- Joined
- Sep 7, 2006
- Messages
- 6,159
I havent reviewed a knife in forever, but what the heck, I'm sure its like riding a bicycle right? 
I thought I'd throw this one up here because well, it was a surprise buy for me. I just came across it and thought, now why haven't I ever thought about this folder before? Its a good steel, has a great locking mechanism, its something different and the price was very reasonable. Why the heck not? So I bought one and now I'm even more surprised because I've been carrying it every day since and even though its one of my cheapest folders, its also become one of my favourites. I think its a bit of a sleeper so I thought I'd throw a review up here even though its been around for quite some time.
So what's to like? As I said, steel is VG-10, very respectable. Its made in Japan at the estimable Seki City facility, so lots of good heritage there. The lock - Arc lock - is great and will be familiar to anyone who owns a Benchmade as its very similar to their Axis lock. You get that wonderful smoothness right out of the box and the Arc has been torture tested to 1,000lbs and is a proven performer. In fact I think it might even be considered an improvement on the Axis because it doesnt have the omega spring, which is a potential weak spot on the Axis. The dimensions are pretty much ideal for an EDC in my view - 12 cms/4,72 inches closed; 22cms/8,6 inches open with a blade length of just under 10cms/4 inches.
The blade is one of the most interesting features. Originally intended as a folding version of SOGs popular Pentagon fixed blade, its a spear point design but a real spearpoint, with a wicked symmetrical design and a cool swedge. It even has a proper spear point, which is pretty much unique to this folder. SOG calls it the Shark Tooth Tip which is a very apt name. Its sharpened on both sides and gives the knife a very useful double edge right on the tip. I dont know about you but I use my knives mostly for opening stuff and I like a pointy tip. This tip is just perfect for that and its hell on blister packs. The edge is extremely well ground, even on both sides and it comes very sharp out of the box.
The other cool thing about it is the slim and light form factor. The blade is quite narrow at 1 inch at its widest point and disappears entirely into the scales. In addition, the overall package is very light at 4,30oz. Not too shabby for a 4 inch blade.
Other nice points is that the blade has a very good bead blast, the smooth variety. I detest coatings but a smooth bead blast I can live with. What's cool is the clip is also blasted the same hue.
The knife is fully ambidextrous and the clip can be switched around so all good for lefties. Speaking of the clip it works well, isnt too uncomfortable and grips the pants well enough (aided by the texturing on the scales). It is held in place by one large screw and two smaller ones. It is also countersunk into the scale. Nice touch.
So what's not to like? Well, the scales are glass-filled nylon. Tough but not G-10. They are fully lined however. I dont hate them, they are very light but I wont lie and say I wouldnt prefer G-10 because I would. This knife with G-10 scales would be off the hook.
Also, the knife is only available with a part serrated blade. Normally I am allergic to this but SOG has done the serrations very well. They are the shallow variety, so you dont get those horrendous high points like with some serrations. They work extremely well with cardboard. Also, the serrations are only 3cms long, so you still get two thirds of the blade in plain edge.
Now the other thing worth mentioning is that SOG saw fit to offer a Pentagon Elite II, which is a bigger version of this one. It features a 5 inch blade, no less. I have to admit, I was really stuck as to which one to get at first. I went back and forth and eventually decided on the 4 incher. However, now that I have it, I immediately saw how the 5 incher would be totally cool, so I ordered that one as well. Just to give you an idea of how much I like this knife.
Nice blade to handle ratio:
Shark tooth tip, really cool:
Blade disappears into the handles:
Bead blasted clip, well secured:
Serrations aren't too pointy and leave plenty of room for plain edge:
I thought I'd throw this one up here because well, it was a surprise buy for me. I just came across it and thought, now why haven't I ever thought about this folder before? Its a good steel, has a great locking mechanism, its something different and the price was very reasonable. Why the heck not? So I bought one and now I'm even more surprised because I've been carrying it every day since and even though its one of my cheapest folders, its also become one of my favourites. I think its a bit of a sleeper so I thought I'd throw a review up here even though its been around for quite some time.
So what's to like? As I said, steel is VG-10, very respectable. Its made in Japan at the estimable Seki City facility, so lots of good heritage there. The lock - Arc lock - is great and will be familiar to anyone who owns a Benchmade as its very similar to their Axis lock. You get that wonderful smoothness right out of the box and the Arc has been torture tested to 1,000lbs and is a proven performer. In fact I think it might even be considered an improvement on the Axis because it doesnt have the omega spring, which is a potential weak spot on the Axis. The dimensions are pretty much ideal for an EDC in my view - 12 cms/4,72 inches closed; 22cms/8,6 inches open with a blade length of just under 10cms/4 inches.
The blade is one of the most interesting features. Originally intended as a folding version of SOGs popular Pentagon fixed blade, its a spear point design but a real spearpoint, with a wicked symmetrical design and a cool swedge. It even has a proper spear point, which is pretty much unique to this folder. SOG calls it the Shark Tooth Tip which is a very apt name. Its sharpened on both sides and gives the knife a very useful double edge right on the tip. I dont know about you but I use my knives mostly for opening stuff and I like a pointy tip. This tip is just perfect for that and its hell on blister packs. The edge is extremely well ground, even on both sides and it comes very sharp out of the box.
The other cool thing about it is the slim and light form factor. The blade is quite narrow at 1 inch at its widest point and disappears entirely into the scales. In addition, the overall package is very light at 4,30oz. Not too shabby for a 4 inch blade.
Other nice points is that the blade has a very good bead blast, the smooth variety. I detest coatings but a smooth bead blast I can live with. What's cool is the clip is also blasted the same hue.
The knife is fully ambidextrous and the clip can be switched around so all good for lefties. Speaking of the clip it works well, isnt too uncomfortable and grips the pants well enough (aided by the texturing on the scales). It is held in place by one large screw and two smaller ones. It is also countersunk into the scale. Nice touch.
So what's not to like? Well, the scales are glass-filled nylon. Tough but not G-10. They are fully lined however. I dont hate them, they are very light but I wont lie and say I wouldnt prefer G-10 because I would. This knife with G-10 scales would be off the hook.
Also, the knife is only available with a part serrated blade. Normally I am allergic to this but SOG has done the serrations very well. They are the shallow variety, so you dont get those horrendous high points like with some serrations. They work extremely well with cardboard. Also, the serrations are only 3cms long, so you still get two thirds of the blade in plain edge.
Now the other thing worth mentioning is that SOG saw fit to offer a Pentagon Elite II, which is a bigger version of this one. It features a 5 inch blade, no less. I have to admit, I was really stuck as to which one to get at first. I went back and forth and eventually decided on the 4 incher. However, now that I have it, I immediately saw how the 5 incher would be totally cool, so I ordered that one as well. Just to give you an idea of how much I like this knife.
Nice blade to handle ratio:
Shark tooth tip, really cool:
Blade disappears into the handles:
Bead blasted clip, well secured:
Serrations aren't too pointy and leave plenty of room for plain edge:
