SOG Hunter Revolver

[MotorbikeMan]

Thanks to Marts over on BCUK I recently had the chance to play with one of these.

http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/5586/sogrotatingaction0bk.jpg

Initially, I was a bit sceptical, thinking it would turn out to be a bit of a Jack of all trades, master of none gimmicky kind of toy, but in the end, it actually turned out to be a very usefull tool.

Size wise, it's a bit bigger than a Mora

http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/2685/sogmoracomp3py.jpg

which suits my hands perfectly although there were others in the passaround who found it a bit on the big side. When you first pick it up, you can feel the usual SOG quality (Both in the knife and the very solid sheath as well) all except for an strange rattle. The rattle is actually supposed to be there as the pin that locks the blades into place is a floating pin with a certain amount od movement designed into it. I found that this rattle dissapeared once I had a working grip on it and at no time did it ever become irritating.

Others on the passaround used the knife for batonning etc and found it coped surprisingly well.

http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/7168/sog7cm20cx.jpg

I found it very nice to use for fire sticks even though the gut hook is not to my taste and can get in the way of carving. I was very surprised by the saw blade

http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/8214/sogsawsheath0ei.jpg

finding it to be extremely efficient and easy to use without having to stop every five minutes to de-clog it, wether it was green wood or seasoned wood. It's a bit shorter than a Lapplander

http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/5632/soglaplandersawlgewood3th.jpg

but I never found that to be a problem although I will quite happily use the saw blade on my Wave, sometimes you just need to adjust your technique for bigger stuff.

Overall, it is actually a very nice tool to use, and if space was an issue, would be a good usable way of combining a saw and knife in one. My only niggles with it were that the blade swings round so easily that if you are not careful, the edge of the knife blade hits the locking pin and puts a dink in the blade, and the presence of the gut hook, not something I'm ever likely to need in a bushcrafty knife these days. If I was to design a MK2, it would have a drop point blade with no gut hook and the addition of a detent ball to stop the blade just before it hits the pin would solve that little problem as well. Having said that, if one came up at the right price, I'd be very tempted to buy it, grind the gut hook off and live with the blade hitting the pin.

Many thanks to Marts for the passaround, and also for the use of his photo's as I was unable to take any when I had it.

[Basemetal]

Hi Jon,
Good write up! Got to agree with you :cool20:. I recently bought one from Manganr without a sheath and have been quite impressed by it. Mine is the non-guthook model and has a black AUS 8 TiN blade.

I was pleasantly surprised by the size of the handle which is very long, then made longer still by the rear mounted lanyad hole/rivet. The handle has to be long like a folder to fully enclose the blade, but if you have big hands this is a good thing. I do have some reservations about the overall strength of construction given the very forward pivot pin (with teflon washers visible) -though your report of surviving battoning is encouraging.

Another consequence of the very forward and very rear rivet positions is that the handle can flex a bit, closing the gap in the middle (since the slot goes right through and is only supported at the extremes) and you can feel this in your hand tho it hasn't nipped me yet.

The passaround has a PE blade where mine is AUS 8 part serrated with 30mm of "Spyderco pattern" serrations. I wouldn't want these on an every day user, but this is quite a clever survival/emergency back up knife and when you really want to cut and don't care about longevity or maintenance, serrations have a place.

The thumb dent in the spine is surprisingly helpful for a choked up grip (and helps regain some control to use the PE blade in front of the serrations for whittling).

And yes, mine has a tiny ding in the PE blade where the handle pin meets it. Apart from that problem, the release mechanism is very neat and very secure.

All in all, it's a more interesting and usable knife than I expected and could have a place in a Survival kit/Car boot kit. A solid Sealpup would probably the better knife overall, but this one could be useful if you really need ugly chainsaw cutting power to get you out of trouble.

Gimmicky maybe, but at least it's a gimmick that works well.


http://www.shopsog.com/Img_L/TREV-8.jpg

[Basemetal]

PS Funny you should mention designing a Mark 2...the current model is Rev 8!

There's hunter PE, PS, and tanto PE & PS blade options, coated/uncoated and guthook/plain variations.

Edit: I just noticed they have different names:-the one on passaround is the Hunter Revolver, Mine the SEAL Revolver, and the one without the saw (next post) The Double-Action Revolver...

D.

[Basemetal]

Even one without a saw?
http://www.shopsog.com/Img_L/REV-8.jpg

[Danzo]

Even one without a saw?
http://www.shopsog.com/Img_L/REV-8.jpg

I've been following the BCUK thread and can see the point of the knife/saw combo but why have two knife blades?

:S

Danzo

[Basemetal]

Why two knife blades Mr Stockman?

;)

[Danzo]

Why two knife blades Mr Stockman?

;)


I suppose for different types of cutting, and if one of the blades here was serrated, or a fillet knife then I could see the point, pardon the pun, but a clip point and a tanto?

:S

I don't see what particular advantage those two options would give you over the saw/blade combo, which makes perfect sense to me. If it is for more 'tactical' applications wouldn't a a regular saw/blade revolver and a fixed blade tanto be a better option?

I'm not in any way trying to disparage the knife, BTW, just can't quite get my head round that particular model.

Danzo

[Basemetal]

Must admit..neither can I :rolleyes:
One potential advantage for the revolver concept is that the two "knife" blades will be equal thickness. The saw blade is machined down quite a bit (2mm thick rather than 3mm -and this creates the clearance that lets the handle flex inwards in the middle as I mentioned above).
The website says "Can't decide between hunter and tanto?". I'd see it more sensible even to have one plain edge and one fully serrated, but like you I'm surprised at the present choice. Maybe just to be something different?

[Andy]

IMO a fully serrated lambs foot blade with a plain edge spear point would be good. Great for picnics where you need a bread knife

[Basemetal]

The "Picnic" Revolver... Write to SOG immediately Andy! :cool20:

[Andy]

you could call it the firemans revolver as the sheeps foot blade would be good for cutting rope etc. Only we would know the real truth

[ElThomsono]

That'd go well with the "tactical letter-opener" I've had my eye on. :D

[Basemetal]

That'd go well with the "tactical letter-opener" I've had my eye on. :D


By Fairbairn-Sykes ?

[Basemetal]

A Slight hawkbill Fully serrated and a Plain-edge trailing or spear point would work for me. Could call that one the Mariner.

[ElThomsono]

By Fairbairn-Sykes ?

:D

The revolver's quite a good concept, but the rotating blade would just worry me too much. I'd prefer a type of out the front design, with more locking points.

How likely is the mechanism to fail MBM, in particular when you're using the saw?

[MotorbikeMan]

:D

The revolver's quite a good concept, but the rotating blade would just worry me too much. I'd prefer a type of out the front design, with more locking points.

How likely is the mechanism to fail MBM, in particular when you're using the saw?
If you were using it hard enough for the mechanism to fail, damage from the knife would be the least of your worries :D There's a solid stop built into the handle so that even if the pin did fail, the blade can't go right round and into your hand. I chopped up some large pieces of oak and at no time did I feel worried about the pin failing.

[ElThomsono]

Excellent, cheers :)

[Danzo]

Here's a thought that popped into my head whilst pondering the model with two blades and no saw. Over on BCUK most everyone who has used it has remarked that the Revolver is good quality and very functional, the saw in particular being very impressive, but that they would still carry their fixed blade knife.

Given that most bushcrafters don't trust folders anyway howzabout a Revolver with two saw blades? One for dry wood and one for green wood? That would make a very useful adjunct to a fixed blade knife that wouldn't take up much space.

Thoughts?

Danzo

[Basemetal]

Could even make the one saw double sided...

Seriously I would have thought the short saw (even though it's the longest I've seen on a knife) wouldn't make enough of a difference between green and dry wood. It is a wonderfully aggressive double tooth parallel set pattern (like a SAK) giving two distinct cut lines with alternate teeth.

My 24" bow saw has a dry wood...or is it wet wood..no dry wood blade... and it makes very little difference when cutting either wet or dry at 6" or less diameter. A bit cloggy on the wet stuff but not so as any real man would notice ;). It gets seriously used in anger for firewood and did 2 Tons of Ash in 2 days in May.

So if the saw pattern hardly makes a difference at 24", I don't think there's much to gain at 5 or 6"

Something to lie awake wondering about though...:cool20:

[Basemetal]

Maybe a spoon would be best. :D

[MotorbikeMan]

Here's a thought that popped into my head whilst pondering the model with two blades and no saw. Over on BCUK most everyone who has used it has remarked that the Revolver is good quality and very functional, the saw in particular being very impressive, but that they would still carry their fixed blade knife.

Given that most bushcrafters don't trust folders anyway howzabout a Revolver with two saw blades? One for dry wood and one for green wood? That would make a very useful adjunct to a fixed blade knife that wouldn't take up much space.

Thoughts?

Danzo
I used the blade on both green and seasoned wood and to be honest it went through both like a knife through hot butter with out sticking.

[Stevie]

Maybe a spoon would be best. :D

To scoop out the wood rather than sawing it... :D

[Roberson]

Hello, My name is Robbie Roberson, I am the inventor of the SOG Revolver knife.

I was hesitant to mention the Revolver here on this forum since the forum says it's a "custom" forum, and the Revolver is a production knife. I have been visiting this forum since I first saw a thread here (ZDP-189 "Monster Sawback") that mentioned the SOG Revolver back in Dec. of 2004.

ZDP-189 invited me over to discusss the Revolver and I thank him. I also thank MotorbikeMan for posting it here and doing such a good job reviewing/posting, and to Marts for originally reviewing the Hunter Revolver. :)

Please allow me to give you some background on the Revolver series for those who do not know how it got started, and forgive me to those who have read this before. :)

How it began, (one safe pop up)

http://www.thedailytimes.com/sited/story/html/170864

Some recent news about the "SEAL" Revolver series,

"The SOG black TINI SEAL Revolver was recently chosen to be a part of the Personal Environmental Protective Survival Equipment (PEPSE) system for Special Operations Forces deployed in cold weather conditions"
(Just announced in the 2005 SOG product catalog)

The knife mentioned above, (Black Blade "SEAL" model),
http://www.1sks.com/store/sog-tini-seal-revolver.html

And just announced on the Hunter Revolver...PDF http://www.huntingclub.com/IMG_includes/ptp/a05ptp1.pdf


And lastly is the Double Action Revolver shown above, it comes with a Tanto and a clip point blade. If I had one of these when I was a boy fishing and hunting, I would have never had to sharpen a blade in cold weather near dark again. :mad:

Now, to discuss a few comments mentioned above by MotorbikeMan,

Rattle: This is because of the "floating" lock pin and the space it needs to enter the locking hole at a slight angle. If it were any tighter tolerance, the pin would not enter/exit from the locking holes because it is on a rocker locking switch.

The blade rotation "speed" can easily be adjusted by tightening the 5/64 allen screw on pivot, no different than adjusting a folder. This will minimize over rotation/blade hitting lock pin. (note: loctite sometimes causes allen head to be tight)

After using the Revolver for a few days, you never will ding the blade again on the lock pin because you quickly understand it's simple operation; Depress lock switch and "hold" until blade is completly rotated into position, then release lock.

I dinged a few myself at first, but now I can do it in a second or two and never ding an edge. By the way, the ding is usually about as big as a pin head and takes a ceramic rod about 1 minute to take out. :)

MotorbikeMan, the ball detent is a good thought, I considered it but then decided it could cause the user to "load up" on pressure to bring the blade out of ball detent to enter the channel, therefore causing a potential hazard if fingers were in the way, this way it is normal rotation force used.

I really appreciate your comments and thoughts on the Revolver.

Basemetal, sounds as though you got the SEAL Revolver like the one mentioned above that has the Black TINI coating with a clip point blade. The stainless liners are very thick under the zytel fiberglass reinforced handles, in fact they go from extreme butt encircling lanyard hole, to the end pivot also around it, on both sides. :) \

Basemetal, Please send me an email and explain what "hillwalking" is......... :)

You guys are a hoot ! :D Picnic revolver ! I'll get this to SOG right away. ;)

Actually, all your thoughts and ideas are exactly on track with how I feel about blades, purposes and uses. The dual saw blades is something I would love to do, I think it would be very handy.

The overall concept of the Revolver is so simple yet it works so well, and you have to admit that the blade options are almost endless. This is one of the main reasons I love to visit these forums and talk about the Revolver.

Please don't expell me for such a long post on the first time, I promise I'll try to shorten them in the future. Please contact me anytime.

Robbie Roberson :D

[ElThomsono]

Very interesting reading, thanks Robbie :) .

It's always good to hear from makers, it helps you understand the thinking behind knives, although sometimes it's nice to figure it out for yourself. I now understand why the lock pin "floats" and why there is no mechanism to slow the blade, and it's for a good reason I hadn't considered. With a knife like this, safety is a big concern and I'm glad to see you put a lot of work into it.

Welcome to the forum, I appreciate your enthusiasm :happy15:

[Stuart Ackerman]

Welcome Robbie...the madness begins.... :D
BTW..good design...Picnic Revolver in Paiseley? :)

[Roberson]

Thanks so much guys, I especially appreciate ideas and input.

For me, the Revolver is a work in progress.

:sign20: :sign72:

Robbie Roberson :D

[socintel]

Hi all, first post here. Robbie told me about this site and about this particular thread, so I thought I would join in on the fun. ;)

I own a Revolver-H and after reviewing (http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=354507) it I have ABSOLUTELY nothing negative to say about it. In fact it is currently my "most used knife" I even used it to eat lasagna and steak a couple nights ago :O .

I have got too admit, I really do believe that this knife is almost perfect for all the things you need a knife to do in the woods and at home and more. If you don't got one, you don't know what your missing.




P.S. Hmmm. picnic revolver... LOL... I could use one of those :happy72:

[MotorbikeMan]

Hi Robbie, good to see you here :D It's always a pain when you only have a knife for a few days as somethings like holding the pin out of the way of the blade don't have a chance to become habit, so if you fancy sending me one for a long term test......... ;)

[Basemetal]

Wow Robbie!...Small world Syndrome :) It always shocks me how people meet on the internet, Welcome to British Blades.

And thanks for you very interesting post and insight into the Revolver, It's nice to know it's a one man invention with real integrity. It has gone up quite a few notches in my estimation :cool20:

I'll carry on taking it out and see how we bond!

Danny
PS Do stick around
PPS Hillwalking is walking up hills :rolleyes: We don't have much wilderness in the UK but do have lots of lists of hills over 3000' and 2500' and even 2000'. Getting up them all provides grand days out and takes you all over the wildest bits of country we have. Scotland has most of the 3000+ ones and a few at 4000+. Daytrips, weekends and weeks camping out is the order of the day. Sort of mountaineering without mountains...

D.

[Stevie]

excellent post Robbie, it's always nice to know the "thinking" behind some thing :happy15:

Danny, does the H & S E know you mountaineer with out mountains :O

[Danzo]

Hi Robbie and a big welcome to BB!

:biggthump

These forums did indeed begin as a place to discuss custom knives but you can't keep the production knives down as we all have them.

It's always good to hear from the guy behind the knife; you'll find a Mr Sal Glesser hanging around here and talking about his knives as well, whoever he is.

;)

You do seem to have invented that rare thing; a product which is innovative and intrigues people, and convinces them as to its effectiveness when they use it.

As you say, the blade possibilities are endless. A saw blade and fillet knife would be a good one for fishing trips!

I hope we hear more from you, and not just on the Revolver as well. I've read your background and I think that a lot of folks here will be inspired by an ordinary guy taking a concept from brainwave to succesful production.

Danzo

[Tiffers]

I used the blade on both green and seasoned wood and to be honest it went through both like a knife through hot butter with out sticking.


I can vouch for that! MBM showed me this combo when I was last down there and its pretty impressive.

Tiffers

P.S Hello Robbie, welcome to BB :)

[Roberson]

Thanks for the warm welcomes, I can tell I'm going to like this forum, everyone is so..........warm :love05:

Elthomsono, thanks, the mechanics involved here are simple, while pushing to cut with the Revolver, the force exerted makes the blade within the handles always want to go down against your fingers, that edge is always blunted on the Revolver.

Either blade used, the bottom side is always blunted, even if the lock pin and "hidden" safety stop were removed, the force exerted from cutting always puts reverse motion on blade where the edge is blunt. :)

Basemetal, it is an amazing world, I still can't believe my knife made it to Scotland but I didn't. :( I'm proud you have one, and thanks for the "hillwalking" explanation, I am a curious person. :rolleyes:

Danzo, thanks, I spoke to Mr. Glesser once by email, he is a fine person. When I first started working to find a company to make the Revolver, Spyderco was THE only company to write me a nice letter and give me hope that my idea was good. They actually offered to assist in contacts but at that time were not making anything but folders.

I won't forget this even though I'm sure by now no one there remembers this.

