SOG knives

SOG Terminus EDC blade: All-purpose slip joint folding knife that is legal in many places

With hundreds of knife companies each putting out a number of new blades year in and year out, you have to admire their creativity. Managing dozens of blade shapes, steel compositions, frames, locks and pocket clips while trying to stay innovative and avoiding ground already covered is a daunting task. This is also why I never tire of checking out new blades, like the new for 2017 SOG Terminus.

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Reading through SOG’s website after having had some quality time with the Terminus, I’m getting the answers to my questions about the design of this knife. The point-and-purpose of the Terminus is to provide an EDC blade to those in restrictive areas, such as NYC and the UK. Often, these diet-freedom locales mandate a three inch maximum blade length, lack of lock and sometimes even putting the kibosh on one-handed openers.

With all the above in mind, let’s review the tech specs. The Terminus has a 3″ clip-point blade made from BD1 Carpenter steel. While lacking a traditional lock, the Terminus has a “slip joint”, providing significant resistance before the blade is allowed to fold shut. The blade has a nail nick on each side, to allow some grip when opening. The handles are G10 scales and have a moderately aggressive grip texture. The pocket clip is reversible and allows for deep-carry.

The tough part about reviewing this is getting in the right mindset. This isn’t a “best possible” knife, this is a “best for those behind enemy lines” knife. By working around onerous and draconian legal limitations, SOG is attempting to bring a quality pocket folder to those who are bound by law from obtaining a modern pocketknife.

These legal limitations are where most of my issues with the Terminus come in. The blade is excellent. It’s sharp and made from quality steel. Opening it is a pain in the ass. Without a thumb stud or other pivot point, we’re back to grandpappy’s two-handed “pinch-and-pull” method of opening. The two nail nicks are almost under the frame, rather than being in the more accessible area slightly closer to the hinge. The slip joint does provide adequate tension to prevent the blade from shutting inadvertently, but the added resistance makes closing up shop a little tougher than it should.

The one issue I can’t attribute to legal dramas? Branding. There are no fewer than four instances of SOG branding on this little folder. One on each side of the grip panels, one on the blade and another that looks to have been laser cut into the pocket clip. Don’t worry SOG, we know your name.

Aside from that I do like the Terminus, and there’s a decent amount to like. The G-10 scales offer excellent grip, the whole package is nice and light (2.9 ounces) and the folded Terminus is barely longer than the blade (4″ overall closed length). The pocket clip allows for very deep carry and lends itself to a very minimal footprint in the pocket.

Taken as a snapshot in the wide world of knives, the Terminus would be a well-constructed knife with too many questionable design choices. Understanding it is designed for citizens of NYC, the UK and other places, we can instead look at this as the pocket knife for resistance fighters! Under that lens, the Terminus is a well-constructed knife with only a couple of questionable design choices: the excessive branding and the misplaced nail nicks. With an MSRP of $80, the price feels a bit steep for a knife with such a limited target market. The street price of $59.90 does make it more palatable. If you’re living in a heavily regulated zone, the SOG Terminus is a good knife for you to check out.

A quick look at the SOG SEAL Strike fixed blade knife

SOG Specialty Knives & Tool, LLC has been in the business of crafting fine blades and tools for both military and civilian markets since it’s inception in 1986. In 1992, when the SEAL’s held trials for a new knife, the SEAL 2000 from SOG won the contract and remained in production from 1995-2007. The 2nd knife in the SEAL line was slightly smaller than the original and was dubbed the SEAL Pup. Now in it’s most recent iteration of the iconic knife comes the SEAL Strike from SOG. Born from years of real world deployments and the constant tweaking of a proven design, the SOG SEAL Strike will easily carry the torch of its predecessors.

The cryogenically treated AUS-8 Stainless Steel blade is the heart and soul of this pig sticker. Providing maximum corrosion resistance along with a rockwell hardness of 56-58, it’s sure to withstand the harshest physical and environmental abuse. The versatile, partially serrated drop tip blade will become a great companion in any tactical environment, camping, hiking or even SCUBA diving. With an overall dimension of 9.6″ and a 4.9″ blade, this 5.6 ounce knife achieves near perfect balance. To top it off, the stealthy tacti-cool look of this blade is mainly due to the rugged Black TiNi finish offset only by the razor sharp silver edge.

The glass reinforced nylon (GRN) handle is somewhat slender but retains a solid graspable shape. The SOG SEAL Strike features a full tang construction that extends through the handle, terminating in a notched strike face on the butt. The diamond textured GRN handle is further reinforced with a stainless steel inlay adding a nice visual touch to this already handsome knife.

Glass reinforced nylon handle and full tang

A standard hard nylon sheath is included or you can opt for the Deluxe model. The hard molded Deluxe nylon sheath for the SOG SEAL Strike has a few tricks up it’s sleeve. For starters, it features a built-in cord cutter, single stage sharpener and ferrochromium fire starter rod. A steel belt clip and built-in slots within the nylon offer 2 types of belt mounting. Several slots in the scabbard offer additional mounting flexibility for a vest, plate carrier or SCUBA BCD. If necessary, the belt loop can be removed entirely by loosening the 4 allen bolts that attach it to the scabbard.

SOG SEAL Strike Specs and video courtesy of SOGknives.com

OVERALL LENGTH 9.6″
WEIGHT 5.60 OZ
BLADE LENGTH 4.9″
BLADE THICKNESS 0.16″
PRODUCT TYPE FIXED BLADE
FINISH BLACK TINI
EDGE TYPE PARTIALLY SERRATED
BLADE STEEL TYPE AUS-8
HARDNESS RC. 56-58
BLADE SHAPE CLIP POINT
HANDLE MATERIAL GLASS REINFORCED NYLON AND STAINLESS STEEL
HANDLE COLOR BLACK
SHEATH MATERIAL HARD MOLDED NYLON
MSRP $127

SOG Camp Axe: A Go-To Outdoor Tool

“Let the enemy come till’ he’s almost close enough to touch. Then let him have it and jump out and finish him up with your hatchet.” -Maj. Robert Rogers 1759

While the SOG Camp Axe wasn’t designed for warfighting, a hatchet type tool is a great addition to anyone’s loadout. I’ve been using the Camp Axe for a few weeks now and have found it is just like every other SOG item I’ve used…great! The Camp Axe is great for chopping and hammering and retails for right around $40. Check out the video for more detail and an up close look at the SOG Camp Axe.

SOG PowerAccess: The PowerAccess is the ultimate EDC multi-tool

You need a multi-tool. That’s all there is to it. A multi-tool is something that is always a part of my kit. Most Rangers in a tactical setting will always have a multi-tool somewhere on their person. Over the years I’ve accumulated 6 or 7 different multi-tools from a myriad of brands. I keep one on my kit, one in my truck, and the rest are spread out throughout the house. They are the some of the most useful things I own and I find myself using them almost daily. One brand of multi-tool that stands out to me is SOG. They managed to stand out in the league by incorporating something they call Compound Leverage technology.

Basically, the gear-looking things that are near the pliers act as pivot points that give a leverage advantage of twice the power of a conventional multi-tool. These gears also make the opening of the tool extremely smooth. New to their line of multi-tools is the SOG PowerAccess. The PowerAccess has 18 different tools built into a medium-sized package. The first thing that I noticed is that the tools open from the outside. Many multi-tools require you to unfold the tool completely to access the different tools. Being able to access most of the features without having to completely expand the tool is great. The fold-out tools are pretty standard for most multi-tools, including a knife, file, multiple screwdrivers (Philips and flat,) can opener, awl, but they also included a jewelry driver. I find the jewelry driver extremely useful and I’m glad I don’t have to dig around for it when I need one.

The SOG PowerAccess does not come with a sheath but instead has a removable pocket clip. The SOG PowerAccess isn’t as big as a full-size multi-tool so this shouldn’t be an issue for anyone looking to carry this tool. If a pouch is truly a necessity for some of you, a pistol mag pouch works perfectly for a multi-tool and is the preferred method of carrying for most of us in the Regiment. The pliers are needle nose which is my preferred setup for a multi-tool. I’m not sure why every multi-tool doesn’t have needle nose pliers, but SOG clearly gets it. The pliers also have a bolt gripper, wire cutter, and below them, a crimper. A stand out feature of this tool is a magnetic hex bit driver. When the tool is closed, you can insert any ¼ hex bit into the end which definitely multiplies the usage of the SOG PowerAccess.

Like everything SOG makes, the PowerAccess is a high-quality piece of equipment. For those of you who already have a multi-tool, having multiple is useful to check this one out. For those of you who don’t have a multi-tool, you need to get one, and the SOG PowerAccess won’t do you wrong. The SOG PowerAccess can be found from SOG’s website right now on sale for $53.60 which is a great deal for a hard use tool such as this.

