SOG Traction - An Affordable, Dependable EDC from a Solid Brand

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 SOG Knives have been around for a while.  1986 to be exact.  They are known initially for a reproduction of a Vietnam era knife made especially for the Studies and Observations Group (S.O.G., or MAC-SOG: Military Assistance Command - Studies and Observation Group).  They now produce a wide variety of knives, many that would fall into the category of EDC and Tactical, along with other specialty tools.  On the spectrum of well-known knife manufacturers, competing with brands like Kershaw, Benchmade, BUCK, and such, they seem to fall a bit to the lower end with a lot of budget-friendly products, much like the one featured in this post.  That said, they have produced (and continue to produce) some high-end products, such as the SEAL 2000, manufactured from 1995 to 2007 for SOG by knife designer Kinryu of Seki Japan.  They also offer many other military style knives including a tactical switchblade, available only to military/law enforcement personnel.  

A quick survey of their products on places like Amazon shows a range of offerings from under $20 to over $100.  The knife in this post falls into the more budget-friendly end.  Like a few of the knives I pick up, this one was on clearance at my favorite store (Fleet Farm).  If I purchased it on Amazon today it would be in the $28 range, although before marking it down FF was selling it for around $19.99, I believe.  It was further marked down to around $14.99, making it a safe purchase for review and possible use.  

Every serious EDC knife person seems to 'rotate' their collection, saving a few they sometimes refer to ignominiously as 'beater knives'.  In other words, knives they can literally 'beat up' in day-to-day hard work, not worrying about marring the finish or even breaking the knife.  These knives are an investment, but usually in the lower end so as not to incur a huge loss if they are damaged or lost. 

The SOG Traction, it seems to me (and others, including some military personnel), would be a good budget knife for such regular daily work and EDC carry.  In fact, it is advertised on the packaging as such.  It has a 3.31'' satin polished clip point blade made of 5Cr15MoV steel with a hardness rating of 54-56.  Unlike other knives with  thumb studs, this knife employs a lockback locking mechanism, similar to what one finds on a knife like the BUCK 110.  The weight of the knife is very light: 2.3 oz.  The handle is solid and made of glass-reinforced nylon (GRN).  It features a pocket clip that offers low carry in the pocket.  The opening is less fluid (a little stiff) than others with similar opening mechanisms, but when it snaps into place you know it is truly secure. 

Although I had set aside my orange Ozark Trail knife as my EDC 'beater', this knife will now be in rotation with it.  The reputation and quality of the brand will give me some assurance of a knife that can take on serious outdoor work without the fear of great loss if it should unfortunately break or become lost.

    


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