I think the Revolver is exactly as you say, many people have been converted once they use it one time. The amazing part is showing how the Revolver works. I have an amazing "show/sell" ratio with this knife, if I show how it works, people seem to really want one. Then after they use it, they say it works much better than they ever dreamed.

You will hear from me often, I love knives, just ask my wife................ :rolleye11

Robbie Roberson :)

[MotorbikeMan]

I have to say, I was one of those who looked at the revolver and saw a gimmick but I'm glad I had a look, it's one of those rare times when combining two tools into one really does seem to have worked. You've every right to be proud of it Robbie :biggthump

[Stew]

I have to say, I was one of those who looked at the revolver and saw a gimmick but I'm glad I had a look, it's one of those rare times when combining two tools into one really does seem to have worked. You've every right to be proud of it Robbie :biggthump

Well said Jon. I was also pleasantly surprised.

[Roberson]

Hello, I found these really nice "adjustable" pics of the SEAL Revolver and Hunter Revolver and their sheaths on this web site.

I have no idea how they do this as I am not very good with pics and such. I do know after you click on "zoomable image", you can click small pic at lower right anywhere you want and it will zoom in on that specific part of pic. :O

It shows a lot of detail on the knives and sheaths.
Make sure and zoom in on the lock on handles, it shows very well.

Thanks for looking.

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=210674

Robbie Roberson ;)

P.S. I forgot to include a survival book that I was told the Revolver was talked about with a pic., have not seen it yet, but pretty nice compliment to the Revolver I thought.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0873499670/qid=1123176623/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_sbs_1/103-5103652-5425406?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

[ZDP-189]

Robbie, I'm sorry I was away when you made these first few posts, but I'm back now and I really enjoy reading your responses.

Welcome, and I hope we all hear more from you!

[Roberson]

ZDP-189, thanks..........I really like this place, everyone seems very nice and relaxed. Just an easy going bunch of knife people. :P

I enjoyed responding, I plan to try to spend some time here. Thanks for the help and the heads up.

Robbie Roberson :)

[Roberson]

Hey guys, I did not want to start another thread on the Revolver, and I had a question I needed to run by you, so I figured I would just "add to" this thread.

I am hitting a few other forums asking this question and needed your input/thoughts etc..

What do you think about a "Mini Revolver" with a drop point blade and a double cut saw ?

This mini Revolver could have a 3.75 inch drop point blade with an 3.75 saw blade, (about one inch shorter than the Hunter blade has now, which is 4.75). This would make the overall length of the knife approx. 8 inches. About 2 inches shorter than the existing Hunter model now.

The knife might weigh about 5 ounces, maybe 6 ounces with sheath. Maybe come with a kydex sheath that could be belt, neck or pocket carry. Small enough to fit in most packs very well, yet strong and tough enough to do some serious work for you.

This knife might carve easier because of the shorter blade with a drop point. And if you are familiar with the Hunter Revolvers double cut saw, then you know this saw could do some serious cutting for you, even with a shorter blade.

I appreciate any thoughts, input, or advice.

Robbie Roberson ;)

[MotorbikeMan]

I've already said it once, but it bears repeating,



http://smiley.onegreatguy.net/ban-cha.gif http://smiley.onegreatguy.net/ban-split.gif http://smiley.onegreatguy.net/banana2.gif

[Tiffers]

I've already said it once, but it bears repeating,



http://smiley.onegreatguy.net/ban-cha.gif http://smiley.onegreatguy.net/ban-split.gif http://smiley.onegreatguy.net/banana2.gif




You are saying you like bananas? Remind me about that next time you come over and I will get some!! :D

Tiffers

[khimbar1]

Same thing I said on the Bushcraft forums.

:sign18:

[Stephen63]

What do you think about a "Mini Revolver" with a drop point blade and a double cut saw ?


Robie,

Sounds like a great idea!

After all the positives in MBMs review I had a good look at the revolver, but decided it was too big for the small amout of use I would give it. Now a smaller one would be much more interesting to me.

Oh, and if you want anyone to reveiew a prototype....

[Roberson]

This is great !....... :D








Robbie Roberson ;)

[The General]

Sounds good to me as well! :)

[Danzo]

If good old www.newgraham.com had a Mini-Revolver as you describe in stock I would order one today Robbie!

:biggthump

Danzo