Replacement for my SOG key lockback knife

G

general bacardi

Joined
Dec 11, 2021
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I had a SOG brass key lockback knife on my key ring for years. It was a great knife, very sharp, it was nice that it had the lockback feature. I also liked that it was made in Taiwan rather than China, and was only $10. However at 0.70 ounces it adds some noticeable heft to the keyring. My SOG got confiscated, so I'm in the market for a new one, I'd like to try something a little lighter this time. here's the ones on my short list:

Spyderco Bug, it's quite a bit lighter at 0.4 ounces, but you lose the lockback, it's less practical to use with a 1.31" blade and smaller handle, and it's $22 (for the black one, the silver one doesn't do it for me). or the Honeybee, which is 0.56 ounces and steps up to a 1.625" blade.

SOG Centi I slip, 1.4" blade, 0.4 oz., $13.50

Opinel No. 2 , 1.36" blade, only $10 and the featherweight of the bunch at 0.18 ounces.

Bear & Son 109, 1.5" blade, slipjoint, cool modern design, but tips the scales at 1 oz.

Gerber Ultralight LST, 1.96" blade, lockback, .7 oz. (back to the SOG weight)

SRM 4185, 1.26" blade, cool Ti/framelock construction, but the priciest at $39.95 and too heavy at 1.26 oz. Cool little knife though.

Anyone with experience with these knives, or others to put on the list?
 
Welcome to the forums. Thanks for supporting the site with a gold membership as well.

I'll say it before someone else does. Victorinox Swiss Army Knife (SAK) Classic SD. $20. Admittedly it doesn't lock, does weigh .8 oz but you also get scissors and the other tools. A fair trade off for .1 more ounce imo. I tell everyone who buys a SAK, get one with scissors. I think you will be surprised how much you use them. They are also from Switzerland of course. Plus you can get them with some fun graphics and sayings among the various retailers.
https://www.bladehq.com/item--Victorinox-Classic-SD-Hunter-Green--25403

Of those listed, I'd go Opinel or Gerber. Why? The two best steels. Some of the other steels I'd avoid, even tho it's a keychain knife.
I disregarded the SRM due to weight and cost.

I don't know much about the company tho. That pocket clip might come off too and save some weight.
https://www.knifecenter.com/item/VN...nife-satin-drop-point-blade-black-frn-handles
 
Hello friend.
I recently received a No. 3 in carbon. It doesn't have a keyring/lanyard point, but I think the wood is easy to drill (just drill near the top) a hole in.
20220908_172023.jpg
If you want it, pm me your address and I'll send it to you, no charge.

I'd pick the opinel 2 from your list of course :)

Take care.
 
From your list, the Opinel.

Not from your list and locking:
Spyderco Ladybug, 0.6 oz.
Spyderco Manbug, 0.65 oz.
Byrd Finch, 1.1 oz.

Not from your list, non-locking:
Victorinox Classic SD Alox, 0.6 oz.
Victorinox Classic SD, 0.7 oz.
Victorinox Rally, 0.8 oz.
Victorinox Rambler, 1.1 oz.
 
Seconded Classic SD, it's just a good reason to get your first SAK. I have the Opinel no. 2 and Bug, also, and they are fine choices as well. But, imo, everyone should have a SAK. Find you a color combo you jive with... there are some wonderful ones out there, particularly that model probably being the most amount of unique scale options. Good luck!
 
gazz98 said:
Welcome to the forums. Thanks for supporting the site with a gold membership as well.

I'll say it before someone else does. Victorinox Swiss Army Knife (SAK) Classic SD. $20. Admittedly it doesn't lock, does weigh .8 oz but you also get scissors and the other tools. A fair trade off for .1 more ounce imo. I tell everyone who buys a SAK, get one with scissors. I think you will be surprised how much you use them. They are also from Switzerland of course. Plus you can get them with some fun graphics and sayings among the various retailers.
https://www.bladehq.com/item--Victorinox-Classic-SD-Hunter-Green--25403
Click to expand...
Thanks! That hunter green color is sweet.
 
Tafkaag said:
From your list, the Opinel.
craytab said:
My key chain knife is a SAK classic or rambler. Super useful to have scissors and a nail file. If I was after something more substantial for a key chain knife, I'd look at a Spyderco ladybug or manbug.
Click to expand...

w said:
ThisView attachment 1924788
Click to expand...

Tafkaag said:
From your list, the Opinel.

Not from your list and locking:
Spyderco Ladybug, 0.6 oz.
Spyderco Manbug, 0.65 oz.
Byrd Finch, 1.1 oz.

Not from your list, non-locking:
Victorinox Classic SD Alox, 0.6 oz.
Victorinox Classic SD, 0.7 oz.
Victorinox Rally, 0.8 oz.
Victorinox Rambler, 1.1 oz.
Click to expand...

Not from your list and locking:
Spyderco Ladybug, 0.6 oz.
Spyderco Manbug, 0.65 oz.
Byrd Finch, 1.1 oz.

Not from your list, non-locking:
Victorinox Classic SD Alox, 0.6 oz.
Victorinox Classic SD, 0.7 oz.
Victorinox Rally, 0.8 oz.
Victorinox Rambler, 1.1 oz.
Click to expand...

Great suggestions. I was prioritizing light weight which is why I was looking at the bug/honeybee and didn't put the ladybug/manbug on the list to start, but I didn't realize they were so light, thanks for providing those specs T Tafkaag . For a slight weight penalty (but relatively big size increase), the ladybug/manbug provide a substantial increase in blade steel quality and functionality (at the expense of compactness and cost) over the bug/honeybee
 
I recently picked up a Kershaw Diode, not a bad little knife. It is a liner lock and has a pocket clip. Good fit and finish.

One of my favorite key ring knife is the Bug. They are well made, steel is decent.
 
I would recommend either the Spydercos or the Opinel from your list. Personally, I have an SAK Classic on both my keyring. I use the scissors more than the other tools. Let us know what you decide.
 
I have to third the SAK classic.

Its not just a keychain knife, its a screw driver for both flat and Phillips screws, file, scissors, tweezers, toothpick, as well as a thin little knife blade that slices right through mail, FEDEX boxes, plastic blister packages, twine, and most other things you will cut with a small pocket knife. Its the wide mission capability that puts the SAK classic ahead of all other keychain slicers.

In the past 25 years or so I've carried one, I've fixed a gummed up fishing reel out on the flats south of Key West, fixed a faulty carburetor on a vintage Vespa motor scooter out on a dirt road in the middle of nowhere, replaced the door latch on a Sear's Kenmore clothes drier with only the SD tip, adjusted the Williams receiver sight on a Marlin rifle out on the shooting range, Opened lots of cold brewskis with he SD tip of the nail file, Got a thorn out from up between my dogs paw pads with the tweezers and some splinters out of my own fingers on various occasions, and picked some locked handcuffs with the tweezers.

The Victorinox classic is not just a keychain pocket knife. Its a little bundle of solutions to the problems life throws in our way.
 
jackknife said:
I have to third the SAK classic.

Its not just a keychain knife, its a screw driver for both flat and Phillips screws, file, scissors, tweezers, toothpick, as well as a thin little knife blade that slices right through mail, FEDEX boxes, plastic blister packages, twine, and most other things you will cut with a small pocket knife. Its the wide mission capability that puts the SAK classic ahead of all other keychain slicers.

In the past 25 years or so I've carried one, I've fixed a gummed up fishing reel out on the flats south of Key West, fixed a faulty carburetor on a vintage Vespa motor scooter out on a dirt road in the middle of nowhere, replaced the door latch on a Sear's Kenmore clothes drier with only the SD tip, adjusted the Williams receiver sight on a Marlin rifle out on the shooting range, Opened lots of cold brewskis with he SD tip of the nail file, Got a thorn out from up between my dogs paw pads with the tweezers and some splinters out of my own fingers on various occasions, and picked some locked handcuffs with the tweezers.

