MACV SOG Bowie - which one?

Ruari

Ruari

Joined
Jul 5, 2014
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I've recently rekindled an interest in the SOG bowie - whether it's the original 6" CISO style, the SOG S1/SS1 - you get the picture.

Now, the quandary. I'm finding it difficult to locate a 86-06 SOG S1, and I've been looking at the current Bowie 2.0. Along the way, I've discovered that Bark River make a good looking version, as does Hattori (who originally made the SOG S1/SS1).

So, which contemporary MACV SOG bowie would you get? The current SOG 2.0 , the Bark River, the Hattori, or, hold out for a good 86-06 2nd hand SOG S1?
I can't seem to find any reviews of the Bark River MACV SOG (there are scathing indictments of the owner/designer though...) and I'm going to guess the Hattori would be a solid performer given the pedigree.
 
I wish I didn't distrust Bark River so very much, particularly where 3V steel is concerned, as their take on the MACV SOG is gorgeous, but I would have to recommend going with Hattori. In addition to my distaste for their owner I don't have any confidence that Bark River will deliver the materials they advertise at this point.
 
The drama around BRK is intensified and dramatized by people that live for drama. In fact, my statement alone will probably bring the haters out of the woodwork. I’ve owned several BRK knives and I could care less whether Mike Stewart hurt someone’s feelings once, the knives are excellent in fit and finish and I’d trust my life to one any day... but more to the point here: The BRK version is the one I’d choose, especially considering the ridiculous pricing SOG has on their version.

I mean, just looking at this picture makes me want to buy one... that’s how good BRK is.

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You can always go with a Brend Model 2

n2s
 
The Hattori.

Also a custom maker named Steve Voorhis makes a nice copy that sometimes can be had mint for $350-450ish on the secondary. A few members here have had them and liked them. Also Ben Baker (the original SOG designer) had a maker named Gary Hicks making copies over the years. They're not terribly priced when you can find them.
 
tltt said:
The Hattori.

Also a custom maker named Steve Voorhis makes a nice copy that sometimes can be had mint for $350-450ish on the secondary. A few members here have had them and liked them. Also Ben Baker (the original SOG designer) had a maker named Gary Hicks making copies over the years. They're not terribly priced when you can find them.
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Nice, will keep an eye open for them, good to get some alternatives.
 
I recently got on a waiting list for preorder of the BRK in 3v, I’m getting the vintage stacked leather for a handle. I own a few BRK and they are well built. For a MACV, the Hattori would be my first choice, but they are expensive.
 
I am going to pull the old “Bladeforums Question”....what are you using it for? Are you fondling it in front of the TV? , deanimating sentries behind enemy lines? Or hanging around in the woods? I have a bunch of Sog Bowie’s and I like the pointier ones but I use Esee or Ranger Knives in the woods So who cares about the small tip? ( that’s what she said). However, Mistwalker (great guy here) used a Sog Bowie here for woods work with no problem. So what say you?
 
clearytja said:
I am going to pull the old “Bladeforums Question”....what are you using it for? Are you fondling it in front of the TV? , deanimating sentries behind enemy lines? Or hanging around in the woods? I have a bunch of Sog Bowie’s and I like the pointier ones but I use Esee or Ranger Knives in the woods So who cares about the small tip? ( that’s what she said). However, Mistwalker (great guy here) used a Sog Bowie here for woods work with no problem. So what say you?
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Definitely to use, it's not going to be some safe queen.
 
I have about 15-18 different Sog brand Bowies ranging from the Super with the leather handle to the Seal Team with the Zytel handle and overall I really like them all, however, you are correct in looking for the S1 . I really like the carbon steel over the AUS 8 .

My dealings with Bark River have been love/ hate . I really love the grind...that convex grind is easy to maintain and they use a lot of carbon steel, however, there have been a lot of talk about which steels have actually been used versus which steels have been stated...but that might just be gossip.

My issue was I have had two knives with bad heat treat. Not sure if the edge was ground down too much or the temperature was off but we were sitting around a camp fire and my father bent the edge with his thumb nail!! We checked some others and another blade failed too. They swapped them out after some cajoling but I have never had two knives from one company with bad heat treat. And I have hundreds of knives.
I not completely turned off Bark River...about once a year I still pick one up, just something to keep in mind.
 
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clearytja said:
I have about 15-18 different Sog brand Bowies ranging from the Super with the leather handle to the Seal Team with the Zytel handle and overall I really like them all, however, you are correct in looking for the S1 . I really like the carbon steel over the AUS 8 .

My dealings with Bark River have been love/ hate . I really love the grind...that convex grind is easy to maintain and they use a lot of carbon steel, however, there have been a lot of talk about which steels have actually been used versus which steels have been stated...but that might just be gossip.

My issue was I have had two knives with bad heat treat. Not sure if the edge was ground down too much or the temperature was off but we were sitting around a camp fire and my father bent the edge with his thumb nail!! We checked some others and another blade failed too. They swapped them out after some cajoling but I have never had two knives from one company with bad heat treat. And I have hundreds of knives.
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It's definitely not gossip. There have been at least a couple of confirmed instances among members here.
 
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