Opinions on the SOG Trident

[Cblock]

I was thinking of picking up the SOG Trident as a new EDC...I've been carrying my 5.11 karambit around which has gotten me some looks.. So I figure it time for a change!

I have bought an SOG knife before (Black access card) and found it to be a good quality knife. Anyone use the SOG Trident? Seems like a practical knife with the seat-belt / cord cutter feature.

Never used an AUS-8 steel blade, how does the edge hold?

Thanks!!

-Corey

 

[RevDevil]

I had a SOG Trident last year. It's a decent knife for what it costs, but I feel there are much better choices out there for the $50-$60 range. SOG does well with their AUS-8, but it varies from batch to batch from things I've read and seen first hand. The seatbelt/cord cutter is not all it's cracked up to be, more of a gimmick than anything else. Personally, I did not like the lock on the Trident much, it felt flimsy on mine.
I'd recommend a Cold Steel American Lawman or the Recon 1 clip point. Both are excellent knives with awesome locks. You can also get a less "threatening" looking knife and go with a Spyderco/Kershaw/Buck product (American made).

 

[jonnyt16]

You know, the Trident (or SOG in general) doesn't really have a very good reputation on this forum but I am proof positive that these blades can take alot of hard use and still perform darn well. I'm in the construction field and believe me, I put my knives through the wringer.

The Trident is one tough knife in my opinion. It was my EDC at work for a while (at least 9 months) and it has been through hell. Working in construction, it was used and abused. That includes everything from cutting, scraping, digging, and even (gasp!) some light prying. I've also gotten everything from lint to dirt to sand inside it and no problems with the spring. I did of course clean it on a regular basis but for the amount of hell I've put it through I am suprised this knife is still in one piece. The assisted opening mechanism still snaps the blade open as fast as day one. For the $70 bucks I paid for this knife I have gotten more than my money's worth. In fact, I liked it so much I bought another one!

Here's a pic of them. The tigerstripe Trident was my EDC (retired now for an Emerson Super Commander) and has been sharpened many times as you can probably tell. It remains an awesome knife and can still slice with the best of 'em. Does it hold an edge as well as the high premium steels? Not really, but more than adequate enough. And yes, these do have a tiny bit of lateral blade movement but not anywhere near enough to affect performance.

 

[Cblock]

Thanks for the info guys..I think I'm going to go with the ZT0350 instead of the Trident

 

[EricV]

Thanks for the info guys..I think I'm going to go with the ZT0350 instead of the Trident

Very good choice :thumbup:

I edc'd a trident for two years for work and everything. I really do a lot of cutting durring the spring summer and fall, so its typically easy to see a knife fail.

My tanto trident, began to get pretty poor lockup after two months, quite a bit of vertical play in the lock.

The seatbelt cutter never worked well on cord or webbing, but did OK on large zipties.

The AUS 8 was too soft on mine, but I have heard of people having much better HT'd examples.

The super low pocket clip was a pain in the butt to get out of my pocket with rappelling gloves on.

The one positive was the handle, absolutely great feeling grip, with gloves or without. I don't think I've come across another folder yet with a better fit to my handshape.

I just wanted to throw that out there for anyone else looking for opinion if they search later on. Its an OK knife but not really worth the price. The ZT is going to be worlds better.