops are excellent. The handle is covered in medium texturing that provides good grip and response. The handle is formed with a series of finger grooves that accommodate my larger hands very well. One substantial difference between the SEAL Pup series and the Ops is the thumb ramp and aggressive jimping on the spine of the blade. This feature really locks your thumb in place, and in my mind, it completes the ergonomics on this knife. With your thumb locked up you can really control this knife for detailed tasks and it allows you to really dig into some of your harder cuts.

Sheath

The sheath on the Ops is just as nice as the knife itself. SOG started off with two thick pieces of kydex that have been riveted together with eyelets. The knife fits into the sheath with a snap and feels secure without being too difficult to remove. I didn’t notice any rattle but you can adjust retention to your level of preference. Topping things off, a small drainage hole has been drilled into the bottom sheath to help avoid corrosion.

Bolted onto the sheath is a belt loop and retention strap made of cordura and kydex. The retention strap secures the handle with both velcro and a large button strap. This portion of the sheath is removable and allows you to reverse the entire sheath for left side carry. If you aren’t a fan of belt loops, the eyelets allow you to mount a variety of attachments (such as MOLLE clips) or simply lash the sheath down. All in all this is a very high quality sheath that is designed to provide great blade retention and multiple carry options.

SOG Ops Review – Final Thoughts

All in all, the Ops is a solid piece of gear. This knife was made in Taiwan and the fit and finish is excellent. Honestly, I’m really struggling to find any kind of fault with the knife. Perhaps my only parting advice is that in my opinion this is a specialized knife designed mainly for tactical use. Some other ideas for the knife include home defense, something for the bug out bag or perhaps even hunting. Really though I think most people probably won’t find a ton of regular uses for a SOG Ops.

That said, if you are in the market for a fixed blade tactical I think it’s a very well built knife with a great sheath and a highly functional design.

SOG Specialty Knives & Tools M40K-CP SOG Ops Knife with Straight Edge Fixed 4.85-Inch AUS-8 Steel Drop Point Blade and GRN Handle, Satin Finish

Compact fixed blade tactical knife
4.85 inch blade made from aus 8 steel
Drop point tip
Recurved edge and large thumb scallops deliver unparallel control and a longer cutting length
Straight edge, fixed 4.85-inch AUS-8 steel blade has a drop point shape with a satin finish

I recommend purchasing the SOG Ops at Amazon or BladeHQ. Thanks for reading.