SOG Kiku XR LTE Blackout - EDC Nirvana?

H

Heffeb

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Mar 6, 2022
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I've heard a lot praise about the Studies and Observations Group Kiku XR LTE. I do not own this knife and have not handled one. I love the steel used, but it's very expensive. Does anyone have any experience with this knife? Is it worth it? Thanks.
 
I picked up a used standard Kiku XR a while back as it had my interest, I did consider the LTE version.

SOG XR.JPG

I like the steel liners on this version for the weight. Not small, I'd say compact and the crossbar lock works better than my full size Adams (as least to my hands).
Blade shape "unconventional" over most but will work as good as anything else once you lean how to work it. CTS XHP.

Getting this for a decent price used with a stripped pivot, I sent this out to SOG asking for a new pivot.
Filled out the form and sent it in, there was some additional small print that I overlooked, 3 months pass (I wrote it off as a loss) and it came back with a new pivot AND with a new factory edge.

It's a sold "heavy duty" compact user.
 
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I don’t have this one but do have the Sog Seal XR and I can tell you that the build quality is fantastic. And if you are looking for a folder to go to war with, that one is it. A real brute . Sog is doing good things these days

sogknives.com

SEAL XR - USA Made

USA made large format folder designed in consultation with pro users and built with S35VN steel, GRN handles, and SOG's secure XR lock. Free shipping!
sogknives.com sogknives.com
 
The last SOG I bought was a Spec Elite Auto like 10 years ago, and it was great. I will openly admit that since then I had kind of written off SOG and kind of just grouped them into the category with Gerber and CRKT..

Bit I have to be honest, i've been hearing pretty good things about the newer SOG's, and yall are kinda making me want to take another look..
 
I can't see why I personally would ever come to own a new SOG.
It reminds me of Benchmade insofar as the "traditional modern" look where it is kind of like... 'sensible, no nonsense modern knife' but without the useful factor that Benchmade has. I only have one Benchmade, the 3V Puukko.
 
Corton93 said:
The last SOG I bought was a Spec Elite Auto like 10 years ago, and it was great. I will openly admit that since then I had kind of written off SOG and kind of just grouped them into the category with Gerber and CRKT..

Bit I have to be honest, i've been hearing pretty good things about the newer SOG's, and yall are kinda making me want to take another look..
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I have a couple of their fixed blades also, the Seal FX in both tanto and drop point. GREAT fixed blades in S35V. The sheaths are horrible but a custom kydex sheath combined with these blades can’t be beat. I would definitely give SOG a look. Their stuff is just really dialed in and the Seal XR folder and Seal FX fixed blades I have are made in the USA with top quality materials and attention to detail. I’m impressed and I’m very picky
 
rlewpolar said:
I have a couple of their fixed blades also, the Seal FX in both tanto and drop point. GREAT fixed blades in S35V. The sheaths are horrible but a custom kydex sheath combined with these blades can’t be beat. I would definitely give SOG a look. Their stuff is just really dialed in and the Seal XR folder and Seal FX fixed blades I have are made in the USA with top quality materials and attention to detail. I’m impressed and I’m very picky
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With the cost of the knife plus a custom sheath you are better saving up a bit more and getting a CPK knife.
 
As knife-wielding Northerners, we seek Valhalla, Nirvana not so much. In Minnesota, we say your Teamsters union card is your ticket to Valhalla. Dunno if you can buy a ticket to Nirvana, at any price.
 
I haven’t had any real interest in SOG since @ 2003 when I was new to the hobby and got a Vision XL. It was decent. But I didn’t know much about knives then. Anyway , the Kiku XR (for whatever reason) has my attention. I really like the blade shape. I’m not sure how practical it is but I like it.

Questions to anyone who owns one :
1) Is the pocket clip able to be removed without having to take apart the knife?
2) How’s the detent? Can it be shook open easily?
3) Would you recommend any other knives with similar blade shape?

I’m in research mode. SOG XR and DPx Gear Hest/F Urban are my current focal points.
 
P.C.E. said:
I picked up a used standard Kiku XR a while back as it had my interest, I did consider the LTE version.

View attachment 2089367

I like the steel liners on this version for the weight. Not small, I'd say compact and the crossbar lock works better than my full size Adams (as least to my hands).
Blade shape "unconventional" over most but will work as good as anything else once you lean how to work it. CTS XHP.

Getting this for a decent price used with a stripped pivot, I sent this out to SOG asking for a new pivot.
Filled out the form and sent it in, there was some additional small print that I overlooked, 3 months pass (I wrote it off as a loss) and it came back with a new pivot AND with a new factory edge.

It's a sold "heavy duty" compact user.
Click to expand...
Do you prefer the weight of the standard over the LTE?
 