Author – Tim Morgan

The SOG Ace | Rugged And Durable Without Breaking The Bank

I was packing to leave for a trip to work. I went through my usual checklist – Helmet, Night Vision, Gerber Multi-tool (I wrote a review on that as well, you can see that here), clothing, Gore-tex, MultiCam this – MultiCam that, boots, plate carrier, etc. Long story short, I thought I had everything. I throw my stuff into my contractor bag, throw it in the back of my truck to make the half hour drive down to the Amphib Base. I get there, throw my stuff onboard the ship (we were launching the RHIBs off a ship) and my boss let me know we have about 3 hours before we are getting underway. The guys decide to go eat while I decided to stay back and run through my gear one last time, I had a gut feeling I was missing something. I soon realized I didn’t have my knife and I ran to go check my truck for it because boat operations and no knife? That’s no Bueno. I soon realized its not in there, so I get into my truck and run to the Wal-Mart about 15 minutes down the road. There’s got to be something decent in Wal Mart to last a week at work right? I grabbed the SOG Ace and I bought it. Didn’t even look at it truthfully. Just grabbed it, paid for it, and drove back to base. $34 for a SOG? What can go wrong? Did I waste $34 or its a decent knife?

I get back to base, we start running through our gear and through our RHIB’s up on the deck and a mooring line we use on our RHIBs needs to be cut. The SOG Ace cuts through that 1-inch mooring line like a hot knife through butter – it’s passed its first test. An hour later we find out our week-long training deployment got canceled and now I’m stuck with a knife I don’t really need. Well, lets put it in the knife rotation and see what the durability is.

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The SOG Ace features a 3.8″ straight blade made out of 7CR17MOV steel. What is 7CR17MOV steel? 7CR17MOV steel is a budget steel used for budget knives. For more clarity, it is 440A stainless steel that has more Vanadium than other steels. The added Vanadium is for durability and strength and to keep that edge as sharp as possible for the longest amount of time. The SOG Ace has an overall length of 8.6 inches with a handle made out of TPR which is a comfortable material to hold. My only complaint with the SOG Ace is the handle cut. Not a big fan but for $34 I can work with it. The spine is straight and the blade thickness is 0.12″ bringing the weight to 4.0 0z. It also comes with a belt clip sheath (it has a notch for cutting 550 paracord or a seatbelt.) It works really well on paracord, but I have not tried it on a seat belt.

Cutting with the SOG Ace is extremely easy. In the 3 months I have had it, it has not failed me nor have I had to sharpen it. Now, it is a budget knife, so I’m sure it won’t last forever but through maritime operation, after maritime operation (I now leave the good knives at home) it has not done me wrong. From cutting lines that get tangled in the props, to saltwater exposure, to everyday life, I feel comfortable carrying this knife. It’s okay to spend a months pay on a knife… but before you do that take a look at the SOG Ace. From rugged durability to blade strength, for $34 you can’t beat the price or the quality of the SOG Ace.

Available on Amazon for $24.95

Everyday Carry: The basics by former Navy SEAL, Eric Davis

They both had that slight look of worry on their face. It was as if they had just lost something valuable, but they were not yet sure it was gone.

Just finishing my run I was sweaty and shirtless, but I walked up to the ladies anyways.

“Is everything okay?”

“No! I just locked my keys in my car and I’m going to be late for a meeting.”

The woman with the blonde hair replied in a bit of Like you could do anything about it tone as she glanced at her friend.

I asked, “Would you like me to open your car for you?”

“Umm… can you do that?”

“Sure – I’ll be right back.”

I went to my truck, threw my shirt on so I didn’t freak them out any more than they already were, grabbed my entry tools and went to work.

Maybe about five minutes later (I’m getting rusty) their car was open. By this point, the mood had significantly changed from mild irritation and suspicion to gratitude and amazement.

“What? I mean… How did you do that? Who are you?”

My hair was a bit on the long side and I had a full beard so I probably looked a bit suspect to them. But, I think because of how organized my tools were in their little black bag, and the speed at which I worked, they must have assumed something more interesting than a common criminal.

“Oh. I used to work for the Government.”

Their jaws dropped a bit and they just kind of stared as I got into my truck and drove away.

As I passed the blonde driver shouted, “Are you married?”

I don’t wear a wedding ring so I just stuck my hand out the window and gave them an ambiguous thumbs up and kept driving.

“Always be prepared,” I thought to myself as I cracked a smile and headed home to tell my wife what had happened.

You Are What You’re Ready For

They say that luck favors the prepared. I say you are what you’re ready for.