The Victorinox classic is not just a keychain pocket knife. Its a little bundle of solutions to the problems life throws in our way.
Click to expand...
Okay you are going to have to explain that handcuff thing...
 
Dergyll said:
Hello friend.
I recently received a No. 3 in carbon. It doesn't have a keyring/lanyard point, but I think the wood is easy to drill (just drill near the top) a hole in.
View attachment 1924763
If you want it, pm me your address and I'll send it to you, no charge.

I'd pick the opinel 2 from your list of course :)

Take care.
Click to expand...
What a Great gesture, along with a great recommendation!! 👍👍
jackknife said:
I have to third the SAK classic.

Its not just a keychain knife, its a screw driver for both flat and Phillips screws, file, scissors, tweezers, toothpick, as well as a thin little knife blade that slices right through mail, FEDEX boxes, plastic blister packages, twine, and most other things you will cut with a small pocket knife. Its the wide mission capability that puts the SAK classic ahead of all other keychain slicers.

In the past 25 years or so I've carried one, I've fixed a gummed up fishing reel out on the flats south of Key West, fixed a faulty carburetor on a vintage Vespa motor scooter out on a dirt road in the middle of nowhere, replaced the door latch on a Sear's Kenmore clothes drier with only the SD tip, adjusted the Williams receiver sight on a Marlin rifle out on the shooting range, Opened lots of cold brewskis with he SD tip of the nail file, Got a thorn out from up between my dogs paw pads with the tweezers and some splinters out of my own fingers on various occasions, and picked some locked handcuffs with the tweezers.

The Victorinox classic is not just a keychain pocket knife. Its a little bundle of solutions to the problems life throws in our way.
Click to expand...
Excellent testimonial & very handy to have on hand... Not just the SAK !! 👍👍

I thought I'd throw the Kershaw Cinder out there.
(Hinderer design)
-I wasn't aware of the Copper scaled option.

Cheers on your quest 🍻

B.T.B. 😎
 
Triton said:
Okay you are going to have to explain that handcuff thing...
Click to expand...
Folks lose the key in the heat of the moment.
😂

You can get various beautifully colored alox scales for your SD classic in addition to cellidor models.

Since people are talking about more expensive knives, I also recommend, depending on what your tasks are, the Spyderco Dragonfly (no matter the steel I prefer wharncliffe for this model), that is such a great little cutter, it'll teach you that you don't need as much blade as you think (NEED, that is, I still like to have some more blade length on me most days) The Cricket is also really great. Both knives are under 2oz. You could attach one to an SD Classic.

Other 58mm models, the same size as the SD Classic exist, though, and are oft-ignored. A lot are disco'd and I am lucky to have the ones I do, but I think that the Rambler and Minichamp are also in production, as well as the even slimmer than the SD Classic, single-layer Escort, which just includes a knife and an SD nailfile. Some unique Escort models out there, too.

The 74mm size, the next up, particularly the Executive, is my favored "leisure-size" Victorinox. It has scissors, file/NC tip, scissors, two blades, and serrated package opener/orange peeler with the SD tip. Unlike the 84mm, it truly feels small, the heft is closer to that of the 58mm than anything higher up, and it's very compact. I would really look into these.
 
I’ve been carrying an Opinel #4 in my watch pocket for about a week. (In fact I bought it off Dergyll! Thanks bud!). I can’t imagine how minuscule the #2 is, or even the #3, but either would be a great choice. I also really like the Gerber LST- it was my first real knife, and in my humble opinion, it’s the knife Gerber does best. Lightweight, inexpensive, durable and reliable.

The only thing I might suggest with an Opinel on a key ring would be using one of those small hair rubber bands ladies use to help keep it shut. I don’t know if it’s necessary, but it seems safer.

The Victorinox classic is a nice multi tool for a small package, but I find that the plastic scales get banged up pretty easy.
 
Spyderco Ladybug. My mom's carried one on her keys now for 30+ years, with no complaints. She uses the heck out of it too.
 
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