When someone notices Im into knives and they relate while explaing what they have, if its not a china wall hanger they are proud of I find Gerber or SOG are a close 2nd. These companies used to be the gold standard but have since sold out to China all for an extra buck. Now they are simply trying to play catch up and are living off the old name. No innovation. Many better options.
 
dericdesmond said:
When someone notices Im into knives and they relate while explaing what they have, if its not a china wall hanger they are proud of I find Gerber or SOG are a close 2nd. These companies used to be the gold standard but have since sold out to China all for an extra buck. Now they are simply trying to play catch up and are living off the old name. No innovation. Many better options.
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What’s a better option that you’d prefer? I’m always open to hearing about different knives. Not really in the same category but I’ve been interested in DPx lately.
 
Wolverine666 Wolverine666 I think Spyderco is always a safe bet. Pride integrity guts, shiny footprints, innovative as anyone since day one and last I checked were still pushing the envelope and doing cool unique things other companies have not. Yes they too have outsourced to china but that has I like to think allowed them to extend reach and push the envelope farther in other areas for passionate knife nerds like many of us here. Chris Reeves though a bit pricey is always a safe and solid bet. Give me any $500 CRK over ANY $250 SOG. If hard to finance wait a lil longer and save, you will unlikely have regrets that you did. If you want the absolute best that modern day metallurgy has to offer and next level performance for a fixed Blade blades then wait patiently for Carothers to release something new,,imo a less then $400 (direct not secondary) Dek1 is one of the greatest pieces of useful steel ever created but I am a bit of a fan boy. Esee, Swamp Rat, Scrapyard, other great options to consider for fixed (my preference). Many more options but its early and Ive yet to coffee. Not long ago I helped sell a large portion of a good buddies SOG collection, mostly modern 2000 era. Uninspired blades IMO. I would never bet my life on one like I would a Busse or CPK.
 
dericdesmond said:
Wolverine666 Wolverine666 I think Spyderco is always a safe bet. Pride integrity guts, shiny footprints, innovative as anyone since day one and last I checked were still pushing the envelope and doing cool unique things other companies have not. Yes they too have outsourced to china but that has I like to think allowed them to extend reach and push the envelope farther in other areas for passionate knife nerds like many of us here. Chris Reeves though a bit pricey is always a safe and solid bet. Give me any $500 CRK over ANY $250 SOG. If hard to finance wait a lil longer and save, you will unlikely have regrets that you did. If you want the absolute best that modern day metallurgy has to offer and next level performance for a fixed Blade blades then wait patiently for Carothers to release something new,,imo a less then $400 (direct not secondary) Dek1 is one of the greatest pieces of useful steel ever created but I am a bit of a fan boy. Esee, Swamp Rat, Scrapyard, other great options to consider for fixed (my preference). Many more options but its early and Ive yet to coffee. Not long ago I helped sell a large portion of a good buddies SOG collection, mostly modern 2000 era. Uninspired blades IMO. I would never bet my life on one like I would a Busse or CPK.
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Great suggestions. I’ve been a Spyderco and CRK fan for years. Both top notch makers and I own many. To be more specific , I’d like a blade similar in shape to the Kiku XR. I recall Spyderco had one (Rubicon maybe?) years ago with that slight recurve. I’d like something like that. Or just different than the run of the mill EDC. Spyderco , BM , CRK , Microtech = all awesome. Just want something out of the ordinary for @ $400 or less.

The Kiku XR has received good reviews from I’ve seen. And DPx looks interesting. Both are new to me so I may give them a try.
 
Admittedly not much of an opinion on recurves but throughout the years I would think the Busse family has put out something to match that criteria. I think Hogue might also have some decent options and maybe wrong but think an honorable man created that company(A.E.?). When dpx came out years ago the guy pushing them here on the forums ruined the idea for me ever owning one so zero opinion as to their usefulness.

*I will add Kiku kicks ass,,so Id feel better about owning a sog if his name is on it.
 
dericdesmond said:
Admittedly not much of an opinion on recurves but throughout the years I would think the Busse family has put out something to match that criteria. I think Hogue might also have some decent options and maybe wrong but think an honorable man created that company(A.E.?). When dpx came out years ago the guy pushing them here on the forums ruined the idea for me ever owning one so zero opinion as to their usefulness.
I will add Kiku kicks ass,,so Id feel better about owning a sog if his name is own it.
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Hogue , yes. I should look at them. I had a Ballista auto I sold last year and have regretted it ever since.

I just picked up a couple Reate PL-Xt’s and they’re outstanding (especially for the price). I should look at what else Reate has. I generally prefer non-flippers but I’m becoming more flexible lately.
 
Wolverine666 said:
Hogue , yes. I should look at them. I had a Ballista auto I sold last year and have regretted it ever since.

I just picked up a couple Reate PL-Xt’s and they’re outstanding (especially for the price). I should look at what else Reate has. I generally prefer non-flippers but I’m becoming more flexible lately.
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Recurve? Maybe the Reate Tiger?
 
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