Either way, there is no greater indicator of preparedness than what goes into someone’s personal “Everyday Carry”.

The story I shared is a little more on the lighter side of readiness, but the topic itself is much more serious and can get incredibly deep. For these reasons, there are many professionals who consider their everyday carry a matter of life or death. That’s because it is.

1st Line – 2nd Line – 3rd Line

The “Line” system for gear distribution layers your capabilities in order of priority and, as in all special operations principles, applies to every situation in life.

The line system is broken down into three distinct categories.

First line is carried on your person and includes items that you would never be without. This line is meant to help you survive. It’s your last line of defense.

Second line is carried close to your body and would include things such as load bearing equipment (combat belts), fanny packs, etc. This line is meant to support your primary mission and aid in sustainment and survival.

Third line would be carried on your body, like a backpack, or carried on a vehicle. This line is meant to increase your capabilities as well as sustain you for long periods of time.

All lines are considered portable. The “First Line” is commonly referred to as “Every day Carry” meaning it is what one would have on them on or off duty. I follow an “Every day Carry” philosophy for all lines which means there are things I keep on my person, in my bag and in my car everyday.

Today we’re going to cover your “First Line”.

First Line: Everyday Carry

This is what you carry on your person and would never remove. For me, this means my clothes and pockets.

Your First Line will modify depending on the situation.

If you’re in a combative tactical situation, this could include a knife, personal weapon, a “Blow out kit” (first aid), survival kit, money, blood chit, etc.

If you’re in a non-combative tactical situation, say a trip to Disneyland, this would – at a minimal – include your car key, money, credit card, I.D. and cell phone.

** Pay attention to this part **

When you go anywhere you should always ask yourself this question: “If I had to drop everything and run away, what would I need with me?”

So if you were at Disneyland and you had to run out of there what would be the one thing you would want to make sure you had? Could you imagine not being able to get into your car and drive away? That’s your “First Line” gear!
My Ideal First Line:

The Core:

A single car key without any type of remote, my I.D., money and a credit card. On a day-to-day basis, I’ll carry these items in a normal fashion: i.e, key ring and wallet.

If I go anywhere atypical, I’ll take my car key off its ring, remove my money, I.D. and credit card from my wallet so that I could carry them in my bathing suit if I had to.

This way if I were to get robbed I could hand over my backpack, cash, camera whatever and still get my family out of there. Being stranded leaves you vulnerable and forces you to engage with unknowns. It ain’t happening on “Dad’s Watch”.

Communications:

I carry an iPhone inside of a Life Proof nüüd case. This allows me to grab pictures, navigate and communicate. Worst case, if I were to lose the phone I could still drive, buy or run my way out of there.

Protection:

Shades: Gatorz sunglasses

Gatorz sunglasses are a “Team Guy” favorite and I love them. They’re made of aluminum so they can be formed to a perfect wrap on my pumpkin.

It’s important to protect your eyes from all elements so that they don’t fatigue.

I just ordered their new “Cerakote” coated glasses. It’s the same coating used on modern day weapons. Killer!

Knife: SOG Trident

I’ve used many different knives, but right now I’m loving on the SOG Trident. A great blade at a great price, it has a line cutter built into the handle which is perfect for cutting paracord, fishing line and sometimes can be useful on seatbelts in an emergency.

Gun: Glock 26

When I’m in a situation in which a gun is necessary I carry the Glock 26. Nothing fancy on it, I just added grip extenders and called it good.

I actually never used a holster until I came across Pit Bull Tactical’s Bloodline Holster. To keep things streamlined and tight I just stuffed the gun into my waistband. This holster actually had enough adjustment points allowing me to finally strike that delicate balance between concealment, comfort and quickness.

Watch: Nixon-The Unit

I tend to obsess over watches. Right now I’m wearing the Nixon Unit watch. I love the higher functioning and higher priced watches with GPSs etc., but often I like to keep it simple. The Unit is easy to use and looks cool, so I’ve been rocking it for a while now.

Escape and Evasion:

I don’t know of any place to buy this, but here’s what was given to me. The small plastic “dime bag” carries a Teflon string for tying or cutting through things, a small ceramic blade to cut out of hand ties, a plastic handcuff key, and one other item that I can’t mention here.

So I know with a group like this there have to be many variations, thoughts, opinions and better ideas on what to carry. Every time I write an article like this one I’ll receive comments that make for a better final product and that’s what I’m all about.

What do you carry and why?