Danzo
12-05-04, 07:16 PM
Hi folks
Whilst waiting for some handmade fixed blades I felt the need for shiny sustenance, but more than just the cheap ebay fix that compares to crack cocaine or girls from Cardiff.
Having been very impressed with the SOG Pentagon Elite some time ago I took a look at the SOG knives available from some bloke called Joe who runs an obscure website at www.outdoorsuppliesuk.com.
Joe had a SOG Flash II at £36. Having read good things about the Flash on other sites I thought I would give it a go.
And it's great.
For those unfamiliar with the knife it is an assisted folder, meaning that pressure on the thumbstud activates the spring which fires out the blade.
SOGs version of this is called S.A.T (SOG Assisted Technology) but it is the same as the Kershaw Ken Onion technology. This is legal here but, as with most of what we collect, behave like a t**t and you will get done. If you work in a job where having a knife open one handed is important then this technology is still OK for an EDC. Electricians always come to mind.
The knife comes in a variety of handle materials and colours including camo ones which are not my cup of tea but this is a nice plain black Zytel. It has a good 'grippy' handle with an ergonomic design that fits the hand very well.
The lock is basically a simplified Axis lock, or Arc lock as it's a SOG. The blade unlocks and closes by a simple button on the handle which serves the purpose of the stud on the camber (the word my engineer Dad used) or piston (the word SOG use) which works perfectly but lacks the elegance of the classic Axis/Arc lock. I imagine this is because the S.A.T opening is meant to be the selling point.
The opening is not that fast, despite the name. I can open the Pentagon Elite equally as fast, but as Gurushaun may confirm, that is perhaps the fastest unassisted knife ever. And I have just realised that we don't have a review of the Pentagon Elite here, so that will follow shortly. The Flash II is still very quick, and totally reliable. It is VERY addictive though and I have been playing with it endlessly
Interestingly the knife has an additional security lock to prevent accidental opening. It is a simple button near the butt end and works perfectly. I dunno why it has it, but I suppose it might reassure some folks with prehensile willies who worry about 'in pocket' opening.
;)
The blade is Aus-6 and has a nice brushed effect similiar to that on Spydercos S30V. I know that Aus 6 is a long way down the pecking order of wonder steels nowadays but only a few years ago it was one of the best available.
The 3" blade is incredibly sharp. I have read a few US reviews and they all comment on this and it is true. It is maybe the sharpest production knife, out of the box, that I have had so far. It is certainly sharper than most of my Spydercos, my Benchmade AFCK and assorted others. It compares very well to the Al Mar Ultralight I reviewed a while ago. I imagine that hard use and serious sharpening would reveal some shortcomings in the Aus-6 but I am hearing rumblings about S30V and D2, so go figure.
I am sure that Anakin looked at Obi-Wans lightsaber and thought, yeah, back in the day blue or green was good, but Mace Windu has that new purple and that is just cool as .........
:rolleyes:
We are all Steel Whores and let's not pretend otherwise.
So, as has become traditional in my reviews, I will ask whether you should buy a SOG Flash II?
Absolutely!
They are great knives at a really, really good price from Joe. Don't go out this Friday and order one instead, 'cos thats what £36 is really. A taxi, a packet of fags, several pints and a kebab. Watch that video of CSI you recorded whilst watching Gordon Ramsey and a bit later Joe will provide a really cool new toy which is great fun.
The original Flash I has a 2" blade so could be a perfect EDC for those in jurisdictions allowing locking folders, but who want a less threatening blade length combined with cool technology and great workmanship.
Joe has some photos that will be so much better than anything I could do so watch this space!
:biggthump
Danzo
Whilst waiting for some handmade fixed blades I felt the need for shiny sustenance, but more than just the cheap ebay fix that compares to crack cocaine or girls from Cardiff.
Having been very impressed with the SOG Pentagon Elite some time ago I took a look at the SOG knives available from some bloke called Joe who runs an obscure website at www.outdoorsuppliesuk.com.
Joe had a SOG Flash II at £36. Having read good things about the Flash on other sites I thought I would give it a go.
And it's great.
For those unfamiliar with the knife it is an assisted folder, meaning that pressure on the thumbstud activates the spring which fires out the blade.
SOGs version of this is called S.A.T (SOG Assisted Technology) but it is the same as the Kershaw Ken Onion technology. This is legal here but, as with most of what we collect, behave like a t**t and you will get done. If you work in a job where having a knife open one handed is important then this technology is still OK for an EDC. Electricians always come to mind.
The knife comes in a variety of handle materials and colours including camo ones which are not my cup of tea but this is a nice plain black Zytel. It has a good 'grippy' handle with an ergonomic design that fits the hand very well.
The lock is basically a simplified Axis lock, or Arc lock as it's a SOG. The blade unlocks and closes by a simple button on the handle which serves the purpose of the stud on the camber (the word my engineer Dad used) or piston (the word SOG use) which works perfectly but lacks the elegance of the classic Axis/Arc lock. I imagine this is because the S.A.T opening is meant to be the selling point.
The opening is not that fast, despite the name. I can open the Pentagon Elite equally as fast, but as Gurushaun may confirm, that is perhaps the fastest unassisted knife ever. And I have just realised that we don't have a review of the Pentagon Elite here, so that will follow shortly. The Flash II is still very quick, and totally reliable. It is VERY addictive though and I have been playing with it endlessly
Interestingly the knife has an additional security lock to prevent accidental opening. It is a simple button near the butt end and works perfectly. I dunno why it has it, but I suppose it might reassure some folks with prehensile willies who worry about 'in pocket' opening.
;)
The blade is Aus-6 and has a nice brushed effect similiar to that on Spydercos S30V. I know that Aus 6 is a long way down the pecking order of wonder steels nowadays but only a few years ago it was one of the best available.
The 3" blade is incredibly sharp. I have read a few US reviews and they all comment on this and it is true. It is maybe the sharpest production knife, out of the box, that I have had so far. It is certainly sharper than most of my Spydercos, my Benchmade AFCK and assorted others. It compares very well to the Al Mar Ultralight I reviewed a while ago. I imagine that hard use and serious sharpening would reveal some shortcomings in the Aus-6 but I am hearing rumblings about S30V and D2, so go figure.
I am sure that Anakin looked at Obi-Wans lightsaber and thought, yeah, back in the day blue or green was good, but Mace Windu has that new purple and that is just cool as .........
:rolleyes:
We are all Steel Whores and let's not pretend otherwise.
So, as has become traditional in my reviews, I will ask whether you should buy a SOG Flash II?
Absolutely!
They are great knives at a really, really good price from Joe. Don't go out this Friday and order one instead, 'cos thats what £36 is really. A taxi, a packet of fags, several pints and a kebab. Watch that video of CSI you recorded whilst watching Gordon Ramsey and a bit later Joe will provide a really cool new toy which is great fun.
The original Flash I has a 2" blade so could be a perfect EDC for those in jurisdictions allowing locking folders, but who want a less threatening blade length combined with cool technology and great workmanship.
Joe has some photos that will be so much better than anything I could do so watch this space!
:biggthump
Danzo